The Life of Christ

THE LIFE OF CHRIST:

THE MISSION AND MESSAGE OF JESUS (EC 102)

I. COURSE DESCRIPTION

During this six-week online course you will gain a deeper appreciation for Jesus as we examine the
context, claims, works, message, death, and resurrection of the greatest life ever lived.

II. COURSE OBJECTIVES

As a result of this class, you should:

1. Grow in your understanding of the Jesus revealed in the Gospels.
2. Gain an appreciation for the method and message of Jesus in the first century.
3. Integrate and apply the life and message of Jesus into your life in deeper ways.
4. Deepen your love for God as you grow in your relationship with Jesus.

III. TEXTBOOK

(Suggested, but not required)

Yancey, Philip. The Jesus I Never Knew. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1995.

IV. COURSE REQUIREMENTS

It is fair to expect 2–3 hours of work for each week of the class. This time will vary if you choose to read the
suggested book The Jesus I Never Knew and complete other optional resources in addition to the required
coursework. This time will include the following activities:

A. Reading Assignments
Each week you should read the required reading. You are NOT required to read the optional
reading, but it is highly encouraged and will maximize your learning during each class session.
If you choose to read The Jesus I Never Knew, it is suggested that you read the selected chapters
prior to listening to the audio for each week. An additional recommended reading list is found
at the end of this syllabus.

B. Audio and PowerPoints

Each week you should listen to two parts of the audio recorded from the previous live Life of
Christ classes. It is suggested that you print out the PowerPoint slides in order to take notes as
you listen along.

C. Discussion Questions
You should answer each discussion question and respond to at least one other student’s
answer by the following week of class.

D. Quizzes and Final Exam

The quizzes are for your benefit only, and the questions are taken from the PowerPoint slides
in addition to the required class readings. The final exam is comprehensive and is an
opportunity to see how much you learned during this class.
V. COURSE POLICIES

You are expected to complete the work for each week by the beginning of the next week’s class. Each week’s
class will open at 12:00 am on Thursday, and run until 11:59 pm the following Wednesday.

VI. COURSE SCHEDULE

DATE TOPIC ASSIGNMENTS

1. 5/30/19 Introduction Read: Syllabus
Optional Podcast: “Why Are There Differences in the Gospels?”
with Dr. Mike Licona

Week 1: Context Read: “Historical Context”

Listen: Context Parts 1 and 2
Due: Quiz #1

2. 6/6/19 Week 2: Claims Optional Reading: The Jesus I Never Knew, Chs. 1, 3, 5
Listen: Parts 1 and 2
Read: “What Are We To Make of Jesus Christ?” and “The
Shocking Alternative”
Due: Discussion Question #1

3. 6/13/19 Week 3: Works Optional Reading: The Jesus I Never Knew, Chs. 2, 4, 9
Listen: Parts 1 and 2
Due: Quiz #2

4. 6/20/19 Week 4: Message Optional Reading: The Jesus I Never Knew, Chs. 6, 7, 8, 13
Listen: Parts 1 and 2
Read: “The Mission of God”
Due: Discussion Question #2

5. 6/27/19 Week 5: Passion Optional Reading: The Jesus I Never Knew, Ch. 10
Listen: Parts 1 and 2
Due: Quiz #3

6. 7/4/19 Week 6: Resurrection Optional Reading: The Jesus I Never Knew, Chs. 11, 12, 14
and Commission Listen: Resurrection and Commission
Watch: “That’s My King”
Read: “HEART”
7/11/19
Due: Discussion Question #3
ALL
WORK Conclusion Due: Final Exam; Final Discussion Question
DUE Optional Podcast: “Jesus” with Philip Yancey
 RECOMMENDED READING

BEGINNER

Josh McDowell, More Than a Carpenter

Lee Strobel, The Case for Christ

Philip Yancey, The Jesus I Never Knew

INTERMEDIATE

Craig Blomberg, Jesus and the Gospels: An Introduction and Survey

Robert H. Stein, Jesus the Messiah: A Survey of the Life of Christ

Mark L. Strauss, Four Portraits, One Jesus: A Survey of Jesus and the Gospels

ADVANCED

Darrell Bock, Jesus according to Scripture: Restoring the Portrait from the Gospels

I. Howard Marshall, The Origins of New Testament Christology

N. T. Wright, The New Testament and the People of God: Christian Origins and the Question of
God, Volume 1

N. T. Wright, Jesus and the Victory of God: Christian Origins and the Question of God, Volume
2

N. T. Wright, The Resurrection of the Son of God: Christian Origins and the Question of God,
Volume 3