It is recommended that teachers use this manual as it is written and teach the Gospels in a sequential manner. However, some teachers may choose to teach the New Testament Gospels as a “harmony,” meaning that the events of the Savior’s life are taught chronologically, combining the material from each Gospel. Advantages of teaching the Gospels in this manner include the ability to treat the teachings and events in the Savior’s life more thoroughly; the life and ministry of Jesus Christ are put in some sort of chronological order; and the redundancy is eliminated that is sometimes felt when teaching the Gospels sequentially. Those who choose to teach the Gospels using a harmony approach should make this decision in consultation with their coordinator or institute director, based on the needs of students and the guidance of the Spirit. This chart provides a suggested way to reorder the ideas found in this manual to support a harmony approach. Before choosing to teach this course using a harmony approach, it is important to consider the following:
Teaching a harmony of the Gospels can make it difficult to understand the context of each Gospel and the sequence of scripture passages. Teachers need to help students understand the textual and historical context of each passage as they move from one account to another.
Teaching a harmony of the Gospels tends to obscure the distinct intentions and themes of each individual Gospel writer. Teachers should give careful attention to the guidance about these themes provided in the teacher manual and student manual so they can help their students identify and appreciate them.
As currently written, the teaching ideas in this manual are designed to flow smoothly from one part of the lesson to the next. Transition statements are written into the existing manual to facilitate moving from one teaching idea to the next. When these teaching ideas are rearranged into a harmony approach, as the chart below illustrates, the teacher will need to prepare ways to make transitions between the suggested ideas.
Because the Gospels are taught as a harmony in many Church settings and materials, some teachers who have never taught the Gospels sequentially may be hesitant to try it. This manual has been prepared to help teachers be successful in teaching each Gospel individually.
Note: Those teachers who choose to teach using a harmony approach can find valuable help in the “Harmony of the Gospels,” found in the Bible appendix.
Lesson Number
Main Teaching Ideas
Supplemental Teaching Ideas
1
Purposes of the Four Gospels (in lesson 1)
The Historical Setting of the New Testament (in lesson 1)
John 1:1–14. The Premortal Existence of Jesus Christ
As you introduce the course, you might find portions of the following teaching ideas helpful:
Introduction to the Gospel According to St. Matthew
Introduction to the Gospel According to St. Mark
Introduction to the Gospel According to St. Luke
The Testimony of St. John
Coming Forth, Canonization, and Translations of the New Testament (in lesson 1)
The Bible Plays a Central Role in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (in lesson 1)
John 1:1. Jesus Christ Is the Word of God
John 1:4–11. John Testified of Jesus Christ as “the True Light”
2
Matthew 1–2. Genealogy and Birth of Jesus Christ
Luke 1:5–55; 2:1–38. Many Received Glad Tidings of the Births of John and Jesus
Luke 1:30–35, 41–43; 3:21–38. The Parentage of Jesus Christ
Matthew 1:1–17. Matthew’s Genealogy of Jesus Christ
Matthew 1:19–24; 2:13–15, 19–23. Joseph Was an Example of a Righteous Husband and Father
Matthew 1:20–24; 2:12–14, 19–22. Revelation through Dreams
Luke 1:11–20, 26–38; 2:9–14. Angels Announced the Births of John the Baptist and Jesus Christ
Luke 1:26–56. Mary Was Called to Be the Mother of the Son of God
Luke 2:40–52. Jesus Christ Taught at the Temple as a 12-Year-Old Boy
3
Matthew 3:1–12. John the Baptist Preached in Judea
Luke 1:57–80; 3:1–22. The Mission of John the Baptist
John 1:15–36. John the Baptist Testified of Jesus Christ
Matthew 3:13–17. The Baptism of Jesus Christ
John 1:12–17. Becoming Sons and Daughters of God
Joseph Smith Translation, John 1:18. Heavenly Father Bore Witness of His Only Begotten Son
John 1:28–29. Jesus Christ Was Baptized near Bethabara
John 3:25–36. John the Baptist Willingly Deferred to the Savior
4
Matthew 4:1–11. The Savior Was Tempted in the Wilderness
John 1:35–51. Jesus Christ Began to Call Disciples
John 2:1–11. Jesus Christ Turned Water into Wine
John 2:13–22. Jesus Christ Cleansed the Temple
Matthew 4:17–25. Jesus Christ Began His Mortal Ministry
5
John 3:1–8. The Savior Taught Nicodemus about Spiritual Rebirth
John 3:9–21. Jesus Christ Testified to Nicodemus of His Divine Sonship
John 4:3–30. Jesus Christ Taught a Woman at Jacob’s Well in Samaria
John 4:28–42. Many Samaritans Believed in Jesus Christ
John 4:43–54. Jesus Christ Healed a Nobleman’s Son
6
Luke 4:14–32; 7:1–10. The Savior Was Rejected in Nazareth; He Healed a Centurion’s Servant
Luke 5:1–11. Jesus Christ Called Fishermen to Be His Disciples
Matthew 8–10. The Calling of the Twelve Apostles
Matthew 9:14–17. New Cloth and New Bottles
Matthew 10:28–39. The Savior Taught His Disciples That He and His Father Are Mindful of Them
Luke 5:16. The Savior Often Prayed Alone
7
Matthew 5:1–12. The Beatitudes
Matthew 5:17–48. Jesus Christ Taught Us How to Become Like Heavenly Father
Matthew 5:13–16. “The Salt of the Earth” and “the Light of the World”
Luke 6:20–26. The Savior Taught about Blessings and Woes
Luke 6:34–38. Jesus Christ Instructed Us to Be Generous and Merciful
8
Matthew 6:1–18; 7:7–11. The Savior Discoursed on Worshipping the Father
Matthew 6:19–34. Seeking First the Kingdom of God
Matthew 7:21–29. Doing the Will of the Father
Matthew 6:14–15; 7:1–6, 12. How We Treat Others Affects Our Relationship with God
Matthew 5–7; see also Matthew 2:13–16, 19–20; 3:16; 8:27, 34; 17:2. Similarities between Jesus Christ and Moses
9
Mark 1:1–11, 21–31; 2:1–12; 3:15, 22–30; 4:35–41. The Authority and Power of Jesus Christ
Mark 1:4–5, 14–15, 40–45. Repentance and the Healing of a Leper
Mark 2:1–17. The Healing of a Paralytic and the Calling of Levi
Mark 5:21–24, 35–43. Jesus Christ Raised Jairus’s Daughter from the Dead
Mark 5:25–34. The Healing of a Woman with an Issue of Blood
Mark 1:23–27, 34; 3:11, 14–15, 22–30. Jesus Christ Cast Out Unclean Spirits and Devils
Mark 2:1–12. The Healing of the Paralytic
Mark 2:23–3:7. The Sabbath Day
Mark 4:26–29. The Parable of the Seed Growing by Itself
10
Luke 4:14–32; 7:1–10. The Savior Was Rejected in Nazareth; He Healed a Centurion’s Servant
Luke 7:11–17. Jesus Christ Raised the Son of a Widow of Nain from Death
Luke 7:36–50. The Savior Taught about Love and Forgiveness
John 5:1–29. Jesus Christ Healed a Man at the Pool of Bethesda
Matthew 11:1–19. John the Baptist
John 5:25–28. The Savior Foretold His Ministry in the Spirit World
John 5:31–47. Many Witnesses Testified of Jesus Christ
11
Matthew 11:28–30. “Come unto Me” and “Take My Yoke upon You”
Matthew 12. The Choice to Follow or Oppose the Savior
Matthew 13. Jesus Christ Taught in Parables
Matthew 12:31–32, 43–45. Blasphemy against the Holy Ghost
Matthew 12:43–45. Parable of the Empty House
Matthew 13:1–52. Joseph Smith Interpreted Parables Found in Matthew 13
Matthew 13:10–17. Why Jesus Christ Spoke in Parables
Luke 8:1–3. Many Women Assisted the Savior in His Ministry
12
Mark 6:30–44. The Feeding of the Five Thousand
Matthew 14:22–36. Jesus Christ Walked on Water
John 6:22–69. The Bread of Life Discourse
Mark 5:1–43; 6:30–44; 7:24–37. The Savior’s Compassion
Mark 6:5, 13; 7:32. Laying On of Hands and Anointing with Oil
Mark 6:14–29. The Death of John the Baptist
13
Mark 7:1–23. False Traditions and the Commandments of God
Mark 8:18–33. The Gradual Healing of a Blind Man and Peter’s Rebuke of the Savior
Mark 8:31–38; 9:31–37, 43–48; 10:32–45. The Will of the Father for Jesus Christ and His Disciples
Mark 9:14–29. “Help Thou Mine Unbelief”
Mark 8:1–9. The Feeding of the Four Thousand
Mark 9:33–37; 10:35–45. The Savior’s Teachings about Service and Leadership
14
Matthew 16:1–18. Jesus Christ Taught His Disciples near Caesarea Philippi
Matthew 16:19–20; 17:1–13. Peter, James, and John Received Priesthood Keys on the Mount of Transfiguration
Matthew 18:21–35. Parable of the Unmerciful Servant
Matthew 15:21–31. The Savior Healed the Daughter of a Gentile Woman and Taught Gentile Multitudes
Matthew 16:6–12. Beware of the Leaven of the Pharisees and the Sadducees
Matthew 17:1–13. Significant Events Occurred at the Mount of Transfiguration
Matthew 17:24–27. The Savior Worked a Miracle in Paying Tribute Money
15
Luke 9:57–62; 14:15–33. Teachings on Discipleship and the Parable of the Great Supper
Luke 10:25–37. The Parable of the Good Samaritan
Luke 10:38–42; 12:13–21; 14:7–14. Jesus Christ Taught Mary and Martha and Gave the Parable of the Foolish Rich Man
Luke 9:51–56; 13:1–9. Jesus Christ Taught the Necessity of Repentance
Luke 10:1–20. The Seventy Were Called, Taught, and Sent Forth to Preach and Heal
Luke 11:1–13. Jesus Christ Taught about Prayer
Luke 14:7–14. The Savior Taught about Humility and Service
16
Luke 15. Parables of the Lost Sheep, Lost Coin, and Prodigal Son
Luke 16:1–12. Parable of the Unjust Steward
Luke 16:14–31. Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus
Luke 18:1–8. The Importuning Widow and the Unjust Judge
Luke 16:22–26. Two Conditions in the Postmortal Spirit World
Luke 17:5–19. The Parable of the Unprofitable Servant and the Cleansing of the Ten Lepers
17
John 7:1–53. Jesus Christ Taught during the Feast of Tabernacles
John 8:1–11. The Woman Taken in Adultery
John 8:12–59. Jesus Christ Taught about Light, Truth, and Freedom
John 9:1–41. Jesus Christ Healed a Man Born Blind
John 8:53–59. Jesus Christ Identified Himself as Jehovah, the God of Abraham
18
Matthew 19:3–12; 22:23–33. The Savior’s Teachings on Marriage
Matthew 19:16–29; 20:1–16. The Rich Young Man and the Parable of the Laborers in the Vineyard
Luke 18:9–14; 19:1–10. The Parable of the Pharisee and the Publican; Zacchaeus the Publican
Matthew 19:13–15. Little Children
Matthew 20:30–34; 21:1–15; 22:41–46. “Son of David”
Mark 10:46–52. The Healing of Blind Bartimaeus
Luke 19:11–27. The Parable of the Pounds
19
John 10:1–31. Jesus Christ Is the Good Shepherd
John 11:1–46. The Raising of Lazarus from the Dead
John 10:17–18. Jesus Christ Had Power to Lay Down His Life and Take It Up Again
John 11:1–15; 12:1–8, 23–27; 13:18–21, 31–32. Jesus Christ Prophesied of His Death and Resurrection
20
Matthew 21:1–16, 23–46; 22:1–14, 35–46. The Triumphal Entry, Cleansing of the Temple, and Teaching through Parables
John 12:12–34. Reactions to the Savior’s Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem
Matthew 21:17–22; 23:1–33. The Barren Fig Tree and Hypocrisy
Mark 11–16. The Last Week of the Savior’s Mortal Ministry (Consider the parts that apply to this lesson, and note parts that will apply in upcoming lessons.)
Mark 12:41–44; 14:3–9. Two Faithful Women: The Poor Widow and the Woman of Bethany
Matthew 22:35–40. The Two Great Commandments
Mark 14:3–9. The Woman of Bethany Would Be “Had in Remembrance in Generations to Come”
John 12:1–9. Mary Anointed the Savior
John 12:34–50. Discourse on Light and Darkness
21
Joseph Smith—Matthew; Matthew 24. Jesus Christ’s Teachings about the Destruction of Jerusalem and the Second Coming
Matthew 25. Three Parables about Preparing for the Second Coming
Joseph Smith—Matthew 1:1–21; Matthew 24:1–5, 9–23. Jesus Christ Foretold the Destruction of Jerusalem and the Rejection of His Apostles
Matthew 25:14–30. “The Joy of Thy Lord”
Luke 21:19, 34–36. The Savior’s Teachings in Luke about Being Prepared for His Coming
22
John 13:4–17, 34–35. Washing the Disciples’ Feet
Matthew 26:17–30. Instituting the Sacrament at the Last Supper
Luke 22:7–20. The Savior Instituted the Sacrament
Matthew 26:29. A Future Sacrament Meeting
Luke 22:31–32. The Savior’s Words to Simon Peter and the Disciples
John 12:3–8; 13:18–30. Judas Iscariot Arranged to Betray the Savior
23
John 14–15. Jesus Christ Taught about Love and Obedience
John 14:15–27; 15:26–27; 16:7–14. Jesus Christ Taught about the Mission of the Holy Ghost
John 16:15–33. The Lord Jesus Christ Overcame the World
John 14:1–6. There Are Many Mansions in Heavenly Father’s House
John 14:15–23. Jesus Christ as Comforter
John 14:7–10, 20–23; 15:8–10, 15; 16:27. Jesus Christ Testified of His Father
John 15:18–25; 16:1–4. The Savior Foretold the Opposition and Persecution His Followers Would Experience in the World
24
John 17. The Intercessory Prayer
Matthew 26:36–46. Submitting to His Father’s Will in Gethsemane
Mark 14:32–36; 15:34. Mark’s Account of the Savior’s Atoning Suffering
Luke 22:39–44. The Savior Suffered in Gethsemane
John 17:11, 14–16. The Savior’s Followers Are to Be “in the World” but Not Partake “of the World”
John 17:11, 21–23. The Atonement and the Savior’s Prayer That We Might Be “One”
25
Matthew 26:1–5, 14–25, 47–68. Jesus Christ’s Betrayal, Arrest, and Trial before Caiaphas
Luke 23:1–56. Jesus Was Tried before Roman Officials and Crucified (Consider parts of the teaching suggestions that relate to the trials of Jesus before Roman officials.)
John 18–19. Important Details from the Final Hours of the Savior’s Mortal Ministry (Consider parts of the teaching suggestions that relate to the arrest and trials of Jesus.)
Matthew 26:1–5, 14–25, 47–68. Jesus Christ’s Betrayal, Arrest, and Trial before Caiaphas
Mark 15:1–39. Jesus Christ Defined What His Mission Was as the Messiah
Luke 23:1–25. Pilate Yielded to the Crowd
26
Matthew 27:1–54. The Crucifixion of Jesus Christ
Luke 23:1–56. Jesus Was Tried before Roman Officials and Crucified (Consider parts of the teaching suggestions that relate to the Crucifixion of Jesus Christ.)
John 18–19. Important Details from the Final Hours of the Savior’s Mortal Ministry (Consider parts of the teaching suggestions that relate to the Crucifixion.)
Matthew 27:11–49. The Arrest, Trials, and Crucifixion of Jesus Christ Fulfilled Ancient Prophecies
Matthew 27:51. The Veil of the Temple Was Torn in Two
Luke 23:32–33, 39–43. The Savior’s Conversation with the Thief on the Cross
27
Matthew 27:51–53; 28:1–10. The Resurrection of Jesus Christ
Mark 16:1–15. The Resurrection of Jesus Christ
Luke 24:1–53. Jesus Christ Was Resurrected
John 20. The Resurrection of Jesus Christ
Luke 24:25–32, 44–47. The Savior Taught from the Scriptures
John 20:30–31. The Purpose of John’s Record
28
John 21:1–17. The Resurrected Jesus Christ Appeared to His Disciples at the Sea of Tiberias (Sea of Galilee)
Luke 24:49–53. The Savior Blessed the Apostles
Matthew 28:16–20. Jesus Christ Commissioned His Apostles
Mark 16:17–18. “Signs Shall Follow Them That Believe”
John 21:18–23. The Savior Foretold the Martyrdom of Peter and the Translation of John the Beloved