Turning to Jesus! Faith and Repentence
A Vacation Bible School Curriculum by Barry McWilliams
Using the New International Version of the Bible
CHRONOLOGY OF CHRIST'S LIFE:
(Based on John's Gospel, with Synoptic parallels)
PRE-EXISTENCE (John 1:1-18)
I. BIRTH, INFANCY, YOUTH
DATES & FEASTS: Herod died Spring 4 B.C.
(Omitted by John)
SYNOPTIC PARALLELS:
- MATT: Chapters 1, 2
- MARK : Omitted
- LUKE: Chapters 1, 2
II. BAPTISM AND TEMPTATION (40 days)
(Omitted by John)
SYNOPTIC PARALLELS:
- MATT: Chapters 3, 4
- MARK: 1:1 - 13
- LUKE: Chapter 3 - 4:13
III. JUDEAN AND GALILEAN BEGINNINGS (6 days)
DATES & FEASTS: Dec-Apr 26 A.D.
Judean (Jn 1:19-42) - Galilean (Jn 1:43-2:13)
SYNOPTIC PARALLELS: Omitted
IV. JUDEAN MINISTRY (8 months)
DATES & FEASTS: Apr-Dec 27 A.D.Passover 27 A.D. (Jn 2:13)
(Jn 2:14-4:43)
- Cleansing of Temple (2:14ff)
- Nicodemus (3:1ff)
- Woman in Samaria (4:1ff)
SYNOPTIC PARALLELS: Omitted by Synoptics
V. GALILEAN MINISTRY
DATES & FEASTS: Dec 27 - Apr 29 A.D.
(Jn 4:43-5:47)
Omitted by John except: 2nd Miracle at Cana (Jn 4:46ff)
SYNOPTIC PARALLELS:
- MATT: Chapters 4 - 13
- MARK: Chapters 1:14 - 6:30
- LUKE: Chapters 4:19 - 9:10
- Call of some fishermen: Matt 4:18ff; Mark 1:16ff; Luke 5:2 - 11
- Ministry at Capernaum: Matt 4:12,23; Mark 1:21ff; Luke 4:14,15
- Choosing of the Twelve: Matt 10:2 - 4 ; Mark 8:16ff; Luke 6:14-16
DATES & FEASTS: Passover 28 AD (John 5:1)
Sabbath Controversy (Jn 5:1 - 47)
- Sabbath Controversies: Matt 13; Mark 2; Luke 6
- Stilling of Tempest on Lake: Matt 8:15ff; Mark 4:35ff; Luke 8:22ff
- Healing of Demoniacs: Matt 8:28; Mark 5:1-17; Luke 8:26
- Rejection at Nazareth: Matt 13:54ff; Mark 6:1; Luke 4:16ff
- Sending of 12 disciples: Matt 10:1ff; Mark 6:7 ; Luke 9:1ff
VI. WITHDRAWAL MINISTRIES
DATES & FEASTS:Apr-Sep 29 A.D. Passover 29 AD (Jn 6:4)
(Jn 6:1-7:1)
SYNOPTIC PARALLELS:
- MATT: Chapters 14-18
- MARK: Chapters 6:31 - 9:50
- LUKE: Chapter 9:10 - 50
- Beyond Lake - feeding 5,000: Matt 15:21; Mark 6:31ff; Luke 9:10ff
Bread discourse (Jn 6)
- Ministry in Tyre and Sidon: Matt 15:21; Mark 7:24; Luke omits
- North & East -feeding 4,000: Matt 15; Mark 8:1 - 10; Luke omits
- Bethsaida, Caesarea Philippi: Matt 16,17; 8:20-26; Luke 9:18
VII. JOURNEYS TOWARD JERUSALEM - PEREAN MINISTRY
DATES & FEASTS: Sep 29 - Apr 30 A.D. Tabernacles (Oct) (Jn 7:12) Dedication (Dec) (Jn 10:22)
(Jn 7:2-11:54) Controversies and Discourses
SYNOPTIC PARALLELS:
- MATT: Omitted
- MARK: Omitted
- LUKE: Galilee to Bethany Chapter 9:51 - 10:42 ; Miscellaneous Ministry Chapters 11 - 19:27)
Water of Life (Jn 7:37ff)
Light of Word (Jn 8:12f)
Healing man born blind (Jn 9)
Good Shepherd (Jn 10)
Raises Lazarus (Jn 11)
VIII. LAST WEEK - PASSION - CRUCIFIXION
DATES & FEASTS: Passover 30 A.D.
(Jn 11:55-19:42)
SYNOPTIC PARALLELS:
- MATT: Chapters 21 - 27
- MARK: Chapters 11 - 15
- LUKE: Chapters 19:30 - 23:56
Anointed, Triumphal entry (Jn 12)
Upper Room Discourse (Jn 13-16)
Gethsemane (Jn 17)
Arrest, Trial, Death (Jn 18,19)
IX. RESURRECTION APPEARANCES
DATES & FEASTS: (50 Days)
(Jn 20:1-21:25)
SYNOPTIC PARALLELS:
- MATT: Chapter 28
- MARK: Chapter 16
- LUKE: Chapter 23:57 - 24