Ch.

4: The Ministry and

Message of Jesus Christ

Jesus Announces the Kingdom of God

Jesus ministry and
message centered
around the proclamation
of the Kingdom of God
a Kingdom of peace,
justice, truth, and
goodness.

As the Messiah, Jesus himself not only

announced but also inaugurated the
Kingdom of God.

 Jesus taught the following essential

points about the Kingdom:
The Kingdom begins small in the
present but flourishes in the
future.
Ex. parable of mustard seed
(Mt 13:31-33)

Although the Kingdom is

open to everyone who
accepts it, Jesus
announces the Kingdom
in a special way to the
poor and lowly.

 Gods mercy to sinners is a

characteristic of the Kingdom of God.
Ex. Jesus dining with Levi (Lk 5) and Zacchaeus (Lk 19)

The Beatitudes instruct us how to live in

and be a part of Gods Kingdom.

Jesus Teaches About the Kingdom of

God in Parables
Jesus taught using parables, short and
memorable stories that relate common
experiences to religious truths.
Jesus use of
parables
demonstrate that he
was an outstanding
teacher and give an
idea how he was
able to defend
himself against his
opponents.

 Jesus parables taught important lessons

about the Kingdom of God:
Salvation is here
the Kingdom is a
pure gift of love
the requirements of
the Kingdom for the
present and promises
of the Kingdom for
the future

 Jesus parables taught

important lessons
about the Kingdom of
God:
God loves even sinners
the Kingdom requires
an urgent response
the Good News
demands repentance
following Jesus may
bring suffering

Activity: Analyze the parable

of the vineyard owner (Mt
20:1-16).
What everyday experience does
Jesus employ?
What is the point Jesus is making
about the Kingdom of God?

Jesus Miracles:
Signs of the Kingdom of God
These wonders, words, and signs of
Jesus accomplish many things:
testify to the coming of
Gods Kingdom in the
world
attest that Jesus is the
Son sent by God the
Father

 These wonders,
words, and signs of
Jesus accomplish
many things:
demonstrate
Jesus dominion
over Satan and
the forces of evil
invite people to faith
demonstrate Gods love and
compassion for us

Jesus Miracles:
Physical Healings
demonstrate
Jesus power over
sin, reveal the
coming of Gods
Kingdom, and
reveal who Jesus
is
Ex. Jesus healed
paralytics and
blind men

Jesus Miracles:
Exorcisms

performed by
Jesus to
establish his
power over
Satan

Jesus Miracles:
Nature Miracles

attest to Jesus power over nature

Ex. calming the storm and multiplication
of loaves and fishes

Jesus Miracles:
Raisings from the Dead

demonstrate
Jesus mastery
over life and
death

Discussion: What do you think is

the most important purpose of
the miracles Jesus performed?
The primary purpose of these miracles
was not to abolish earthly suffering but
to lead us to the Kingdom of God.

The Two Great Miracles of Jesus

The Transfiguration
Provided his apostles
with a glimpse into the
glory Jesus, the Son of
God, would enjoy after
his Resurrection
Confirmed Peters
faith but also revealed
Jesus coming death

The Transfiguration is significant because:

it indicated how Jesus reflects the light of God
the appearance of
Moses and Elijah
recall how the Law
and the Prophets
had announced the
coming of the
Messiah
it revealed all three
persons of the
Trinity (voice =
Father, Jesus = Son,
shining cloud = Holy
Spirit)

The Institution of the Eucharist

Jesus commanded his disciples to celebrate the Eucharist
as a memorial of his Death and Resurrection

The Eucharist is significant because:

it fulfills the Jewish
Passover and
anticipates the final
Passover of the Church
into the glory of the
Kingdom
it is the source of our
nourishment for this
world and beyond.