Who Is Jesus???
In the Old & New Testaments
A Bible study into the person and nature of Jesus the Messiah
Introduction
There has perhaps never been such an influential, yet controversial person in world history as Jesus of Galilee. Over the past 2000 years, great deeds of charity and love have been accomplished in his name, so to have horrendous atrocities. People’s lives have been changed for the better by having a personal relationship with Him. Yet others, have denied his existence and authority, and they will suffer in this world and the next if they do not accept him into their hearts. Whilst others accept that He was a historical figure that espoused positive moral and ethical views, which are guidelines for a good life – but they deny His divine nature.
But who was, and is the ‘real’ Jesus?
The answer to that question is one that Christians have been debating and pondering since the 1st Century AD. The truth of the matter is complex, and to understand it takes a deeper investigation of the Biblical scriptures. A shallow survey of the Bible will only lead a person to a hallow understanding and acceptance of the nature and person of Jesus - their faith will suffer accordingly. Because of these uncertain times in which we live, it is vital for us, as Christians, to search earnestly for God’s truth, and to firm up the foundations of our faith – lest they be shaken down. The purpose of this Bible study is to deeply explore the nature, authority, power and person of Jesus of Nazareth. So, this study serves to seek out the truthful revelations of Jesus in the biblical texts in a way that those who are yearning to seek to know God more can engage with, and learn from. It will achieve this by exploring the following (amongst others):
¨ His name – both human and divine
¨ Greco-Roman Influences
¨ His Hebrew culture and religion – 1st Century Judea
¨ Jesus as Creator
¨ His foreshadowing within the Old Testament
¨ His physical presence in the Old Testament
¨ The Messiah in the Psalms
¨ His divine authority
¨ His character & humanity
¨ Jesus as the Messiah
¨ His ministry in the Gospels
¨ His death and resurrection
¨ His second coming
Each of the sections will be accompanied by a series of questions to facilitate personal and group discussion of the topics explored in the text of this study.
Note: Why the symbol on the front cover – the ‘Chi Ro’ or the ‘chrismon’ is one of the earliest symbols to represent Jesus Christ used by believers. It is the intersection of the first two letters of the Greek word ‘christos’. The other two symbols represent the Greek symbols ‘Alpha’ and ‘Omega’ – which Jesus uses to refer to himself. This symbol was chosen to be on the front of this study package as it shows the complexity, beauty and need to correctly identify who - Jesus the Messiah – actually is.
The document above is a Bible study intended for use as a resource in a home group/life-group setting. After each chapter is a short set of questions that can be used for conversation and discussion starters. Feel free to download it and share it around…
Each of the chapters of the document are listed as separate posts below. Click on the link that you want to read.
A) The Name Of Jesus - Explores the human and divine names of Jesus, what they mean, and how they illustrate HIS character and purpose on Earth.
B) Greco-Roman Influences On Jesus - Investigates the non-Jewish cultural, political and economic influences that would have impacted Jesus in HIS everyday life and this 3-year ministry.
C) 1st Century Hebrew Culture & Religion - A look at how Jesus’ own Jewish culture and region shaped HIM and HIS ministry.
D) Jesus - The Creator - Investigates the role Jesus played in creating the universe as part of the Godhead (Trinity).
E) His Foreshadowing In The Old Testament - I glimpse into the Old Testament and how Jesus in more than just prophesied about, but also foreshadowed in people and events.
F) Jesus' Presence In The Old Testament - A look into the physical appearance of the pre-incarnate Jesus in events in the Old Testament.
G) The Messiah In The Psalms - A quick overview of the prophetic insights of the authors of the Psalms into the coming Messiah.
H) The Divine Authority Of Jesus - Explores the authority Jesus derived from being God and being part of the Trinity.
I) The Character & Humanity of Jesus - A view of the humanity and character of Jesus as a human man in the 1st Century.
J) Jesus As The Messiah - A look into the truthful claim by Jesus that he was in fact the Messiah that the Old Testament had prophesied about.
K) Jesus' Ministry In The Gospels - An overview of the various ministries that Jesus accomplished during the three years of HIS ‘ministry years’.
L) Jesus' Death & Resurrection - An exploration of the most magnificent gift ever given - the gift of salvation through the death and resurrection of Jesus.
M) Jesus' Triumphant Return - A look at the future hope of all those that believe in Jesus as the Son of God, who died and rose, and who will return.