Name:____________________________________________ Grade: 8

Address:__________________________________________ Section:_________________

WEEK 2
PRE-ASSESSMENT
Multiple Choice: Encircle the letter of the correct answer.
1. They are the writers of the Gospels.
a. Author c. Writers
b. Evangelist d. Prophets
2. The word “gospel” comes from the greek word which means?
a. good messenger c. breaking news
b. letter d. good news
3. The following gospels are called synoptic except?
a. John c. Mark
b. Luke d. Matthew
4. What is the shortest gospel?
a. Gospel of Mark c. Gospel of Luke
b. Gospel of Matthew d. Gospel of John
5. What is the symbol according to the gospel of John?
a. man c. lion
b. eagle d. ox
6. He is identified as the disciple who Jesus loved the most.
a. Peter c. Luke
b. John d. Mark
7. What is the correct stages of the formation of the gospels?
a. Oral tradition, earthly life and teaching of Jesus, the written Gospels
b. Written Gospels, Oral Tradition, earthly life and teaching of Jesus
c. Earthly life and teaching of Jesus, Written Gospels, Oral tradition
d. Earthly life and teaching of Jesus. Oral tradition, Written Gospels
8. How many are the synoptic gospels?

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 a. 1 c. 5
b. 3 d. 4
9. What does synoptic means?
a. to see with the same eyes c. can see the differences
b. to look in a different view d. have the same meaning
10. He stresses that the very person of Jesus is the long–awaited Messiah.
a. Mark c. Luke
10. Matthew d. John

Foster’s Teacher Signature:__________________________________________

INTRODUCTION

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Activity 1: Picture Analysis

1. How will you name Jesus as depicted in the picture?

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2. How do you see Jesus?
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INTERACTION
Lesson 2. The Gospels
Doctrine: Understand that the Gospel is God’s revelation of himself to us through
Jesus Christ.
Moral: Believe in and accept Jesus as presented by the four evangelists.
Worship: Express our faith and trust in Jesus through a prayerful reading of the
Gospel.

HOME READING ACTIVITY

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A. The Gospel
The
word
Gospel
means
"good
news
or good
tidings"
. The
Gospels
speak of
the
good
news
from the
angelic message of Bethlehem (Luke 2: 10) to the final commission of the Apostles (Mark 16: 15).
The Gospels are the four authentic accounts of the life, death, and resurrection of
Jesus, which the Church declares as divinely inspired. Written with the help and guidance
of the Holy Spirit, "they help us believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, so that through
this faith we may have life in his name" (John 20: 3).
The writers of the Gospels are called evangelists. Beyond the four narrative accounts of
the evangelists, the entire New Testament speaks of the "Gospel of Jesus Christ" at length in
detail and with a variety of messages. The evangelists wrote down the message of Jesus as it was
told in their Christian communities and based on their personal experiences with Christ.
The first three Gospels are called Synoptic, meaning "to see with the same eyes."
They offer, in general, the same accounts of Jesus life and teachings. Many passages from all
three of them can be placed side by side or in parallel. There are similarities and dissimilarities.
The dissimilarities are due to the authors' different theological purposes, the readers/audience
they addressed, and the historical contexts or Situations of their writings.
“These have been recorded to help you believe that Jesus is
the Messiah, the Son of God, so that through this faith you may have
life in his name.”
John 20: 31

Gospel according to Mark

Mark, the evangelist, said to have been Peter's
interpreter, is usually identified with John Mark of Acts 12:

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 12, 25 and the Mark of Peter 5: 13. The Gospel accounts of Mark focus on the mystery
of the person of Jesus as the Son of God, who is truly human. His power and mission
are attested to by his miracles. He reveals himself, however, under the mysterious title of
"Son of Man," who greatly suffers in the face of rejection. It focuses on the suffering of
Jesus, but strangely, it is in his suffering that he is recognized and proclaimed as the Son of
God by the Gentile centurion at the end of the Gospel.
Mark makes an impact on the feelings and emotions of the readers Presenting
Jesus as a suffering servant, he wrote for the persecuted non-Jewish Christians in Rome about
60-70 A.D. He wrote to console his readers and to sustain their faith amidst trials and sufferings.
The Gospel according to Mark is the shortest of the Gospels, but it stands on its own merits. As
the earliest of the Gospels, it holds a special significance because it is nearest to the sources of
Jesus' story and tradition.

Gospel according to Matthew

The Gospel account of Matthew was probably
written at a date later than the Fall of Jerusalem in 75
A.D. It was written for the Christians converted from
Judaism in Palestine. The Gospel reports Christ's teaching
more fully than the Gospel according to Mark and gives
emphasis on the theme of the coming of the kingdom. Writing
for the Jewish Christians, Matthew stresses that the Scriptures
are fulfilled in the very person and work of Jesus as the long-
awaited Messiah. Using Old Testament quotations and
proclamations, he presents Jesus as the Messiah announced by
the prophets. Jesus is the new Moses. To show that Jesus, the
Messiah, has come from the Davidic line as promised to David
himself, the Gospel begins with a Genealogy, which is a
historical line of descendants. It is the only Gospel that begins
this way.

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Matthew was not concerned about the sequence of events in the life of Jesus. He gave more
attention to Jesus words and teachings, stressing the need to understand and not just
to hear. In Jesus is realized the reign of God which is open not only for the Jews but also for all
humankind. As a whole, the Gospel is centered on the reign of God, which is present in the person
of Jesus Christ, who 1s the long-awaited Messiah.

Gospel according to Luke

Luke was described in one of Paul's epistles as
"my friend Luke, the doctor" (Col. 4: 14). He belonged to
a Greek family in Antioch and was a man of high learning. He
was converted to Christianity at the time when his hometown
became the center of Paul's missionary activity. He joined Paul
in his missionary journeys and stayed with him when Paul was
a prisoner in Rome.
Scholars estimated that much of Luke's writing was done
about 70-75 A.D. It seemed clear that he was a Greek
Gentile, directing his message to Gentile Christians of
Greek origins. Much of his writings were taken from the
Gospel account of Mark, but he also depended on other
writings and oral traditions. His aim was to manifest Jesus"
concern for humanity and his identification with the poor and
the outcasts.
Luke's account contains much teaching, including the longer parables. Episodes that would
not interest his non-Jewish readers were omitted. The uniqueness of his Gospel lies in its religious
view. He stressed that salvation is universal, as Jesus love is for all people, especially
for the poor and outcasts. He faithfully recorded Jesus loving kindness and gave emphasis on
the necessity for prayer. Strikingly, the Luke’s account is called the Gospel of God's tenderness.

Gospel according to John

John is the son of Zebedee and the brother of another
apostle, James. He is identified as "the disciple whom Jesus
loved most," "who reclined on his bosom at the Last
Supper" (John 13: 23). Although contemporary biblical
scholars hold that the Gospel as it now stands could not have
been written by one man, it must be held that John is the
eyewitness authority behind the Gospel. He had a detailed
knowledge of Palestine and Jerusalem. He knew Palestine and
Jerusalem like he knew the back of his hand. The many extra
details of places, events, and people in his Gospel were shown
like memories of one who was actually there.

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 The fourth Gospel was written in Ephesus for Christians living in a Hellenistic
milieu, probably around 80-90 A.D. Its concern is to bring the deeper essence or meaning of
all that Christ did and said. What he did were signs, the meanings of which were only fully known
after his glorification. What he said had deeper meaning which was understood in the Spirit, who
was sent to lead all to the supreme truth in Christ.
The Gospel according to John is dominated by the mystery of the Incarnation:
The Word made flesh. In him alone who is the Incarnate God is the promise of eternal life. The
theme of eternal life in the Gospel of John is the counterpart of the theme of the kingdom of God
in the Synoptic Gospels. The promise of eternal life, which is the promise of sharing in the very life
of God, is being realized in the here and now, in those who believe in Christ and who follow him.
It is a promise that will be brought to perfect fulfillment at the end of time when all things become
one in Christ.

Substantially, the four Gospel accounts correspond to one another, each account
expresses itself in a distinct style, in different historical times. The evangelists have their
own unique mark on their writings. Though focusing on particular portraits of Christ, the four
Gospel accounts converge give a total and singular vision of Jesus Christ. There may be
different images of Christ, but Christ is one and the same. There is only one message of Christ,
one good news embodied in the four Gospel accounts.
In contemporary Christian life, the Christian message is adapted and presented in various
ways with different emphases according to the circumstances, needs, and priorities of the Church.
This manifests the inexhaustible depth of the Christian message which is eternal in its divine
source. The different devotions to the Sacred Heart, the Black Nazarene, Divine Mercy, and others
show how persons can relate to the different dimensions of the mystery of Christ.

Comparative Analysis of the Four Gospels

Mark Matthew Luke John

Approximate date Approximate date Approximate date Approximate date

60-70 A. D. Mark 80 A. D. Written on 90 A. D. 80-90 A. D.
When wrote the earliest of a date later than the (insertions and
the Gospels; at fall of Jerusalem in additions 100-150
Written least, it could not 75 A. D. A. D.
have been written
long after 70 A. D.

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 Mark wrote in a Matthew used Luke wrote in a John’s Gospel is a
very colloquial and quotations from the very elevated, very theological
oral style. He spoke Old Testament and literary style. He treatise. There are
of the mystery of made them a central focused on Jesus’ no parables, nor
the person of Christ feature of his concern for proverbs recorded
as the suffering Gospel. He humanity and his in this Gospel. John
Style and servant whose presented Jesus as identification with is known as the “I
Focus crown is the cross, the “new Moses,” the poor and the am Gospel”. He
for there on the who belonged to the outcasts. presented the
cross the suffering house of David. mystery of the
Christ was truly person of Jesus,
exalted. giving explicit
emphasis on His
divinity.

Jesus as the Jesus as the divine Jesus as Divine Jesus as the Eternal
suffering Servant. Messiah announced Savior and Healer Word made flesh.
Jesus was a man by the prophets, the He was the “savior (John 1:1-2) “In the
Identity of whose divinity was bringer and the of the world”. beginning was the
revealed through herald of salvation. Word, and the word
Jesus His suffering on the was with God, and
cross. the word was God.
He was with God in
the beginning.”

Persecuted non-
Audience Jewish Christians.
Jewish Christians Gentile Christians
of Greek origin
Christians in the
Hellenistic milieu.

Jesus is the The reign of God is Christianity is a Jesus Christ, he who

suffering servant, open not only to the universal religion “dwelt among us”,
one with those Jews but also to all which witnesses to is truly God, the
Message persecuted. He humankind. the love of Jesus for only begotten Son
consoles them and all people. of God.
sustains their faith.

Repent! Believe in Matthew advocated Follow Jesus! Obey Belief in the

How to the good news! salvation by works. the teachings of personhood of
Keep the Jesus. Jesus.
Attain commandments.
Salvation Give to the poor and
the needy.

Lion – opens with Man – opens with a Ox – opens with the Eagle – opens with
Jesus’ baptism of genealogy of Jesus. sacrifice of a prologue.
Symbol St. John and His Zechariah.
going to the desert
for 40 days.

B. Stages in the Formation of the Gospels

Church Teaching: Catechism for Filipino Catholics, 82

"The Scriptures, then, are never to be separated from the people of God whose
life and history (Tradition) formed the context of their writing and development.
This is best shown in the three stages of how the Gospels were formed."
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 I. FIRST STAGE: THE EARTHLY LIFE AND TEACHING OF JESUS
This stage deals with the earthly life and works of Jesus. It is a summary of what
He did while He lived on earth, starting from His incarnation and birth in Bethlehem to the
proclamation of His Mission in Nazareth. It is what He Himself taught us, from His Baptism in the
Jordan River to His Public Ministry to His Passion, Death, Resurrection, Ascension to His Father in
heaven, and sending of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. All these happened with His Disciples who
were commanded by Christ to proclaim all these events to the world. This oral proclamation was
the second stage of the Gospel Formation.

II. SECOND STAGE: ORAL TRADITION

The disciples' faith in the Risen Christ moved them to an ardent proclamation of the Good
News. The descent of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost, the fiftieth day after His resurrection,
empowered them to go out and fulfill the task of preaching that Jesus had given them. This
preaching resulted in the formation of early communities from Jerusalem to Rome, Egypt, Greece,
Asia Minor, Syria, Mesopotamia, and out to the Mediterranean world.
These Christian communities were formed around the KERYGMA, the original preached core
message that salvation comes through Jesus, who rose from the dead. Their zeal and enthusiasm
kept alive the memory of Jesus' works and words. Only gradually did the early Christians think of
writing down the words and works of Jesus. Their whole effort at this stage was directed to the
spread of the message of salvation.

III. THIRD STAGE: THE WRITTEN GOSPELS

With the existing materials that were available at the time, such as the epistles of St. Paul,
the Evangelists gradually composed the Gospels. The task was great: the preservation of the
words and works of Jesus, especially His Passion, Death, and Resurrection. The Gospels faithfully
and without error give us the life of Jesus, His words and works that reveal God's love and
ultimate meaning of our experiences and uplift and give hope to the life of all Christians.
At around 60 A.D. the first written gospel, the Gospel according to Mark appeared. The
need for written material because of the death and martyrdom of the first-hand witnesses of
Jesus' life, preaching and miracles called for authentic and lasting records that oral transmission
could not produce.

Activity 2: Connect the Letters

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 There are twelve keywords in the web, essential in knowing the facts about the four Gospel
accounts of one Good News. They come in any direction. Simply connect the letters to highlight
the words.

Explain six of these twelve keywords in relation to the Gospels.

1.
P I E O T J J E S U S D
A O T V E G E W O R D O
R G F E A U E P R L O F
A O J O H N N I E O N G
B A I T D A G T K R G O
L E H O U F O E U D I D
E J O K J M L X L O V E
S G M Z M A M T O I E I
I N S P I R E D R U S H
K M O E R K A Y E F R T
I D A M A T T H E W T H
S A V I O R L E P S O G

______________________ - _________________________________________________.
2. ______________________ - _________________________________________________.
3. ______________________ - _________________________________________________.
4. ______________________ - _________________________________________________.
5. ______________________ - _________________________________________________.
6. ______________________ - _________________________________________________.

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INTERACTION
Activity 3: Reflection
Which of the four Gospel images of Christ can you relate to personally and affectively? How does
this image of Christ inspire and challenge you to live a good moral life?
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FORMATIVE ASSESSMENT
A. Identify which of the Four Gospel accounts is mentioned in each of the following statements.
Write your answers on the lines provided before the numbers. Write (Matthew, Mark, Luke or
John).
______________ 1. It is the shortest of the four accounts.
______________ 2. It is dominated by the mystery of the Incarnation: The Word made flesh.
______________ 3. It was written in Ephesus for the Gentile Christians.
______________ 4. Its accounts are fulfillment of the prophecies of the Old Testament.
______________ 5. It is known as the “I am Gospel” and the Gospel of love.
______________ 6. It speaks of salvation as coming from repentance of sins and keeping the
commandments.
______________ 7. It is written in a colloquial and oral style.
______________ 8. It presents salvation as universal and emphasizes that the love of Jesus is
for all people, especially the poor and the outcasts.
______________ 9. It is centered on the kingdom (reign) of God, which is present in the
person of Jesus.
______________ 10. It is written to console its readers and to sustain their faith amidst
sufferings and trials.

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B. Write the letter/s of your choice on the answer line. There may be more than one correct
answer.
________ 1. What does the word Gospel mean?
a) “Good News”
b) “God Spell”
c) “Good Tidings”
d) “God Speaks”

________ 2. What are the purpose of the evangelists for writing the Gospel?
a) to entertain
b) to inform
c) to persuade
d) all of the above

________ 3. Who are the audience/readers of the evangelists for writing the Gospel?
a) the early Christian communities
b) the sinners and all those seeking for conversion
c) the Jews and the Gentiles
d) people of all generations

________ 4. What Gospels are called Synoptic?

a) John, Luke, and Matthew
b) Mark, Matthew, and Luke
c) Matthew, Mark, and John
d) John, Luke, and Mark

________ 5. Why the Gospel accounts are called Synoptic Gospels?

a) They have parallel passages and teachings.
b) They have exactly the same messages.
c) They offer the same accounts of Jesus’ life.
d) They were written at the same time.

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