St Faith's Anglican Church Burwood

The Passion of our Lord - Introduction

A Study Of The Passion Narratives

 

During Lent 1999 a Study Group on 'Our Lord's Passion'' was held at St. Faith's Anglican Church, Burwood, Melbourne, Australia, led by Dr. Keys Smith, a parishioner and Graduate in Arts and Divinity. These notes are an abbreviated copy of the notes used in the Study Group. The notes have been placed on the St. Faith's Website for wider distribution. The original study group, to fit in the weeks of Lent, consisted of five sessions. The subjects covered are extensive and the five sessions could easily be subdivided to produce a longer series of studies. Suggestions: in Session 2, a complete session on the Last Supper; in Session 3, three sessions, one for each of the divisions of the Last Discourses; in Session 5, a complete session on the significance of the death of Jesus.

It is important to refer to the Bible references listed in the text and to follow the text of all the events of the Passion in each of the Gospels. The order of events follows in the main the order of St. Mark's Gospel so in the notes I have commented first on St. Mark's story and then added any variations or additions from the other Gospels.

The Cross is central to the Christian Faith. The sessions will study in detail the Passion narratives and try to draw out their meaning to the participants and to us.

Session 1. Introduction to the passion narratives
Session 2. The betrayal
Session 3. The last supper discourses
Session 4. The arrest and trials
Session 5. The crucifixion and burial