TEACHING AND

LEARNING C.R.E
NOTES
FORM TWO

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

COVER PAGE
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1

AUTOBIOGRAPHY
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
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CHAPTER ONE

Old Testament Prophecies about the coming of the Messiah

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CHAPTER TWO
The Infancy Narratives and early life of Jesus
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CHAPTER THREE

John the Baptist and Jesus Christ

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CHAPTER FOUR

Jesus begins His work in Galilee

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The Sermon on the plain

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CHAPTER SIX

Some works and teachings of Jesus Christ

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CHAPTER SEVEN

Jesus and the twelve disciples

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CHAPTER EIGHT

Some Major teachings of Jesus

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CHAPTER NINE

The Kingdom of God

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CHAPTER TEN

Jesus teachings on Wealth, Poverty, Faith and Prayer

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CHAPTER ELEVEN

Jesus teaches in Jerusalem

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CHAPTER TWELVE

The Passion, death and Resurrection of Jesus Christ

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CHAPTER ONE
THE OLD TESTAMENT PROPHECIES ABOUT THE COMING OF THE
MESSIAH
 During the time when the Israelites were suffering in exile there
emerged prophets who gave the Israelites hope.
 This hope was expressed in Isaiah 7:10-16, 9: 1-7 53, 61:1-2, Jeremiah
23:5-6 Psalms 49: 9,110:1-2, Micah 5:1-5. This hope became strong
especially during the exilic period in Babylon.
The Concept of the Messiah in the Old Testament
 The term Messiah comes from the Hebrew word "Meshiach" which
means Anointed One.
 The opinion of scholars differs widely on the meaning of the word as is
applied in the Old Testament.
 At times, it has been used to refer to David and the priests who were
the descendants of Levi.
 The Prophets of Israel on their part were believed to have been
anointed by the spirit of God.
 The Prophets, Kings and Priests, were people called and anointed by
God for specific tasks.
 The Messiah therefore refers to someone called, anointed and
appointed by God to serve him in a special way.
 During the time of the prophets they foretold the coming of the
Messiah at the time God made a covenant with King David through
Prophet Nathan.
 God promised that the Messiah would come from the house of King
David and would be an everlasting ruler (2 Sam.7:3-17).
 On the other hand prophecy is a prediction of what will happen in
future.

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  Messianic prophecies were therefore predictions that were made by
prophets to describe the coming of a righteous king who will rule Israel
according to the will of God.
(a) Nathan's prophecy (2 Samuel 7:3-17).
 The Messiah will be a descendant of King David.
 During his reign people will be safe from their enemies and they shall
live in peace.
 The Messiah will be supported by God
 During his reign, God will give his people land to dwell in.
 The Messiah will have an everlasting kingdom.
 The Messiah will be the son of God.
 God will keep the Messiah’s kingdom strong.
(b) Isaiah’s Prophecy (Isaiah 7:10-16, 9: 1-7, 61:1-2).
 Prophet Isaiah developed the Messianic prophecy from Prophet
Nathan.
 Prophet Isaiah pointed out that a young woman shall conceive and
bear a son.
 He shall be called Emanuel which means "God with us" (Isaiah 7:10-
16)
 Isaiah continues to prophecy that the child to be born would be a
special child and
 Would have the following titles;
- A wonderful counselor
- Everlasting/Eternal Father
- Prince of peace
- Mighty God

Therefore Isaiah’s prophecies concerning the Messiah include;

 The Messiah will rule forever.
 The messiah will rule with Justice and righteousness.
 The Messiah would be born of a virgin or a young woman.
 The messianic reign will bring joy and happiness to the Israelites
 The Messiah would be a ruler from the house of King David.
 He would be a wonderful counselor/ mighty God/ everlasting Father/
Emmanuel/ prince of peace
 The Messiah would be rejected, despised and be sentenced to dead.
 He would suffer for the forgiveness of sins of many people.
 It would be the will of his father for him to suffer.
 He would succeed in his work and highly honored.
 He would have the characteristics of a normal human being.
 He would preach good news to the poor and set the captives free.

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  The future ruler would have a great kingdom to rule and He would rule
according to God's will until the end of time.
(c) The suffering Servant of Yahweh. (Isaiah 53)
Isaiah gives the concept of the Messiah as a suffering one in the following
ways;
 He would be despised, rejected, wounded oppressed and afflicted
 The servant will succeed in his work and be highly honored.
 This success and honor will surprise many who have witnessed his
suffering.
 He endured pain and suffering which would have been ours in humble
silence.
 He will have nothing attractive and will be simple and ordinary.
 He will be wounded because of our sins
 He will be treated harshly but he never said a word.
 He will accept the suffering.
 Through his suffering human beings are reconciled to God.
 His death is a sacrifice to bring forgiveness of sins.
 He will be buried with the rich men even though he did not commit a
crime
 It was the will of God that the servant should suffer.
Due to these messianic prophesies, the Israelites were eagerly waiting for
the coming of the promised Messiah.
Christians believe that Jesus fulfilled Isaiah’s prophecy as the suffering
servant of Yahweh in the following ways;
 He bore the sins of human beings.
 He delivered humanity by dying on the cross.
 He submissively bore suffering and disgrace.
 He was despised and rejected.
 He was mocked and spat on.
 He was pierced and wounded on the sides.
 He was crucified with thieves.
 He was buried in a rich man's tomb.
 Through him God's everlasting kingdom was established.
 He was innocent of sin and yet he was treated as a criminal
 Through Jesus many people have been forgiven of their sins.
(d) Jeremiah’s prophecy. (Jer.23:5-6)
 The Messiah will come from the house of David.
 He would be righteous.
 He would reign as a king
 The Messiah would rule wisely.
 He would bring salvation upon Israel.
 He would provide security and safety to Israel.
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  He would be called the Lord our righteousness.
(e) Micah's Prophecy concerning the Messiah (Micah 5:1-5)
 The Messiah will be born in Bethlehem.
 He will rule over Israel forever
 His origin is from the ancient or old days.
 He will be born of a virgin woman.
 He will feed his flock
 He will rule in the Majesty and the power of God
 In his time Israel will be secure
 He shall be great to the end of the earth.
 In his time Israel will have victory over her enemy and there will be
peace
(f) The Psalmist’s Prophecy (Psalms 41:9, 110:1-2)
 The Messiah will be betrayed by a close friend.
 The close friend will share the meal with the Messiah.
 The Messiah will trust this friend.
 The Messiah will be called the Lord.
 He will be exalted by sitting at the right hand of God.
 He will emerge victorious over His enemies.

THE JEWISH UNDERSTANDING OF THE MESSIAH

The Jews in the New Testament were anticipating for a time God would fulfill
His promises of the Messiah but their expectations were different from what
the Prophets of the Old Testament foretold. Therefore their expectations
were;
 He would be a political leader who would protect Israel from their
enemies.
 He would lead the Israelites into wars against their neighbors.
 The Messiah would come from the house of King David.
 He would convert Jerusalem to be a political center
 He would come after the return of Elijah
 He would establish an everlasting Kingdom
 The messiah was to appear in Jerusalem in full glory
 To establish a kingdom by conquering the enemies of Israel.
 A Messiah who would not mix with the poor and the Gentiles.
 He would uphold Judaism and adhere to the Mosaic Law.
THE CONCEPT OF THE MESSIAH IN THE NEW TESTAMENT
 Luke’s Gospel portrays Jesus as the fulfillment of the Old Testament
prophesies about the messiah by.
 Joseph the foster father of Jesus was a descendant of king David
(LK1:26-27).

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  This fulfills Nathan’s prophesy that the Messiah would be born form the
house of King David
 On several occasions ,Jesus is referred to as the son of David e.g. the
blind beggar at the gate of Jericho referred to Jesus as the son of
David (Lk.18:35-43)
 The same titles which were given to the Messiah by Prophet Isaiah are
the same titles repeated by angel Gabriel as he announced the birth of
Jesus to Mary (LK.1:32-33).That he would be great and he would be
called the son of the most high God and that his kingdom will never
end .
 Angel Gabriel appeared to Mary who was a virgin and told her that she
would give birth to a son .This fulfills Isaiah’s prophecy that “a virgin
shall conceive and give birth to a son (Is.7:14)
 Jesus was born in Bethlehem the city of David, this fulfills what had
been foretold by Micah (Mic.5:2-3)
 At the beginning of his ministry, Jesus entered the synagogue on a
Sabbath day and read a scripture from the book of Isaiah(61:1-3) .he
declared that he was the fulfillment of what had been prophesied by
Isaiah (Lk.16-19)
 When Jesus was rejected at Nazareth by his own people (Lk.4:16-22)
this fulfilled what had been prophesied by Isaiah that the Messiah
would be despised and rejected.
 In Luke. 9:18-21 ,Jesus asked his disciples whom they thought he
was ,Peter answered “you are the Christ of God” .This is an indication
that even the disciples acknowledged Jesus as the Messiah
 During Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem ,the people sang and
claimed that he was the king .Singing “blessed is the King who comes
in the name of the lord”.(Lk.19:36-40)
 Even during the trial of Jesus before the Sanhedrin, when he was asked
if he was really the son of god, he replied “you have said so” an
indication that he was the promised Messiah.
 Isaiah prophesied that the Messiah shall bring salvation to the whole
world .This is echoed by Simon in the temple when he said that the
Lord has kept His promise that he would not die before seeing the
Messiah(Luke.2:25) .
 Isaiah prophesied that the messiah would work miracles (Is.26:25-35)
i.e. the dead shall rise .This is fulfilled when on several occasions Jesus
raised the dead e.g. the raising of Jairus’ daughter

THE ROLE OF JOHN THE BAPTIST.

(Isaiah: 40:3-5, Malachi: 3:1, 4:5-6, Luke 7:20-35)

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  In the introductory chapters of Luke’s Gospel, the author talks about
the birth of John
 This is because John prepared the way for the messiah in that:
 John the Baptist acted as a link between the old and New Testament.
 He called people to be baptized as a sign of repentance to receive
forgiveness of their sins
 He preached to the people about the Messiah who would be mightier
than him was about to come, who would baptize them with the Holy
Spirit.
 He baptized Jesus before the beginning of his ministry
 He introduced Jesus to his disciples as the messiah and the lamb of
God
 He condemned social evils during his time for example he condemned
King Herod for taking Herodias his brother’s wife
 He preached to the people to turn away from their wicked ways of life.
 He bore witness to Jesus as the messiah and the Lamb of God who
takes away the sins of the world.

CHAPTER TWO
THE INFANCY NARRATIVES
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The annunciation of the birth of John the Baptist (Luke 1:5-25)
 The birth of John the Baptist was announced during the reign of King
Herod the great.
 Zechariah was one of the priests and he had a wife called Elizabeth.
 They were both righteous before the Lord but they did not have a child
because Elizabeth was barren and both of them were advanced in age.
 Zechariah was in the temple burning incense when Angel Gabriel
appeared to him.
 He was troubled, but the angel told him not to be afraid for his prayers
had been answered.
 That his wife, Elizabeth was going to have a son who shall be called
John.
 The angel stated the important role John would play;
 He would be great in the sight of the Lord.
 He will be a Nazirite and shall not drink wine nor strong drinks.
 Many people would rejoice at his birth.
 He would be a source of joy to his parents.
 He would be filled with the Holy Spirit even in his mother’s womb
 He would turn the hearts of the sons of Israel to the Lord their God
 He would have the qualities of Prophet Elijah e.g. courage.
 He would turn the hearts of the fathers to their children and bring
reconciliation.
 He would prepare the people for the Lord and call people to
repentance.
 Zechariah could not believe the angel’s message because his wife was
barren and both of them were advance in age.
 Angel told him that he would be silent and not able to speak until God
fulfills His message to him.
 When he finally came out, he could not speak to the congregation and
they realized he had received a vision in the Temple.
 After these days, her wife Elizabeth conceived and she hid herself for
five months.

Lessons Christians learn from the annunciation of the birth of John the Baptist

 Children are a gift from God

 Christians should be persistent in prayer
 They should have faith/trust in God
 They should not doubting God’s message that has been brought to them
 Christians should serve God regardless of their circumstances
 They should be patient
 Christians learn that God has a purpose in their lives

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 Ways in the church in Kenya assists families to cope with their
challenges.
 They offer guidance and counseling to them.
 They pay visits to the families affected.
 The church organizes seminars for different groups on family life.
 Praying for the families.
 Providing vocational training.
 Offering employment to jobless people.
 Producing Christian literature on proper Christian living.
 Giving financial and material support to the needy families.
 Condemning vices which threaten families.
 Preaching to the families on the importance of helping the needy
people.
 Establishing rehabilitation centers for the destitute.

Annunciation of the birth of Jesus (Luke 1-26-38)

 During the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, angel Gabriel was
sent to a virgin woman named Mary who was engaged to Joseph, a
descendant of King David.
 The angel appeared to Mary, he greeted her “Hail Mary, O favored one,
the Lord be with you."
 Mary was troubled but the angel told her not to be afraid for she had
found favor in the Lord to become the mother of the Messiah, the son
of the most high.
 She was going to conceive and bear a son called him Jesus meaning
God saves.
 The angel revealed the following to Mary Concerning the role the child
would play;
- He will be great and be called the son of the most High God.
- He will rule over the house of Jacob forever
- The lord would give him the throne of his father David.
- The Kingdom will be everlasting.
- The child to be born would be holy.
- Jesus was to save people from sin.
- Jesus' conception would be effected by the power of the Holy
Spirit.
 Mary wondered how she could conceive without a husband but the
angel told it would be by the power of the Holy Spirit.
 To confirm to Mary that this would be possible, the angel informed her
that relative Elizabeth was already pregnant despite her old age.
 Mary finally accepted the angel’s message and submitted herself to
the will of God.
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Similarities between the annunciation of the birth of John the
Baptist and Jesus Christ (LK 1:8-17 & LK 1:26-38)
 In both messages was delivered by angel Gabriel
 In both the missions of john and Jesus were specified by the angel
 In both the possibility of the message was doubted by Zachariah and
Mary
 In both cases signs were given to confirm the messages/signs were given
to Zachariah and Mary
 In both the children would be God’s servants
 In both cases children would be male
 In both births were to be through divine intervention/extraordinary
 In both the names of the children to be born were given by the angel
 In both the angel told Zachariah and Mary not to be afraid

MARY VISITS ELIZABETH (Luke 1:39-56)

 After angel Gabriel left her, Mary went to visit her cousin, Elizabeth.
 As soon as Mary greeted her, the baby in the womb leaped with joy.
 Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and said Mary was going to be
the mother of the Messiah.
 Mary’s remarks were in form of a song commonly referred to as the
Magnificat
 He has remembered her lowly servant.
 She will call me blessed, Because of the great things that the mighty
God has done to her
 His name is Holy from one generation to another.
 He shows mercy to those who fear Him.
 He has stretched his mighty arm and has scattered the proud with all
their plans.
 He has brought down mighty Kings from their thrones and lifted the
lowly.
 He has filled the hungry with good things, and sent the rich empty
handed.
 He has kept the promise He made to our ancestors
 He has come to help of his servant Israel.
 He has remembered and shown mercy to Abraham and His
descendants forever.

Lessons Christians learn about the nature of God from the

Magnificat
 God is the Savior because he remembers the lowly.
 God is mighty and has done great things and scatters the proud.
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  God is holy from generation to generation.
 God is merciful to those who fear Him.
 God is caring
 He protects his people because and He exalts the humble.
 God is the provider and sustainer for He sends the rich empty handed
and fills the hungry with good things.
 God is faithful to His promises that he made to our forefathers such as
Abraham
 He is kind and helper to His servant Israel.

THE BIRTH OF JOHN THE BAPTIST (Luke.1:57-80)

 When the time for Elizabeth came to give birth, she gave birth to a
son.
 The relatives and friends came to celebrate together.
 When John was born, it was an occasion of great joy to his parents
 The child was circumcised on the eighth day according to the Jewish
custom.
 Relatives wanted to name him Zechariah after his father.
 Elizabeth insisted he would be called John and none among the
relatives was called John.
 To confirm this, his father who was still dumb was given a tablet and
wrote his name John
 Zechariah who was dumb was able to speak again and was filled with
the Holy Spirit and began to prophecy.
 The neighbors were amazed and were filled with awe and began
talking about these things in Judea.
 Zechariah also sang a hymn which is referred to as the Benedictus.

The contents of the Benedictus

 He described God as the redeemer because he has saved his people
from sin.
 God has brought salvation through Jesus from the house of King David.
 He has kept His promises that He made to Abraham and the prophets
of the Old Testament.
The second part of the hymn (Luke 1:76-79) outlines the mission of
John.
 He would be called the prophet of the Most High God.
 He would go before the Lord to prepare the way for the Messiah.
 He would give the knowledge of salvation to his people.
 He would call people to repentance and forgiveness of sin.
 He would give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of
death.
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  This was the fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophecy about the Prince of Peace.
Theimportance of singing in a Church Service
 It is an opportunity to praise God.
 Christians pass messages through singing.
 Singing creates atmosphere of worshippers to relax.
 The singing removes boredom because of the varied activities during
the service.
 Through singing God given talents are portrayed.
 It attracts non- members to the church
 Those who feel depressed are encouraged through singing.
 Singing unites worshippers together.
Lessons Christians learn from the lives of Zechariah and Elizabeth
 Christians should be morally upright and righteous.
 They should obey God's commandments.
 They should be patient and persevere in their spread of the Gospel.
 They should serve God faithfully.
 Christian should be prayerful.
 They should depend on God for their needs
 They should believe in God's word.
 They should thank God for the blessings.
 They should praise and worship God.
 They should desire to be led by the Holy Spirit.
 Christians should rejoice at the blessings of others.

THE BIRTH OF JESUS CHRIST (Luke. 2:1-20)

 The birth of Jesus took place in Bethlehem the city of David during the
reign of Emperor Augustus Caesar.
 A Census had been ordered by the emperor to determine the payment
of taxes and those legible for recruitment to the army.
 Mary and Joseph traveled to Bethlehem the birth place of Joseph for
the census.
 When the time came for her to have her child, she gave birth to her
first born son.
 She wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger
because there was no room available for them.
 In that region, there were shepherds looking after their flock, the
angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone
around them and shepherds got afraid.
 But the angel told them not to be afraid he had good news for them,
that would bring great joy to all the people.
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  The Messiah had been born in David’s town and they would go into the
town and would find a baby wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in
a manger.
 Suddenly a company of heavenly hosts appeared with the angels and
sang a praise of God saying; "Glory to God in the highest and on earth
peace is toward men".
 When the angels left, the shepherds went to Bethlehem and found the
baby lying in a manger.
 They told the parents of Jesus about the message from the angel and
Mary kept to her heart all these things she had been told.
 The shepherds returned home glorifying and praising him for the
things they had heard and seen.
 The fact that the first people to get information about the birth of the
Messiah were shepherds symbolized that God’s salvation goes to the
humble and the lowly.

Ways through which Christians in Kenya express their joy for the
birth of Jesus
 They sing and listen to Christians songs.
 They attend Christian worship or mass during that time.
 They exchange gifts, cards and message of goodwill.
 They visit friends and relatives.
 They decorate their homes and the churches.
 They buy new clothes.
 They prepare for special dishes or drinks.
 They rest from normal duties.
 They hold Christian concerts or drama.
 They watch moves on the birth of Jesus.
 They read the bible and other Christian stories.
 They help the needy in the community.
 They repent their sins and dedicate their lives to God.

How the birth of Jesus was extra - ordinary

 He was born and laid on a manger although he was a king.
 His birth was announced by angel Gabriel.
 His conception was through the power of the Holy Spirit of virgin
woman.
 His birth was revealed first to shepherds through an angel.
 He was given a name before he was born.
 The angel sang in praise of God during his birth
 His future role was given before he was born
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Similarities between the birth of John the Baptist and Jesus Christ
 The births of both of them were announced by angel Gabriel
 Both the parents were disturbed when they received the good news
 Their future roles were announced by Angels before they were born
 Both of them were given names before they were born
 They both had extra ordinary births; the conception of Jesus was
through the Holy Spirit while that of John the parents were already old.
 Both were first born of their families
 Both the parents were filled with Holy Spirit and there was joy during
the birth.
 Both families were righteous before the lord.

The dedication of Jesus (Luke 2:21-40)

 On the eighth day, Jesus was circumcised according to the Law of
Moses.
 At 40 days he was brought to Jerusalem by his parents for
presentation to the Lord by his parents.
 This was in line with God’s command to the Israelites that the entire
male born that opened the wombs would be dedicated to God.
 The parents offered a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons
according to the Law of Moses (Levi: 12:1-8)
 In Jerusalem temple, there was a man named Simon and been led by
the Holy Spirit that he would not die before seeing the Messiah.
 Simeon told Mary that the child was set for the fall and rise of many in
Israel.
 He was righteous before the Lord and He took Jesus up in his arms
and blessed God.
 Simeon gave the role the child would perform
- Jesus would save people.
- He would bring glory to Israel.
- He would be a light to gentiles.
- He would be a universal savior.
- He would bring judgment to the Israelites.
- Many people would oppose him in his work.
- He will reveal secret thoughts of people.
- He would be a source of redemption for people.
 Simeon finally said God had fulfilled his promise he made to the
forefathers.
 In the temple, there was a prophetess named Anna who was a widow
and was advanced in age.
 She also made a prophecy that Jesus is the one who would deliver
God’s chosen people from oppression.
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  Meanwhile his parents returned to their home village, Nazareth, in
Galilee where Jesus grew to maturity and wisdom.
Lessons Christians learn from Jesus’ dedication.
 Christians should be righteous before God in order to experience Him
in their lives.
 They should thank God for blessing them.
 They should have faith in God.
 They should reach out to all people and preach salvation to them.
 They should show compassion to the needy in society.
 They should be devoted in the worship of God regardless of the
challenges they face.
 They should dedicate their children to God.

JESUS AT THE TEMPLE AT THE AGE OF TWELVE YEARS (Luke 2:41-52)

 The parents of Jesus were careful to bring Jesus up in obedience to the
Mosaic laws.
 Mary and Joseph went to Jerusalem to celebrate the feast of the
Passover in accordance to the Mosaic laws.
 Jesus also accompanied his parents when he was twelve years old and
when the festival was over they were to return home, but his parents
were unaware that he was left behind.
 They only realized that Jesus was not with them after that day and they
began looking for him among their friends and relatives for three days
but they did not find him.
 They then returned to Jerusalem and the parents found him,
listening to teachers of law and asking questions.
 All those who heard him were astonished at his intelligence.
 Mary asked him why he had caused them trouble. Jesus in response
said ‘Why did you have to look for me? Didn't you know that I had to
be in my father’s house? `
 Jesus returned to Nazareth with his parents and Mary kept all the
experiences in her heart.
 Jesus grew in wisdom and stature and in favor with God and men.
 The three days that Jesus remained in the temple symbolized the days
he was to be in the tomb during His death and rising to glory on the
third day.
 Jesus’ questions to the teachers of the law showed that he was
familiar with the scriptures.
 The answer he gave suggests that he was aware of his divine
relationship with God.
 He also knew that his first duty was to serve God and then his family.
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  Jesus also wanted to show that he was fulfilling the prophecy of
Malachi who had foretold that the Lord whom you seek will suddenly
come to his temple.

Lessons that Christians can learn from the incident when Jesus
was left behind by his parents in the temple at age 12 (Luke:
2:41-52)
 Christians learn that Jesus was the son of God.
 Parents should bring their children to obey God.
 Christians should involve their children in prayer and worship of God.
 Christians should give their children clear instructions in day to day
affairs.
 Christians should be taught the word of God and read the Bible.
 Christians should exercise tolerance and forgiveness to others
 Parents should be concerned of the whereabouts their children.
 Parents should love their children.
 Children should obey their parents.
 Christians should be accommodating the views of the youths.
 There should be opened communication among family members.
 Christians should give God first priority.
Qualities Jesus showed when he accompanied his parents to the
temple
 He was obedient
 He was courageous.
 He was knowledgeable/ intelligence/ wise.
 H was respectful
 He was co-operative.
 He was patient
 He was honest.
 He was assertive /independent
 He was social and outgoing.
Ways which show that Jesus came from a poor background during
his early life.

 His father was a poor carpenter.

 His mother was an ordinary village girl.
 He was born in a manger and wrapped in swaddling clothes.
 He was born in a small town of Judah in Bethlehem.
 The first people to visit him were the shepherds who were lowly
regarded.
 He was revealed to Simon and Anna who were very simple.
 During his dedication the parents offered birds.
 He grew up in Nazareth a town of low status.

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 Ways in which Christians show respect to the places of worship in
Kenya today.
 They maintain cleanliness in places of worship.
 In some cases they remove their shoes before entering the church
 They decorate and put flowers in the place of worship.
 They dress decently when going to church.
 Order is maintained in places of worship.
 They secure the places of worship.
 They construct the places of worship.
 They dedicate all the instruments used in worship in places of worship.
 By showing obedience and respecting the church leaders.
 By maintaining silence in places of worship.
Reasons why children should take part in church activities

 They are made in the image of God.

 To follow the example of Christ who went to the synagogue.
 To prepare them for future roles as leaders
 To teach them religious beliefs and practices.
 To lay foundation for Christian morals at an early age.
 For the continued growth of the Church.
 To help develop and improve their talents
 To give them an opportunity to socialize with others.
 To help them spend their leisure positively.
 Jesus taught that the kingdom belongs to the children.

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 CHAPTER THREE:

JOHN THE BAPTIST AND JESUS CHRIST:

The preaching of John the Baptist (Luke 3:1-20)

 John was commissioned by God while in the wilderness to start his

work
 He began preaching in the whole of Jordan and the surrounding
region proclaiming the Kingdom of God.
 His appearance in the wilderness was to fulfill Isaiah’s prophecy Isaiah
40:3.
 John came in the spirit of Elijah as the Jews believed that Elijah would
appear before the
Messiah.
 People of all walks of life came to listen to his preaching around the
Jordan.
His message to the people was:
 He preached baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.
 He urged his listeners to have a total change of heart and confess their
sins so that God would forgive them.
 He made it clear that baptism was only a symbol of repentance in
preparation for the Messiah and those who accepted John's preaching
were baptized in river Jordan.
 John warned his listeners about God’s coming judgment.
 Told the people not to be proud that they were Abraham’s descendants
 He condemned the Jewish religious leaders who stressed on outward of
observance of the law rather than the inner righteousness that God
would punish them.
 He also announced the coming of the Messiah who would be mightier
than him and informed them that he was not the messiah as people
taught but he was Jesus' forerunner.
 John preached on social justice i.e. the need to deal and treat others
fairly
 He told people that the messiah would baptize with the Holy Spirit.
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  He condemned the hypocrisy of the Jews
 He condemned the oppression of the poor through robbery or false
accusation
 He told tax collectors and soldiers to be contented with their wages
 He taught people to be Charitable and share with others
 He condemned King Herod for the committing adultery.
He taught the following to different groups of people who came
to listen to him.
 The rich should share their riches with those who do not have.
 He was asking for practical charity and compassion and warned that
God will not forgive them if they don't share.
 To the tax collectors, he told them not to collect more than what
was required.
 He emphasized to the people the need for honesty in their dealings.
 The Soldiers were advised not to abuse power by robbing and
accusing others falsely.
 King Herod's Immoral behavior of marrying his own brother's wife
Herodhias.
 John the Baptist was put in prison by King Herod Antripas for his
fearless condemnation of the marriage.

Lessons Christians learn from the preaching of John the Baptist

 Christians should learn to share what they have with those who do not
have.
 Christians should be honest in whatever they do.
 Christians should repent and turn away from their sins by being
baptized.
 Christians should not be afraid to condemn evil in the society today.
 Christians should avoid corruption of all levels
 They should be role models in the society
 Christians should know that God will judge and punish them for their
wrong doing.

Reasons why Christians find it hard to apply the teachings of John

the Baptist in their lives
 They lack faith in God's word.
 Divisions along tribal/denominational/racial lines affect unity among
Christians.
 Clinging to the past or inability to abandon their old life.
 Negative attitude by the rich towards the poor.
 Influence of the mass media which has brought moral decadence in
society.
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  Some Christians lack what to share with the poor.
 There is rampant corruption in the society.
 The emergency of cult leaders and false prophets in the society.
 Some Christians lead hypocritical life.
 Negative peer pressure influence.
THE BAPTISM OF JESUS (Luke 3:21-22)

 When Jesus was 30 years old, he came to John the Baptist to baptize
him
 John was by the River Jordan Baptizing other people.
 When all people were baptized, Jesus went to him to be baptized.
 Then Jesus started praying, the heavens opened and the Holy Spirit
descended upon him in bodily form as a dove.
 A voice came from heaven that said “thou art my beloved son with
thee am well pleased with".
 Although sinless, Jesus submitted to John's baptism.

Reasons why Jesus accepted to be baptized.

 By accepting John’s baptism it meant he had approved John’s work as
a messenger to prepare the way for Him.
 He saw it as God’s plan of saving humankind.
 Jesus wanted to identify himself with the sinful mankind.
 It was a way of preparing those who were ready to receive the Messiah
in person.
 During baptism, the Holy Spirit descended upon Jesus into the form of
a dove as a manifestation of the Holy Trinity that is God the Father, the
Son and the Holy Spirit.
 It was also a way of fulfilling Old Testament prophecy about the
Messiah.
 The baptism of Jesus confirmed his divinity /son of God for a dove
came from heaven, ‘Thou art my beloved son with thee I am well
pleased.’

The Importance of Baptism to Christians today

 During baptism a Christian is given a new name which symbolizes a
new life in Christ.
 Through baptism Christians are prepared for the kingdom of God.
 It foreshadows the death and resurrection of Christ.
 Through baptism Christians are cleansed from their sins.
 Through baptism Christians identify themselves with Christ.
 Through baptism one’s faith is strengthened.

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Lessons Christians Learn about Jesus from the incident when He was
baptized
 Jesus is prayerful.
 Jesus is obedient and loyal to God.
 Jesus has human nature.
 Jesus is humble.
 Jesus is divine and he is the son of God.
 He is loved by God.
 Jesus was filled with the Holy Spirit.

THE TEMPTATIONS OF JESUS IN THE WILDERNESS (LK 4:1-13)

 Soon after the baptism, He was led by the Holy Spirit into the
wilderness where He stayed for forty days and He was tempted by
the devil.
 During the time that he was in the wilderness he was being prepared
for his ministry of effecting salvation for humankind through suffering
on the cross.
 Jesus was tempted in three ways.
 The devil told him to turn to "Son of God turns the stones into bread".
He responded by quoting the scriptures and thus said, ‘it was written
that man should not live on bread alone.’ Even though Jesus had the
power to turn the stones into bread, he did not do so because that
would mean misuse of his divine powers. He did not want to win people
to God by bribing them with material goods.
 In the second temptation Satan took Jesus to the top of a high
mountain and in a second showed him all the Kingdoms of the world
and told him that he would give him all its wealth if only Jesus would
bow down and worship him .Jesus answered him quoting the scriptures
”You shall worship the Lord your God only and him shall you serve”.
Had Jesus accepted to worship him, he would have given the devil the
worship that belongs to God.
 Finally the devil took Jesus to Jerusalem and set him on the pinnacle of
the Temple and said to him. “If you are the son of God then throw
yourself down from here .For it is written that God will send His angels
to be in charge of you. Once again he responded by quoting the
scriptures. “You shall not put the lord God to test”.
 When the devil finished tempting Jesus on every way, he left him for a
while.

Lessons Christians learn from the temptations of Jesus.

 Christians should not worship any other God a part from the Lord God.
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  Christians should not put the Lord God to test.
 Christians should learn that temptations are part and parcel of
Christian life.
 When tempted a Christian should not give in to temptation.
 Through temptations and trials a Christian’s faith is strengthened
 A Christian should turn to the scriptures or the Bible when faced with
temptations.
 Christians should seek the Holy Spirit to enable them overcome
temptation.
 Christians learn that God does not tempt one beyond his ability.
 Christians learn that eating is important in their lives.

The Problems faced by new converts in the Church today.

 They are sometimes not fully accepted in the church.
 The older members may not serve as role models.
 They may not be involved in the church activities or given any
responsibilities.
 They may be tempted to backslide and go back to their previous
lifestyles.
 Older members expect them to change faster than they can.
 Some experience the problem of communication and language barrier.
 They may lack Christian literature to strengthen their faith.
 In large churches they get lost in the crowd and they are not identified.
 The financial demands of the church may be too much for them.
 They may be rebuked in public when suspected to be in the wrong.
 Some get frustrated when their expectations are not met.
 Some are assigned duties they cannot manage.
 Lack of assistance when a new member is in need.

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 CHAPTER FOUR
JESUS BEGINS HIS WORK IN GALILEE:
 Jesus started His work in Galilee which was His home district and
began teaching in the synagogues and everybody praised Him but His
teachings brought conflicts between Jesus and the Jewish religious
leaders.
Jesus' ministry in Galilee and his rejection at Nazareth (Luke 4:14-
30)
 When Jesus returned to Galilee a report concerning him went through
out all the surrounding country.
 He came to Nazareth where he had been brought up and went into the
synagogue as his custom was on a Sabbath day.
 He stood up and was given the book of prophet Isaiah and found the
place where it was written “the spirit of the Lord is upon me because
he has anointed me to preach goods news to the poor. He has sent me
to proclaim release to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind.
To set at liberty those who are oppressed and proclaim the acceptable
year of the lord.”
 He closed and returned the book to the attendant and sat down and
said to them “today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing. ‘’
 The people were doubtful of the gracious words which proceeded from
out of his mouth and they said “is this not Joseph’s son. Jesus told
them not to be doubtful for it is written that “truly I say to you no
prophet is accepted in his own country’’ as their forefathers did not
belief in the teachings of Prophet Elijah and Elisha.
 When they heard this all the synagogue were filled with wrath and
they rose up they put him out of the city and led him to the brow of the
hill. Jesus passed through their midst and he went away.
Reasons why Jesus was rejected at Nazareth
 He claimed to be the promised messiah and according to the people
this was blasphemy.
 The people referred to him as the son of Joseph, a mere carpenter.
 It was a fulfillment of what had been prophesied by prophet Isaiah that
the messiah would be despised and rejected.
 He failed to perform a miracle in Nazareth the way he had performed
in Capernaum.
 He annoyed his listeners when he told them that their forefathers had
rejected God’s prophets by persecuting them.

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  The people of Nazareth rejected Jesus when He told them that the
Good News which was meant for them has been made available to the
Gentiles.
 They rejected Jesus for telling them that the good news that was first
offered to Jewish but they rejected it would be made available to the
gentiles.

JESUS HEALS IN CAPERNAUM (LK.4:31-44)

Jesus heals a man with an evil spirit.
 Then Jesus went to Capernaum, a town in Galilee where he taught the
people on the Sabbath.
 They were all amazed at the way he taught because he spoke with
authority.
 In the synagogue there was a man who had the spirit of an evil demon
in him.
 He cried with a loud voice. “Ah! What do you want to do with us, Jesus
of Nazareth? Are you here to destroy us? I know who you are, the holy
one of God”.
 Jesus commanded the devil to be quiet and come out of the man.
 The demon threw the man down and went out of him without doing
any harm to him.
 The people were amazed and said to one another. “What kind of words
are these?
 With authority and power this man gives orders to the evil spirit and
they come out.
 The reports about Jesus spread everywhere in that region.
 Jesus commanded the devil to be quite because He did not want his
identity to be publicized. And thought people might think that he had
come to establish an earthly kingdom.
 He did not want people to see him as a miracle worker only.

Lessons that Christians learn about Jesus from the healings at

Capernaum
 Jesus is the son of God and the promised messiah
 Jesus is Holy
 Jesus has power over evil spirits
 Jesus came to save human kind from sin
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  Jesus heals those who have faith in him
 Jesus came to destroy the kingdom of Satan and establish God’s
kingdom.
Jesus healed Simon’s mother- in-law.
 After Jesus left the synagogue, He went to Simon's house
 Simon's mother -in-law was suffering from fever and they asked Jesus
to heal her.
 Jesus commanded the fever to leave her and she was healed
immediately.
 That evening Jesus healed people suffering from various diseases and
the demon possessed were exorcised of their demons.

JESUS CALLS THE FIRST DISCIPLES (5:1-11).

 A disciple means a learner or a follower .In the bible, the word disciple
is used to refer to “learners “who followed a particular master to learn
more about religious matters .
 One day, Jesus, was standing on the shores of Lake Gennesaret
 While the people pushed their way up to him to listen to the word of
God.
 He saw two boats pulled on the beach.
 The fishermen had left them and were washing their nets.
 Jesus got into one of the boat that belonged to Simon and asked him to
push it off a little from the shore
 Jesus sat in the boat and taught the crowd and when he finished
speaking, he said to Simon ,”push the boat out further to the deep
waters ,and you and your partners let down your nets for a catch ;”
 “Master, Simon answered, we worked hard all night long and caught
nothing but if you say so, “I will let down the net”.
 They let them down and caught such a large number of fish that the
nets were about to break.
 So they beckoned to their partners in the other boat to come and help
them
 They came and both boats full of fish that the boats were about to sink.
 When Simon Peter saw what had happened, he fell on his knees before
Jesus and said, ‘Go away from me Lord! I am a sinful man!’’
 He and the others with him were all amazed at the large number of fish
they had caught.
 The same was true to Simon Peter, James and John the sons of
Zebedee.
 Jesus said to Simon,’ don’t be afraid, from now onwards you will be
catching men.’’

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  They pulled the boats up on the beach and placed them on land and
left everything, and followed Jesus.
Lessons Christians learn from the call of the first disciples.
 God still calls people today to give them responsibilities to serve him in
various capacities.
 Christians learn that God chooses anyone regardless of their status in
society.
 They should be obedient to Jesus' instructions and command.
 Christians should humble themselves before God and accept their
weakness and repent.
 Christians learn that God can intervene in their lives.
 Christians should work together as a team in evangelism and
transforming the society.
 When called they should leave everything including their family ties to
serve the lord.
 God reveals himself to people in everyday activities.
 They should respond to Jesus' call instantly and immediately.

JESUS FACES OPPOSITION

 During Jesus’ ministry, he faced a lot of opposition from the Pharisees,
the scribes and Sadducees.
The Pharisees.
 The word Pharisees means "separated “It implied to a Jewish religious
groups who had separated themselves from the common people. They
called themselves righteous meaning they had a close relationship
with God.
 The Pharisees believed strongly on the observance of the mosaic laws
and accepted the first five books of the Bible as inspired.
 They believed on the teachings of the prophets and other writings of
the Old Testament.
 They believed and waited for the Messiah of God.
 They upheld and insisted on the observance of the oral traditions of
the elders.
 They followed strictly some 632 rules and regulations broken down
from the Ten Commandments.
 They believed in the resurrection of the dead.
 They believed in the judgment of God for all humankind at the end of
time.
 They believed in the existence of demons and Satan.
 They believed in the existence of angels as intermediaries between
God human beings.

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  They had a duty together with the Scribes to pass on religious
traditions of the Jews from one generation to the next generation.
 The Pharisees politically were strong nationalists who resisted all
foreign influence and power.

The Scribes.
 The Scribes were the writers and their work was to make copies of the
Jewish Scriptures.
 Some of them rented schools where Jewish male youths learnt the
Mosaic laws in the Rabbinic Schools from the age of 13 years.
 The scribes were either Pharisees or Sadducees and were represented
in the Jewish religious Council called the Sanhedrin.
The Sadducees
 The Sadducees were wealthy influential group who were members of
the Jerusalem priesthood.
 They believed only in the first five books of the O.T as having been
inspired.
 They did not believe in the coming judgment, the Messiah and the
resurrection
 The Chief Priests were drawn from the Sadducees.
 They also rejected the oral traditions of the Pharisees.
 The Sadducees were represented in the Sanhedrin and were the
majority.
 They were popular with the poor and were so much respected by them.
 They were therefore enemies with the Pharisees particularly on
religious matters but they joined hands to oppose Jesus.

WHY THE SCRIBES AND THE PHARISEES OPPOSED JESUS.

 Jesus' claims to have power to forgive sins
The cure of the paralytic man (Luke 5:17-26)
 One day Jesus was teaching in a house some Pharisees and the
teachers of the law were sitting there who had come from every town
in Galilee, Judea and Jerusalem to listen to his words.
 The power of God was with him to heal the sick
 Some men came carrying a man on a bed who was paralyzed and
they tried reach to Jesus but they could not.
 When they could not find room to bring him in and they removed the
tiles from the roof and brought the man down.
 When Jesus saw this, he told the man that his sins are forgiven.
 The scribes and the Pharisees who were present questioned whose
authority he had to forgive sins.

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  They regarded this as blasphemy, according to them only God has the
power to forgive sins.
 Jesus knew what was in their mind and asked them “which is easier to
say, your sins are forgiven or rise and walk as the son of man has
authority to forgive sin
 He told the paralytic to rise up and take his bed and go home.
 Immediately the man took his bed and went home glorifying God.
Relevance of the cure of the paralytic man to Christian today
 Christians should strive to win more souls to the kingdom of God
 Christians are reminded to have faith in Jesus Christ
 Through Jesus Christ Christians can have their sins forgiven
 Christians should praise and thank God for what they have received.
 Christians should be willing to forgive others.

 Jesus' association with tax collectors and sinners.

The call of Levi (Luke: 5:27-32)
 Jesus was passing by and he saw a tax collector named Levi seated at
his office and he told him to follow him.
 Luke brings out the element of the man being a tax collector because
tax collectors were known to be corrupt took more than was
required.
 The tax collector left everything and followed him and later the Levi
made Jesus a great feast in his house and many tax collectors came.
 The Pharisees and the scribes murmured against Jesus saying “Why do
you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners.”
 Jesus answered them that those who are well do not need a doctor.
 Jesus meant that he came for the sinners and outcasts and not for the
righteous.

 Jesus' failure to observe the law of fasting. (Luke 5:33-39)

 The Pharisees and the scribes asked Jesus why his disciples are not
fasting like the disciples of John the Baptist.
 In response, Jesus told them that it is not possible to make the wedding
guest feast while the bridegroom was still with them.
 The day would come when the bridegroom would be taken away from
them and they would fast.
 In this parable, Jesus meant that the present time is like a feast
because Jesus was still with them and his disciples would only fast after
his death and resurrection.
 He also pointed out that it was not merely the observance of religions
practices that was required but faith.

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  Jesus told them two parables of the old and new garment and the
parable of the new wine and old wine skin.
 No one tears a piece of new garment and patches it on an old
garment; they will make the new garment to tear and no one pours
new wine into old wineskins it will burst.

The reasons why Christians fast.

 It is a time which one can dedicate himself or herself to prayers
 One can dedicate himself to reading the bible or word of God.
 To give to what they ought to have eaten that day to the needy.
 It becomes a period when one can repent their sins.
 To strengthens ones faith in God.
Significance of the parables
 Jesus used the new garment and new wineskins to represent
Christianity, while the old garment and old wineskin represents
Judaism.
 Jesus taught that Christianity and Judaism were in conflict.
 That Christianity does not only concern itself with the outward
observance of the law but with the inner heart.
 That Christianity is greater than Judaism
 For some Christians it may be difficult to leave up the old ways of life
and adopt new ones.

 Jesus’ attitude towards the Sabbath (Luke 6:1-5)

 On the Sabbath while Jesus and his disciples were going through the
grain fields, his disciples plucked and ate some heads of grain rubbing
them in their hands.
 Some Pharisees questioned why they were doing what was unlawful
on a Sabbath day.
 Jesus responded by quoting the Old Testament scriptures of what
king David did when he was Hungry
 He entered the house of God took and ate the bread which was meant
for the priests.
 The Jesus said the son of man is the Lord of the Sabbath.
 Doing a good thing was more important than mere observance of the
law.
 Jesus is lord of the Sabbath and the Sabbath was made for man not
man for Sabbath.
The healing of man with a withered hand (Luke 6:6 – 11)
 On another Sabbath day, Jesus entered the synagogue and began
teaching.
 And there was a man with a withered hand.
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  The Pharisees and the scribes were waiting to see if he could heal on
the Sabbath day.
 Jesus knew their thought and called the man to stand up and come
near.
 Then Jesus asked them if it was lawful to do good on the Sabbath to
save life or to destroy it?
 And after looking around he told the man to stretch his hand.
 He did so and his hand was restored back to normal.
 But Pharisees were filled with madness and began planning what they
could do to Jesus.

The popularity of Jesus.

 Jesus ‘popularity made Him to come into conflicts with the Jewish
religious leaders.
 In Capernaum, Jesus healed a man with leprosy. When he saw Jesus he
fell with his face to the ground and begged Him "Lord, if you are
willing, you can make me clean.
 Jesus stretched his hand and touched the man and he became clean
and the leprosy disappeared.
 Then Jesus ordered him not to tell anyone but to go and show himself
to a priest and offer sacrifices as the Law of Moses demanded.
Reasons why Jesus faced opposition from the Pharisees and the
scribes in Galilee (Luke: 5:12, 6)
 He claimed to have the ability to forgive sins which the Pharisees and
the scribes considered as blasphemy.
 His disciples plucked and ate grains on the Sabbath and healed a man
with a withered hand on a Sabbath which the Pharisees viewed as
unlawful.
 That his disciples did not fast like the disciples of John the Baptist.
 That Jesus forgave sins which the Pharisees knew only God would do
e.g. the paralyzed man.
 He mixed and ate with sinners and tax collectors who were known to
be sinners.
 Jesus touched a man with leprosy which was against the Jewish law.
 That Jesus made it clear that to the Pharisees that he had come to call
sinners to repentance but not the righteous.
 He gave them the challenge to move from the old traditional order to
the new order which he had brought.
How the church leaders can respond to those who oppose them in
their work

 Find out the causes of the opposition.

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  The church leaders should pray for them.
 They should explain to them the Gospel in a humble manner.
 They should seek reconciliation through a third party.
 They should involve the members of the church in decision making.
 They should recognize their efforts in supporting the church matters.
 They should visit them in their homes and preach to them.
 Support them when in problems financially and materially.
 Send them message of encouragement by guiding them.
 Change their approach to issues concerning church affairs.

Why some people do not accept the teachings of Jesus Christ

 The education and scientific knowledge that gives a different
interpretation of the origin of life.
 Some receive strong opposition from devil worshippers.
 Others also lack faith in spiritual matters.
 Some are afraid of facing rejection or persecution.
 Worldly pleasures such as the desire to acquire more wealth also
distract others attention.
 The existence of other religious beliefs such as Islam that does not
regard Jesus as the son of God.
 There are no role models in our societies that others can emulate.
 Many churches experience leadership wrangles that make others drop
away from the church. .
 There is different interpretation of the Bible teachings on certain issues
e.g. on polygamy and alcoholism.
 High level of expectation from the churches which others are not able
to meet.
 Many Christians are hypocrites.
 There is peer group influence from those who may not be Christians.

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 CHAPTER FIVE
THE SERMON ON THE PLAIN:
The choosing of the twelve disciples and Jesus’ teaching on true of
discipleship (Luke 6:12-16, 27-49)
 The word disciple means follower Jesus went to the mountain to pray
and when it was day, he called his disciples and chose from them
twelve, whom he called Apostles.
 The word Apostle means “one who is sent out”
 The twelve chosen were:
 Simon whom he called Peter
 Andrew
 James son of Zebedee
 John the brother of James
 Philip
 Bartholomew
 Mathew the tax collector
 James the son of Alpheus
 Thomas
 Judas son of James
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  Simon the zealot
 Judas who became the traitor
 The number 12 represented the 12 tribes of Israel.
 The calling of Mathew a tax collector and Simon a Zealot meant that
Jesus was a universal savior.
 Since Jesus prayed before the choosing of the 12 disciples, showed the
importance of prayer.
 Jesus knew that he was going to die and therefore wanted to leave
behind people who would continue with the work.
 Jesus trained his disciples on the true cost of discipleship.
Reasons why Jesus Choose the twelve disciples
 In order to teach them about the secrets of the Kingdom of God.
 To make them his companions wherever he could go in His ministry
 To form an inner group which should assist him during his ministry
 To be his witness to the saving acts of the world.
 To reveal his person and his Messiahship to the people.
 It symbolized the reconstruction of the twelve tribes of Israel.
 To train and prepare them for the mission after his death.
 To lay a foundation for the establishment of the church.
 To continue with the Biblical theme of election in which God chooses
anyone to serve him.
Lessons Christians can learn from the choosing of the twelve
disciples
 Christians must be willing to spreading the Good News.
 They should always consult God in all their undertaking through
prayer.
 All Christians have a duty to witness for Christ always.
 Christians should undertake training in various aspects of Christian
ministry in order to carry out Jesus' work effectively.
 Christians should humble themselves when called by God and to take
up the roles.
 They should always obey God’s call to serve Him
THE SERMON ON THE PLAIN (Luke 6:17-49)
 After the choosing of the twelve disciples, Jesus went on a level ground
and started administering to the crowd who had gathered to listen to
him.
 The crowd comprised of the apostles, disciples and other people who
came from Judea.
 The sermon on the plains contains the blessed, sayings and the woes.
The blessed sayings are referred to as the beatitudes.
 The sermon on the plains is divided into;
The blessed sayings: verses 20-23.
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  Blessed are the poor for yours is the Kingdom of Go
 Blessed are you who hunger now for you shall be satisfied.
 Blessed are you who weep now for you shall laugh.
 Blessed are you when men hate you, curse and insult you, and reject
you because of the son of man you shall rejoice and leap for joy.
The woes: verses 24-26.
 Woe to you who are rich now, for you have already received your
comfort.
 Woe to you who are fed well now for you will go hungry.
 Woe to you who laugh now for you will mourn and weep.
 Woe to you when men speak well of you for so their forefathers did so
to the false prophets.
The teachings on love: verses27-36
 Love your enemies.
 Do well to those who hate you.
 Bless those who curse you.
 Pray for those who abuse you.
 Give to everyone who begs and those who take away your goods do
not ask them.
 Do not revenge to those who strike your cheek instead offer him/her
another one?
Judging others verses 37-43.
 Do not judge others
 Do not condemn and you will be condemned.
 Forgive and you will be forgiven.
 Give and it will be given to you.
 Jesus then told them a parable, can a blind man lead another blind
man, if they do they will fall into a pit at this point Jesus wanted to
involve his disciples in his work.
 The student is not above the teacher but everyone who is fully trained
will be like their teacher.

The teachings of Jesus from the sermon on the plain

 The poor are those who renounce their earthly wealth for the sake of
the Kingdom of God will be blessed and they will inherit the kingdom
of God.
 The hungry and those who weep for the sake of Christ and they
should count themselves blessed for they would be satisfied in God’s
kingdom.
 Those who face rejection for the sake of Christ should count them
blessed for their reward will be great in heaven.
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  The rich have be warned against using their wealth to oppress the
poor.
 Those who are happy and enjoy now shall mourn and weep when Jesus
returns

The lessons Christians learn from Jesus teachings on the sermon on

the plain
 Christians should live according to the teachings of Jesus.
 The followers of Christ should practice love and do good to those who
hate them
 Christians should show generosity to others and be willing to share
what they have.
 Christians are urged not to revenge against their enemies
 The followers of Christ are urged not to judge others so as not to be
judged.
 There is need for Christians to examine themselves and be role
models.
 They should be merciful to others as their father in heaven is
 They should be willing to forgive those who wrong them always.
Jesus' teachings on how human beings should relate to one another
from the sermon on the plain.
 Human beings should love their enemies.
 They should do good things to those who hate them.
 They should bless those who curse them.
 They should pray for those who mistreat them.
 They should help those in need.
 They should be generous, kind and have humility.
 They should do to others what they expect them to be done on them.
 They should not judge or condemn others.
 Human beings should forgive one another and not to revenge.
 They should show mercy to others.
 They should lend without expecting anything in return.
Qualities of true discipleship of Jesus as brought out in the sermon
on the plain.
 After Jesus had selected the 12 apostles, He taught them the qualities
of true discipleship.
 He did this during the sermon on the plain in the hearing of the crowd
that gathered to listen to him and wanted them disciples to have
these qualities.
 The disciples must be ready to face persecution for them to receive
eternal life.

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  A true disciple should love their enemies and do good to those hate
them.
 The disciples have to have absolute faith although they will be rejected
by others.
 They should be ready to face rejection by others for the sake of Christ.
 They are expected to be obedient to Jesus by accepting the lordship of
Christ.
 The disciples are urged not to revenge by striking back.
 They should live a life of prayer and even pray for those who mistreat
them.
 The disciples must be ready to win more people for the kingdom of
God.
 They need not to be hypocrites by judging or condemning others they
should examine themselves first.
 The disciples are expected to be merciful to others just like the Father
in Heaven.
 Disciples must be willing to forgive others so that they can also be
forgiven.

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 CHAPTER SIX
SOME WORKS AND TEACHINGS OF JESUS CHRIST:
JESUS' WORKS OF COMPASSION
 On several occasions Jesus performed works of mercy for those
distressed and showed pity for the suffering. Jesus works of
compassion include: -
The healing of Centurion’s servant (Luke 7:1-10)
 After the Sermon on the Plain, Jesus went back to Capernaum, a city in
Galilee.
 There was a centurion had a slave who was very sick.
 The centurion was an officer in the charge of the Roman army but
feared God.
 He was a humble man and acknowledged that Jesus had power to heal.
 He therefore sent elders of the Jews to Jesus so that Jesus could come
to heal his servant.
 Before they reached the house, the centurion sent his friends again to
Jesus saying .
 He was not worthy to receive Jesus in his house but to say just a word
and the servant will be healed.
 For he said “just give orders and my servant will be well I’m too a
man placed under authority and have soldiers under me, l order this
one, go and he goes”.
 When Jesus heard this he marveled at the faith of the man and
exclaimed that he had not found such faith among the Jews.
 And the servant was healed at the very moment.
Lessons Christians can learn from Jesus’ healing of the Centurion’s
servant.

 Christians should spread the Gospel of Christ to all

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  Christians should know that Jesus had the power to heal all form of
illnesses.
 Christian employers should treat their employees with a lot of love.
 Christians should not discriminate against others.
 Christians should have a lot of faith in God
 Christians should not be afraid to ask God to help them despite their
weakness.
 Christians should humble themselves before God .
The raising of the widow’s son in Nain (Luke. 7:11-17)
 Jesus came to the city of Nain accompanied by his disciples.
 At the gate of the city he met people carrying a dead man.
 The dead man was the only son of a widow.
 She was weeping because her only son had died.
 Jesus sympathized with the widow and told her not to weep.
 He then touched the coffin and ordered the young man to rise from
the dead.
 The dead man sat up and began to speak.
 Then Jesus gave him back to his mother.
 The large crowd was filled with fear and glorified God.
 They acknowledged that Jesus was a great prophet.
 The news about Jesus spread throughout Judea and all over the
countryside.
Lessons Christian learn from the miracle
 The Christians learn that should pray for needy in society
 Christians should show compassion to the needy in society
 Christians learn that they should have faith in God always.
 Christians should also show concern for widows and orphans.
 Christians should not be hindered from performing acts of passion by
traditional laws.

Assurance of John the Baptist (Luke: 7:18-35)

 John the Baptist had been put in prison after he rebuked Herod for
marrying his brother’s wife.
 When he was in prison John sent his disciples to ask Jesus to ask
whether He was the Messiah or should they expect someone else.
 He wanted to reassure his disciples that Jesus was the expected
Messiah.
 In response to John’s question, Jesus performed some miracles; he
cured many people of diseases and evil spirits and gave sight to the
blind as a fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophecy.
 Jesus therefore told John’s disciples to go and report to him what they
had seen and heard.
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  After the disciples of John had gone Jesus paid a tribute to John.

The teachings of Jesus about the John the Baptist

 He acknowledged John as being the greatest of all the Prophets.
 John’s mission had been prophesied in the scriptures
 The people had accused John of being possessed by a demon
 He led a simple life
 John was His forerunner or messenger who came before Him
 John lived in the wilderness
 He was a Nazirite who could not drink wine nor strong drink

The forgiveness of a sinful woman (Luke 7:36-8:3)

 On one occasion, Jesus was invited by Simon the Pharisee to his house
to eat with him.
 While they were at the table a sinful woman came in with an alabaster
flask of ointment.
 The sinful woman who had a jar of perfume started wiping Jesus’ feet
with her tears.
 Then she wiped Jesus' feet with her hair, kissed and perfumed them.
 She then anointed the feet of Jesus with the ointment.
 Luke brings the contrast of a Pharisee who considered themselves
righteous and were not supposed to mix with sinners.
 These actions drew a negative reaction from Simon and wondered how
Jesus would allow such a sinner to touch him.
 Jesus knew Simon’s thought and told them a parable of two debtors.
One man owed a money lender 500 Denarii and another 50 Denarii,
because they were not able to pay back the money, the lender
canceled the debts.
 So Jesus asked, “Who was more grateful? “Simon’s reply was that the
one with a bigger debt.
 Then Jesus told Simon that the woman had shown much love because
he has many sins and has been forgiven.
 Then turning to the woman he told the woman that her sins are
forgiven.
 The other guest in the house began to question who Jesus was to have
power to forgive sins.
 Jesus told the woman that her faith had saved her and she was told to
go in peace.

Reasons why Christians should ask for forgiveness from God

 To be at peace with God.
 To show obedience to the teachings of Jesus.
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  To improve their relationship with others
 To give them confidence to serve God.
 To acknowledge their weakness
 It shows the desire to lead a righteous life.
 It is a sign of appreciation of God's mercy.
 lt is to demonstrate their faith in God.
 lt is a way of self-reproach so as to be forgiven by God.
The relevance of the forgiveness of the sinful woman in Simon’s
house
 Christians should not judge others.
 Christians learn that they can be forgiven their sins
 Christians should show compassion to the needy in society.
 The Christians should be ready to repent their sins.
 Christians should have faith in Jesus Christ
 Christians learnt that all people are welcomed in God’s kingdom
 Christians should be grateful when their sins are forgiven.
Ways in which Christians show compassion to the less fortunate
members of the society.
 Offering guidance and counseling to especially those who are sick.
 Offering prayers to them.
 Giving them financial and material assistance.
 Helping them to initiate income generating project.
 Helping them to get relevant training to assist them become self-
employed.
 By visiting them in their various homes
 Preaching to them and giving them hope.
How the church continues with healing ministry of Jesus
 Christians pray for the sick.
 They practice laying of hands on them.
 They provide guidance and counseling services.
 They provide curative and preventive drugs to the sick.
 They pay for the medical expenses of the sick.
 They publish literature that provides public awareness on various
diseases.
 Visiting the sick in their homes and hospitals.
 Educating the people by organizing seminars or workshops.
 Providing basic necessities such as food, shelter and clothing.
 Preaching against evil and causes of ailment that interfere with good
health.
 Training medical personnel to treat the sick.

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The differences between the works of John the Baptist and that of
Jesus Christ
 John the preached mainly in the wilderness while Jesus Christ preached
in Synagogue and in the temple.
 John the Baptist called people to repentance while Jesus died for the
forgiveness of sins.
 John baptized people with water while Jesus baptized with Holy Spirit.
 John preached about the promised Messiah while Jesus preached about
the kingdom of God.
 John prepared the way for the coming of the Messiah while Jesus
preached that he was the Messiah promised in the Old Testament.
 John was direct in his preaching while Jesus taught in parables.
 While John the Baptist fasted, Jesus ate and drank.
 John the Baptist did not perform miracles while Jesus Christ performed
signs and wonders.
 John the Baptist lived life of a Nazirite while Jesus mixed freely with all
the people.

JESUS TEACHES IN PARABLES AND THEIR SIGNIFICANCE

 A parable is a story with a hidden meaning and it can have one or
several meanings.
 In his teachings, Jesus started from what his listeners knew to what
was unknown to them.
 Some parables were straight forward and needed no further
explanation while others had deeper meaning and the disciples asked
Jesus to explain their meanings.
The reaction of the disciples of Jesus on the use of the parables.
 The disciple found the parables interesting and caught their attention.
 Some of the parables, the disciples did not understand.
 They felt challenged by the parables.
 They asked Jesus to explain the meaning of some the parables.
 They marveled at Jesus ability to teach in parables.
 They put the disciples’ into critical thinking.

Reasons why Jesus taught in parables.

 He used parables to identify those who were serious seekers of the
kingdom of God.
 He uses parables to bring out the attributes of the invisible God.
 Parables were one of the methods used by Jesus to teach God's word.
 Some parables teach about the need to love one's neighbor.
 Some parables teach God's love which compels him to seek and save
the lost.
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  He wanted to provoke and challenge his listeners into critical
thinking.
 Jesus used parables to conceal his true identity as the promised
Messiah.
 He wanted to avoid direct confrontation with Pharisees, Sadducees and
the scribes whom He indirectly attacked.
 He used parables to teach his disciples that they should be persistent
and never give up in preaching the good news.

THE PARABLE OF THE SOWER (Luke 8:4-15)

 That a sower went out to sow and as he was broadcasting the seeds
 The seeds fell on different parts of the soil.
 Some fell on the path and were stepped on by foot and the birds of the
air came and ate them.
 Some fell on the rock and as they grew withered because there was no
moisture.
 Some fell among the thorns and the thorns grew with it and choked it.
 Some fell on the good soil and grew and brought good harvest.
 And Jesus concluded, “Listen, then, if you have ears”.
The teachings of Jesus about the parable
 The seeds planted by the farmer are the words of God.
 The different types of soil represent different types of people who hear
the word of God.
 Seeds that fell along the foot path were stepped upon and eaten by
the birds represents the people who hear the word of God but allow
the devil to take the message away.
 The seeds that fell along the rocky ground and grew for a short time
represents those who hear God’s word and receive it with a lot of joy
for a while and in time of temptation fall away.
 Those that fell among the thorns, are those who hear but as the go on
their way they are chocked by the care and riches and pleasures of
the world.
 The seeds that fell along the good soil and grew represent those who
hear God’s word, they believe in it and live according to the teachings.
Lessons that Christians learn from the parable of the sower
 Christians should be aware that the word of God is received differently.
 Christians should still spreading the word of God to people today.
 Christians should avoid evil in the society
 Christians should not give in to temptations.
 Those who allow the pleasures of the world to lead them astray will
receive punishment.
 Christians should hear the word of God and live up to it
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  The people will receive reward or punishment for their deeds during
the last day.

THE PARABLE OF A LAMP UNDER A BOWL (Luke 8:16-18)

 Jesus used another parable to illustrate the work of the disciples. Jesus
taught that no one can light a lamp and cover it with a bowl or hide it
under a bed. Instead they put it on the stands to light the room.
 In this parable Jesus is the light and the disciples are those of whom
the light shines.
 They therefore have a duty to pass on what they had learnt from Jesus
to other people.
 He advised the disciples to listen to him carefully and hear correctly.
 A Christian has a duty to share the knowledge of God with others.
 One cannot claim to be a Christian if this knowledge is kept and not
shared by others.
Jesus’ true family (Luke 8:19-21)
 Jesus’ mother and his brothers came to look for him but they could not
reach him.
 Then he was told that they desired to see him, he told them that his
mother and brothers are those who hear the word of God and do
according to it first.
 This is the first time that the gospel of Luke talks about Joseph the
foster father of Jesus.
 Jesus did not mean to reject his people but he wanted the people to
understand the Divine nature of his work.
 He wanted to show that those who heeded his teaching were therefore
closer to him.
 That those who follow him and are members of the kingdom of God are
his relatives.

THE MIGHTY WORKS OF JESUS (LK 8:22 - 56)

 The life and teaching of Jesus Christ had a lot of extra-ordinary
happenings such as bringing people back to life, healing the sick,
multiplication of loaves and casting out of demons.
 All these extra-ordinary happenings are referred to us miracles or
mighty works of Jesus.
 A miracle therefore is a happening that looks impossible according to
ordinary forces of nature.
 These extra-ordinary happenings were used by Jesus to demonstrate
the presence of God among the people. The mighty works of Jesus
reveal His person and mission.
 The miracles of Jesus can be divided into four groups;
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  The nature miracles e.g. the calming of the storm
 The raising of the dead e.g. the raising of Jairus daughter.
 The healing miracles e.g. the healing of the Centurion officer’s servant
 The casting out of demons e.g. the Gerasene Demoniac.
The significance of the miracles of Jesus
 What the miracles of Jesus teach us about His mission and ministry.
 Certain miracles showed that Jesus had the power over evil spirits e.g.
the casting out of demons at Capernaum.
 Some miracles were performed to show compassion to those suffering
e.g. the raising of the widow’s son at Nain, the feeding of the five
thousand
 Some demonstrated that Jesus the power to forgive sins e.g. the cure
of the paralytic.
 They are a manifestation of God's love and concern for His people.
 The miracles also showed that Jesus had power over nature e.g. the
calming of the storm.
 They were performed as a response to affirmation of faith on those
who were in need.
 At times the miracles demonstrated that Jesus is the son of God and
the ‘promised Messiah. Even the demons acknowledged Jesus as the
Holy one of God when He healed the demoniac.
 They showed that Jesus was a universal savior. He healed both the
Jews and the Gentiles e.g. the healing of the Centurion’s servant.
 The miracles showed that He had power over death and He is the life
and resurrection.
 The miracles showed that Jesus is the Lord of the Sabbath.
 Certain miracles showed the need for thanks giving e.g. the healing of
the 10 lepers.
 They showed that the Kingdom of God had come through Jesus Christ.
 They formed an integral part of Jesus' teaching.

THE CALMING OF THE STORM (LK. 8:22-25)

 Jesus got into a boat with his disciples and they were going to the
other side of the lake.
 As they sailed Jesus fell asleep and a great storm arose, such that
their boat was about to sink.
 The boat was filled with water and they were in danger.
 His disciples woke him up saying, “Master! Master! Save us! We are
about to drown.”
 Then he got up and ordered the winds and the waves to stop and there
was a great calm.
 Jesus asked them where their faith was.
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  The disciples became amazed and asked, “What kind of a man is this.
Even the wind and waves are obeying him?”

HEALING OF THE GERASENE DEMONIAC (Luke 8:26 -39)

 After calming of the storm, Jesus and His disciples crossed to the
eastern side to the land of Gerasene which is opposite Galilee.
 They met a demon possessed man who was very violent and lived in
the tombs.
 When he saw Jesus, he cried out and fell down before him and said in
a loud voice.
 “What have you to do with me, son of the Most High God?”
 Jesus commanded the unclean spirit to come out of the man.
 Many at times it had seized him and he was, therefore kept under
guard and bound with chains.
 When Jesus asked him his name, he said “Legion” meaning many
demons had tormented him.
 The demons begged not to be destroyed and asked to be sent to the
grazing herd of pigs.
 According to the Jews the swine's were considered as unclean.
 When the demons left the man, they entered into the pigs which
drowned into the lake.
 People came and found the man sitting at the feet of Jesus, healed,
dressed and in the right mind.
 The people got afraid of Jesus and asked Him to leave their territory.
 Those who had been looking after the pigs saw what happened and ran
off and spread the news in the town.
 The cured man wanted to follow Jesus, instead Jesus told him to go
home and declare what God had done to him and the man went
through the town telling people what God had done to him.

The lessons Christian learn from this healing.

 Christian should constantly fight against Satan.

 Christians should put more value on human life than on material
things.
 Christians have a duty to carry the message to all people of the world.
 Christians therefore should spread the word of God.
 Christians learn that Jesus is the son of God
 Christians should bear witness of what Christ has done in their lives.
THE RAISING OF JAIRUS’ DAUGHTER ( Luke 8: 40 -42, 49-56)
 Jairus was a ruler of the synagogue, a very important officer in the
Jewish community.
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  When Jesus returned after healing the man with evil spirits, they
welcomed him because they had been waiting for him.
 Jairus was so desperate as his only 12 year old daughter was very sick
and at the point of death
 He came and fell at Jesus’ feet begged Jesus to come and heal his only
daughter.
 Jairus was one of the people who opposed Jesus and did not welcome
him in the Synagogues.
 Jesus set off with a large crowd towards Jairus’ house.
 Before they reached, a word came, that Jairus’ daughter was already
dead and Jesus should not bother to come.
 But Jesus told Jairus not to worry but to have faith for your daughter
will be well.
 When Jesus reached the house he ordered everybody out and went in
only with James, Peter and John, and the parents of the girl.
 He held the girl’s hand saying “Child, arise” and immediately her life
returned and the girl stood up. And then he directed that she be given
something to eat.
 All those who were around the home of Jairus were amazed.
Lessons Christian learn the raising of Jairus’ daughter
 Christians should have the trust and faith that through Jesus’ power
they will overcome the devil.
 Christians should not despair in the challenges facing them.
 Christians learn that they should avoid conflict in the society.
 Christians should not discriminate against others in the society.
 Christians should humble themselves before God.
 Christians, therefore, are assured that there is life after death.
 The mighty works of Jesus made the popularity of Jesus to spread.

The healing of a woman with endless flow of blood (Luke 8:43-48)

 While on his way to Jairus’ house, with a large crowd following him,
Jesus encountered a woman who had had an endless flow of blood for
12 years and had visited the doctors with no success.
 She came behind Jesus and touched his cloak and immediately, her
flow of blood stopped.
 Jesus asked who had touched him because Power had gone out of him.
 When the woman saw that she had been discovered, she fell before
Jesus and declared why she had touched Jesus and Jesus then told
her that her faith had made her well.
 Jesus demanded to know who had touched her because:
 He wanted her healing to be made public so that her unclean status
could be removed.
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  She could now be received into the society because one suffering from
such kind of disease was not supposed to mix with others.
 Jesus wanted to show the woman and all those present that it was the
woman’s faith that had healed her.
 The woman was a Gentile. Jesus wanted to show that salvation was for
all.

CHAPTER SEVEN
JESUS AND THE TWELVE DISCIPLES:

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  Jesus was preparing his disciples for leadership after calling them and
He wanted them to take up His mission of service after He left the
earth.

THE COMMISSIONING OF THE TWELVE DISCIPLES (Luke 9:1-9)

 Jesus knew that his time was nearing and he wanted his disciples to
continue spreading the good news .He therefore called the 12 disciples
and commissioned them and gave them the following instructions:-
 They were to go out and exorcise demons, heal the sick and preach
the word of God.
 They were instructed not to carry anything for the journey a sign
that they had to abandon earthly things for the Kingdom of God.
 He also told them to stay in a house where they were received as they
would be taken care of and provided for
 And whenever they were not received they were to shake off the dust
from their feet as a testimony against them.
 This showed that the apostles had no association with those who
rejected the Good News.
 The disciples left and travelled through all the villages, preaching the
Good News
 The preaching and healing by the apostles disturbed Herod who was
confused because some thought that Elijah or one of the prophets of
the Old Testament had appeared.
 Others thought that may be John the Baptist had come back to life and
wished to meet Jesus.

What can Christians learn from the sending of the twelve disciples
 Christians are required to spread the Good News at all times
 God gives His messengers the power to perform miracles and heal
the sick.
 Christians should abandon the earthly materials to proclaim the word
of God.
 Christians should welcome God’s messengers and give them necessary
assistance.
 Those who do not receive God’s people will not receive God’s
blessings.
 Christians should be aware that they would face opposition as they
spread the gospel.
 They should help the needy in society

THE FEEDING OF THE FIVE THOUSAND PEOPLE (Luke 9:10-17)

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  When the disciples came back from their mission, they reported to
Jesus everything they did.
 Jesus then took his disciples to a quiet place in Bethsaida to rest.
 However, when the crowd learned of his whereabouts, they followed
him.
 Jesus turned and preached to them about the kingdom of God and
healed the sick.
 When it was evening, the disciples asked if He could send the people
into the villages to look for accommodation and food.
 Jesus asked them to provide the people with food and they said that
they only had five loaves of bread and two fish which could not feed
the 5,000 people.
 Jesus told them to make the people sit down in groups of fifty each.
 Taking the five loaves and two fish, Jesus looked up to heaven, thanked
God, blessed them.
 He broke them and gave to the disciples to distribute to the people.
 And all ate and were satisfied and the remains were collected and filled
12 baskets.
The lessons Christians learn from the feeding of the five
thousand people.
 Christian s should be concerned with physical needs of the people
such as food.
 Christians should always pray to God for their needs.
 Christians need to share what they have with others.
 Christian Leaders need to delegate duties to others.
 Christians need to be orderly in their work
 Christians should not be wasteful and need to keep the environment
clean.
 The twelve baskets of the remains symbolize the twelve tribes of
Israel.
Virtues Christian learn from the miracle of the feeding of five
thousand people
 Service.
 Obedience.
 Faith and trust.
 Humility.
 Cooperation.
 Thankfulness.
 Carefulness.
 Responsibility.
 Compassion/Mercy
 Respect.
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  Kindness/generosity/ sharing.

THE PERSON AND DESTINY OF JESUS (LK. 9:18-27)

 When Jesus was about to start his journey to Jerusalem to accomplish
what he had come to do, he asked the disciples who the people said he
was.
 And they answered, some said you are John the Baptist, and to others
Elijah and the others one of the Old Testament prophets.
 Although many people, including His disciples knew He was not an
ordinary person, they however did not understand His true his identity.
 Jesus wanted to know if his disciples knew His identity.
 Peter responded by identifying Jesus as “The Christ of God".
 Peter might have been influenced by the Holy Spirit and Jesus had
succeeded in his mission.
 Jesus told them not to reveal this to anybody due to the political
expectation of the Messiah.
 Then Jesus told them the nature of his Messiahship that he must suffer
and be rejected and killed but will resurrect back to life.
 This was the first time that Jesus talks about his coming death and
resurrection.
 He cautioned his disciples that they must be ready to suffer.
 They must leave everything behind including even their family for the
sake of Christ.

THE TRANSFIGURATION OF JESUS (LK. 9:28-37)

 Transfiguration can be defined as the transformation of the physical
body into heavenly glory.
 Jesus was preparing for his last days of his ministry he took with him
Peter, James and John and went up the mountain to pray.
 When he was praying the disciples fell asleep his appearance changed
and his clothes became dazzling white.
 And behold two men talked with him Moses and Elijah and they
spoke about his departure which he was to accomplish at Jerusalem.
 When Peter, John and James woke up, they saw his glory and the two
men who stood with him.
 As the men were departing, Peter suggested that they build three
booths or tents one for Jesus, one for Moses and the other for Elijah.
 When he was still talking a thick cloud came and covered the three and
a voice was heard from the crowd echoing, “This is my son, my chosen
one, listen to him.”
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  And when the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone and He
commanded them not to tell anyone.

The significance of the transfiguration to the disciples

 Moses and Elijah represented the Law and the prophets respectively
showing that Jesus was the fulfillment of the Old Testament
prophesies and laws.
 During the transfiguration the appearance of the cloud that covered
the three symbolized the presence of God.
 The voice that came from heaven once more confirmed that Jesus is
the son of God.
 The discussions they held was an a assurance that his mission was to
die for the salvation of humankind.
 The appearance of Elijah and Moses reassures us that there is life after
death for the righteous.
 The dazzling whiteness of Jesus’ clothes is an indication of the holiness
and glory of God.
 This event took place in the midst of prayer which is further indication
to the disciples about the importance of prayer.
 The booths mentioned by Peter, represented the tabernacles of Old
Testament where God lived.
 It was meant to strengthen the faith of the apostles, so that they would
continue with his work after his death.

Lessons that Christians learn from the transfiguration of Jesus

 Christians learn that they should lead holy lives
 They should always be alert in the spread of the Gospel.
 They should share God's secrets with others and not to be selfish.
 Christians should be faithful to God always for he fulfills promises
 Christians should pray to God always.
 They learn that Jesus is the messiah foretold by the Old Testament
prophets.
 They should enter the presence of God with reverence and respect.
 They learn to endure suffering or persecution
 They should live with hope that there is life after death.
 They should be slow to speak and should learn more about Jesus.

JESUS’ TEACHING ON FAITH AND HUMILITY (LK. 9:37-50)

 Jesus’ teaching on faith and humility focused on the problems and
difficulties his disciples would face in their mission and service.
The disciples showed inability to deal with a case of demon
possession (verse 37-43)
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  When Jesus came back from the mountain a large crowd was waiting
for him.
 There was a boy who was the only child of his parents.
 He had been possessed by an evil spirit which made him to convulse.
 The father of the sick boy had requested the disciples to help him but
they were unable.
 Jesus was disappointed that his disciples could not heal the boy. He
said, “Oh, faithless generation, how long am I to be with you.”
 Jesus rebuked the evil spirit and cured the boy and gave him back to
his parents.
 At this point he talked about his coming death and He told them that
he would be delivered in the hands of men, be killed and resurrect.
 At this point the disciples still could not understand fully what he
meant

The disciples’ concern for the greatness (verses 46-48)

 An argument arose among the disciples as to who was the greatest.
 Jesus took a child and taught them that whoever received the child
received him.
 By this Jesus meant that whoever wanted to be greatest in the
kingdom of God must humble himself and that he was more
concerned with liberating those in suffering and the despised lot.
 Jesus did this teaching because he wanted to prepare them for his
death and the responsibilities they would take after his death.
The rebuke of the non-followers of Jesus by the disciples (verses
49-50).
 When the disciples saw the non-follower but a believer casting out
demons in Jesus’ name
 They wanted to rebuke him, on the grounds that he was not in their
group.
 Jesus pointed out that whoever is not against you is for you.

How Christians demonstrate their humility to others.

 By forgiving those who wrong them.
 Assisting the needy and the less fortunate members of the society.
 They should preach the word of God to others always
 They should be role models in the society.
 By serving in the church.
 Abandoning earthly materials to serve God.
 By obeying God’s commandments.

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 CHAPTER EIGHT
SOME MAJOR TEACHINGS OF JESUS
The Journey to Jerusalem
 Jesus made up his mind and set out on His way to Jerusalem where He
was to undergo suffering.
 He was determined to fulfill God's plans of salvation through His
suffering, death and resurrection.

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  The journey to Jerusalem was important because it is in this city that
He would be rejected and killed by the Jewish religious authorities.
 The journey took place through the Samaritan villages who had
rejected Jesus in Galilee.
 Jesus sent messengers ahead of him to the village of Samaria to make
the people ready for him.
 The Samaritans were however very hostile to Him and did not welcome
Him.
 The apostles John and James were unhappy and wanted to call fire
from heaven to consume them.
 But Jesus told them that he did not come to destroy the people’s lives
but to save life.
 Jesus went through towns and villages teaching on matters of
discipleship, the kingdom of God, wealth and poverty, which
encouraged his disciples to grow in faith
The duties and privileges of discipleship. (Luke 9:51-62)
 During Jesus ‘journey to Jerusalem, people followed Him and they
became his disciples.
 On the journey to Jerusalem, some people volunteered to follow him
but He gave these conditions.
 One person was eager to follow Jesus and said "l will follow you
wherever you go".
 But Jesus responded that "Foxes have holes, and birds have nests but
the Son of man has nowhere to lay his head.
 But Jesus warned him that following him meant abandoning earthly
things and enduring hardship.
 Jesus invited another man to follow him but the man requested Jesus
to let him burry his father first meaning that he wanted to meet
family obligations.
 Jesus’ response to the man’s request was to leave the dead to burry
themselves.
 By this, Jesus meant that family obligations are secondary to the
kingdom of God.
 Another person declared his willingness to follow Christ but still felt
that he had to bid goodbye to family members.
 Jesus responded by telling him, “No one who puts his hand to the
plough and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.
 Jesus gave a metaphor which echoes the call of Elisha by Elijah.
 When Elisha was called he requested he be allowed to bid farewell to
his mother and father but he never reached home but He sacrificed an
oxen and followed Elijah.

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  This meant that whoever turns back after accepting Jesus Christ does
not qualify for the kingdom of God.
To follow Jesus one has to meet certain conditions.
 The discipleship self – denial and suffering.
 To put all their intellectual and financial resources to missionary work.
 They should be committed in spreading the gospel.
 Following Christ means being loyal to him and having Jesus as one goal
 Those who accept Christ should never turn back.
 They should abandon their earthly possessions and work for Christ.

THE MISSION OF THE SEVENTY TWO (Luke: 10:1-24)

 Jesus appointed seventy disciples and sent them on a mission to

preach and heal and were sent two by two.
 They were sent before him to prepare the way and this would
represent the preaching of the Gospel to the whole world.
 This also confirms that Jesus was a universal savior and that the Gospel
was for all irrespective of the race or color.
 The disciples would continue with the preaching after Jesus’ ascension
to heaven.
 Jesus said that the harvest is plentiful but the laborers are few.
 This meant that there were very many people who needed to hear
the Good News but very few to preach to them.
 Jesus said that he was sending his disciples as lambs among wolves
meaning they would encounter dangers, hostility and rejection.
Jesus gave them the following instructions:
 They were not to carry any pulse, bag or sandals and they were to
depend entirely on the hospitality of the people.
 They were not to salute anyone on the road.
 They were to eat and drink whatever was provided.
 The disciples were to pray for more laborers to be sent for the harvest.
 They were to heal the sick
 They were to say peace in any house they entered.
 To shake off the dust from their feet where they were rejected.
 They were to remain in the same house together.
 They were to tell the people that kingdom of God had come and those
who do not believe will suffer when judgment will be upon them.
 After their mission, the disciples returned and reported their success to
Jesus.
 They reported that they were able to drive out demons in the Mighty
name of Jesus.
Relevance of Jesus' Teaching on discipleship to Christians today

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  Christians need to evangelize and ensure that the gospel reaches all
the people.
 Christians need not to give up in evangelizing.
 Christians should be humble and acknowledge God's power.
 Christians have a duty to take care of God’s servants such as the
pastors or priests.
 Christian should also provide for the needy in the society
 Those who do not receive the word of God will suffer when judgment
will be upon them.
 They should be involved in the healing ministry of Jesus in all
dimensions.
 Christians have the assurance of God's power to overcome evil.

A COMMITTED FOLLOWER OF JESUS (Luke 10:25-11; 1-13).

 Commitment means dedication and devotion to certain responsibility.

A committed person is one who is obliged to perform his or her duties
seriously. Jesus used the teachings of the Good Samaritan, Mary and
Martha and Jesus ‘teaching of prayer to illustrate how a committed
follower of Jesus should be.

( i) The parable of the Good Samaritan

 A teacher of the law came to Jesus to test his understanding of the

Mosaic Law.
 He asked Jesus, “What must I do to receive eternal life.”
 Jesus responded by asking him what the law said. The lawyer
answered. “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and
with all your soul, and with your entire mind and your neighbor as
yourself.”
 This was a summary of all the commandments God gave to the
Israelites through Moses.
 Jesus replied, “You are right. Do this and you will be saved? “The
lawyer then asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”
 In the Jewish understanding, a neighbor was a fellow Jew and other
people who were their enemies.
 To explain the concept of a neighbor, Jesus told the parable of the
Good Samaritan.
 In this parable, a man was traveling from Jerusalem to Jericho, on the
way he was attacked, beaten and left half dead by the robbers.
 While still by the road side, a Jewish Priest came by, saw him and
passed on the other side without helping him.
 A Levite also came, saw him and passed by and went away.
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  A Samaritan passed by and stopped to help the wounded man and
bandaged the wounds of the victim and took him to an inn and met all
the expenses.
 After telling the parable, Jesus asked the lawyer a question, “In your
opinion, which one of these three acted like a neighbor towards the
man?” The lawyer replied,
 “The one who showed mercy on the Samaritan.” Jesus told him to go
and do the same.
 From this story a committed follower of Jesus is;
 One who understands that a neighbor is anyone who needs our
assistance regardless of their social status, race or color.
 One who understands the law and obeys them.
 One who uses their resources to help those in needy in society
selflessly.
 One who shows solidarity with the suffering by identifying them.
 One who is compassionate, kind and generous
 One who is not restricted by cultural and religious practices in assisting
the needy.

(ii) JESUS VISITS MARY AND MARTHA (LK. 10:38-42)

 On his way to Jerusalem, Jesus visited Martha and Mary who were
sisters.
 While Martha was busy preparing a meal, Mary sat at the feet of Jesus
listening to his teachings.
 Martha complained to Jesus that Mary had left her to do all the work
and Jesus answered her by saying, “Martha, Martha! You are worried
and troubled over so many things, but just one is needed.
 Mary has chosen the right thing and it will not be taken away from
her.
Lessons that Christians can learn from Jesus’ visit to Mary and
Martha
 Women are welcomed in the kingdom of God and are therefore
encouraged to participate in the Christian ministry.
 Christians should not be preoccupied with material things but should
give a lot of time to the word of God.
 A committed Christian therefore, needs to create time to listen to the
word of God.
 Pastors and priests should make pastoral visits to the homes of their
members.

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  Christians should support the servants of God in their ministry by
providing for their needs.
 Those who receive the word of God will be blessed and it will not be
taken from them.
How are women involved in the church ministry in Kenya today.
 They are ordained as priests and Pastors
 They sing in the church choir.
 Others have decided to remain unmarried for the service of God.
 Women take part in church services e.g. collecting of church offerings,
singing etc.
 Women are involved in certain church programs such as taking care
of the young children
 Women are employed in church organizations.
 Help in the preparation and distribution of Holy Communion.
 They hold position in the church as Sabbath School teachers.
 They clean or decorate the church.
 Act as ushers of the church.
 They Participate in choosing church leaders.

(iii) JESUS’ TEACHING ON PRAYER (Luke 11:1-13)

 Prayer is a conversation with our God which is aimed at requesting for
something we desire.
Why Christians pray
 To give thanks to God for his many blessings.
 To ask God to continue blessing us.
 To ask God for forgiveness as all have sinned.
 To honor and adore God.
 To give them strength to overcome temptations.
 Christians pray to intercede for others.
 Jesus had finished praying when his disciples asked him to teach them
how to pray.
 He told them, “When you pray, say:
 Father,
 Hallowed be thy name,
 Thy Kingdom come,
 Give us each day our daily bread,
 Forgive us our sins as we forgive those indebted to us,
 Lead us not into temptations…”
 This is what has been referred to as the Lord’s Prayer.
The Lord’s Prayer has six petitions which are explained as
follows;

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  Jesus addressed God as "Father “which shows the unique and
intimate relationship with God.
 Honoring God's Holy Name-Hallowed be thy name. Jesus honored his
Father by accepting His Life and Ministry.
 Declaring the Kingdom of God -Thy Kingdom come. This petition asks
God to establish His rule or peace in the hearts of people.
 Asking God to provide for our daily needs-Give us each day our daily
bread, meaning God always provides when we ask faithfully.
 Asking God to forgive our sins as we forgive others -Forgive us our
sins, for us we forgive everyone who is indebted to us. Jesus acted as
an example on Christian forgiveness.
 Pleading with God not to bring temptations - And lead us not into
temptation.
Lessons that Christians learn from the Lord’s Prayer
 Christians should always establish an intimate relationship with God as
the Father.
 Christians should give God His full glory, honor and praise.
 Christians should always pray for their needs and that of others and
not just themselves.
 Christians should always allow God to rule their hearts so that we are
blessed with His presence all the time.
 Christians should pray so that our sins are forgiven.
 Christians should also pray so that they are not led into temptations.

THE PARABLE OF A FRIEND AT MIDNIGHT (Luke 11:5-13)

 After teaching his disciples the Lord’s Prayer, Jesus went on to give
further teachings on prayer.
 He told t hem of a parable of a friend at midnight.
 A man went to his friend to ask for three loaves so that he could feed a
friend who had visited him at night and he had nothing to give him.
 Although it was late at night, the man woke up and gave something to
the friend.
 The man responded positively to avoid further disturbance from the
friend and get rid of him.
 Jesus concludes by saying, “Ask and you shall receive, seek and you
will find, knock and the door will be opened.”
 He concludes his teaching on prayer by comparing how an earthly
father treats his children when they ask for bread they are given.
 Then how much more will God responds to those who pray to him and
ask for their needs.
 From the parable of the friend at midnight Christians can learn that:
 Christians should .pray all the time without losing hope.
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  Christians should not be afraid of approaching God for what they need.
 God is ready to give whatever we ask from him.
Instructions that Jesus gave his disciples on how to pray
 Prayers must be honest/ sincere
 When one prays she or he should humble themselves before God
during prayer.
 Prayer should be addressed to God who is the loving heavenly father
 To be persistent in prayer and wait patiently for God to answer
prayers.
 To have faith in God that He will answer the prayer
 Prayers should be short, clear and to the point
 Christians should show honor to God before making any request
 Prayer should be made in private and silent places

THE USE OF GOD'S POWER TO OVERCOME EVIL.

Jesus and Beelzebul (Luke 11:14-23).
 The people watched how Jesus cast out a demon that was dumb.
 When the demon came out of the man the crowd was amazed at what
Jesus had done. However, some doubted his power and accused him
of using the power of Beelzebub the prince of demons and they
wanted to trap Jesus asked him to perform a miracle to prove he was
using
 God’s power to drive away demons. Jesus knew what they were
thinking and said,
 Satan cannot fight against Himself, how will his kingdom stand?
 He asked them how possible for Satan to cast out demons and his
kingdom cannot last.
 He said that war between Jesus and Satan was like a woman guarding
a house.
 If someone stronger comes, the guard could be defeated and all his
possessions taken away.
 Jesus confirmed to them if He was using the power of Beelzebub then
why were other exorcists not facing similar challenges and concluded
by saying.
 He was using God's power to drive away demons.
The Return of the unclean spirit. (Luke: 11:24-28).
 Jesus explained to the multitude that when an evil spirit is cast out it
travels across the country looking for a place to rest and if it fails to
get someone to possess, it returns to its original place.
 Finding the place unoccupied it will bring seven other spirits which are
worse than itself.
 Jesus therefore challenges his followers not to give Satan a chance to
occupy their hearts.

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 The Signs of Jonah (Luke: 11:29-32).
 The Jews demanded a greater miracle from Jesus to prove that Jesus
was the Messiah.
 He described them as evil because they failed to acknowledge God's
presence in the mighty works He performed.
 He told them that no miracle would be given except the one of Jonah
who was the “sign of the people of Nineveh".
 Jonah who was sent by God to call the people of Nineveh to repentance
 The people of Nineveh repented while the people of Jesus’ time had
not repented.
 Jesus, who was greater than Jonah, had a message of judgment
because of people's unbelieving nature.
The Light of the Body (Luke 11:33-36).
 Jesus also taught about the light of the body by telling them that no
one lights a lamp and then hides it. Instead it is put on a lamp stand to
provide to the people.
 The eye is like a lamp of the body, when one's eye is okay the whole
body is full of light.
 The light is the word of God and people who receive it are supposed to
be transformed and transform others.
From this incident Christians can learn the following:
 Christians have been called to listen to God's word so that they will be
saved when the Day of Judgment comes.
 They should ask for the guidance of the Holy Spirit to so as to avoid
evil
 Christians need to work together as they spread the Good News.
 Christians should know that Christ Jesus’ life, death and resurrection is
the only sign to Christian's believe.
 God's power is greater than Satan's power.
 Jesus has power to drive out demons.
 Christians should be the light to the world by transmitting God's
message to everybody with courage.

JESUS' TEACHINGS ON HYPOCRISY, WEALTH AND WATCHFULNESS

(Luke 11:37-12:59).
Fearless Confession without Hypocrisy.
 The word hypocrisy means being insincere, dishonest or pretending to
be something different from what one is.
 A hypocrite therefore is someone who says one thing and does
another.
Jesus attacks the hypocrisy of Pharisees and teachers of the Law
(Luke: 11:37-54, 12:1-3)
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  Jesus warned his disciples against the hypocrisy of the Pharisees.
 One day a Pharisee invited Jesus to dine with him in his house.
 When they sat down for the meal, the Pharisee was astonished to see
that Jesus did not wash before eating.
 And Jesus said to him, “Now you Pharisees cleanse the outside of the
cap and of the dish but inside you are full of extortion and
wickedness.”
 By this Jesus meant that they were more concerned with the outward
observance of the law instead of practicing of the law genuinely from
the heart.

He criticized the Pharisees and called them hypocrites because:

 They considered themselves self-righteous than others.
 The Pharisees taxed the people heavily and rejected justice and the
love of God.
 The Pharisees were showing- off in the synagogues and demand
salutation in the market places.
 They followed Jesus with the intention of finding fault in him.
 They despised others and looked down upon them.
 He also criticized them because they failed to make the people to
understand the true interpretation of the law.
 Jesus accused the teachers of the law of behaving like their ancestors
who killed the prophets of God.
 They prevented the people from entering the kingdom of God by
making too many human rules.
 They altered the Law of Moses to suit their interests.
 They knew the commandment of God but did not apply them
appropriately
 Jesus therefore, warned his disciples against hypocrisy.
 He told them that nothing was covered up that will not be known.
 Jesus told his disciples not to fear persecution that they should not
fear those who kill the body
 He went on to say that every sin is forgivable except the sin against
the Holy Spirit Blasphemy
 The disciples should not fear when brought before authorities for the
Holy Spirit would teach them what to say.
 Everyone who acknowledges Jesus would also be acknowledged in the
Kingdom of God.
ii) Fearless confession without hypocrisy ( Luke 12:1-12).
 Jesus encouraged His disciples not to fear those who "kill the body but
cannot afterwards do anything worse".
 They were to fear God who is able to destroy both the body and soul.
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  They were to stand for Jesus and confess their loyalty to Him without
fearing the consequences.
 The disciples who could witness the name of Jesus to the world, He
would be proud of them before God and the angels.
 He went on to teach that even if they were taken before the authorities
they should not worry because the Holy Spirit will guide them.
 Jesus therefore demanded fearless honesty from His followers without
fear because their lives were in the hands of God.
From the passage Christians can learn that:
 Christians should be righteous in their lives.
 Christians should live according to the will of God.
 Christians need not to fear persecution for they would be guided by the
Holy Spirit.
 Christians should not be proud or exalt themselves.
 They should be aware that all sins can be forgiven except blasphemy.
 Christians should strive to live a Christ like life since nothing can be
hidden from God.
 They should be ready to stand for Jesus and confess their loyalty to
him publicly.

JESUS’ TEACHING ON MATERIAL POSSESSIONS (Luke 12: 13-34)

 One time, someone asked Jesus to divide the inheritance between him
and his brother.
 Jesus warned him that no one had ever made him judge over their
property.
 In the Jewish context wealth was seen in terms of large herds of
livestock, food and large tracks of land and children.
 Jesus used the parable of the rich farmer to illustrate correct attitude
towards wealth.
The parable of the rich farmer or the rich fool ( Luke 12: 16-24).
 Jesus told them a parable, once there was a rich farmer who had land
that harvested good crops.
 The farmer began to think to himself where he had to keep the harvest
after he harvested plenty of grain.
 He said that he was going to pull down the barns that he had and
would build bigger ones.
 Where he would store the grains and the other goods. “Then I will sit
down and merry”.
 But God said to him. “You fool this very night I will take your life, then
that will get all these things you have kept for yourself."
 Jesus concluded by saying “This is how it will be with those who pile
riches for themselves and are not rich in God’s sight.
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  Jesus said to his disciples that they should not worry about life what
they should eat and wear.
 For life is more than food and cloths.
 For God provides the birds of the air how much then will He provide
for the human beings who are more valuable than the prey.
 Jesus does not condemn material possession, what he condemns is
how it is possessed and used.
 Jesus meant that material possession is not permanent and God can
take it away any time.
Lessons Christians learn from this parable
 Christians should know that it is God who provides all their needs
 Christians should not put all their energies and efforts into the
acquisition of wealth.
 Christians should store their riches in heaven by using them to help the
poor.
 Christians learn that material wealth can give them false security.
 Christians should give part of their wealth in alms and tithes to the
church.
 Christians should know that wealth is a gift from God
How Christian make good use of their wealth
 Helping the poor and the less fortunate members of the society.
 To give in form of alms or tithes as thanksgiving to God.
 To help their family members with all their needs.
 To enable him meet his basic needs of life such as food, shelter and
clothing.
 To evangelize or help in spreading the word of God.
 Paying of taxes as a sign of respect to the state and the authority.
 For the general well-being of the society.

JESUS’ TEACHING ON WATCHFULNESS AND READINESS (Luke 12:

35-59)
 To be watchful is to be alert or to be on the lookout.
 Readiness on the other hand refers to the state of being prepared.
 Jesus used several illustrations to show how it is important to be
watchful and ready for God's kingdom.
 Jesus gave an example of the watchful servants who stayed ready
waiting for their master's return from the marriage feast so that they
may open for him once he comes and knocks. That the servants should
be ready properly dressed and with their lamps lit.
 In the same way the disciples of Jesus were to be ready and watchful
for Jesus' return.

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  This is because the son of man will come at an hour when people are
not expecting him.
He also gives an illustration of faithful and unfaithful servants.
 The faithful servant is the one who acts responsibly when put in charge
to run the house hold.
 When the master returns and finds him doing the right thing, he will be
happy and promote him.
 If the servant misbehaves and mistreats other servants then the
master will punish him severely.
 The disciples should always be prepared so that when God comes He
will find them ready doing the right things
 Jesus further warns that his coming may be cause divisions.
 Jesus ‘coming is two-fold it will bring unity and divisions as one
distinguishes faith from doubt.
 The division may be based on whether one accepts Jesus or rejects him
as such it will cause suffering in families.
 The disciples were cautioned to watch out for the divisions that would
arise as a result of their loyalty to Jesus.
Understanding the signs.
 Jesus talks about the signs of the weather and a watchful servant
should identify the signs of weather.
 So are the signs of God’s kingdom which were present in the person of
Jesus.
 This means that a person should repent before the judgment day.
Making peace.
 Jesus further told them that if someone brings a lawsuit against you
know that the person will take to court.
 As a watchful person you will do your best to settle the dispute before
getting to court.
 If one is not watchful, you will be taken before a judge and end up in
jail.
 This meant that a person should make peace with God now before the
Day of Judgment.
 Therefore the coming of Jesus demands that each person makes a
personal decision either to follow or not to follow His teachings and
Jesus had come to establish the Kingdom of God.
Jesus' teaching on watchfulness and readiness
 The believers should be dressed and ready for his coming.
 They should be awake and alert for his coming.
 They should be prepared at all times for they do not know the time
Christ will come.
 They should be found waiting for the Lord.
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  Christians should continue working for God until Christ comes back.
 The Christians who mistreat their fellow workers will be punished.
 Those who know what is required for them and fail to do it will receive
beatings.
 Christians are expected to respond to God according to how much they
have received Him
The relevance of the teachings of Jesus on watchfulness and
readiness to Christian today
 They should follow God's commandments and the teachings of Jesus
Christ.
 They should confess their sins and seek for forgiveness.
 Christians should be ready for the second coming of Christ by serving
others
 Christians should show commitment to Christ can by accepting His
baptism.
 Christians who obey God’s will be be rewarded
 Christians need to be identifying the signs of the kingdom of God
among them.
 There will be punishment for those who do not act responsibly
 They should help the needy and less fortunate members of the society.
 They should continue with preaching the gospel to those who have not
heard it.
 They should accept persecution on account of their faith in Jesus
Christ.

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 CHAPTER NINE
THE KINGDOM OF GOD
THE GROWTH OF THE KINGDOM OF GOD ( Luke 13: 1-35)
 The term Kingdom of God refers to God's rule and authority on earth.
 God is regarded as a King who rules over His people and the world He
created.
 The Kingdom of God was a central theme in the Teachings of Jesus
Christ.
 When Jesus began His Ministry in Galilee, He declared that the
Kingdom of God is near and reminded them to turn away from their
sins and believe in the Good News.
 This meant that Jesus had brought the Kingdom and He was the
expected Messiah.
 The teaching of Jesus was focused mostly on the kingdom of God and
declared that the kingdom of God was already present in his own
person and ministry.
 He illustrated the teachings of the kingdom of God by using some of
the parables.
 Jesus then used some specific parables that teach about the kingdom
of God e.g. the parable of the mastered seed, the yeast, and the sower
The call to repentance ( Luke 13:1-5)
 Some people who were with Jesus told Him that Pilate had killed some
Galilean when they were offering sacrifices to God.
 Jesus responded by saying the fact that those people were killed did
not mean they were worse sinners than other Galilean.
 Jesus used this incident to tell his audience that if they do not turn
from sin they will die as those people died.
 Jesus also told them that eighteen people were killed in Siloam when
the tower fell on them and said they were not worse sinners either.
 The two illustrations are given to stress the need to turn away from sin
so as to belong to God.
The parable of the unfruitful fig tree (Luke 13:6-9)
 Jesus told his audience the parable of a fig tree, where a man had a fig
tree that grew in the vine yard and for three years the fig tree
remained unproductive and the man told his gardener to cut it down.
 The gardener pleaded with the master not to cut it down but to give it
a chance for one more year.
 The gardener promised to dig around the fig tree and put some
fertilizer.
 If it bears fruits fine but if it does not the owner will finally cut it down.
Lessons Christians learn from this parable.
 Christians learn that God gives Christians time to repent.
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  Christians should be productive in their work of spreading the Gospel
 Christians are expected to work hard and be productive in spreading
God’s word.
 They learn that the growth of God’s kingdom is gradual
 Christians should be productive in their spiritual life through their
deeds
 Christians who do not bear good fruits will be punished at the end of
times.

Jesus heals a crippled woman on the Sabbath (Luke. 13: 10-17).

 One Sabbath, Jesus was teaching in a synagogue as His custom was.
 There was a woman who had an evil spirit that had kept her sick for
eighteen years.
 When Jesus saw her, he called out and said “woman, you are free from
your illness”.
 Jesus placed his hands on her and she was made straight for she was
bent.
 This raised a lot of criticism from the Pharisees, who believed that no
work should be done on the Sabbath.
 Jesus criticized them saying that they made laws that catered for
their own interests
 They took care of the animals on the Sabbath but did not bother
about those suffering.
 Jesus shows that he had come to liberate people from power of the
Satan.
 That human life is more important than that of animals
 That saving life was more important than mere observance of the
Sabbath,
 The miracle showed the numerical expansion of the church as
people rejoiced over all the wonderful things he had done.
The parable of the mustard seed (Luke 13: 18-19)
 Jesus used the parable of the mustard seed to illustrate the growth of
the Kingdom of God.
 A mustard seed is the smallest seed in the world.
 He said that when a man plants a mustard seed in his field, it grows
and becomes a big tree and birds make nests on its branches.
 Jesus told this parable to show that
 The kingdom of God has a small beginning and expands to all corners
of the earth.
 It also attracts many people all the nations of the world get shelter on
the Kingdom of God.
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  The church accepts all people to find spiritual shelter
 The kingdom of God transforms those who merit it.
The parable of the Yeast (Luke 13: 20-21)
 Jesus said that the kingdom of God is like a leaven which a woman took
and hid in the three measures of flour, till it was all leavened.
 In this parable, Jesus wanted to illustrate that the kingdom of God
works in an unseen manner.
 The works of God spreads slowly to cover many nations in the world.
The narrow door ( Luke. 13:22-30)
 Jesus went through the towns and villages teaching towards Jerusalem.
 Some people asked him if those who would be saved will be few.
 He told them to strive to enter through the narrow door.
 But many people would try to go in but they will not be able
 The master of the house will shut the door.
 The people who will knock on the door will be turned down.
 The master will say. “I do not know you”.
 People will give excuses to enter but the master will disown them.
 Those who will be rejected will grind their teeth when they see
Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets enter the kingdom of
God.
 Jesus said that those who are last now will be the first and those who
are first now will be the last and people will come from all directions to
confirm the universality of the kingdom of God.
 Jesus used this incident to illustrate that to enter the Kingdom of God
one must make great efforts because moral demands are challenging.

Lessons Christians learn from this teaching.

 People from all corners of the world will be present at the Messiah’s
banquet
 Christians should be faithful to God
 Christians should struggle to enter the kingdom of God
 Those who refuse to walk in God’s way will be punished at the end of
times.
 Those who receive Christ in lives will be blessed.
 Those who have received Christ in lives should not backslide
 Every Christian will give an account of their deeds.
 Christians should repent their sins before the end of times.
Obstacles Christians encounter in trying to promote social justice
in Kenya.
 Opposition from the rich/Government who will not be willing to help/
share their riches with the poor.
 Opposition from the powerful/those in power making positions.

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  Greed/selfishness/corruption resulting in grabbing exploitation of the
poor/powerless.
 Political leanings/people belonging to a political party- are not willing to
share power/wealth resources with those belonging to different
political parties.
 Racism-people belonging to a certain race discriminating against
others.
 Different religions/ faiths/denominations are not willing to help people
of other faiths/denominations.
 Sexism-where the men dominate/are not willing to share power with
women.
 Age factor- Where the men dominate/are not willing to share power
with women youth, as to them the youth are irresponsible/
inexperienced/the youth are not ready to share power/ responsibilities
with the old because they are out of dead wood.
 The educated who have no regard for the uneducated who they
regard as ignorant.
Jesus Anticipates His Rejection (Luke 13:31-35)
 Some Pharisees approached Jesus and told Him to go elsewhere
because King Herod wanted to kill Him.
 Jesus responded by telling them to tell Herod that He would continue
with His journey to Jerusalem, performing healings ,miracles and
driving out demons for the following three days.
 He also emphasized that it is not right for a prophet to be killed
anywhere except Jerusalem.
 His answer showed that He was not escaping death but was traveling
to Jerusalem, the appointed place of His death.
 Since Jerusalem will reject Jesus, God will abandon Jerusalem and its
Temple for some time.
 Jerusalem will be the site of the death of the messiah, however a time
will come when Jerusalem will acknowledge Jesus as the Messiah who
will bring salvation to Israel and the rest of the world.
A GREAT FEAST FOR ALL WHO ARE PREPARED
Jesus Heals a Sick Man (Luke 14: 1-6)
 One Sabbath day, one of the leading Pharisees invited Jesus to his
house for a meal.
 And the Pharisees watched closely to see what he would do.
 They were eating they were interrupted by a sick man who was
suffering from dropsy.
 On seeing the man, Jesus asked, “Does our law allow healing on
Sabbath or not?”
 But they didn't’ answer him.
 Jesus took hold of the man, healed him and sent him away.
 Jesus wanted to show that he was concerned with human suffering.
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  He also wanted to show that mere observance of the law was not
important.
The invited guests ( Luke 14:7-14)
 While Jesus was in the house of the Pharisee, he noticed that some
guests were choosing the best places at the table.
 He used this observation to teach them that when invited to a wedding
they should not take seats of honor.
 Instead, they should sit in the lowest places so that when the host
comes he may take them to higher places.
 Jesus wanted to teach the importance of humility that the humble
would be exalted and honored but those who exalt themselves would
be humbled.
 This indicated that the kingdom of God was not for the Jews only.
 Jesus taught that one should not only invite our relatives, neighbors or
the rich for they are likely to invite them back.
 They should invite the poor, the lame, the blind and the crippled.
 By inviting the less fortunate they will be blessed.
 Jesus wanted to teach on the need to give without expecting to be
repaid back.
 Jesus wanted to show his concern for the poor and the Kingdom of God
belongs to them.
The parable of the great feast (Luke 14:15-24)
 A man sitting at the table in the Pharisees’ house with Jesus was
following His teaching.
 The man said. “How happy are those who will sit down at the feast in
God’s Kingdom”.
 Jesus told them a parable of a man who held a feast and invited some
important people to attend.
 When the feast was ready, the host sent his servant to inform them
that the celebration was ready.
 The invited guests sent apologies and began to give excuses.
 The first one said that he had just bought a field and had gone to look
after it.
 The second one said that he had just bought five pairs of oxen and he
wanted to go and try them.
 Yet another said that he had just got married and for that reason he
was unable to attend.
 The master was so furious for this let down and was determined to
have the feast on.
 He sent his servants to go to the streets and alleys of the town to
invite the poor, the crippled and the blind but the room was still not
full.
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  The master then sent his servants again to the country roads and lanes
to call more people to the feast yet the room was still not full.
 Jesus concludes by saying that. “I tell you all that none of those who
were invited will taste my dinner”.
 Jesus used this story to show that the Kingdom of God is like a great
feast that God is the host at this feast.
 The Pharisees, the scribes and all the Jews were first invited to the
kingdom but have failed to recognize Jesus.
 Following Jesus must come with a price of giving up everything
including possessions and family.
 From the parable, the master represents God while the guests
represent the Jews.
 There will be a great feast in the kingdom of God.
 The poor people from the street represent tax collectors and other
sinners who welcomed Jesus.
 The people gathered from the roads and the lanes represent the
Gentiles from whom there was still room for them at the feast.
 The Jews had excuses for not attending the feast meant that the Jews
who were initially invited to God’s kingdom but rejected Jesus.
 Because the Jews rejected Jesus, the Gentiles would be invited into the
kingdom of God.
Reasons why Jesus used the parable of the great feast in his
teaching
 He wanted to explain that invitation to God’s kingdom is open to many
people.
 He wanted to show that the Jews were given the first chance to be part
of God's kingdom but they rejected it.
 He wanted to show that people reject God's call due to material
possession or family commitment which can be a stumbling block to
one's spiritual life.
 He wanted to show that the Gentiles who were outcasts are called to
God's kingdom to replace the non-responding Jews.
 He wanted to challenges the Jews and particularly the Pharisees who
counted themselves as righteous and yet they failed to respond to
God's will.
 He needed to explain that those who refuse to accept God's call will
not enter into God's Kingdom.
 He wanted to explain that God's invitation is extended to many people
and there is universal salvation.
The cost of discipleship (Luke. 14:25-35)
 Jesus emphasized that entering the kingdom of God demanded
committed discipleship.
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  To be a disciple of Jesus one has to:
 Detach from his family and property that prevent people from
becoming Jesus’ disciples.
 His disciples were required to make great sacrifices.
 Carry their own cross and follow Jesus which means self- denial and
readiness to suffer
 One had to think and plan the cost of being a disciple like one who
wants to build a house.
 Give up everything and follow Christ.
 Maintain their zeal for following Jesus and must bring flavor and taste
to others.

RETRIEVING THE LOST (LK.15:1-32)

 One day the Pharisees and the teachers of the law noticed that many
tax collectors and outcasts came to listen to Jesus’ teaching.
 They started grumbling and said, “This man welcomes outcasts and
even eats with them.”
 According to them the tax collectors were despised and people were
not allowed to associate with and Jesus and responded by telling them
three parables about those that were lost.
 He uses the parables of the lost sheep, coin and son
The parable of the lost sheep (Luke 15:3-7)
 Jesus told a parable of a shepherd who had a hundred sheep but lost
one.
 The shepherd then left behind the rest of the flock in the open to
search for the lost one.
 When he found it, he was very joyful and called his friends and
neighbors together so that they could rejoice over his finding.
 Jesus said in the same way there will be more joy in heaven when one
sinner repents than over ninety-nine respectable people who do not
need repentance.
The parable of the lost coin ( Luke 15:8-10)
 Jesus gives an illustration of a woman who had ten silver coins and
loses one of them.
 He said that the woman would light a lamp and sweep the whole
house until she finds it.
 She would call her friends and neighbor to celebrate in the same way
God rejoices over one sinner who repents.
The parable of the lost son or prodigal son (Luke 15:11-32)
 Then Jesus told a parable of a man who had two sons, this younger son
asked for his inheritance.

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  He then left home for a far country where he squandered all the
wealth.
 A severe famine then arose, he began to regret because he had spent
everything he had.
 He sought employment and got a job of feeding pigs, for he was so
desperate that he ate the food that the pigs ate.
 He began to regret leaving his father’s home and decided to go back
home instead of starving and apologize to his father.
 When he came he apologized to his Father, I have sinned against
God and against you. I am no longer fit to be called your son, treat me
as one of your hired workers.
 When he got there, his father received him with joy and ordered the
servants to dress him with the best clothes available and they
cerebrated
 He also slaughtered the best calf for all to celebrate the coming of his
son
 When His elder son learned of what was happening at home and was
quiet unhappy.
 His father explained to him why he had to hold a feast for his brother.
 For this son of mine was dead, but, now is alive, he was lost but now
he has been found.
Lessons that Christians learn from the parables of the lost.
 Christians should be determined in their pursuits for eternal life.
 Those who belong to the kingdom including the angels rejoice when a
sinner repents.
 Christians should be willing to repent their sins regardless of the
magnitude of sin.
 Christians should not discriminate against sinners in the society.
 Christians learn that they will be saved if they repent sins
 Christians learn not to put a lot of attachment to wealth and earthly
things.
 Christians should not be jealous of others as the brother was to the
man.
 Christians should avoid careless living and spending.
 Christians should avoid judging others for God forgives unconditionally.
Why Jesus used the parable of the lost son in his teachings.
 To encourage sinners to accept the word of God.
 To show the consequences of loose living.
 To show God's unconditional forgiveness.
 To teach about God’s love to all people.
 To encourage people to realize their sinfulness and be willing to
repent.
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  To warn Christians about judging others and condemning them.
 To teach his audience the need to rejoice and welcome repentant
sinners.
 Wanted to encourage the families to live in harmony.
From the parables of Jesus Christians can learn the following
about God’s Kingdom
 It is God who establishes his Kingdom and He is like a sower.
 God gives life to the kingdom so that it grows from within like a seed
and it spreads out irresistibly like yeast permeates the dough.
 The kingdom of God is a present reality and as already come.
 The kingdom of God is universal and sinners, outcasts and even
Gentiles are welcome if they accept the word of God.
 The kingdom of God is for the chosen few as illustrated by the parable
of the narrow door.
 It has a small beginning and it grows to cover all the corners of the
world like a mustard seed.
 There will be judgment in the kingdom of God.
 Those who will inherit the kingdom of God are the righteous.
 There will be rejoicing in the kingdom of God when a sinner repents.
 God is continuously searching for the .lost to bring them to the
kingdom.

Jesus Teachings about the Kingdom of God from His parables.

• It is God who establishes His Kingdom. He is like a sower e.g. the
parable of the sower
• God gives life to the kingdom so that it grows from within like a seed
and spreads out irresistibly as yeast permeates the dough. (Parables of
the Mustard seed/Yeast/leaven).
• Jesus has brought / ushered in the Kingdom of God/ through his works
and his person.
• The kingdom of God is a present reality, as sower, God has sown the
seed it is growing.
• The Kingdom of God is a future reality (eschatological)/ the kingdom of
God is awaiting completion/perfection e.g. the parable of the wheat and
Tares.
• The secrets of the Kingdom are revealed to a chosen few to others
they are in parables.
• The Kingdom of God is universal /for all peoples/nations (mustard
seed).
• The Kingdom of God starts in a small way /grows secretly to include all
the nations of the world (mustard seed/Yeast).

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 • There will be judgment in the Kingdom of God/ God will separate the
righteous and the sinners/ The righteous will be rewarded and sinners will
be punished. (Wheat and the Tares).
• The Kingdom of God is for the righteous ones.
• The Kingdom of God is precious / valuable it is worthy forfeiting all else
for the sake of the Kingdom. (e.g Treasure/the pearl)
• God searches lost individuals and bring them back/ restore them to the
Kingdom.
• There is rejoicing in the kingdom when one lost individual is
retrieved /brought back

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 CHAPTER TEN:
WEALTH, POVERTY, FAITH AND PRAYER:
JESUS’ TEACHING ON WEALTHY AND POVERTY.
 Jesus told two parables to expound on His teachings about wealth.
 Wealth means being rich which many people long for, Poverty on the
other hand is a condition where people cannot afford basic needs like
food, clothing, education and health care.
 There are more poor people in the world than the wealthy ones.
The parable of the shrewd manager (Luke 16:1-13)
 Jesus said these parable his disciples there was a rich man who had a
steward.
 His master was informed that he was wasting his wealth.
 The master called him to give an account of his master’s possession
for he was to be sacked.
 The manager thought of what he could do, for he was not strong
enough to dig and he was ashamed to beg.
 He thought very quickly of what he could do so that the people may
receive him in their houses when he is finally sacked
 He summoned his master’s debtors one by one; He said to the first,
“How much do you owe my master?”
 He said, “A hundred measures of oil.” He told him to sit down
quickly and write fifty.
 Then he asked another "And you, how much do you owe me? “A
hundred measures of wheat “he told him to write eighty.
 The master commended the dishonest steward for his shrewdness in
dealing with issues.
 Jesus praised the shrewd manager not because of his dishonesty but
he acted promptly in a moment of a crisis.
 Jesus calls His disciples to make critical decisions in following Him so as
to receive eternal Life.
 He advised his disciples to be honesty in small and big issues and told
them it was not possible to serve both God and money.
 Therefore He urged them to share their wealth with the poor.
 Jesus also taught on the need for Christians be honest in their dealings.
 He gave further teachings on the Law of Moses and He laid emphasis
on faithfulness in marriage and cautions the Pharisees against
allowing divorce.
The parable of the rich man and Lazarus ( Luke 16: 19-31)
 Jesus used the parable of the rich man and Lazarus to teach about
correct attitude towards wealth.
 He gives a parable of a rich man who lived in luxury.
 At his gate was a poor man named Lazarus full of sores
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  Lazarus desired to be fed with what fell from the rich man’s table.
 Moreover the dogs came and licked his wounds.
 Both of them died and the poor man was carried by angels to
Abraham’s bosom.
 The rich man was buried and was in great pain because he went to
hell.
 He lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham far off and Lazarus in his
bosom.
 He cried to Abraham to have mercy on him and send Lazarus to deep
his finger into water and cool his tongue.
 Abraham reminded him of how he received good things when he was
alive and never bothered about Lazarus who is now comfortable.
 More between us and you there is a big valley that nobody is able to
cross
 The rich man then urged Abraham to take information to his five
brothers so that they may not come to such a place of suffering.
 Abraham told him that they had Moses and the prophets to listen to.
 The rich man told Abraham that if someone comes from the dead then
they would repent.
 Abraham told him that if they cannot hear Moses and the prophets
then they will not be convinced even if someone should arise from the
dead.
Relevance of Jesus' teaching on Wealth and Poverty to Christians
today
 Christians should use their wealth to assist the poor.
 Christians should not love their riches more than the love of God it can
ruin to their lives.
 Christians should use their wealth to glorify God and maintain God's
work.
 Christians should seek spiritual wealth than material wealth so as to
inherit eternal life.
 Judgment is awaiting those who do not share their resources with the
needy.
 People should listen to God’s messengers when there is still time.
 Christians should learn that there is no repentance after death
 They should use their talents to contribute towards the development of
the church.

THE POWER OF FAITH (Luke 17:1-37)

 Faith is complete trust in somebody or something.
 From the biblical point of view, faith is seen as a complete trust and
obedience to God.
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  A number of people in the Bible demonstrated their faith in God as
Abraham, Isaac and David.
Jesus' teaching on sin verses 1-4.
 Jesus warned his disciples against leading weaker believers to sin.
 He said it would be better for such a person misleading the rest to be
thrown into the sea.
 Jesus also advised his disciples to forgive those who wrong them
constantly.
Jesus' teaching on the Faith verses 5-6.
 A Christian must be willing to forgive as many times as possible.
 For them to forgive those offend them require strong faith.
 He also tells them of the power of faith makes even the impossible
possible to happen.
 He gives an illustration of the mustard seed. He says, “If you had faith
as a grain of mustard seed, you could say to this sycamore tree: Be
rooted up... and it would obey.”
 The disciples were being reminded that they were servants of God
 They should not expect to receive thanks from God for performing
God-given duties.
A servant’s duty verses 7-10
 Jesus explained to the disciples the attitude of the service they give to
God because of faith.
 He taught that a servant duty is to serve his master and can only relax
when there is no work.
 The servant does not deserve thanks from his master for obeying
orders.
 The disciples were reminded that they were servants of God who owe
everything they have to God.
Jesus' teaching on the Power of Faith
 Faith gives believers strength to overcome temptations.
 It enables them to forgive each other constantly.
 Faith makes even the weakest strong.
 It enables believers to perform their duties without expecting material
rewards.
 Faith enables the believers to work tirelessly because there is a lot of
work to be done.
 Faith leads to physical healing.
 Faith enables believers to show gratitude to God for the blessings they
have received.
 Faith enables Christians to experience the kingdom of God in their
hearts.

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  Faith enables the believers to enter the kingdom of God and receive
eternal life.

JESUS HEALS THE TEN LEPERS (Luke 17:11-19).

 Jesus was on his way to Jerusalem and He traveled along the borders
between Samaria and Galilee.
 As he entered a village he was met by ten lepers who were standing at
a distance.
 Probably due to the fact that lepers were considered unclean and were
not to mix with the other people.
 They lifted up their voices cried and said, “Jesus, Master, have mercy
on us.”
 Jesus then told them to go and show themselves to the priests to
examine them.
 They went and were cleansed, when one of them saw that he was
healed, he went back praising God with a loud voice. He fell on Jesus’
feet and gave him thanks.
 Luke reminds us that the one who came back to give thanks was a
Samaritan.
 Jesus then asked him, “Were not ten cleansed? Where are the nine?”
 Jesus told him to rise and go for his faith had made him well.
 It showed the need for thanksgiving as one of the ten leapers came to
say thanks to Jesus.
 Jesus told the lepers to go the priest to examine them was an
indication that Jesus respected the religious beliefs of the Jews
 The Samaritans had a lot of faith for Jesus told him to get up and go,
for his faith had made him well.
 This incident is used to show that outcasts like Samaritans are ready to
appreciate Jesus’ mission than the Jews.
 Jesus had the power to heal the sick thus the compassionate nature of
Jesus.

Lessons Christian learn from the healing of the ten lepers

 Christians therefore need to respect the laws of God.
 Christians should thank God for the blessings
 Christians are supposed to have a lot of faith in Jesus
 The Christians need to know that salvation is for all and not only for a
few
 Christians should trust in God to heal them from whatever form of
sickness.
 Christians should be concerned with the suffering of others
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  Christians need to humble themselves before God
 Christians need to spread the good news to others

THE COMING OF THE KINGDOM (Luke 17:20-37)

 Some Pharisees once asked Jesus when the kingdom of God would
come.
 The Pharisees had different expectations on the Messiah who had not
come.
 Jesus told them that the kingdom of God had already come in the form
of Jesus Christ.
 But the little faith of the Pharisees could not make them realize it.
 Those who accepted Jesus and his teachings had already received this
kingdom.
 Therefore, faith is necessary to discover the power of God’s kingdom.
 Jesus also told his disciples that a time would come when they would
wish to see the son of man but they would not see Him.
 Before that day of the son of the coming of man, he must suffer and
be rejected.
 He linked it to the times of Noah and Lot when the people did not mind
about the impending danger.
 There will be trials during these times and they require strong faith
until the second coming of Jesus.
 Whoever tries to save his own life will lose it and whoever loses his life
will save it.
 The second coming of Jesus is not known and it will come when people
are still pre-occupied with their ordinary activities.
 One who is in the field will not return back and the righteous will be
separated from the sinners.
 There will be two people in one bed, one will be taken and the other
left.
 Two women will be grinding grain together one will be taken and the
other will be left
 The coming of the son of man will sudden and unmistakable for all to
see.
Importance of faith in Christian life today
 Christians should have strong faith in Him to be able to serve God.
 Christians should have faith in Jesus by following His teachings and
doing His will
 Faith is the foundation of salvation and it gives Christians power to
overcome temptations and evil.
 Christians need to have steadfast and unshakeable faith so that they
can strengthen the faith of other people.
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  Christians also need strong faith to be able to forgive other people who
have wronged them.
 Christians should have strong faith so that they can serve God without
reservation.
 Christians need faith to discover the power of God's Kingdom within
their hearts by listening to God's messengers.
 Christians should have faith in God to be made "whole" so that they
receive healing and peace.
 Christians need faith to be strong to enable them to overcome trials of
everyday life until the second coming of Christ.

PERSISTENCE IN PRAYER (Luke 18:1-14)

 Jesus told his disciples two parables to teach them on how to pray and
the attitude they have to prayer.
THE PARABLE OF THE WIDOW AND THE UNJUST JUDGE (Luke
18:1-8)
 Jesus told them of a parable of a judge who was in a certain town and
he neither feared God nor respected people.
 In the same town there was a widow who kept coming to the Judge
pleading for her rights against her opponent.
 For a long time the Judge refused to act but the woman kept on coming
to plead.
 The judge gave in to her demands because the woman was
persistently coming
 He accepted to help her get her rights for if he didn’t the woman would
keep coming and would wear him out.
 Jesus goes ahead to say that the lord will have mercy on those who
keep on crying to him.
 Jesus taught his disciples on how to pray with courage and persistence.
Reasons why Christians should have faith in God
 Faith is a requirement for all Christians.
 Through faith God fulfills the promise he made to human beings.
 Those who pray in faith receive their requests.
 Christians are dependent on God for all things.
 Faith is a sign of commitment to God's will.
 lt is through faith that Christians can perform miracles.
 The Christians who have faith in God will be saved.
 Faith in God helps Christians to overcome temptations or challenges in
life.
 Faith in God enables the Christians to wait patiently for the second
coming of Christ.

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 THE PARABLE OF THE PHARISEE AND THE TAX COLLECTOR (Luke
18:9-14)
 To those who were sure of their own goodness despised others.
 Jesus told them a parable a Pharisee and a tax collector.
 Both went to the Temple to pray.
 The Pharisee prayed to God saying that he was righteous. “I thank God
am not greedy, dishonest, or an adulterer, like everybody else’s”.
 He compares himself to the tax collector and says he is not like him. “I
fast two days a week, and give a tenth of my income”.
 But the tax collector stood at a distance and would not even raise his
face to heaven.
 The tax collector confessed that, he was a sinner and asked God to
have mercy on him.
 Jesus told the disciples that he tax collector not the Pharisees was
right in the relationship with God.
 Jesus told this parable to his disciples to teach them how to approach
God in prayer.
 Jesus concludes by saying that those who make themselves great will
be humbled and those who humble themselves will be made great.

Lessons Christians learn from the parables.

 Christians need to prayer without ceasing as the widow even when God
delays to answer prayers.
 Christians should be humble in their prayer and should avoid self-pride
in prayer.
 Christians are reminded to address their prayers to God directly.
 Christians should approach God with courage and faith that He will
answer their prayers in His own time.
 They should honestly confess their sins as they pray so that God
forgives them.
 Christians should be patient and be faithful in prayer knowing that God
will answer their pray
 Christians should pray for justice in an unjust world and know that God
is a just judge.
Reasons why Christians pray.
 To show their dependence on God.
 To honor/adore/express the Power of God.
 To ask for their needs.
 Through prayer they confess their sins and ask for forgiveness.
 To thank God for his faithfulness and goodness
 To have fellowship or communication to God.
 To follow the example of Jesus.
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  It is a command from God as a sign of obedience.
 Prayer helps to relieve fears/anxiety/worries.
 It is an instrument through which the work of Satan is destroyed.

THE WAY TO SALVATION (Luke 18:15-19:1-27)

 The word Salvation refers to what is expected of followers of Jesus
Christ in order to attain eternal life and is the process of being
delivered from all sin and its consequences.
 To receive salvation, a person must acknowledge that he/ she is a
sinner and repents their sins.
 Those who have attained salvation are assured of receiving eternal life
through Jesus Christ.
 Jesus blesses little children ( Luke 18: 15-17)
 People brought children to Jesus so that he might touch them and the
disciples rebuked them.
 Jesus, however, called the children to himself saying, “Let the children
come to me and do not stop them, because the kingdom of God
belongs them.
 Jesus went on to tell his disciples that in order to enter the kingdom of
God, they must humble themselves like children.
 Jesus uses this incident to teach that those who want to inherit the
kingdom of God must humble themselves like children are always
innocent.

The rich young ruler (Luke 18:18-30)

 A rich man once came to Jesus wanting to know what he must do to
receive eternal life.
 He addressed Jesus as ‘Good Teacher ’and He asked him why he was
referring to him as ‘Good’.
 According to Jesus only God was good and Jesus reminded him the
commandments.
 The man said he had kept all these ever since he was young.
 Jesus then told him to go and sell everything he had, give to the poor
and follow him.
 When the rich man heard this, he became sad and went away.
 Jesus then told them that it will be hard for rich people to enter the
Kingdom of God than for a camel to go through the eye of a needle.
 Jesus uses this incident to teach the dangers attached to riches and
leading moral life was not enough

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  Jesus did not condemn wealth for it can be used for good but the use
of it.
 This implies that it is impossible for people who value wealth more
than God to go to heaven.
 Jesus did not condemn wealth for it can be used for good but its poor
use.
 The people who heard Jesus wondered who then could be saved,
because the Jews believed that wealth was a sign of God’s blessing.
 Peter then asked what they as disciples will receive since they left
home to follow him.
 Jesus acknowledged this and emphasized that those who have made a
decision to follow him will receive salvation in the present life and the
age to come.
 Jesus finally emphasized this teaching to his disciples that wealth can
be a barrier to entering God's Kingdom.
Jesus speaks a third time about His coming death verses 31-
34.
 Jesus took his disciples aside and told them that they were going to
Jerusalem where everything written about him was going to happen.
 He explained to them that He was going to be handed over to the
Jewish religious leader who would make fun of Him, insult Him, spit on
Him, whip and kill Him.
 After three days He would rise back to life but the disciples did not
understand.
 The death was going to be shameful and humiliating but He was
prepared to face it.
 He talked about his coming suffering for the third time but His
Messiahship was hidden to the disciples.
The healing of the blind beggar (Luke 18:35-43)
 When Jesus drew came to Jericho, there was a blind man was sitting by
the roadside begging.
 When he heard the crowd passing, he wanted to know what was
happening.
 The people told him that Jesus of Nazareth was passing by.
 He shouted to Jesus, “Jesus! Son of David has mercy on me!”
 And the people rebuked him, telling him to be quiet but he cried out
the more.
 Jesus stopped and asked him what he wanted and he said, he wanted
to see again.
 Jesus restored his sight and told him that his faith has made him well.
 He then followed Jesus giving thanks to God.

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  The blind beggar referred to Jesus as son of David meaning that he
was the promised Messiah.
 The physical blindness is not a hindrance to spiritual understanding
that Jesus wants.
 It also shows the importance of faith for the blind man got his sight
because of his faith.
 Christians therefore learn that;
 Christians need to thank God for whatever God has given them.
 Christians should not give up/fear to ask for God’s assistance.
 Those who have received God’s blessing should follow Christ.
 Those who want to come to the Lord should not be prevented
 Christians learn that Jesus is able to give spiritual sight.
Jesus and Zacchaeus (Luke 19:1-9.)
 Jesus entered Jericho and was passing through the region.
 There in Jericho was a rich tax collector called Zacchaeus.
 He wanted to see Jesus but he was short and could not see Jesus
because of the crowd
 He ran ahead of the crowd and climbed a sycamore tree.
 When Jesus reached where Zacchaeus was, he looked up and told him
to come down.
 He was going to stay at his house that day and received Jesus joyfully
in his house.
 The people who witnessed what was happening murmured because
Zacchaeus was a sinner.
 Zacchaeus stood up and told Jesus that he was going to give half of his
wealth to the poor.
 He also declared that he would pay back four times to anybody he had
defrauded.
 Jesus was pleased with him and told him that salvation had come to
him as a descendant of Abraham and Jesus said that the Son of Man
came to seek and save the lost
Christians can learn that:
 Riches do not hinder one from entering the kingdom of God.
 God is continuously looking for the lost souls.
 Sinners should make a step to put right what was wrong.
 Jesus loves all categories of people including sinners.
 The rich should share their wealth with the poor.
 Christians should not judge others.
THE PARABLE OF THE POUNDS (Luke 19:11-27)
 The parable is referred also as the parable of the gold coins or talents.
 When Jesus was about to enter Jerusalem, his disciples thought that
the kingdom was to appear immediately.
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  He told them a parable of a nobleman who went into a far country to
be made a king.
 Before he left, he called his ten servants and gave them each a gold
coin.
 He asked them to trade with the coins.
 After he was made a king, he returned because his citizens hated him.
 Then he ordered his servants to come before him to say how much
they had earned with the gold coins.
 The first one said he had made a profit of ten more and he was put in
charge of ten cities.
 The second one had earned five gold coins and he was put in charge of
five cities.
 When the third servant came he said that “Lord here is your pound
which I kept laid away in napkin, for I was afraid of you.
 The master was very annoyed with this servant and ordered that the
one gold coin be taken away from and be given to one who had ten
gold coins.
 He went ahead to say that whoever has even more would be added
than the who has nothing.
Lessons Christians learn from the parable of the ten pounds
 Christians should use their abilities that God has given them for the
benefit of others.
 Christians need to be obedient and honest in their dealing
 Christians will be rewarded according to their performances.
 Christians have been given different gifts and abilities by God.
 Christians will give an account of how they have been using their
talents and abilities.
 God expects Christians to use opportunities provided for His glory.
 Christians will lose their abilities if not put to use
The relevance of Jesus’ teaching on Salvation to Christians

 Christians are expected to repent their sins and seek for forgiveness
through Christ.
 The death and resurrection of Jesus enables Christians to receive
eternal life.
 To enter God’s kingdom Christians have to humble themselves.
 Christians learn that wealth should not be a barrier to receiving
Salvation.
 Wealth should be used to help the needy in society
 Christians should obey God’s commandments so as to receive
Salvation.
 They should use their abilities to glorify God by serving other.

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  Christians will give an account of how they used their abilities and
talents.

CHAPTER ELEVEN

JESUS TEACHES IN JERUSALEM

 Jerusalem was an important place in the mission of Jesus and it was

conquered from the Jebusites during the reign of King David and made
a holy city.
 During the times of Jesus it remained a major city and center of
worship.
 It is in this place where he was going to die to fulfill God’s plan of
salvation
 .Jesus had already predicted the kind of suffering he was going to face
in Jerusalem.
 Jesus had conflicts with the religious leaders and he knew that he
would face opposition in Jerusalem.
THE TRIUMPHANT ENTRY INTO JERUSALEM (Luke 19:28-40)
 When Jesus drew near to Bethpage and Bethany, he sent two of his
disciples to go ahead into the village.
 They were going to find colt which no one had ridden on.
 When the owner asks them why they were untying it, they would tell
him that the Lord needs it.
 They went and found it as Jesus had said.
 And as they were untying it, they owner asked them where they taking
it and they told him that the Lord needs it.
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  Then they brought it to Jesus and as he rode on it and the people
spread their garment on the road.
 The whole multitude of the disciples began to praise God with a loud
voice saying “blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord”
 And some of the Pharisees told him to rebuke his disciples .He
answered them “I tell you, if they were silent, the very stones would
cry out”
 This implies that Jesus did not want to hide his Messiahship anymore.
 The fact that Jesus rode on a donkey that had not been ridden on
shows that Jesus was a peaceful messiah
 The people who shouted confirmed that Jesus was the Messiah
prophesied in the Old Testament
Lessons Christians learn from the triumphant entry into
Jerusalem.
 Christians should be ready and prepared to receive Jesus their lives.
 Christians should preach peace in their communities.
 Christians should be humble in their service to others.
 Christians leaders should be servants of their followers.
 Christians should expect opposition and resistance as they evangelize.
 Christians should praise and thank God just as the crowd that followed
Jesus did.
 Christians should be bold as they witness to Jesus like the crowd that
followed Jesus had praised Him.

JESUS CLEANSES THE TEMPLE (Luke 19: 45-49).

Jesus weeps over Jerusalem.
 And when he drew near Jerusalem, looking at the sight of Jerusalem, he
wept over Jerusalem.
Why Jesus wept
 This was because Jesus Knew that Jerusalem would reject him as the
Messiah.
 He had seen the way Jerusalem would be destroyed.
 The people did not recognize him as a peaceful Messiah.
 They had forgotten that they were God’s chosen people.
 They had turned the temple into a commercial center.
 The people who sold in the temple made excessive profits.
 It was a center of worship but was spiritually dead.
 The religious leaders had forgotten the laws that they were supposed
to keep and teach.
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 Jesus Cleanses the Temple:
 Jesus then entered the temple and began to drive out those who were
selling in the in the temple.
 He said that it is written that, “My house shall be a house of prayer
but you have made it a den of robber ”meaning hide out for thieves
 The temple authorities had allowed a market in the court of the temple
 Those who sold in the temple made excessive profits and this was not
the real purpose of the temple.
 This prevented the Jews from being a light to the Gentiles.
 The action of Jesus made the religious leaders more determined to
have him killed.
 The temple would be destroyed because it was no longer serving as a
house of prayer.
Lessons Christians can learn from the cleansing of the temple
 Christians should respect the house of God and use it appropriately.
 Christian leaders should avoid exploiting members through excessive
contributions.
 Christians should have courage in condemning evils in the society.
 They should pay more attention to inward righteousness than external
observance of rituals.

CONFLICTS BETWEEN JESUS AND THE JEWISH RELIGIOUS LEADERS

(Luke 19:47-48, 20:1-47, 21:1-4)
 After the cleansing of the temple, Jesus spent most of the time
teaching in the temple.
 There were two groups of people; the ones who were keenly listening
to his teachings and those who wanted to find ways of trapping him
because he referred to them as hypocrite.
 But Jesus knew that his rejection was part of his mission on earth to
redeem humankind
The Question about Jesus' Authority (Luke 20:1-8).
 While he was preaching the chief priests and the scribes came to him.
 They wanted to know through whose authority he was teaching.
 He answered them by asking them a question “Was the baptism of
John from heaven or from men”
 The question put the leaders in a dilemma because, if they said it was
from heaven, this would imply that Jesus’ authority was from God.
 If they said from men, then the people would stone them and they
said they did not know.
 And he responded by telling them “Neither will I tell you, by what
authority I do these things”
The parable of the wicked tenants (Luke 20: 9-18)
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  Jesus told them the parable of a man who planted a vineyard and let it
out to tenants.
 When the time for the harvest, He sent his servant to the tenants that
they give him the fruits of the vineyard.
 But they beat him and sent him away empty handed.
 He sent the second servant whom they beat and treated shamefully.
 He sent yet another third one whom they also wounded and cast out.
 Then the owner of the vineyard sent his own son, but they beat him
up and killed him.
 Jesus then posed this question to them “what then will the owner of
the vineyard do to them.
 He will come and destroy those tenants and give to others the
vineyard.
The parable can be explained further as follows
 The owner of the vineyard is God.
 The vineyard is Israel and the tenants are the Jewish religious leaders.
 The servants who were beaten represent the prophets.
 The son of the owner of the vineyard represents Jesus.
 The death of the son represents the kind of rejection that he was going
to face.
 The owner of the vineyard is God who will punish them severely.
 It implies that Jesus whom the Jewish leaders rejected would be
enthroned in heaven.
What can Christians do when faced with rejection.
 A Christian should not fear rejection
 They should stand firm for the truth.
 Should pray for guidance and strength from God.
 Should seek pastoral counseling from the church leaders
 Read the scriptures to get guidance.
Paying Taxes to Caesar (Luke 20: 19-26)
 After telling the parable of the wicked tenants, the scribes and the
chief priest were annoyed because they knew the message in the
parable was about them and they wanted to seize Jesus but they were
afraid of the people.
 They therefore sent spices to him who pretended to be sincere.
 They wanted to trap him and asked him a question whether it was
lawful to pay taxes to Caesar or not.
 The Jews resented the payment of taxes to the Roman authority
because.
 The coins used had the emperors image which according to them was
a violation of Jewish law which forbade the use of images
 It was also a symbol of their oppression by the Romans.
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  The question put Jesus on dilemma for if Jesus said yes then they
would accuse him of being a collaborator with the Roman rulers.
 If Jesus would tell them not to pay they would accuse him of treason.
 Jesus knew their trick and asked them to produce a coin and state
whose name and image was on it.
 They said emperors, Jesus told them to render to Caesar what
belonged to Caesar and to God the things that are God’s.
 Jesus meant that;
 By having the silver coin in their possession, the Jews accepted the
Roman authority.
 They had a duty to pay taxes to the emperor to enjoy the benefits of
the Roman rule.
 They had to be loyal to God and to the state.
 Jesus left them to determine the answer to their questions.
Why Christians should pay tax to the Government
 It is a duty to pay taxes to the government.
 Christian should do the same in obedience to Jesus’ command.
 Christians pay taxes as a way of sharing their wealth with others.
 Christians pay taxes as a sign of patriotism.
 The government uses taxes to meet its financial obligation and pay
salaries of civil servants.
 To heed to Jesus’ instruction to respect the civil authorities.
 To provide essential services to its citizens.
 To emulate Jesus who paid taxes to the Roman authorities.
 In order to receive essential services from the government.
The question about resurrection (Luke 20:27-38)
 The Seduces presented Jesus with an issue concerning the
resurrection.
 The Sadducees did not believe in the resurrection of the dead.
 They asked him question about a woman who married seven brothers
and all of them died without having a child with her.
 They asked him whose wife she will be at the time of resurrection
 .Jesus responded by telling them that there is no marriage after death.
 They become immortal and are sons of God and are equal to angles.
 They applauded at him for having spoken well and they dared not ask
him any more question.
Lessons Christians can learn from the question of resurrection
 That there is the resurrection of the dead.
 Those who will resurrect will neither marry nor be married.
 They become immortal (cannot die anymore)
 Those who resurrect will be like angles.
 They will be the sons of God.
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  God is God of the living and not the dead.
The question about the Messiah verses 41-44
 Jesus asked His opponents a question “ How can it be that the Messiah
will be a descendant of David”, it meant that Jesus made a statement
concerning His true identity.
 This passage is an anticipation of the key events of the resurrection
and exaltation of Jesus that will follow His death.
Jesus warns against the teachers of law. (Luke 29: 46-47)
 Jesus addressed his disciples and warned them to beware of the
hypocrisy and exploitative nature of the teachers of the law.
 He openly attacked them for
 They like to go to the market places with long robes so that they could
be seen and respected.
 They Love to be greeted with respect in market places.
 Seeking best seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at the
feasts.
 Making long prayers without meaning.
 He also accused them of taking advantage and robbing the widows of
their property.
 These direct attacks on the teachers’ of law provoked a conflict
between them and Jesus.
The widow’s offering (Luke 21:1-4)
 Jesus also observed the way offerings were being done in the temple.
 He saw the rich people putting their gifts into the treasury.
 A poor widow also gave two copper coins the smallest denomination.
 Jesus praised the widow for giving that entire money she had.
 This may have caused conflicts between Jesus and the rich who were
listening to him.
The factors that cause conflicts in our Churches today
 Leadership wrangles
 Pride of church members.
 Misuse of church resources
 Gender discrimination where Women being are being ordained as
priests.
 Corruption among the church leaders.
 Misinterpretation of the Biblical teachings.
 Permissiveness in the society.
 Sexual immorality in the church.
 Alcohol and drug abuse.
 Some churches do not accept cultural practices to be incorporate in
the Christian worship.

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 JESUS’ TEACHING ABOUT ESCHATOLOGY (Luke 21:5 -38)
 The term “eschatology” is derived from the Greek word eschatos which
means the end.
 Eschatology therefore is the study of the end of times.
 Jesus talked of what would happen at the end of times.
 In the bible, the book of Daniel and revelation are referred to as
apocalyptic books because they reveal what would happen in future in
relation to God’s judgment.
 This apocalyptic writing is also found in prophetic books of Jeremiah,
Amos and Zephaniah.
The Prophecy on the destruction of the Jerusalem Temple (Luke
21:5-6)
 Some of the disciples remarked how beautiful the temple was.
 Jesus then foretold about the destruction of the temple.
 “All these you see the time will come when not a single stone here will
be left in its space.
 This was a shocking revelation to the disciples who could not imagine
its destruction due to its importance.
The signs of the end of times (Luke: 21:6-28).
 The disciples wondered when the destruction of the temple would take
place.
 This led Jesus into talking about the signs of the end of times.
 Many would come claiming to be Jesus, the messiah.
 Wars between Nations would arise.
 There would be earthquakes, famines and plagues
 Strange and celestial beings would come from the sky.
 The disciples would arrested, persecuted and imprisoned for the sake
of Christ
 The disciples would be hated on Jesus’ account.
 Jesus disciples’ would be betrayed to the authorities by close relatives
and even put to death
The destruction of Jerusalem verses 20-24
 He warned his disciples that the city of Jerusalem will be surrounded by
enemies.
 He warned the people to flee when they saw invading enemies
 He sympathized with the pregnant women and those who were sucking
the young ones.
 He also said some people would be killed while others would be exiled.
 Jerusalem would be destroyed and people cannot escape
The coming of the son of Man verses 25-28
 He told his disciples about the coming of the son of Man.
 He told them that before the coming of son of man there would be:
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  Disruption in the sky and in the sea.
 All countries would be in despair
 People would faint from fear as they witness the signs
 After all these signs the son of man would appear in the power and
glory
 These experiences will be felt by the world.
 Jesus told the people not to fear but to receive what was coming
courageously
 If they endured these experiences they had hope of attaining
Salvation..
The parable of the fig tree (Luke 21:29 - 33)
 Jesus then told his audience the parable of the fig tree to explain the
reality of his coming.
 The fig tree sheds its leaves during the winter and during spring it
comes back to life as a sign that summer is near.
 In the same way there will be signs that the kingdom of God is near.
 He therefore encouraged his disciples to lead a righteous life.
 They were to avoid too much feasting and drinking.
 They were told to be watchful all the time and keep on praying.
 Jesus continued to teach in the temple, and many people kept coming
to listen to him.
The need to be watchful verses 34-38
 Jesus concluded His eschatological teachings with further
encouragement to His disciples;
 He encouraged them to lead a righteous life.
 They were to avoid too much feasting and drinking.
 They were not to be preoccupied with the worries of this world.
 They were to be careful that the coming of the son of man may not
catch them unawares.
 They were to be alert by praying to get strength to go safely through
the things.
The relevance to the teaching of Eschatology to Christians today
 Christians learn that the end of the world will come.
 Christians look forward with hope for Jesus’ second coming.
 Christians should note that nobody knows the time nor the hour when
Jesus comes.
 Christians should not listen to false prophets who lead them astray.
 Prayer is important to Christians particularly during moments of crisis.
 Christians should stand firm in faith and should not be swayed by false
prophets.
 Christians should live righteous life as they prepare for the second
coming of Christ.
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 How Christians prepare themselves for the second coming of
Christ
 They encouraging people to repent their sins.
 Preaching Gospel top new converts.
 Obeying the commandments of God.
 Taking part in the Holy Communion.
 Praying land fasting.
 Enduring suffering for the sake of Christ.
 Accepting baptism with water in preparation for baptism with the Holy
Spirit.
 Living an exemplary life or moral life.
 Helping the needy and the less fortunate members of the society.
 Forgiving those who wrong them so that God may forgive them.
 Praising God thorough songs and dance and avoiding tempting worldly
situation

CHAPTER TWELVE:

THE PASSION, DEATH AND RESURRECTION OF JESUS CHRIST

THE LAST SUPPER (Luke 22: 1-30)

The plot against Jesus.

 The chief priest and the leaders of the law were trying to find a way of
putting Jesus to death secretly and they showed a lot of hostility.
 They were however afraid because popularity Jesus had gained among
the people.
 Luke records that Satan entered into Judas Iscariot who was one of his
disciples.
 He went and told the chief priests and officers and told them that he
could betray Jesus to death.
 They were happy about this and offered to pay some money.
 Judas accepted the offer and started looking for a good opportunity to
hand over Jesus to them.
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 The Lord’s Supper
Preparation for the Last Supper
 The last supper coincided with the celebration of the feast of the
unleavened bread, the Passover.
 To prepare for the last supper Jesus sent Peter and John to make the
necessary arrangements.
 He told them that they would go into the city where they would meet a
man carrying a jar of water. Jesus told them that they should follow the
man into the house he would enter.
 While in the guest house they were to ask the owner to show them the
guest room.
 Jesus told the disciples that the owner would show them a large
furnished upper room.
 Then the disciples were instructed to make the preparations for the
last supper.
 The disciples then prepared the meal.
 Jesus together with his disciples sat down in the prepared room.
The partaking of the last Supper
 Jesus and His disciples sat at one table and Jesus told them that he had
desired to have a meal with them.
 He took a cup of wine, gave thanks, and passed it round to the
disciples for them to drink saying.
 ‘Take this and divide it among yourselves, for I tell you from now on I
shall not drink of the Fruit of the vine, until the kingdom of God
comes.”
 Again he took the bread, gave thanks, broke it and gave to them to eat
saying, “This is my body which is given to you. Do this in remembrance
of me.”
 After supper, he took the cup again saying, “This cup which is poured
out for you is the new covenant in my blood.
 Then Jesus commanded the disciples were to continue celebrating the
Lord’s Supper in memory of Him.
 During the Last Supper, Jesus informed them he would be betrayed by
one of them.
 He taught them the qualities of good leadership and the humility to
serve others.
 He asked Simon Peter to strengthen others disciples in faith.
 Jesus told them that the greatest is the one who serves
 Jesus told Simon that he would be tested by Satan/he would deny Jesus
 Jesus told Simon that He had already prayed for him to strengthen
others
 Jesus advised the disciples to have their bags/purses/swords

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  He took a cup and gave thanks/he said “take this and divide it among
yourselves”

Reasons why Jesus used bread and wine during the last supper
 Bread was a common meal for the Jews
 Used bread because unleavened bread was used during the Jewish
celebration of the Passover
 Wine was a common drink for the Jews
 Jesus explained that the bread represented his body which would be
broken for the forgiveness of sins
 He used wine to represent His blood that was to be shed for the sealing
of the New Covenant
 He used bread to demonstrate that He is the bread of life/ the lamb of
sacrifice
 He shared bread and wine as a sign of fellowship/unity/a preparation
for the messianic banquet
 He used bread and wine to initiate the new covenant
 He used bread and wine to institutionalize/demonstrate how the
disciples would practice the ritual in future

Importance of celebrating the Holy Communion in the church

 To remember the death/resurrection of Jesus
 Celebrating it is a foretaste of the messianic banquet
 Christians are able to experience the Holy Spirit/the presence of the
Holy Trinity
 They do so in anticipation of the second coming of Jesus Christ
 Christians are able to renew their faith in God/rededicate their lives to
God
 It encourages the spirit of sharing/demonstrate love
 It gives Christians an opportunity to thank God for salvation
 It gives Christians an opportunity to ask for forgiveness from
God/repent
 It unites Christians in the church
 Its celebration demonstrates obedience to the command of Jesus
An Argument about Greatness.
 And the disciples began to question who among them would be the
one.
 A dispute also arose among the disciples who would be regarded the
greatest among them.
 He told them that whoever wanted to be the greatest had to be ready
to be the youngest and must be ready to serve others.
 In this he taught the importance of humility.
 He also promised his disciples a place in the kingdom of God for they
stood by him at times of trials.

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 Prediction of Peter's denial of Jesus.
 After foretelling his coming death he also talked about the fact that
Peter was going to deny him.
 However he prayed for peter’s faith not to fail.
 Peter would backslide by denying Jesus three times but would come
back to Him.
 However Peter said that he was ready to go with him even to prison or
die with him.
 He told the disciples that they would meet hostility but they had to be
prepared.
The significance of the Lord’s Supper to Christians today
 The Lord’s Supper is referred to as the Holy Communion, the holy
Eucharist, the Lord’s Table, the holy mass, the holy sacrament.
 The Lord’s Supper unites the followers of Jesus in anticipation of his
second coming.
 Lords supper is related to the new covenant fulfilled through the blood
of Jesus Christ which saves human kind
 The wine symbolizes the blood of Christ which saves human kind and
Jesus is the last sacrificial lamb.
 The bread symbolizes the body of Christ; Jesus is the spiritual bread of
life.
 Through the celebration of the Lords supper, Christians also anticipate
the second coming of Christ.
 It also shows the importance of sharing i.e. through sharing of the wine
and the bread.
 During the celebration the Christians have their faith strengthened.
 The celebration of the Lord’s Supper is a constant reminder of Jesus
Christ presence among his followers.
 It is an occasion for thanks giving for the good things God has done to
us.
 It is also a symbol of the heavenly feast which Christians will enjoy in
the Kingdom of God.
 It is a way through which Christians receive assurance of the
forgiveness of sins.

Summary of the events that took place from the time Jesus was
arrested up to the time He was sentenced to death.
 Jesus was taken to the house of the high priest.
 Peter denied Jesus three times.
 Jesus was mocked, beaten and blindfolded.
 Jesus was taken to the council of the Sanhedrin.

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  Jesus was taken to Pilate where political accusations were made
against Him.
 He was sent to King Herod who questioned him and ridiculed him and
did not find him guilty.
 Jesus was then sent back to Pilate again and he informed the crowd
that the man was innocent.
 The crowd shouted that Jesus should be crucified and Barnabas should
be released instead.
 Pilate surrendered and judgment was passed that Jesus be crucified.

THE PRAYER AT MOUNT OLIVES (LK 22:39-46)

 After celebrating the last supper, Jesus then left and went into the
Mount Olives and the disciples following him.
 He asked his disciples to pray so that they would not be led into
temptations.
 Then moving from them, he prayed in the garden of Gethsemane.
 “Father, if though art wiling remove this cup from me, nevertheless not
my will, but thine be done”.
 The “cup” referred to his suffering and deaths and the angel from
heaven appeared and strengthened Him.
 And when he arose from prayer, he came to the disciples and found
them sleeping.
 Jesus again asked them to pray so that they do not fall into temptation.
THE BETRAYAL AND ARREST OF JESUS (LK: 22:47-53)
 When Jesus was still speaking to his disciples, telling them to get up
and pray.
 Judas Iscariot appeared accompanied by a large crowd among them
the Chief Priests, elders and Temple guards.
 He came near Jesus and kissed him as was a way of identifying Jesus to
the crowd.
 Jesus asked Judas why he was betraying the son of man with a kiss.
 The disciples tried to fight back to defend their master and conquer
them.
 Peter even struck the slave of the High Priest and cut his right ear.
 Jesus however stopped them and He even healed the ear to the enemy
that had been slashed.
 The Roman commanding officer had come with a heavily armed force
expecting that Jesus and His disciples would put up a resistance.
 This was an indication that Jesus was peaceful messiah.
The reasons why Judas betrayed Jesus
 He was unhappy with Jesus' activities.
 He was looking for fame and recognition.
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  He was expecting a political messiah and yet Jesus was a spiritual
messiah.
 The greed for money and material possession.
 Judas could also have been an informer of the Jewish religious
authorities.
 He lacked the moral; courage to stand before Jesus in times of
tribulation.
 He had weak faith as he was overcome by the power of the devil.
 It was God’s will for the fulfillment of the scriptures.
 When Judas Iscariot realized that Jesus was going to be condemned to
death.
 He felt remorseful and threw the money away and he hanged himself.
 They seized Jesus and led him to the chief priest house for preliminary
examination
 The Sanhedrin was the governing council of the Jewish nation that was
authorized to try religious offenders and those who went against the
national laws.

THE DENIAL OF JESUS BY PETER (Luke 22:54-65).

 When Jesus was taken to the chief priest’s house, Peter followed him at
a distance.
 Peter then joined a group of people who were warming themselves at
the courtyard.
 A maid and two other people identified Peter as one of Jesus’ disciples
but Peter denied all the accusations.
 Peter lied and broke the promise he had made to Jesus earlier when he
said "Lord l am ready to go with you to prison and to death".
 Just as Jesus had predicted, the cock crowed and Peter remembered
the words of the Lord and he went out and wept bitterly.
 Earlier on Jesus had predicted that peter would deny him three times
and he reacted this way probably due to;
 It had been predicted by Jesus that he would deny him.
 Human weakness and lacked the moral courage to stand by Jesus
during his suffering.
 He was afraid that the people could arrest and kill him too.
 Peter was confused by the turn of events i.e. he acted on the spur of
the moment
 He lacked faith in Jesus which was needed at this time.
 He was disappointed by the fact that Jesus did not fight back.
 He had no support and solidarity with other disciples.
 Jesus turned and looked at Peter and Peter remembered what Jesus
had predicted.
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  And he went out and wept bitterly this was a sign of repentance.
Lessons that Christians can learn from Peter’s denial of Jesus
 Christians should be prepared to face tribulations for the sake of Christ.
 Christians should stand firm in their faith in times of temptations.
 Christians should be remorseful and ready to repent.
 Christians should depend on God’s guidance to make the right
decision.
 Christian learn acknowledge that those who repent are accepted
back.

THE TRIAL OF JESUS (Luke 22:66-23:1-25).

 Interrogation before the Council of the Sanhedrin (Luke: 22:66-
71).
 When the day came, Jesus was brought before the council Sanhedrin
very early in the morning.
 It was composed of Pharisees, Scribes and Sadducees.
 The council asked Jesus if he was the Messiah but Jesus did not answer
them directly.
 His told them that even if he answered their question they could not
believe.
 He told them, “From now on the son of man shall be seated the right
hand of the power of God” (Luke. 22:69)
 This was interpreted by the interrogators as admitting to be the son of
God.
 According to the Jews this was considered as blasphemy and was
punishable by death.
The Trial before Pilate (Luke: 23:1-5).
 Since the Sanhedrin did not have the legal powers to carry out death
sentence.
 They took Jesus to Pilate, who was the Roman governor.
 Before Pilate they began to accuse him of political crimes.
 He was accused of:
 Claiming to the Christ the king or the Messiah.
 He claimed to be the son of God.
 He incited people with His teachings.
 He made himself the King of the Jews against the Roman authority.
 He equated himself to God and that was blasphemy.
 Inciting the people to revolt against the Roman authority.
 Telling people not to pay taxes to Caesar.
 Pilate asked Jesus if he was the king of the Jews. And he answered,
“You have said so.”

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  Pilate found no guilt in Jesus and, he handed him over to Herod who
was the ruler of Galilee.
The Trial before king Herod (Luke 23:6-12).
 When Herod saw Jesus he was very glad, because he had heard about
Jesus and was hoping to see some signs done by him (Jesus).
 Herod asked Jesus many questions, but Jesus did not answer and
joined others in mocking and ridiculing Him.
 He therefore found no grounds to accuse Jesus and sent him back to
Pilate.
Pilate's Judgment (Luke: 23:13-25).
 Pilate called the chief priests and other Jewish leaders and told them
that he did not find Jesus guilty of any crime. Neither did Herod find
Him guilty.
 The chief priests and other Jewish leaders insisted that he was guilty
and had to be killed.
 Pilate gave in to their intimidation on the ground of high treason and
ordered the death of Jesus by crucifixion. He released Barabbas on the
request of the Jewish religious leaders in exchange of Jesus.
Reasons why Pilate agreed to have Jesus crucified
 He was afraid of the Jewish revolt as it was his duty to maintain peace.
 He did not want to be seen as being disloyal to the Roman emperor.
 He washed his hands this meant that he was absolving himself of the
guilt of having crucified Jesus.
 He also wanted to please the people.
THE CRUCIFIXION OF JESUS (Luke 23:26-43).
 A man called Simeon of Cyrene was forced to help Him carry the cross
beam to place of crucifixion .
 Before the crucifixion, Jesus was scourged and mocked by the Roman
soldiers.
 Then he carried the cross beam to the place of Crucifixion.
 A man called Simon of Cyrene was forced to help Jesus carry the cross
-beam.
 Cyrene is a town in modern day Libya in North Africa.
 A large crowd of people followed him including women who were
weeping and lamenting
 Jesus told them not to worry about him but themselves and their
children about the impending punishment.
 Eventually they arrived at the place call the skull and they crucified
him on the Cross
 Two other men, both of them criminals were also crucified with him.
 The two thieves represent the way the cross of Christ is received by
different people.
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  On the cross, Jesus prayed f or the forgiveness of those who
persecuted him.
 The soldiers cast lots to divide his clothes and Jewish leaders mocked
him saying, “you saved others save yourself.”
 The soldiers also mocked him and offered him cheap wine and put
these writings: ‘This is the king of Jews.’ above his head in the beam of
the cross
 One of the criminals crucified with him also mocked him saying, ‘Aren’t
you the Messiah? Save yourself and us.”
 But the other who is commonly referred to as the repentant thief
rebuked the other.
 The repentant thief admitted that the two of them had been punished
justly and acknowledged Jesus’ innocence.
 He also pleaded with Jesus to remember him. Jesus told him, “Tonight
you shall be with me in Paradise.”
What lessons can Christians learn from the testimony of the
repentance thief?
 Christians should be able to acknowledge their sins and ask for
forgiveness.
 However wicked one might be there is still room for repentance.
 Those who repent will receive eternal life.
 A Christian can repent even at the last minute.
 Those who do not acknowledge their sins will receive punishment.
 God doesn’t disappoint those who repent sincerely.
 Christians should rebuke those who refuse to repent.
THE DEATH AND BURIAL OF JESUS (Luke. 23:44-56).
The Death of Jesus.
 The death of Jesus was preceded by extra - ordinary happening.
 At around twelve O’clock the sun stopped shining and darkness
covered the whole land for three hours.
 The darkness symbolized that evil was at its climax and after darkness
it symbolized the defeat of Satan.
 The curtain hanging in the temple was torn into two and Jesus said
"Father, thy hands l commit my spirit".
 In the temple there was a curtain separating the holy of holies from
the rest of the temple.
 It was believed that God dwelt in the Holy of holies and only the priests
were allowed to enter there only once a year.
 The tearing of the curtain symbolized the end of Judaism and the
beginning of Christianity.
 It also rendered the Old Testament meaning of the temple useless.

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  People could now access God with no curtain separating him from his
people.
 What was now needed to reach God was not the high priests but Jesus
Christ.
 That salvation was now not only for the Jews but to all humankind.
 Just before Jesus died, he cried in a loud voice, “Father in to thy hands I
commit my spirit.”
 The prayer that Jesus uttered as he died was from Psalms 31:15.
 And with these words he died and this showed that Jesus surrendered
himself totally to the will of God.
 The centurions who witnessed the death of Jesus praised God and said
Jesus was an innocent man.
 The multitude who witnesses the death of Jesus beat their breasts as
they went away.
 The women from Galilee stood at a distance and watched in silence.
The burial of Jesus (Luke. 23:50-56)
 After the death of Jesus a member of the Jewish council, Joseph of the
Arimathea requested Pilate to bury the body of Jesus, he was a rich
and a righteous member of the Sanhedrin.
 He took the body and wrapped it in a linen sheet and placed it in a
fresh tomb.
 He could have not agreed with the decision of other members of the
council to have Jesus killed.
 By giving Jesus a very honorable burial confirmed that Jesus was truly
the son of God.
 This fulfills what had been prophesied in Isaiah 15:90
 There were women who followed Joseph and saw where he had laid the
body of Jesus.
 They went to prepare spices and perfumes which they hoped to use to
treat the body of Jesus after the Sabbath.
 It was on Friday and the Sabbath was nearing and a body was not
allowed to remain on the gallows all night for it could defile the land.
 Therefore burial had to be done before sunset.
 On the Sabbath day they rested as required by the law.
Importance of the death of Jesus to Christians today
 Through the death of Jesus, Christians are forgiven their sins.
 It demonstrates God's love for human beings.
 Christians are not supposed to make animal sacrifices.
 Christians have a personal relationship with God.
 Christians are able to commit themselves to the will of God.
 It enables Christians to face death with courage.
 Through His death, salvation or eternal life is available to all people.
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  He has become their everlasting high priest by offering his body.
What lessons do Christians learn from the suffering and death of
Jesus
 Christians should have faith in God.
 They should endure suffering and ready to be rejected.
 They should forgive their enemies.
 Christians should repent and confess their sins.
 They should be obedient and loyal to God.
 They should stand for the truth at all times.
 Christian should sacrifice for the service of others.
 They should be prayerful and pray for others.
 They should be courageous and brave in spreading the Gospel.
 They should be witness and surrender to the Lordship of Christ.

THE RESURRECTION OF JESUS (Luke 24: 1-50)

WITNESSES TO THE RISEN CHRIST
 The resurrection refers to the event of Jesus' rising from the death.
 This took place on the third day and His rising was seen by many
people such as the holy women, the disciples of Emmaus and other
apostles of Jesus.
The testimony of the Holy Women
 On the third day Sunday very early in the morning, the women who
had prepared the spices went to the tomb.
 They found the stone rolled away from the tomb and they went to
check but the tomb was empty.
 Then two men stood by them in dazzling apparel suddenly appeared at
their side.
 The men said to them why they were seeking the living among the
dead.
 The two men reminded them how He told them that the son of man
must be delivered into sinful men and be crucified and the third day
rise and they told the women that He had risen.
 Luke records that the women were Mary Magdalene, Joanna and Mary
the mother of James and other women.
 Luke says that the women returned from the tomb, they told the
eleven and other disciples of Jesus what they had witnessed.
The disciples on the way to Emmaus (Luke 23:13-32)
 After Jesus had appeared to the holy women and the eleven disciples,
the same day he appeared to two disciples of Jesus Cleophas and
another disciple.
 They were on their way to a village named Emmaus which was about
seven miles from Jerusalem.
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  The disciples were talking about what had happened in Jerusalem and
they were talking about Jesus’ suffering, His death and the empty
tomb.
 To them Jesus' death was a tragedy and hoped Jesus was the Messiah
to liberate the Jews from the Roman rule.
 Like other Jews, the two disciples had not understood clearly the
concept of suffering Messiah.
 As they were talking, Jesus joined their conversation but they did not
recognize him.
 Jesus asked them what they were talking about and one of them who
were called Cleophas asked him if he was the only visitor in Jerusalem
who did not know things that had happened.
 He told Him that Jesus of Nazareth was a prophet who was mighty in
deeds and word before all people.
 They told him about what had happened to Jesus of Nazareth, how the
holy women found the empty tomb.
 They told him the angel's message to the women about Jesus’
resurrection.
 They recognized Jesus as a prophet and one who was considered by
God and all the people as powerful.
 That the chief priests and the rulers handed him over to be sentenced
to death and He who was going to set Israel free
 Then Jesus referred to them foolish and He asked them why they
doubted what had happened.
 They were slow to believe that it was necessary for Christ to suffer and
enter into His glory
 He interpreted for them in all the scriptures the things concerning him.
 And that he was the fulfillment of what had been prophesied in the Old
Testament Prophets.
 As they drew near to the village to which they were going, He
appeared to be going further.
 They invited Jesus to dine with them and while at the table, Jesus took
bread, gave thanks, broke it and handed it to them. Then their eyes
opened and they recognized him.
 Then he vanished out of their sight.
Jesus revealed himself to the two disciples in the following ways:
 Jesus joined the two men as they walked to Emmaus.
 He was willing to listen to their conversation.
 He questioned them on what they were talking about.
 Jesus rebuked them for their foolishness and lack of faith in the
scripture.
 He explained the scripture about the life of Christ to them.
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  He went to stay with them in the evening.
 At the table, he took the bread and gave thanks.
 He broke the bread and served them, their eyes were opened and they
were able to recognize him.
Appearance of Jesus to the eleven disciples Verses 33-49
 After this they went to Jerusalem to testify about their encounter with
the risen Christ.
 And they went into the city and found the eleven disciples and those
who were with them.
 They were also told that Jesus had appeared to Simon and as they
were talking, He appeared to the eleven.
 As they were still talking Jesus himself stood among them, the disciples
were threatened and thought they had seen a spirit or a ghost Jesus
assured them that he was a ghost.
 He showed them his hands; He explained to disciples that a ghost has
no flesh and bones.
 As they were wondering, Jesus asked them if they had anything to eat
and they gave him fish,
 And he took it and ate before them.
 Jesus explained to them that all that had been written about him in the
laws of Moses and the prophets had to be fulfilled.
 That he had to suffer for the forgiveness of sins and the third day rise
from the dead.
 He then commissioned them to preach the repentance and forgiveness
of sin to all nations beginning in Jerusalem and told them that they are
the witnesses of this things and He promised them the Holy Spirit.
 Therefore Jesus gave his disciples further instruction;
 To be His witness in Jerusalem.
 To be His witness beyond Jerusalem and all nations.
 To proclaim repentance and forgiveness of sin in His name to all
nations.
 Jesus therefore handed over the task to His disciples that had been
central to His mission.
Reasons why Jesus appeared to his disciples after His
resurrection
 He wanted to strengthen their faith.
 So as to comfort them.
 In order to empower them to serve.
 He wanted to assure them that he was the Messiah.
 To commission them to be his witness.
 He wanted to tell them about the coming of the Holy Spirit.
 To bless them.
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  In order to confirm to them that the Old Testament prophecies had
been fulfilled.
 He wanted to confirm that He was alive and had power over death
Ascension of Jesus (Luke. 24:50-530)
 Ascension means going up to a higher place or moving up .
 Jesus then led His disciples to Bethany and lifting his hands he blessed
them.
 He departed from them, and was carried up into heaven.
 The disciples returned to Jerusalem with great joy and continued to
stay in temple praising God.
 Through the ascension the redemption of humankind was
accomplished.
Importance of the resurrection of Jesus Christ to Christians
today
 The resurrection of Jesus was a fulfillment of the Old Testament
prophesies.
 It is a proof that Jesus was sent by God to redeem humankind.
 Resurrection of Jesus laid a firm foundation for the Christian faith.
 It gives Christians hope for eternal life.
 The resurrection of Jesus confirms that there is life after death.
 Through the resurrection of Jesus, death has been conquered.
 lt confirms Jesus as the son of God and the Messiah.
 It gives Christians courage to face suffering, death and persecution.
 The resurrection of Jesus led to the coming of the Holy Spirit.
 It is the central theme in Christian preaching and teaching.
 It confirms that the scriptures are true and becomes the fulfillment of
the O.T prophecies.
 It confirms that Christians will resurrect after death.
 It assures Christians that they worship a living God and Savior.
What role did women play in the passion, death and resurrection of
Jesus Christ.
 The women accompanied Jesus from Galilee to the crucifixion place
 They mourned and lamented for him on the way to Skull.
 The women witnessed the crucifixion and death of Jesus on the cross.
 They took note of the tomb in which Jesus was laid during the burial.
 On Sunday morning the women went to the tomb to anoint Him with
spices.
 They were the first to be told of the resurrection of Jesus
 The women returned from the tomb and announced the resurrection of
Jesus Christ to the eleven apostles.
N/B The eleven did not believe the story of the women until they
confirmed it by themselves.
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 Why was it difficult for the disciples to believe that Jesus Christ
had resurrected.
 The disciples had witnessed his death at the time of his crucifixion
helplessly and hence had lost hope.
 The message about His resurrection was first brought by women who
were regarded lowly in society.
 The disciples had a different interpretation of the Messiah and
expected a glorious political Messiah.
 They lacked the faith in the teaching of Christ.
 They had not understood the teachings of Jesus in which he indicated
that he would resurrect on the third day.
 They had witnessed the burial of Jesus and could not imagine how the
stone could be rolled away from the tomb.
 They felt ashamed for having denied and betrayed him hence they
wished it was not true.
 It was a new experience they had never seen or heard of people
coming back to life.
How Jesus did prepared his disciples about his coming death.
 During the transfiguration, the three disciples, Peter, John and James,
witnessed the discussion between Moses and Elijah about his coming
suffering.
 He promised the disciples that he would rise again and death was not
the final destination.
 He taught his disciples to be ready to suffer for the kingdom of God
 He taught his disciples about the nature of the kingdom of God that he
was going to prepare.
 During the last supper, he shared a meal with his disciples where he
reminded them of his coming suffering and death.
 He foretold his betrayal by Judas and denial by Peter who were his
disciples.
 He promised his disciples the Holy Spirit that would strengthen and
guide them in their mission.
 He prayed together with his disciples at the Mount of Olives and
reminded them to pray so that they may not fall into temptation.
 He did not show any fear of dying by letting himself to be arrested and
told his disciples not to fight back.
END

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