Instructor: The Rev. Lark Stephenson Diaz+

Text: Because this is a Bible based course, the Bible will be our main text. Students must bring a copy with them to every class meeting. A shelf in the classroom has been designated for storage for those wishing to keep a Bible both at school and at home. Approved translations of the Bible include – the New Revised Standard Version, the Revised Standard Version, the New International Version, the Good News. The King James Version, the New King James Version, and various and sundry children’s Bibles are not acceptable for class use.

Later in the semester we will be reading The Jesus I Never Knew by Philip Yancey Students may purchase a new copy from the bookstore or an outside bookstore. We may also, time permitting, read The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis.

The Course: The goal of this course is to help students acquire both a scholarly and personal understanding of Jesus as portrayed in the Gospels. In order to achieve this objective, the class will generally follow a schedule of lecture and discussion. 25 minutes will be devoted to lecture and the remaining time to a discussion surrounding the chapter assigned for the day. Questions about students own understanding of the text, the person of Jesus, the life of faith, etc. will be posed. Select videos will be used to help students broaden the way they understand how Jesus moved in the lives of those around him, his relationship with God, and the emergence of his place as the Messiah.

Exams and Projects: We will have a test every three or so weeks. That means three exams during the first quarter. These will be worth 60% of a student’s grade. Each student will be required to prepare an Exegesis and to present it during class. These will be worth 20% of the grade. Participation in discussions and homework will round out the final 20% of the quarter mark. The second quarter will be much the same however it is possible that there will be 2 exams and 2 projects on which students will be evaluated.