New Testament Module

OBJECTIVE

In this module, the children will have an introduction to the Holy Bible, why it was written, the authors, and why we read it. It is important to introduce the two parts of the Holy Bible as we will refer to the prophecies about Christ in the Old Testament. The next three lessons will concentrate on our Lord Jesus Christ latter part of His life, which clearly shows His message to everyone and why He came to this world with an emphasis on the Old Testament prophecies and how they were fulfilled through the Incarnation of Christ, His Crucifixion and Resurrection.

MILESTONES

Scripture: The Holy Bible teaches that all events in the earthly life of our Lord Jesus Christ are important, but one event declares the hope that is found in the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ as God and Savior: the Resurrection. St. Paul the Apostle states in his epistle to the Corinthians: "And if Christ is not risen, then our preaching is empty and your faith is also empty." (1 Cor. 15:14) The evidence for the Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ is also found in the same epistle to the Corinthians. "and that He was seen by Cephas, then by the twelve. After that He was seen by over five hundred brethren at once, of whom the greater part remain to the present, but some have fallen asleep. After that He was seen by James, then by all the apostles. Then last of all He was seen by me also, as by one born out of due time." (1 Cor 15:5-8).

Spiritual: All four gospels are referred to as "synoptic": meaning that they present the same or common view even though they are written by four different Evangelists. Each Evangelist witnessed (beheld) the Lord Jesus Christ from their own vantage point, however they are united in scope and vision. The Crucifixion, Death, and Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ are fact.

Social: With the knowledge and faith in the Resurrection, the Gift of the Holy Spirit, and fulfillment of God's promises, we are to live life in a different manner. We are to live life full of joy and hope. In addition, we are to share this joy and hope with everyone we meet.

Rituals: The Coptic Church's Rituals take us on a journey every year: from the Crucifixion of our Lord Jesus Christ to His Resurrection and Ascension and the descent of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost. The tunes of the hymns vary throughout the year with mournful tunes during Holy Week, to festive tunes during Resurrection and the Holy Fifty Days, to the unique and beautiful hymn of "Pi-Epnevma" (hymn to the Holy Spirit). In all, the church takes us on a beautiful journey.

TOPICS BY WEEK

Please read through all of the lessons in this module in preparation for this lesson.

• Week 1: Introduction to the Holy Bible
  • The Bible is God's love message to all humanity. As Christians believe the Bible is God's word and we need to believe & obey it. The lesson introduces the different parts of the Bible and how it is organized.
• Week 2: Nativity
  • The prophecies in the Old Testament about Jesus Christ the Savior of the world and how they all point to our Lord who came in the flesh to fulfill all prophecies.
• Week 3: Crucifixion and Resurrection
  • Emphasis will be on the book of Isaiah the prophet, which is sometimes called the fifth gospel, because it gives many details about the Lord crucifixion. Also, the Book of Psalms by King David many of his psalms prophesied about his crucifixion.
• Week 4: Ascension and Pentecost
  • The Ascension of our Lord Jesus Christ into heavens marks the beginning of the early church. Emphasis will be on the early church, the one accord, prayers and fasting.
• Capstone Activity

CHURCH CONNECTION

Please make every effort to incorporate our Orthodox traditions, liturgical practices, saints, and sacraments in every lesson.

PARENTS CORNER

Every lesson contains suggested material for you to send out to parents/guardians on a weekly basis. The ultimate goal is to give parents the tools and resources necessary to educate their children every day, creating an Orthodox Christian home.