Trinity Catholic High School

Bible Themes: New Testament

Curriculum Map
Course: New Testament
Content

1st
Marking
Period

Scripture and the Life of the Church

Unity of Two Testaments
Christ: Heart of Catechesis
The Name Jesus
The title Christ
Only Son of God
Lord
Centrality of Incarnation
The Jesus Prayer and Titles of Jesus

Skills

Examine personal and scriptural beliefs about who is Jesus

Differentiate between the Jesus of History and Christ of Faith: the Historical
Jesus (his dates/his surnames; BC and AD
Ponder the fundamental question: Who is Jesus Christ?
Examine a variety of statements and beliefs about Jesus
Define Incarnation and discuss its benefits for us
Examine current knowledge and beliefs about Jesus
Discuss several ways for meeting Jesus today.
Learn and recite Jesus Prayer
Analyze the titles for Jesus found in Jesus Prayer
Consider and reflect on names and titles for comfortably addressing Jesus
Describe the many ways that God has spoken and continues to speak in the
lives of human beings and how the fullness of revelation is made known
through Christ

Assessments

Standards/Pillars/ACRE

ONE-SACRED SCRIPTURE

Students would compare their personal and the scriptural

beliefs about who Jesus is.
Students create charts which Differentiate between the Jesus
of History and Christ of Faith: the Historical Jesus (his
dates/his surnames; BC and AD
Students create presentation entitled Who is Jesus Christ?
Students be able to compare and contrast different beliefs
about Jesus
Students be able to Define Incarnation and discuss its benefits
for us
Using the internet students explore current knowledge and
beliefs about Jesus
Students be able to discuss several ways for meeting Jesus
today.
Students be able to recite Jesus Prayer
Students Analyze the titles for Jesus found in Jesus Prayer

8 (incarnation)
27 2 Natural Christ
6, 12
30 Incarnation
32 - Evangelists

Students be able to describe the many ways that God has

spoken and continues to speak in the lives of human beings
and how the fullness of revelation is made known through
Christ

Page 1 of 7

Christ, the Unique Word of Sacred Scripture

Inspiration
Holy Spirit: Interpreter of Scripture
New Testament canon and stages in formation
of the Gospels
Unity of the Two Testaments
Evidence for existence of Jesus: Roman
Sources(Tacitus, Suetonius, Pliny the
Younger);Jewish Sources
(Josephus);Babylonian Talmud
The Bible: OT preparation: Jesus as New
Covenant; evangelist; Canon of New
Testament and criteria used
Formation of Gospel: historical Jesus; oral
tradition (kerygma, didache, liturgy); NT
writings.

Discovery of Why the New Testament finally committed to writing.

Development senses of reading the Bible with the Church
Using source criticism (Synoptic Problems); historical criticism (linguistic
analysis, criterion of originality, convergence, consistency, form criticism,
sample forms in the gospels: miracle stories, parable, riddle, pronouncement
story, hyperbole, controversy story, hymn, prayer, revelation discourse);
redaction criticism (genealogy of Jesus); textual criticism.
Critique the person and message of the Historical Jesus
Understand the uniqueness of Jesus
Recognize Taciktus,Suetonius and Pliny the Younger
Identify Josephus as the most important historian who verifies Jesus
existence
Summarize what we know of Jesus and his followers from Josephus
Know how Jesus himself is the new testament
Explain what is meant by the canon of the bible and delineate the three
criteria used by the early church before putting a book in the NT Canon
Outline the three stages in the formation of the gospels
Distinguish between literal and spiritual sense of scripture
Recognize five methods of studying the gospels
Define synoptic gospels and examine the synoptic problem

Jesus and Israel

Map of the Holy Land in Jesus Day
Languages spoken
Synagogue vs. Temple
Key Jewish Feasts: Passover, Pentecost,
Tabernacles
Political Scene: Pax Romana; Maccabees,
Herod the Great and his sons, Roman Rule
Slavery in the NT
Important Jewish Beliefs: Messiah and
Messianic expectations; covenant and Torah;
Judgment and resurrection, spirit world
NT notables: tax collectors; common people,
Gentiles; women

Uncover basic knowledge about Jesus from the Scriptures

Demonstrate a basic familiarity with Palestine including the significance of
Capernaum and Jerusalem
Describe Jerusalem of Jesus day including its relation to Samaria
Identify Jesus native tongue and other languages he may have spoken
Distinguish between synagogue and Temple, include the role each played in
religious feasts and activities
Describe in some detail the political scene of the day
Explain the existence of slavery in Jesus time and how it applies to slavery
Explain four important Jewish beliefs of Jesus day
Identify four major sects within Judaism of NT Times
Comment briefly on the role of tax collectors and common people, Gentiles
and women played in Jesus Society

Students would be able to state four reasons Why the New

Testament finally committed to writing.
Students would be able to identify the different Religious
senses of reading the Bible with the Church giving present
day examples.
Students practice Using source criticism (Synoptic Problems);
historical criticism (linguistic analysis, criterion of originality,
convergence, consistency, form criticism, sample forms in the
gospels: miracle stories, parable, riddle, pronouncement story,
hyperbole, controversy story, hymn, prayer, revelation
discourse); redaction criticism (genealogy of Jesus); textual
criticism of specific passages from the New Testament.
Students identify and be able to explicate the importance and
information of Tacitus, Suetonius and Pliny the Younger from
internet sources, comparing the information of Josephus as
the most important historian who verifies Jesus existence
Students be able to identify what we know of Jesus and his
followers from Josephus
Students be able to explain what is meant by the canon of the
bible and delineate the three criteria used by the early church
before putting a book in the NT Canon
Students be able to Outline the three stages in the formation of
the gospels
Distinguish between literal and spiritual sense of scripture
Recognize five methods of studying the gospels
Define synoptic gospels and examine the synoptic problem
Students research and uncover basic knowledge about Jesus
from the Scriptures creating Jeopardy Like game.
Students identify and locate on a map of Biblical Palestine
including the significance of Capernaum and Jerusalem
Students be able to compare the Jerusalem of Jesus day
including its relation to Samaria
Students be able to compare the language of Jesus native
tongue and other languages he may have spoken
Students be able to differentiate between synagogue and
Temple, include the role each played in religious feasts and
activities
Be able to explain the existence of slavery in Jesus time and
how it applies to slavery
Students be able to explain four important Jewish beliefs of
Jesus day
Students be able to identify four major sects within Judaism of
NT Times

0NE-SACRED SCRIPTURE
4 (inspiration)
6 N T Formation
12 Gospel Formation
32 - Evangelists

ONE-DOCTRINE

Page 2 of 7

Mysteries of Christs Life

Jesus infancy and hidden life
Jesus the Teacher: proclaimer of the kingdom
Jesus and Parables
Jesus Proclamations:

Reign of God is Present

God is loving and merciful

Gods love is universal

Repent and believe the good

news and serve

The Lord is present in the

Church

The Lord sense the holy Spirit

Pick up the cross

Jesus the Miracle worker
Types of Miracles

Physical healings

Nature miracles

Exorcisms

Raisings from the dead

miracles

Faith
Concepts of Miracles

Revealing Gods Power

Signs of the coming Kingdom

Jesus Authenticity and Paschal Misery
Jesus teaches how to pray

Compare and Contrast the infancy narratives of Matthew and Luke

Discover the characteristics of Jesus the Teacher
Use of Criticism
Examine the importance of Jesus teachings in daily life
Compare and contrast the infancy initiatives in Matthew and Luke
Summarize the main details and reasons for Jesus baptism
Identify three temptations faced by Jesus
Recognize the qualities of Jesus as a teacher
Overview the parables of Jesus
Examine the kingdom of God proclamations of Jesus
Discuss four points about what miracles reveal about Jesus
Examine how Jesus fulfilled his Fathers expectations for the Messiah not
those of religious and civil leaders
Identify the Paschal Mystery

Students be able to Compare and Contrast the infancy

narratives of Matthew and Luke
Students discuss the characteristics of good teachers and then
compare the list to Jesus the Teacher
Students examine and debate the importance of Jesus
teachings in daily life
Students be able to compare and contrast the infancy
initiatives in Matthew and Luke
Students be able to explain the main details and reasons for
Jesus baptism
Students identify the three temptations faced by Jesus and
explain their meaning
Students examine the kingdom of God proclamations of Jesus
and compare them to the beliefs of present day students
Students will be able to discuss four points what miracles
reveal about Jesus and how Jesus fulfilled his Fathers
expectations for the Messiah
Students be able to define the Paschal Mystery and its
importance to Roman Catholic Belief

0NE-DOCTRINE
37 Paschal Mystery
58 Public Ministry of Lord
Jesus

Page 3 of 7

Miracles

Jesus and Israel

Trial of Jesus
Christs Redemptive Death
Jesus death and burial

Jesus teacher of the New Law

The Lords Prayer

Authorship, audience, date, purpose and

method of Mark

Prologue to Marks Gospel

The Human Jesus

Messianic secret: Son of Man; Suffering

Suffering a way of discipleship

Paschal Mystery: historical background;

theological background; why Jesus died

Parables
Authoriship,audience,date, purpose, and
themes of Matthews gospel
Matthews Jesus fulfills OT prophecies
How Matthew uses Mark: Peters confession
of faith and resurrection appearances
Jesus the teacher discourses

Sermon on the Mount

Missionary instructions

Kingdom parables

Sower analyzed

Church instructions

Judgment

Call to service
Jesus challenger to Judaism; problem of antiSemitism, Historical context

Discover the many ways that God has spoken and continues to speak in the
lives of human beings and how the fullness of revelation is made known in
Christ
Using the Gospels to pray meditatively
Examine the perspectives people have and the resulting knowledge about
Jesus
Identify several key details of Marks gospel, including date and purpose
Examine and outline Marks gospel and read its contents

Identify: Discipleship, Suffering, Miracles, Jesus and

Authorities, Titles for Jesus, Reactions to Jesus
Examine the pattern of Jesus miracle stories in Marks gospel
Discover the nuances of the Messianic secret
Discover the focus of Part 2 of Marks gospel-Discipleship
Define Paschal Mystery
Compare and Contrast Paschal Mystery and Historical Jesus
Tell the theological importance of the Paschal Mystery
Identity the author of Marks Gospel
Interpret the meaning of one of the Parables in Mark

Discover the inspired scriptures according to the mind of the Church and the
contributions of modern biblical scholarship.
Examine and reflect on happiness as an attitude of being
Identify details related to Matthews gospel including its authorship.,
audience,date,purpose and themes
Compare and contrast several themes in Matthews gospel: teachings on
Judgment, messiahship,discipleship,Chruch and Morality
Compare differences between Matthews Gospel and Marks Gospel
Identify Jesus the New Moses who brings Law to Gods people
Discover Matthews arrangement of five main teachings or discourses by
Jesus and their content
Examine student behavior in relationship to the Beatitudes and high and low
marks
Examine the criticism leveled at Judaism in the gospel of Matthew note
context.
Define anti-Semitism as a form of prejudice
Examine seven woes exclaimed by Jesus against the scribes and Pharisees

Students discuss the many ways that God has spoken and
continues to speak in their lives
Students be able to use the Gospels to pray meditatively
Through their class room discussion students would be able to
examine the perspectives people have and the resulting
knowledge about Jesus
Students be able to identify several key details of Marks
gospel, including date and purpose
Students be able to outline Marks gospel and read its
contents Identifying: Discipleship, Suffering, Miracles, Jesus
and Authorities, Titles for Jesus, Reactions to Jesus
Students be able to Compare and Contrast Paschal Mystery
and Historical Jesus
Students be able to identity the author of Marks Gospel
Students be able to interpret the meaning of at least one of the
Parables in Mark

Using the Internet students be able to discover the inspired

scriptures according to the mind of the Church and the
contributions of modern biblical scholarship.
Students be able to chart and Identify details related to
Matthews gospel including its authorship.,
audience,date,purpose and themes
Students be able to Compare and contrast several themes in
Matthews gospel: teachings on Judgment, messiahship,
discipleship, Chruch and Morality
Students be able to compare differences between Matthews
Gospel and Marks Gospel
Students be able to explain why Jesus is seen as the New
Moses who brings Law to Gods people
Students be able to list Matthews arrangement of five main
teachings or discourses by Jesus and their content
Students examine their behavior in relationship to the
Beatitudes.
Students examine the Criticisms in Matthew/Mark of Judaism
Students be able to define anti-Semitism as a form of prejudice
Students Examine seven woes exclaimed by Jesus against
the scribes and Pharisees and compare them to what would
be said today.

ONE-DOCTRINE
THREE-LIFE IN CHRIST
FOUR-CHRISTIAN
PRAYER

ONE-DOCTRINE

45 (parables)

Page 4 of 7

2nd
Marking
Period

Beliefs About Mary

The Lords Prayer
Authorship, audience, date, purpose, method
and outline of Luke-Acts
Theology by Geography in Luke-Acts
Jesus as prophet in Luke: Church continues
Jesus prophetic ministry in Acts
The Holy Spirit in Luke-Acts; age of promise;
time of Jesus; age of the Church
Common themes in Luke-Acts: prayer; joy and
peace; women in Luke
Jesus the Compassionate savior in Luke
o
Friends of the Poor
o
Lazarus and the rich man
o
Bacchius
o
Good Samaritan
o
Friend of Sinners
Lukes Jesus: the Martyred Lord
Overview of Acts: awaiting the messiah
o
Mission in Jerusalem
o
Mission in Judea
o
Jerusalem Council
o
Pauls mission to end of the
earth

Understand the portrayal of Jesus in the Gospel of Luke as one who intimately
knows the loving heart of his father
Recognize details related to Luke-Acts; including author, audience, date, and
purpose
Be familiar with the outline of the Gospel and aActws and how each focuses
on Jerusalem
Recognize Jesus role as prophet and how the Church continues in that Role
Examine the themes of Luke and compare and contrast: Holy Spirit, prayer,
joy, peace, and the special role of Mary and the women in Luke and Acts.
Identify the Marian doctrines of the Immaculate Conception, Perpetual
Virginity and the Mother of Christ and Church.
Compare Jesus as a compassionate Messiah and a Universal Savior
Give several examples of how Jesus is the faithful martyr
Identify the five main section of Acts of the Apostles and recall several pivotal
events in Acts

Students will be able to identify Jesus in the Gospel of Luke

and his relationship with the loving heart of his father
Students be able to identify the details related to Luke-Acts;
including author, audience, date, and purpose
Students be able to outline of the Gospel and Acts and how
each focuses on Jerusalem
Students be able to compare Jesus role as prophet and how
the Church continues in that Role
Students be able to list the themes of Luke and compare and
contrast: Holy Spirit, prayer, joy, peace, and the special role of
Mary and the women in Luke and Acts.
Students be able to define the Marian doctrines of the
Immaculate Conception, Perpetual Virginity and the Mother of
Christ and Church.
Students will be able to elucidate several examples of how
Jesus is the faithful martyr
Using the Bible students identify the five main section of Acts
of the Apostles and recall several pivotal events in Acts

Resurrection of Jesus
Ascension of Jesus
Centrality of Incarnation
Authorship, date, audience, and outline of
John
Prologue of John: Christology from above
Titles of Jesus in the Gospel
Signs in Johns Gospel and what they reveal
about Jesus

Water into wine

Discourse with
woman at well

Cure of officials
son

Paralytic at pool

Feeding of 5,000
and walking on
water

Cure of blind
man

Raising of
Lazarus
Book of Glory: supper discourses
Resurrection of Jesus:

Synoptic Accounts

Essentials agreed on

Meaning of

Uncover several basic details about the gospel of John, including authorship,
date of origin and three major themes
Understand the meaning of descending Christology or Christology from
above
Learn several titles for Jesus contained in Johns gospel
Understand the unique definition and use of miracles in the Gospel of John
Name and explain the meaning of seven signs
Explore the connection between faith and an understanding of the signs in
Johns Gospel
Read and Understand the major teachings in the gospel of Johns Book of
Glory
Note the symbolism of Jesus celebrating the Last Supper on the day Jews
killed lambs for the Passover meal
Compare the resurrection narratives and consider it as a major revelation of
God the Father

Students research and identify basic details about the gospel

of John, including authorship, date of origin and three major
themes
Students be able to explain the meaning of descending
Christology or Christology from above
Students be able to explain several titles for Jesus contained
in Johns gospel
Students be able to identify the 7 miracles unique to John in
his Book of Signs and the use of miracles in the Gospel of
John
Students in group explore and identify the connection between
faith and an understanding of the signs in Johns Gospel
Students be able to explain and identify the major teachings in
the gospel of Johns Book of Glory
Students explain the symbolism of Jesus celebrating the Last
Supper on the day Jews killed lambs for the Passover meal
Students using John compare the resurrection narratives

ONE DOCTRINE
FOUR PRAYER

21 Acts of the Apostles

22 - Conversion
30 Immaculate Conception

ONE DOCTRINE
ONE SACRED
SCRIPTURE

18 Hope of Resurrection

Page 5 of 7

Biographical highlights of Pauls life

Pauls missionary journeys outlined
Pauline Corpus
Style of a Pauline Letter
Key Themes in Pauline letters
Genuine Pauline Letters summarized

Jesus Hope for Salvation

Jesus frees us from the Law

Jesus perfect model of humility

All brothers in Christ

The risen Christ head of the

Church

Jesus as comfort, victory,

freedom

Jesus as second Adam

Deuteropauline letters summarized

Jesus as coming Judge

Jesus the Cosmic Christ

Jesus the head of the Church

Pastoral Letters: Jesus is the one mediator
True God, True Man
Early Heresies about Jesus
Key Dogmatic Teachings About Jesus
Jesus the Judge (Book of Revelation)
Jesus the High priest in Hebrews
The Catholic epistles prove faith in action:
o
James-faith in action
o
1Peter-Jesus suffering servant
o
Jude,2Peter-Christ will come
again
o
123John Jesus the Incarnate
Love of God
The Book of Revelation: context: themeRemain faithful God will prevail
o
Apocalyptic literature
o
Symbols
o
Jesus in Revelation Alpha
and Omega
o
Meaning of Revelation Today
Christology in Early Church: heresies
Church Fathers and ecumenical councils
Key dogmatic proclamations about Jesus
(Creed)

Note the corpus of epistles written by or attributed to St. Paul

List the details of Pauls life, including his three missionary journeys described
in Acts
Overview the common style of letter writing used in Pauls letters
Survey the seven letters attributed to Paul, including the approximate dates of
composition
Highlight the major themes of Pauls letters
Examine Pauls teaching on Christ revealed in these letters
Recognize how the Deuteropauline letters from the epistles scholars are sure
Paul wrote himself
Survey the background and content of the Deuteropauline letters
Uncover more of the Churchs belief about Jesus Christ from these letters

Students research the corpus of epistles written by or

attributed to St. Paul
Students research and chart details of Pauls life, including his
three missionary journeys described in Acts
Students be able to identify the common style of letter writing
used in Pauls letters
Students survey the seven letters attributed to Paul, including
the approximate dates of composition
Students chart the major themes of Pauls letters
Students identify Pauls teaching on Christ revealed in his
letters
Students will be able to show how the Deuteropauline letters
from the epistles scholars are sure Paul wrote himself
Students will Survey the background and content of the
Deuteropauline letters
Student will be able to show the Churchs belief about Jesus
Christ from these letters

Review knowledge about the Churchs major dogmatic statements about

Jesus
Overview the letter to the Hebrews, including an examination of Christ as high
priest and model of our faith
Survey the major themes in the catholic epistles
Put the Revelation of John in the context of time and cultural setting
Understand the apocalyptic style of writing
Identify various titles that reflect New Testament Christology
Summarize several heretical Christological teachings accompanied by the
Churchs response
Rate personal beliefs related to the tenets of the Nicene Creed

Students be able to elucidate the Churchs major dogmatic

statements about Jesus
Students examine the the letter to the Hebrews, identifying
Christ as high priest and model of our faith
Students chart and survey the major themes in the catholic
epistles
Students research the Revelation of John in the context of time
and cultural setting
Students be able to explain the apocalyptic style of writing and
Identify various titles that reflect New Testament Christology
Student be able to summarize several heretical Christological
teachings accompanied by the Churchs response
Students compare their personal beliefs and those related to
the tenets of the Nicene Creed

ONE SACRED
SCRIPTURE
ONE DOCTRINE

61 Panline Epistles

ONE SACRED
SCRIPTURE
ONE DOCTRINE

Page 6 of 7

Christ meets us in the Sacraments

Baptism

Confirmation

Matrimony

Holy Orders

Anointing of the sick

Reconciliation

Eucharist
Meeting Jesus in Prayer
Christ lives in his church by the Power of the
Holy Spirit
Christ lives in each one of us
Jesus lives in each one of us
Jesus is present in the Church

Church as body of Christ

Church as sacrament of Christ

Tasks of the Church to

proclaim the gospel, build
community, serve and worship.
Jesus is present in others, especially in the
poor and suffering
Jesus meets us in the sacraments

Special opportunity to meet

Jesus in Sacrament of
Reconciliation

Special gift of the Eucharist

Jesus is present in his

scriptural word
We can meet Jesus in prayer; types of prayer;
why pray
Images of Jesus in contemporary cinema;
evaluating Jesus films; critique of selected
films

Identify how they can be Jesus to others and others can be Jesus for them,
especially the poor
Understand that the Church is the Body of Christ and that each of us are
members of this Body as a result of our Baptism
Find concrete ways that students can be a sign and instrument of Christs
continuing work of salvation.
Show how Jesus is always present in and works through the seven
sacraments; especially understand the effects of the sacraments of Penance
and Eucharist
Show how reading the Scriptures is another way to meet the Lord
Tell how Jesus will meet them and be with them when they pray.
Compare and critique contemporary feature-length films about Jesus
Propose necessary elements that make up an authentic presentation on the
life of Jesus

Students be able to show they can be Jesus to others and

others can be Jesus for them, especially the poor
Students be able to identify examples of how the Church is the
Body of Christ and that each of us are members of this Body
as a result of our Baptism
Students find concrete ways that students can be a sign and
instrument of Christs continuing work of salvation.
Students are able to explain and identify how Jesus is always
present in and works through the seven sacraments;
especially understand the effects of the sacraments of
Penance and Eucharist
Students be able to list how reading the Scriptures is another
way to meet the Lord
Students tell how Jesus will meet them and be with them when
they pray.
Students be able to identify necessary elements that make up
an authentic presentation on the life of Jesus

ONE SACRED
SCRIPTURE

ONE DOCTRINE

FOUR
CHRISTIAN PRAYER
20 - Eucharist

Page 7 of 7