THE GOSPELS: THE EXTRAORDINARY LIFE OF JESUS OF NAZARETH - PART 1
If you’re looking for Part 2 of Drive Thru History: The Gospels (Episodes 10-18), Click HERE.
Who would you say is the most significant person who has ever lived?
We’d like to explore an answer to that question with you! If you have questions about the Christian faith or want to go deeper in your understanding of the Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John), join us for this exciting adventure!
We’re going to take you on a virtual tour of over 50 ancient sites in the Holy Land as we explore the story of Jesus. These 18 action-packed videos and the small group discussions to follow will bring to life the history, archeology, geography, and art surrounding the birth, ministry, death, and resurrection of Jesus. Our video host, Dave Stotts, will lead us on a unique driving tour to experience the actual places where Jesus traveled and taught. Click on the video to the right to watch the trailer.
INFORMATION FOR SMALL GROUPS TO WATCH ON THEIR OWN
YOUR SMALL GROUP CAN WATCH AND DISCUSS DRIVE THRU HISTORY ON YOUR OWN
You can stream the videos for free. All episodes are available online at tubitv.com. You will need to create a free account on TubiTV to watch the episodes (which include breaks for commercials). Note, it is apparently not possible to turn off the commercials by purchasing a subscription. DVD’s of Drive Thru History: The Gospels can be purchased. Click HERE for more information.
You are welcome to download the weekly discussion questions that will be linked in the course overview below (when available). Click on the BOLD GREEN TEXT in the session outlines below to see the questions.
Course Overview (Part 1)
SESSION 1
THE HISTORICAL LANDSCAPE
We open in Jerusalem and discuss the impact of Jesus over the last 2,000 years. We present the set-up for the arrival of Jesus in the context of Jewish and Roman history. We travel to Nazareth and present the four different Gospel writers, Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. We learn the importance of genealogies as they related to a promised Jewish Messiah.
SESSION 2
THE ANNOUNCEMENTS
We stay in Nazareth and investigate the Annunciation, where the Angel Gabriel delivered very special news to a virgin girl named Mary. We explore the concepts of angels, miracles, and the importance of the Virgin Birth. We discuss the Roman census and the trip by Joseph and Mary to Bethlehem. We examine the importance of Bethlehem in the ancient prophecies about a coming Messiah.
SESSION 3
JESUS IS BORN
We visit the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem and take a look at the accounts of Jesus’ birth. We examine the birthplace of Jesus and the accounts of shepherds in the fields nearby. We explore the journey of the "Wise Men" from the East, known as Magi, and the Star of Bethlehem that summoned them. We investigate the date for Jesus’ birth and the importance of Christmas traditions throughout the centuries.
SESSION 4
JESUS GROWS UP
We delve into the world of Herod the Great at the time of Jesus’ birth. We examine the “slaughter of the innocents” in Judea. We visit a number of awesome archaeological sites in Israel built by Herod, including the massive Herodium about seven miles south of Jerusalem. We learn about the escape of Joseph, Mary, and Jesus to Egypt until Herod’s death. We travel to Jesus’ hometown of Nazareth where he later grew up.
SESSION 5
JESUS STARTS HIS MINISTRY
We start with the world of Jesus’ youth after the death of Herod the Great. We delve into the Roman occupation and its impact on the Jewish people. We learn about John the Baptizer and his ministry of repentance in the wilderness. We experience the baptism of Jesus at the Jordan River and his testing in the Judean desert shortly thereafter.
SESSION 6
JESUS RETURNS TO GALILEE
Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit to his hometown of Nazareth, where his own people ultimately rejected him. We travel with Jesus to the Sea of Galilee, where he later settled in Capernaum. We explore the ruins of the synagogue and the house of Peter at Capernaum, and we walk the shores of the Sea of Galilee where Jesus called fishermen to be his first disciples.
SESSION 7
JESUS BEGINS HIS MIRACLES
We visit Chorazin, another location in Jesus’ ministry. We examine Cana and the first miracle Jesus performed at a wedding feast. We learn about ancient Jewish weddings and other cultural rituals. We follow Jesus to Jerusalem, where he occasionally travelled during special Jewish festivals. He gets angry at the treatment of the temple in Jerusalem, and he confronts the religious elites. Jesus meets a Pharisee named Nicodemus and delivers a very special message about eternal life.
SESSION 8
JESUS TEACHES WITH AUTHORITY
We travel to Samaria and learn about the history of the Samaritans. We learn the story of the Samaritan woman at the well. We again travel to Jerusalem and investigate two pools where Jesus performed special miracles. We learn that Jesus brings Living Water. We hear Jesus proclaim himself as the Light of the World.
SESSION 9
THE SERMON ON THE MOUNT
We visit the hillsides of Galilee and hear Jesus deliver the Sermon on the Mount. We walk the Mount of the Beatitudes and explore many of Jesus’ radically new teachings. We learn about salted fish at Magdala and Roman roads at Hippos. We delve into Jesus' use of parables, including many of the most famous delivered by Jesus during his ministry.