Some texts are easier to use than others for this type of assignment—some texts more readily lend themselves to discussion of important elements of all three worlds. Prepare your presentation from one of the following sections of Matthew. These texts have been chosen because of their significance for understanding the gospel, as well as the way they work well as opportunities to use the three worlds.
1st Discourse: Matthew 5-7 (“The Sermon on the Mount”)
Reconciliation – Matthew 5:21-26
Love – Matthew 5:43-48
Material Securities – Matthew 6:19-34
Judgement – Matthew 7:1-6
Asking and receiving – Matthew 7:7-12
Disciples & Prophets – Matthew 7:13-23
2nd Discourse: Matthew 10
Mission – 10:5-15
Cost of discipleship – Matthew 10:16-23
3rd Discourse: Matthew 13
The Parable of the Sower – 13:3-9 & 3:19-23
3 Parables about the Kingdom – 13:24-33
4th Discourse: Matthew 18
Greatness – Matthew 18:1-9
Forgiveness – Matthew 18:21-35
5th Discourse: Matthew 23-25
Cautions – Matthew 23:1-12
The Parable of the Ten Bridesmaids – Matthew 25:1-13
The Parable of the Talents – Matthew 25:14-30
The Sheep & The Goats: 25:31-46
A list of the kinds of information, questions, etc. that could be addressed in each world is provided below. You will not be able to identify each of these items for each possible pericope – please use this as a guide. The information below is something accessible by using the notes in the New Oxford Annotated Bible (the required Bible for this course), and the historical & literary world information found in Kraybill and Fee & Stuart.
Literary World
Literary Content:
Historical World
Contemporary World
Based on the information in the above two worlds, what does the text have to say to people today? Your text might not offer information about all three of these categories. Use these as a guide for considering how this text might be applied to the world today.
Final Notes:
Infer or suggest your conclusions based on the evidence in the text
Cite specific chapter & verse in-text to more accurately support your conclusions. Ex: (Mt 5:1-3)