God’s Revelation
What term describes how God communicates God’s-self to humankind in stages?
Revelation
Who did God choose to lead the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt?
Moses.
What does the word "Gospel" literally mean, and what are the names of the Four Gospels?
"Gospel" means Good News. The four Gospels are Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.
What does the title "Christ" (or Messiah in Hebrew) literally mean?
"The Anointed One."
Broadly speaking, what do Jesus' miracles demonstrate to those who witness them?
They demonstrate the active power of God, reveal that the Kingdom of God is actively breaking into human history, and prove Jesus' divine authority.
Name the 5 stages through which God communicates with humankind.
Creation, covenants, prophets, Jesus, and Sacred Scripture.
What does the word "Exodus" mean, and what major biblical event does it refer to?
"Exodus" means departure or exit. It refers to the historical-spiritual journey of the Israelites escaping slavery in Egypt, passing through the Red Sea, and wandering the desert toward the Promised Land.
Rather than reading them like a modern history textbook or biography, how are we meant to read and interpret the Gospels?
We read them as accounts of faith. They were written to share the theological truth about Jesus and to invite readers into a saving relationship with God, not to act as exact historical, chronological biographies.
What title is given to Jesus to highlight his role as the ultimate savior who pays the price to free humanity from the bondage of sin?
Redeemer.
What are the 4 specific types of miracles found in the Gospels?
1. Physical Healings (e.g., curing blindness, leprosy, paralysis)
2. Nature Miracles (e.g., calming the storm, multiplying loaves and fish)
3. Exorcisms (e.g., driving out demons/evil spirits)
4. Raising from the Dead / Resurrections (e.g., raising Lazarus or Jairus' daughter)
What is the Torah, and what is a Prophet?
Torah: The first five books of the Hebrew Bible containing the Law, instructions, and teachings given to the Israelites.
Prophet: A messenger chosen by God to speak God's truth, deliver His warnings, and call the people back to faithfulness.
True or False: The Ten Plagues were just random natural disasters and held no symbolic meaning regarding Egyptian culture.
False. Each plague directly challenged and demonstrated the true God’s power over specific Egyptian deities (e.g., turning the Nile to blood challenged Hapi, the god of the Nile; darkness challenged Ra, the sun god).
What are the three main stages in the development of the Gospels?
1. Stage 1: The Historical Jesus – The actual life, ministry, death, and resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth.
2. Stage 2: Oral Tradition – The Apostles and early disciples preaching and passing down Jesus’ stories and teachings by word of mouth.
3. Stage 3: The Written Gospels – The Evangelists (Matthew, Mark, Luke, John) recording and organizing these oral traditions into books to preserve them for future generations.
What core Christian doctrine states that the eternal Son of God became flesh and took on a human nature?
The Incarnation
What is the deeper spiritual "Significance of Miracles" in the Gospels?
They are not magic tricks performed for entertainment; they are physical signs of God's love, mercy, and compassion. They invite people into deep faith and show that sin, evil, sickness, and death do not have the final say over creation.
What is a Covenant? List the FOUR points/characteristics that define a biblical covenant.
A preamble showing who God is and His past mercy.
A prologue summarizing the relationship history between the parties.
The ethical conditions/commandments (what the people must do to remain faithful).
The sign or witness (a ritual or physical token that seals the agreement, like a sacrifice, circumcision, or the stone tablets).
Name at least five of the Ten Plagues sent upon Egypt.
(Any 5 of the following):
Water turned to blood
Frogs
Gnats / Lice
Flies
Diseased Livestock
Boils
Thunder and Hail
Locusts
Darkness
Death of the Firstborn
Which three Gospels are known as the "Synoptic Gospels" because they share a similar layout and viewpoint, and which one stands alone?
Matthew, Mark, and Luke are the Synoptic Gospels. The Gospel of John stands alone because it uses highly symbolic, poetic, and distinct theological language.
In Christian belief, what dual nature does Jesus Christ possess?
Jesus is fully human and fully divine at the same time.
In the Gospel of John, miracles are rarely called "miracles." What word does John use instead to describe these acts?
Signs (because they point directly to Jesus' divine identity).
List FIVE of the Ten Commandments given to Moses and the Israelites.
(Any 5 of the following are correct):
I am the Lord your God; you shall not have strange gods before me.
You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain.
Remember to keep holy the Lord's Day.
Honor your father and your mother.
You shall not kill.
You shall not commit adultery.
You shall not steal.
You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.
You shall not covet your neighbor's wife.
You shall not covet your neighbor's goods.
What ritual meal did the Israelites celebrate on the night of the final plague to protect their firstborn, an event still celebrated today?
Passover
Why are there four different Gospels instead of just one single book about Jesus?
Because each of the four Evangelists wrote for a different Christian community/audience and emphasized different aspects of Jesus' identity to meet that specific community's spiritual needs.
Name the three traditional roles or offices of Jesus that believers are also called to participate in through baptism.
Priest, Prophet, and King.
What internal human response is almost always a requirement before Jesus performs a miracle in the Gospels?
Faith. Jesus constantly tells individuals, "Your faith has saved you."