Acts

Luke

I. First impressions

1.1)What do you see in this book that tells you about the Original Reader?

As the book of Nelson's has described (p.283), the book of Luke was written for the audience of Hellenists. 

1.2)What do you see in this book that tells you about the author?

According to the Nelson's book, the book of Luke is technically anonymous,too.  But, the scholars generally agree the Luke wrote this Gospel. And, Luke may have been a Greek physicians to a Roman family.

1.3)Main themes, repeated ideas and main idea:

The main theme is Jesus is the perfect son of Man who came to save and minister to all people through the power of the Holy Spirit and prayer(19:10).
And, the repeated ideas is 'Son of Man'(5:24, 6:5, 6:22, 7:34, 9:22,26,44,56,58, 11:30, 12:8,10,40, 17:22-26,30, 18:8,31, 19:10, 21:27,36, 22:22,48,69, 24:7).

1.4)What is the primary reason this book was written?

To make Hellenists and especially Theophilus be certain of the truth of everything they were thought about Jesus.

II. Theme Tracing

2.1)What does this book show about the Character and Nature of God? & 2.2)What does this book show you about God's redemptive plan for mankind?

In 10:38-42, when Jesus visited to Martha's house, she asked Jesus to tell Mary to help her. But the Lord said to her, "My dear Martha, you are worried and upset over all these details!
There is only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it, and it will not be taken away from her."
Here we can find that Jesus is concerned about only one valuable thing, and He asks us to live our lives in the same way. He wants that we live our lives preciously, not to consume for worthless/ordinary things. Jesus taught Martha God's words is the only precious one, so to concern about only God's words, not to worry and upset over other things.

Like this, God wants,expects, and loves that we focus on God's words only.  And, then it will not be taken away from us, too.
God loves us so much, so He doesn't want us be taken away. And, when we focus on Him only, we can be redeemed.

III. Application

3.1)Personal application:

In 21:34-36, Jesus said "Watch out! Don't let your hearts be dulled by carousing and drunkenness, and by the worries of this life. Don't let that day catch you unaware like a trap. For that day will come upon everyone living on the earth. Keep alert at all times. And pray that you might be strong enough to escape these coming horrors and stand before the Son of Man."
These verses arouse me to be awakening at all times. And, it makes me repent of nowadays loosened life style. Even though I have confirmation I am saved, I have to hold the faithfulness until the Kingdom of Heaven comes to the earth.

 3.2)Point of Passion Assignment

I want to be a wake up person for the unbelievers. I have to make them understand our life doesn't end in this world, and we have eternal life in the Kingdom of Heaven. For this, at first, I have to always be awakened and show them what's the Kingdom of Heaven through my life.    -end-

Mark

I. First impressions

1.1)What do you see in this book that tells you about the Original Reader?

As the book of Nelson's has described (p.283), the book of Mark was written for the audience of Romans. 

1.2)What do you see in this book that tells you about the author?

According to the Nelson's book, the book of Mark is technically anonymous.  But, the clear testimony of the early church fathers is that this book was written by John Mark(p.316, Acts 12:12)

1.3)Main themes, repeated ideas and main idea:

The main theme is Jesus is the authoritative Son of God as 16:19 "When the Lord Jesus had finished talking with them, he was taken up into heaven and sat down in the place of honor at God's right hand."
And, the word "immediately" was used many times(2:8,4:16,5:42,6:27,6:45,8:10,13:7,14:43,14:72,16:8) to emphasis the importance of believing the Son of God.

1.4)What is the primary reason this book was written?

To make Romans understand Jesus is the authoritative Son of God.

II. Theme Tracing

2.1)What does this book show about the Character and Nature of God? & 2.2)What does this book show you about God's redemptive plan for mankind?

In 14:36, Jesus said,"Abba, Father," he cried out, "everything is possible for you. Please take this cup of suffering away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine."  Here we can find what the true faith is. The true faith is to surrender all the things to God, and want God's will to be done.  And, like this, when we pursue God's will only, we can be redeemed.

III. Application

3.1)Personal application:

In 16:15-16, Jesus told His disciples, "Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone. Anyone who believes and is baptized will be saved. But anyone who refuses to believe will be condemned." I felt that this verse is uncomfortable to both parties of the speaker and the listener because it may be heard like a threat. But, the more important thing is it's the most urgent thing because if someone refuses to believe will be condemned and nobody know when that time will come to him. Moreover it's Jesus' order to us who believe in Jesus.
 3.2)Point of Passion Assignment

Until now, I have hesitated to share the gospel with unfamiliar people. But, it was Jesus' commandment for us, not the optional task. So, I have to be strong and courageous, and do my best to let them know Jesus and accept Him.    -end-

Matthew

I. First impressions

1.1)What do you see in this book that tells you about the Original Reader?

As the book of Nelson's has summarized (p.283), the book of Matthew was written for the audience of Jews.  
And, we can meet many faithful Jews  like the woman who had touched the Jesus' clothes with the faith that she will be healed from the constant bleeding if she can just touch His robe. And, all of them have been cured by their faith.(1:20-22)
On the contrary, Jesus' hometown people didn't believe in Jesus. And, most all of the Pharisees,Sadducees, the leading priests and the teachers of religious persecuted Jesus and looked for an opportunity to capture Jesus and kill him.(14:1)

1.2)What do you see in this book that tells you about the author?

Nevertheless there is no evidence of the author of this book, according to the book of Nelson's, church tradition has recognized Matthew as its writer.(p.300)

1.3)Main themes, repeated ideas and main idea:

The main theme is Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of the living God.(16:16)

1.4)What is the primary reason this book was written?

To make Jews know Jesus is the Messiah and believe in His resurrection.(Ch.28)

II. Theme Tracing

2.1)What does this book show about the Character and Nature of God? & 2.2)What does this book show you about God's redemptive plan for mankind?

In 27:46, Jesus called out with a loud voice, "Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?" which means "My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?" Here we can find Jesus suffered the extreme pain not only physically but also spiritually as a real Human being. He has experienced the most terrible sufferings on the cross. He sacrificed himself like that so that we can be redeemed even though we committed tons of sins. Furthermore, through this sufferings, He equipped with the perfect condition we can call Him our friend and redeemer in a same time.


III. Application

3.1)Personal application:

In 28:16-17, "Then the eleven disciples left for Galilee, going to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshiped him, but some of them doubted!" What a surprise that even some of 11 disciples doubted about Jesus!  How I am close to those disciples !
But, remind the past time when I just began to believe in Jesus. How many questions I had at that time, which make me doubt Jesus !  Nevertheless I'm still having several questions, how many answers I received from God ! 
So, be careful not to doubt God because of the unsolved questions! Just pray and ask Him to help me understand Him more!

3.2)Point of Passion Assignment

Jesus told his disciples in 28:19-20 "Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this： I am with you always, even to the end of the age." 
I want to be a witness of Jesus for unbelievers in this world.  I know why they cannot believe in God even though they want to understand and believe in Him. Then, I need to prepare my testimonies how I could believe in God, and have to go and make disciples of all the nations.    -end-