Be able to completely reproduce the “Timeline of the NT Chart”. This means:
-Know where and what all of the books are.
-Know how to group all of the epistles together.
-Know what the chapter divisions are for Acts (there are four different sections).
-Know where to place the different boxes for Paul’s imprisonments (there are two).
The Gospels
Matthew Mark Luke John
Christ as Messiah Christ as a Suffering
Servant Christ as a Perfect Man Christ as God
Written to Jews, as
they were waiting for
a
king
Written to the slaves
in Rome
Written to Greeks,
they were obsessed
with
the human body
Written to the
whole world
Written by Matthew Written by Mark Written by Luke Written by John
A Jew, an apostle of
Christ, and a tax
collector
Jew/Roman, Peter’s
disciple, and a
missionary
Greek, Paul’s
disciple, and a
doctor
A Jew, Christ’s
disciple, and a
fisherman
Themes
Acts The Founding of the Church
Romans Righteousness from Rome
1 Corinthians Correcting and Collecting
2 Corinthians Defending Paul’s Authority
Galatians Salvation by Faith Alone
Ephesians Body of Christ
Philippians Joy from a Jailhouse
Colossians Christ as Head
1 Thessalonians End Times (The Return of Christ)
2 Thessalonians End Times (Coming Judgement)
1 Timothy Godly Church Administration
2 Timothy Endurance in Ministry
Titus Disciple One Another
Philemon
Hebrews Christ our Great High Priest
James Faith without Works is Dead
1 Peter Persecution
2 Peter Poison in the Pews
1 John Fellowship with God
2 John Avoid False Teachers
3 John Accept True Teachers
Jude Poison in the Pews
Revelation Jesus Wins
Paul’s Letters
Paul’s life before salvation, his salvation experience (Acts 9), his life after salvation, any religious
positions he held, and any secular occupations.
Before Salvation: Pharisee and persecutor of Christians (Stephen)
Salvation: On the way to Damascus and was blinded by a light. Jesus called out to him asking
why he was persecuting him. He was led to Damascus where Ananias came and placed hands on
him, his sight was restored and he was baptized.
After Salvation: Became the greatest missionary. Traveled throughout Roman Empire sharing
the gospel and wrote many letters to churches including 13 books of the Bible. He went on 3
missionary journeys and was imprisoned in Rome 2 separate times. He was beheaded under
Nero.
Religious Positions: Pharisee who was in charge of persecuting Christians and throwing them in
jail and sometimes executing them.
Secular Occupations: He was a tentmaker so he could raise support for himself.
Know the background for Galatians and James, how they are similar and dissimilar, how they do NOT
contradict each other, and how they tie into what happened in Acts 15 (you will also need to know, of
course, the very important thing that happened in Acts 15 and what was decided at that very important
event).
Galatians: -written by Paul
-theme was salvation by faith alone
-Jews thought that they were still under law
-Judaizers believed that Christ was Messiah but you must still obey OT law
-Paul wrote Galatians to explain that the OT law as abolished and they are living under New
Covenant created by Christ
James: -written by James, brother of Christ
-theme was works are fruit of salvation
-James wrote this to explain that because we are saved we will have good deeds
-some people thought they could do what they want because they are not under old law
They don't contradict each other because they both contend that we are not under OT law and
that we are saved by faith alone. However, if we truly are saved, we will have good works are a
fruit of our salvation. Acts 15 was the Jerusalem Council where they determined that Gentiles
could be saved. Some claimed that you had to obey OT law and become a Jew to be saved first.
Both books refute this and Paul convinced the Council that Gentiles could be saved.
Know the background for I and II Thessalonians: why Paul departed from Thessalonica, Timothy's role in
writing I Thessalonians, and why II Thessalonians had to be written.
Paul had to leave Thessalonica because Jews were accusing him while teaching in temple.
Recent converts were confused about the ends times so Paul wrote about the ends time in 1
Thess.
A false letter was sent, so Paul wrote 2 Thess to assure them Christ hasn't come yet.
Timothy was a co-sender and delivered the messages while Paul was in Corinth.
Know which books were Prison Epistles and which were Pastoral Epistles.
Pastoral Epistles: 1 & 2 Timothy, Titus
Prison Epistles: Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon
Know why Paul wrote each of the four Prison epistles and the problem he had to address for each
one. Ephesians: to teach the church of the riches they have in Christ; their position in Christ
and the gifts of the Holy Spirit
Philippians: to comfort those who were worried about Paul in jail
Colossians: to refute the heresy (Gnosticism)
Philemon: Onesimus had run away and Paul was encouraging Philemon to take him back and
forgive him
-Know about the Corinthian Correspondence ( the "Tearful letter" [Painful letter], the "Previous Letter,"
Romans, and with the Prison Epistles) (hint: explain the offering situation, why Paul wrote the 1 and 2
Corinthians, why Paul wrote Romans, why he was thrown in jail, and what he did in jail).
Previous Letter: forbade association with immoral people
1 Corinthians: correcting problems and collecting offering
Painful: bad report from 1 Corinth so Paul went to visit; after visit he sent this letter to criticize
those opposing him but assured his love
2 Corinthians: defending Paul's authority
Know Everything about Timothy and Titus' and their relationship to Paul, and what letters he wrote to
them.
Titus: in charge at Crete
-helped collect the offering
-convert of Paul and missionary with Paul early after his conversion
Timothy: in charge at Ephesus
-cosender of 6 letters
-disciple and missionary of Paul
-with Paul during first imprisonment
*Paul wrote to them when he was in
Philippi Know which epistles Timothy co-sent with
Paul.
2 Corinthians, Philippians, Colossians, 1 and 2 Thessalonians, Philemon
