NBST 516 Introduction to the Life of Christ

An overview of the Life of Christ as seen in the New Testament Gospels.

For information regarding prerequisites for this course, please refer to the Academic Course Catalog.

Through engagement with Scripture, Gospel harmonies, and key scholarship, the student will develop skills in exegesis and theological reflection, preparing him or her to teach, preach, and minister with greater clarity and Christ-centered conviction.

Textbook readings and lecture presentations

No details available.

Course Requirements Checklist

After reading the Course Syllabus and Student Expectations, the student will complete the related checklist found in the Course Overview.

Discussions (4)

Discussions are collaborative learning experiences. Therefore, the student will complete 4 Discussions in this course. The student will post one thread of at least 400 words. The student must then post 2 replies of at least 250 words. For each thread, the student must support his/her assertions with at least 2 scholarly citations in Turabian format. Each reply must incorporate at least 1 scholarly citation in Turabian format. Cited sources must be class textbooks. (CLO: B, C, D)

Video Assignment

This introductory video assignment invites the student to reflect on his/her current understanding of the Life of Christ as presented in the four Gospels. In a maximum of 3 minutes, the student will briefly identify key similarities and differences in how Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John portray Jesus, and share what he/she knows about the Kingdom of God in the Gospel narratives. The student will also articulate his/her personal goals for this course, considering areas of theological understanding, biblical interpretation, and spiritual growth. This video serves both as a self-assessment of the student’s starting point and a way for the instructor to get to know the student. (CLO: B, C)

Position Paper: Beasley-Murray on Kingdom of God Assignment

This assignment invites the student to critically and constructively engage with G.R. Beasley-Murray’s Jesus and the Kingdom of God by analyzing his arguments, identifying key theological insights, and reflecting on his/her implications for gospel interpretation and ministry. The student’s task is not merely to summarize but to wrestle with, evaluate, and internalize the core ideas of the book. The student will do this in 1,200-1,500 words. (CLO: B, D)

Annotated Map: Draft Assignment

This assignment involves creating a visual and textual representation of Jesus’ movements during his public ministry, based on the four Gospels. Using A.T. Robertson’s A Harmony of the Gospels for Students of the Life of Christ, the student will chart key locations, events, and transitions in Jesus’ life on a map of Israel. The first draft requires marking at least 10 movements on the map with numbered points and directional lines, along with a corresponding event list in a separate Word document that includes the location name of each movement and a 1-2 sentence summary of the event or teaching at that location and its theological significance. The student must also cite at least 2 Gospel references and indicate how he/she used Logos for at least 3 events. This assignment strengthens the student’s ability to integrate Gospel texts, harmonize chronology, and reflect on the theological importance of geography and movement in Jesus’ mission. (CLO: A, D)

Annotated Map: Final Assignment

This two-part assignment invites the student to visually and textually trace the movements of Jesus throughout his public ministry as recorded in the four Gospels. Using a map provided in the course and A.T. Robertson’s A Harmony of the Gospels for Students of the Life of Christ, the student will chart key locations, events, and transitions in Jesus’ life, forming a clearer understanding of how geography and narrative shape the Gospel message. The Final Assignment requires marking at least 20 movements on the map with numbered points and directional lines, as well as including the location name of each movement and a brief summary (1-2 sentences) of the event or teaching at that location and its theological significance. The student must also include at least 2 Gospel references and note at least 6 locations where Logos was used. (CLO: A, D)