Transcription
Last DaystheOFjesusLe ader’s Gu i de
The Deeper Connections SeriesThe Miracles of JesusThe Last Days of JesusThe Forgiveness of JesusThe Life of Jesus
Deeper ConnectionsLast DaystheOFjesusLe ader’s Gu i deSix In-depth Studies Connecting the Bible to LifeMat t WilliamsGeneral EditorCarson, California
Deeper Connections: The Last Days of Jesus Leader’s Guide 2009, 2017 Matt WilliamsRose Publishing, Inc.17909 Adria Maru LaneCarson, California 90746 U.S.A.Email: ister your Rose Publishing books at www.rose-publishing.com/register and geta free Bible reference download.All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in aretrieval system, posted on the Internet, or transmitted in any form or by anymeans without the prior written permission of the publisher. The only exception isbrief quotations in printed reviews.All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible,New International Version . NIV . Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984 by InternationalBible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved.Rose Publishing is in no way liable for any context, change of content, or activity forthe websites listed. Inclusion of a work does not necessarily mean endorsement ofall its contents or of other works by the same author(s).Interior Design: Mark Sheeres
ContentsFor Starters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7Preface. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11About the Video Teachers. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13Session 1Session 2Session 3Session 4Session 5Session 6From Warrior to Servant . . . . . . . . . . 15Jesus the Messiah (Matthew 16:13 – 28)Dr. Matt WilliamsA Glimpse of Glory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18The Transfiguration (Matthew 17:1 – 9)Prof. Susan HechtThe Rejected King . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21The Triumphal Entry (Matthew 21:1 – 22)Dr. Mark StraussLove to the Full . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24The Last Supper(John 13:1 – 5; Matthew 26:21 – 29)Dr. Scott DuvallThe Ultimate Victory . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27The Trial and Death of Jesus(Luke 22:66 – 23:3; 23:32 – 34, 44 – 47)Dr. Darrell BockThe Death of Death . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30The Resurrection of Jesus(Matthew 28:1 – 10)Dr. Gary Burge
This Leader’s Guide accompaniesDeeper Connections: The Last Days of Jesus6-Session DVD-Based Bible Study(ISBN 9781628624328)withDeeper Connections: The Last Days of JesusParticipant’s Guide(ISBN 9781628624335)
For StartersThanks for choosing this curriculum. Please take two orthree minutes to read this helpful information before youbegin. It should answer most questions you may have.What’s on the DVD? 6 video sessions featuring 6 different Bible teachersand a series host: each session includes anintroduction filmed in Israel and two video teachingsegments (for a total of approximately 26 minutes ofvideo per session) Previews of other products your small group mightwant to consider sometime in the futureWhat Other Materials Are Needed for aSuccessful Small Group? Television monitorDVD playerWatch or clock with which to monitor timeThe Last Days of Jesus Participant’s Guide (one pergroup member) Leader’s guide (Download a free PDF of this leader’sguide at www.rose-publishing.com/lastdays-guides) Bible — Old and New Testaments (one per groupmember) Pen or pencil for everyone7
8 The Last Days of Jesus Leader’s GuideGood to Know Each session is planned for approximately 60minutes (typically the time limit in more formalsettings), but easily can be expanded dependingon a group’s specific situation. See, for example,the table below which compares a 60-minute and a75-minute session. As leader, determine beforehandthe amount of time you will allot for discussion.It is very important to keep track of time and enddiscussions on schedule, even if they are going well.It is always better to stop a good discussion than toallow it to continue too long.Timeline of a typical study60-minutesession75-minutesessionIntroduction from Israel22Read Bible and pray44Making DeeperConnections to the Bible:Video Teaching #11616Video Discussion #11522Connecting the Bible toLife: Video Teaching #288Video Discussion #21523 The expanded session outlines, beginning on page15, will help you navigate between the various DVDsegments and discussion times for each session.Feel free to adapt each session to your particulargroup.
For Starters 9 The participant’s guide (and a Bible) is all groupmembers need for a complete group-studyexperience. The pages in each session thatcorrespond with the video segments — in additionto providing space for taking notes — includepertinent Scriptures, explanatory historical orcultural information, quotes, and photos. The notesoutline the teacher’s presentation; group memberswill likely be able to participate more fully in thediscussion times by filling in key thoughts andcomments along the way. The participant’s guidealso includes five personal studies per session,which allows group members to dig still deeper intothe Word on their own between meetings.
PrefaceWe all know Chris tians who are bored with Biblestudy — not because the Bible is boring, but becausethey haven’t been introduced to its meaning in its firstcentury context and how that is significant for our livestoday. When we begin to understand some of these“deeper connections” — both to the first century and tothe twenty-first century — our lives are transformed.The idea for the Deeper Connections series grew out ofa concern that far too many Bible studies lack depth andsolid biblical application. We wanted a Bible study seriesthat was written and taught by biblical experts whocould also communicate that material in a clear, practical,understandable manner. The Deeper Connectionsteachers have one foot in the historical, biblical textand the other in the modern world; they not onlyhave written numerous books, they have many yearsof pastoral experience. When they teach in the localchurch, they often hear comments such as, “Wow, I’venever heard it explained that way before.” Unfortunatelythat’s because, until recently, Bible professors usuallyspent most of their time writing books for otherprofessors or occasionally for pastors, and the laypersonin the church had little access to this biblical knowledge.Deeper Connections seeks to remedy this by bringingthe best in biblical scholarship directly to small groupsand Sunday school classes through the popular mediumof DVD.11
12 The Last Days of Jesus Leader’s GuideDon’t be scared by the word “deeper” — deeper doesnot mean that these studies are hard to understand. Itsimply means that we are attempting to get at the truemeaning of the biblical text, which involves investigatingthe historical, religious, and social background of firstcentury Jewish culture and their Greek and Romanneighbors. If we fail to study and understand thisbackground, then we also fail to understand the deeperand true meaning of the Bible.After making deeper connections to the biblical texts,the teachers then apply that text to life in the twentyfirst century. This is where a deeper look into the textreally pays off. Life-application in the church today hassometimes been a bit shallow and many times unrelatedto the biblical passage itself. In this series, the practicalapplication derives directly out of the biblical text.So, to borrow the alternate title of The Hobbit, J. R. R.Tolkien’s bestselling classic, we invite you to join us onan adventure to “there and back again”! Your life won’tbe the same as a result.
About the Video TeachersDr. Darrell Bock is research professor of New TestamentStudies at Dallas Theological Seminary in Dallas, Texas.An editor-at-large for Chris tian ity Today, he speaks andteaches on the person of Jesus both nationally andinternationally. Darrell is the author of more than twentybooks, including a New York Times nonfiction bestsellerand two commentaries on the gospel of Luke.Dr. Gary Burge is professor of New Testament atWheaton College in Wheaton, Illinois, and a sought-afterconference speaker. His experiences in Beirut, Lebanon,in the early 1970s when civil war broke out have helpedhim to see how valuable it is to understand the worldof the Middle East in order to correctly understandthe biblical world of Jesus. Gary is the author of manybooks, including a commentary on the gospel of John.Dr. Scott Duvall is professor of New Testament atOuachita Baptist University in Little Rock, Arkansas,where he has won the Outstanding Faculty Award fourtimes. He has pastored various churches, and presentlyis co-pastor of Fellowship Church in Arkadelphia,Arkansas. Scott has written many books on how tointerpret, preach, and apply the Bible.Prof. Susan Hecht is instructor of New Testament atDenver Seminary in Denver, Colorado. She is currentlycompleting a doctorate in New Testament from Trinity13
14 The Last Days of Jesus Leader’s GuideEvangelical Divinity School, before which she ministeredon college campuses with Campus Crusade for Christfor twenty years in Colorado, Oregon, and NorthCarolina. Susan has written on the topic of ministry topostmoderns.Dr. Mark Strauss is professor of New Testament atBethel Seminary in San Diego, California. He is a frequentpreacher at San Diego area churches and has servedin three interim pastorates. Mark is the author of manybooks, including a commentary on the gospel of Lukeand Four Portraits, One Jesus: An Introduction to Jesus andthe Gospels.Dr. Matt Williams is associate professor of NewTestament at Talbot School of Theology, Biola University,La Mirada, California. A former missionary to Spain,Matt preaches and teaches in churches throughout theUnited States and Spain. He is general editor of BibliotecaTeológica Vida, Colección Teológica Contemporánea, andWhat the New Testament Authors Really Cared About, andis the author of two books on the Gospels.Host Margaret Feinberg (www.margaretfeinberg.com) isa popular speaker at churches and leading conferencessuch as Fusion, Catalyst, and National Pastors Convention.Named one of the “Thirty Emerging Voices” of Chris tian leaders under age forty by Charisma magazine, shehas written more than 700 articles and a dozen books,including The Organic God and The Sacred Echo. She livesin Colorado.C h apt er 1
Sessi o n 1From Warrior to ServantJesus the Messiah(Matthew 16:13 – 28)Dr. Matt WilliamsBefore You LeadFor the best experience in leading your group, it’s veryimportant to preview the introduction and both videoteaching segments for session one on the DVD, plus lookover the corresponding pages in The Last Days of JesusParticipant’s Guide. Familiarize yourself with the sessionoutline and gather the necessary materials. Also, if youhaven’t already done so, read the “For Starters” sectionon pages 7 – 9, which provides additional leader helps.Session OutlineI. Video Introduction (2 minutes)II. Bible Reading and Prayer (4 minutes)III. Video Teaching #1: Making Deeper Connectionsto the Bible (16 minutes)IV. Video Discussion #1 (15 minutes)V. Video Teaching #2: Connecting the Bible to Life(8 minutes)VI. Video Discussion #2 and Closing Remarks(15 minutes)15
16 The Last Days of Jesus Leader’s GuideVideo Introduction (2 minutes)Play the video introduction for session one, filmed inIsrael with series host Margaret Feinberg, which sets thestage for today’s lesson.Bible Reading and Prayer (4 minutes)Read or have a volunteer read the Scripture passagenoted on page 12 of the participant’s guide, or togetherlisten to the dramatized audio version on the DVD. Thenpray that God would open each group member’s heartto the message he has for them. You may also want torefer to the map and/or photo on the same page of theguide, which typically provides the geographical setting/location for the lesson.Video Teaching #1: Making DeeperConnections to the Bible (16 minutes)Before showing the first video teaching segment forsession one, featuring teacher Matt Williams, you maywant to familiarize group members with the “VideoTeaching Notes” section on pages 13 – 20 and very brieflyexplain the various components. Encourage everyonethat, just like in school, good note-taking generallyresults in better retention of the material.Video Discussion #1 (15 minutes)Pause the DVD and discuss the questions on pages21 – 22 of the participant’s guide. If your group has morethan 8 – 10 members, you may want to divide into groupsof 4 or 5 so that more p eople will be able to participate.(Do this for the subsequent discussion time as well.)Be sure to stop the discussion at the end of the allotted
From Warrior to Servant 17time. Remember, this outline is based on a 60-minutesession; adjust the number of minutes for your specificschedule.Video Teaching #2: Connecting the Bible toLife (8 minutes)Show Williams’s second video teaching segment forsession one; the corresponding notes section is on pages23 – 25 of the participant’s guide.Video Discussion #2 and Closing Remarks(15 minutes)Wrap up by discussing the application questions onpages 26 – 27. Before you dismiss, encourage groupmembers to work through as much of the “MakingDeeper Connections in Your Own Life” section (pages28 – 32) as they can before the next session.
Sessi o n 2A Glimpse of GloryThe Transfiguration(Matthew 17:1 – 9)Prof. Susan HechtBefore You LeadFor the best experience in leading your group, it’s veryimportant to preview the introduction and both videoteaching segments for session two on the DVD, plus lookover the corresponding pages in The Last Days of JesusParticipant’s Guide. Familiarize yourself with the sessionoutline and gather the necessary materials. Also, if youhaven’t already done so, read the “For Starters” sectionon pages 7 – 9, which provides additional leader helps.Session OutlineI. Video Introduction (2 minutes)II. Bible Reading and Prayer (4 minutes)III. Video Teaching #1: Making Deeper Connectionsto the Bible (16 minutes)IV. Video Discussion #1 (15 minutes)V. Video Teaching #2: Connecting the Bible to Life(8 minutes)VI. Video Discussion #2 and Closing Remarks(15 minutes)18
A Glimpse of Glory 19Video Introduction (2 minutes)Play the video introduction for session two, filmed inIsrael with series host Margaret Feinberg, which sets thestage for today’s lesson.Bible Reading and Prayer (4 minutes)Read or have a volunteer read the Scripture passagenoted on page 34 of the participant’s guide, or togetherlisten to the dramatized audio version on the DVD. Thenpray that God would open each group member’s heartto the message he has for them. You may also want torefer to the map and/or photo on the same page of theguide, which typically provides the geographical setting/location for the lesson.Video Teaching #1: Making DeeperConnections to the Bible (16 minutes)Ask group members to turn to the “Video TeachingNotes” section that begins on page 35, then play thefirst video teaching segment for session two, featuringteacher Susan Hecht. Encourage everyone that, just likein school, good note-taking generally results in betterretention of the material.Video Discussion #1 (15 minutes)Pause the DVD and discuss the questions on pages41 – 42 of the participant’s guide. If your group has morethan 8 – 10 members, you may want to divide into groupsof 4 or 5 so that more p eople will be able to participate.(Do this for the subsequent discussion time as well.)Be sure to stop the discussion at the end of the allottedtime. Remember, this outline is based on a 60-minute
20 The Last Days of Jesus Leader’s Guidesession; adjust the number of minutes for your specificschedule.Video Teaching #2: Connecting the Bible toLife (8 minutes)Show Hecht’s second video teaching segment for sessiontwo; the corresponding notes section is on pages 42 – 45of the participant’s guide.Video Discussion #2 and Closing Remarks(15 minutes)Wrap up by discussing the application questions onpages 46 – 47. Before you dismiss, encourage groupmembers to work through as much of the “MakingDeeper Connections in Your Own Life” section (pages48 – 52) as they can before the next session.
Sessi o n 3The Rejected KingThe Triumphal Entry(Matthew 21:1 – 22)Dr. Mark StraussBefore You LeadFor the best experience in leading your group, it’s veryimportant to preview the introduction and both videoteaching segments for session three on the DVD, pluslook over the corresponding pages in The Last Days ofJesus Participant’s Guide. Familiarize yourself with thesession outline and gather the necessary materials. Also,if you haven’t already done so, read the “For Starters”section on pages 7 – 9, which provides additional leaderhelps.Session OutlineI. Video Introduction (2 minutes)II. Bible Reading and Prayer (4 minutes)III. Video Teaching #1: Making Deeper Connectionsto the Bible (16 minutes)IV. Video Discussion #1 (15 minutes)V. Video Teaching #2: Connecting the Bible to Life(8 minutes)VI. Video Discussion #2 and Closing Remarks(15 minutes)21
22 The Last Days of Jesus Leader’s GuideVideo Introduction (2 minutes)Play the video introduction for session three, filmed inIsrael with series host Margaret Feinberg, which sets thestage for today’s lesson.Bible Reading and Prayer (4 minutes)Read or have a volunteer read the Scripture passagenoted on page 54 of the participant’s guide, or togetherlisten to the dramatized audio version on the DVD. Thenpray that God would open each group member’s heartto the message he has for them. You may also want torefer to the map and/or photo on the same page of theguide, which typically provides the geographical setting/location for the lesson.Video Teaching #1: Making DeeperConnections to the Bible (16 minutes)Ask group members to turn to the “Video TeachingNotes” section that begins on page 54, then play thefirst video teaching segment for session three, featuringteacher Mark Strauss. Encourage everyone that, just likein school, good note-taking generally results in betterretention of the material.Video Discussion #1 (15 minutes)Pause the DVD and discuss the questions on pages59 – 60 of the participant’s guide. If your group has morethan 8 – 10 members, you may want to divide into groupsof 4 or 5 so that more p eople will be able to participate.(Do this for the subsequent discussion time as well.)Be sure to stop the discussion at the end of the allottedtime. Remember, this outline is based on a 60-minute
The Rejected King 23session; adjust the number of minutes for your specificschedule.Video Teaching #2: Connecting the Bible toLife (8 minutes)Show Strauss’s second video teaching segment forsession three; the corresponding notes section is onpages 60 – 61 of the participant’s guide.Video Discussion #2 and Closing Remarks(15 minutes)Wrap up by discussing the application questions on page62 – 63. Before you dismiss, encourage group membersto work through as much of the “Making DeeperConnections in Your Own Life” section (pages 64 – 68) asthey can before the next session.
Sessi o n 4Love to the FullThe Last Supper (John 13:1 – 5;Matthew 26:21 – 29)Dr. Scott DuvallBefore You LeadFor the best experience in leading your group, it’s veryimportant to preview the introduction and both videoteaching segments for session four on the DVD, plus lookover the corresponding pages in The Last Days of JesusParticipant’s Guide. Familiarize yourself with the sessionoutline and gather the necessary materials. Also, if youhaven’t already done so, read the “For Starters” sectionon pages 7 – 9, which provides additional leader helps.Session OutlineI. Video Introduction (2 minutes)II. Bible Reading and Prayer (4 minutes)III. Video Teaching #1: Making Deeper Connectionsto the Bible (16 minutes)IV. Video Discussion #1 (15 minutes)V. Video Teaching #2: Connecting the Bible to Life(8 minutes)VI. Video Discussion #2 and Closing Remarks(15 minutes)24
Love to the Full 25Video Introduction (2 minutes)Play the video introduction for session four, filmed inIsrael with series host Margaret Feinberg, which sets thestage for today’s lesson.Bible Reading and Prayer (4 minutes)Read or have a volunteer read the Scripture passagenoted on page 70 of the participant’s guide, or togetherlisten to the dramatized audio version on the DVD. Thenpray that God would open each group member’s heartto the message he has for them. You may also want torefer to the map and/or photo on the same page of theguide, which typically provides the geographical setting/location for the lesson.Video Teaching #1: Making DeeperConnections to the Bible (16 minutes)Ask group members to turn to the “Video TeachingNotes” section that begins on page 70, then play thefirst video teaching segment for session four, featuringteacher Scott Duvall. Encourage everyone that, just likein school, good note-taking generally results in betterretention of the material.Video Discussion #1 (15 minutes)Pause the DVD and discuss the questions on pages77 – 78 of the participant’s guide. If your group has morethan 8 – 10 members, you may want to divide into groupsof 4 or 5 so that more p eople will be able to participate.(Do this for the subsequent discussion time as well.)Be sure to stop the discussion at the end of the allottedtime. Remember, this outline is based on a 60-minute
26 The Last Days of Jesus Leader’s Guidesession; adjust the number of minutes for your specificschedule.Video Teaching #2: Connecting the Bible toLife (8 minutes)Show Duvall’s second video teaching segment for sessionfour; the corresponding notes section is on pages 78 – 80of the participant’s guide.Video Discussion #2 and Closing Remarks(15 minutes)Wrap up by discussing the application questions onpage 81. Before you dismiss, encourage group membersto work through as much of the “Making DeeperConnections in Your Own Life” section (pages 82 – 86) asthey can before the next session.
Sessi o n 5The Ultimate VictoryThe Trial and Death of Jesus(Luke 22:66 – 23:3;23:32 – 34, 44 – 47)Dr. Darrell BockBefore You LeadFor the best experience in leading your group, it’s veryimportant to preview the introduction and both videoteaching segments for session five on the DVD, plus lookover the corresponding pages in The Last Days of JesusParticipant’s Guide. Familiarize yourself with the sessionoutline and gather the necessary materials. Also, if youhaven’t already done so, read the “For Starters” sectionon pages 7 – 9, which provides additional leader helps.Session OutlineI. Video Introduction (2 minutes)II. Bible Reading and Prayer (4 minutes)III. Video Teaching #1: Making Deeper Connectionsto the Bible (16 minutes)IV. Video Discussion #1 (15 minutes)V. Video Teaching #2: Connecting the Bible to Life(8 minutes)VI. Video Discussion #2 and Closing Remarks(15 minutes)27
28 The Last Days of Jesus Leader’s GuideVideo Introduction (2 minutes)Play the video introduction for session five, filmed inIsrael with series host Margaret Feinberg, which sets thestage for today’s lesson.Bible Reading and Prayer (4 minutes)Read or have a volunteer read the Scripture passagenoted on page 88 of the participant’s guide, or togetherlisten to the dramatized audio version on the DVD. Thenpray that God would open each group member’s heartto the message he has for them. You may also want torefer to the map and/or photo on the same page of theguide, which typically provides the geographical setting/location for the lesson.Video Teaching #1: Making DeeperConnections to the Bible (16 minutes)Ask group members to turn to the “Video TeachingNotes” section that begins on page 88, then play thefirst video teaching segment for session five, featuringteacher Darrell Bock. Encourage everyone that, just likein school, good note-taking generally results in betterretention of the material.Video Discussion #1 (15 minutes)Pause the DVD and discuss the questions on pages96 – 97 of the participant’s guide. If your group has morethan 8 – 10 members, you may want to divide into groupsof 4 or 5 so that more p eople will be able to participate.(Do this for the subsequent discussion time as well.)Be sure to stop the discussion at the end of the allottedtime. Remember, this outline is based on a 60-minute
The Ultimate Victory 29session; adjust the number of minutes for your specificschedule.Video Teaching #2: Connecting the Bible toLife (8 minutes)Show Bock’s second video teaching segment for sessionfive; the corresponding notes section is on pages 97 – 100of the participant’s guide.Video Discussion #2 and Closing Remarks(15 minutes)Wrap up by discussing the application questions onpages 100 – 101. Before you dismiss, encourage groupmembers to work through as much of the “MakingDeeper Connections in Your Own Life” section (pages102 – 106) as they can before the next session.
Sessi o n 6The Death of DeathThe Resurrection of Jesus(Matthew 28:1 – 10)Dr. Gary BurgeBefore You LeadFor the best experience in leading your group, it’s veryimportant to preview the introduction and both videoteaching segments for session six on the DVD, plus lookover the corresponding pages in The Last Days of JesusParticipant’s Guide. Familiarize yourself with the sessionoutline and gather the necessary materials. Also, if youhaven’t already done so, read the “For Starters” sectionon pages 7 – 9, which provides additional leader helps.Session OutlineI. Video Introduction (2 minutes)II. Bible Reading and Prayer (4 minutes)III. Video Teaching #1: Making Deeper Connectionsto the Bible (16 minutes)IV. Video Discussion #1 (15 minutes)V. Video Teaching #2: Connecting the Bible to Life(8 minutes)VI. Video Discussion #2 and Closing Remarks(15 minutes)30
The Death of Death 31Video Introduction (2 minutes)Play the video introduction for session six, filmed inIsrael with series host Margaret Feinberg, which sets thestage for today’s lesson.Bible Reading and Prayer (4 minutes)Read or have a volunteer read the Scripture passagenoted on page 108 of the participant’s guide, or togetherlisten to the dramatized audio version on the DVD. Thenpray that God would open each group member’s heartto the message he has for them. You may also want torefer to the map and/or photo on the same page of theguide, which typically provides the geographical setting/location for the lesson.Video Teaching #1: Making DeeperConnections to the Bible (16 minutes)Ask group members to turn to the “Video TeachingNotes” section that begins on page 108, then play thefirst video teaching segment for session six, featuringteacher Gary Burge. Encourage everyone that, just likein school, good note-taking generally results in betterretention of the material.Video Discussion #1 (15 minutes)Pause the DVD and discuss the questions on pages116 – 117 of the participant’s guide. If your group hasmore than 8 – 10 members, you may want to divide intogroups of 4 or 5 so that more people will be able toparticipate. (Do this for the subsequent discussion timeas well.) Be sure to stop the discussion at the end ofthe allotted time. Remember, this outline is based on a
32 The Last Days of Jesus Leader’s Guide60-minute session; adjust the number of minutes for yourspecific schedule.Video Teaching #2: Connecting the Bible toLife (8 minutes)Show Burge’s second video teaching segment for sessionsix; the corresponding notes section is on pages 118 – 122of the participant’s guide.Video Discussion #2 and Closing Remarks(15 minutes)Wrap up by discussing the application questions onpages 122 – 123. Before you dismiss, encourage groupmembers to complete the “Making Deeper Connectionsin Your Own Life” section (pages 124 – 128) in the comingdays.
simply means that we are attempting to get at the true meaning of the biblical text, which involves investigating the historical, religious, and social background of first-century Jewish culture and their Greek and Roman neighbors . If we fail to study and understand th
