Introduction
What is needed for this lesson?
Make sure to have a physical Bible on hand, not an electronic one. We recommend this to minimize distractions from notifications and the urge to open other apps while studying Scripture.
The Gospel Workbook
A Pen
The summary of the gospel is succinctly stated in 2 Corinthians 5:21. Write it down below.
“For our sake he made Him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God (1 Corinthians 5:21, ESV).”
If we are going to study the gospel message, which is the Good News, it will be helpful to learn the term in its original language as it pertains to Jesus and how it is used.
Hebrew: basar (baw-sar') בָּשַׂר to bear tidings (used 24 times in the Old Testament).
Greek: euangelion (yoo-ang-ghel'-ee-on) εὐαγγέλιον a good, simple message (used 41 times in the New Testament).
We use it so glibly in the church today. Preachers say they preach the gospel, but if we listen to them preach Sunday after Sunday, we hear very little gospel in what they are preaching. The term gospel has become a nickname for preaching anything rather than something with definitive content. The word for gospel is the word euangelion. It has that prefix eu-, which comes into English in a variety of words. We talk about euphonics or euphonious music, which refers to something that sounds good. We talk about a eulogy, which is a good word pronounced about someone at his funeral service. The prefix eu- refers to something good or pleasant. The word angelos or angelion is the word for "message." Angels are messengers, and an angelos is one who delivers a message. - R.C. Sproul
Supposedly, in the third century BC, six translators from each of the twelve tribes of Israel collaborated to translate the Pentateuch from Hebrew to Greek. (6x12=72)
You might hear the Old Testament occasionally referred to as the Septuagint, which is the Greek translation. The word Septuagint originates from the number seventy-two, representing the number of people thought to have translated the Hebrew Bible (the Old Testament) into Greek. The abbreviation comes from the number 72, being reduced to 70, and is represented by the Roman numeral LXX.
Write down the four points that make up the gospel.
God
Fall
Redemption
Restoration
After Jesus was resurrected, He appeared to His disciples. "Then he said to them, ‘These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets, and the Psalms must be fulfilled’” (Luke 24:44, ESV). Jesus is explaining to them that the events that recently occurred were foretold about Him well in advance.
