If you wanted to understand the gospels, where might you start?

We've shortened our Bible study meetings, so I'm trying to shorten the lessons. This is the second half of the original first lesson. It looks at what we know about the places and people of the gospel, and why we know these things.

(1) Where do the Gospels take Place?

Caesarea was an important harbor for international trade and a Roman fortress (for protection of Roman borders on the outskirts of the empire). Excavations have uncovered a stone inscribed with Pontius Pilate’s name.

1.       What Biblical events happen at Caesarea?

A fishing boat dating from Jesus’ time was uncovered by the sea of Galilee during a drought. Digs beneath the 4^th century synagogue in Capernaum have probably revealed the foundations of Peter’s house where Jesus stayed.

2.       What happened at Peter’s house and in the Capernaum synagogue?

Steps have been uncovered at the Southern end of Temple Mount. These were probably how poor people entered the Temple. Jesus may well have sat there to preach. Pools on the North side of Jerusalem probably include the one where Jesus healed. Remains of the house of Caiaphas near the Essene Gate include a dank basement where Jesus was probably imprisoned and a courtyard where Peter might have denied knowing Jesus.

3.       Is saying nothing the same as denying our faith?

4.       Would we prefer to listen to a preacher on the steps or a preacher in the Temple?

Archeologists have found the remains of a crucified man, verifying Biblical accounts of the crucifixion.

5.       Archeologists have found the site of Calvary and identified a tomb. Then faithful people built churches. Do you delight in church buildings or resent the loss of authenticity?

The Nabateans lives outside Judea and Galilee. The daughter of their king married Herod Antipas, but he divorced her to marry his brother’s wife Herodias, causing war between Antipas and the Nabateans , and later causing the beheading of John the Baptist.

1.       Why did John the Baptist oppose Antipas’ remarriage?

2.       Why doesn’t the Bible mention war with the Nabateans?

The cities of the Decapolis were between Galilee and the sea. They weren’t a political grouping, but rather a Hellenistic Greek cultural group.

1.       What cultural groups do we think of as opposing religious faith?

2.       What cultural groups do we think oppose our faith?

3.       What cultural groups might we think of as distorting our faith?

Samaritans lived in Samaria between Galilee and Judea. They’d been hating Jews since 722BC.

1.       Who does our culture treat like Samaritans?

Sadducees were a priestly aristocracy with a blend of religious and secular power. They kept the peace with the Romans and maintained the pride of Jewish nationalism.

2.       Is nationalism a good thing, a bad thing, or a neutral thing?

3.       Is peace good, bad or neutral?

4.       Do we blend religious and secular power?

Pharisees were laypeople devoted to religious law. They believed if everyone obeyed the law for a day, the Messiah would come.

1.       Do any groups in our world have similar beliefs about how to bring about the end times?

2.       Are we devoted to religious law?

3.       Is God pleased by devotion to law?

Zealots were an underground group of nationalist rebels. What cause do we serve?