The Public Life of Jesus and the Kingdom of God

Jesus announces the Kingdom and reveals the face of the Father

This stage presents the public life of Jesus: His baptism, the temptations in the wilderness, the call of the disciples, the preaching of the Kingdom, the signs of salvation, and the forming of the Twelve. Jesus announces that the Kingdom of God is near and calls to conversion and to faith in the Gospel.

His words and deeds reveal that God comes to save, forgive, heal, and gather His people. The parables, the miracles, the beatitudes, and the personal encounters manifest the authority, the mercy, and the truth of Jesus. At the same time, opposition against Him grows, and the way toward the Passover is prepared.

You will learn to

Situate the baptism of Jesus at the beginning of His public life.

Recognize the meaning of the temptations in the wilderness.

Understand the Kingdom of God as the center of His preaching.

Identify the call of the first disciples.

Recognize the beatitudes as the way of the Kingdom.

Understand the meaning of the parables.

Recognize the miracles as signs of salvation.

Identify the authority of Jesus to forgive sins.

Understand the choosing of the Twelve.

Discover how Jesus reveals the Father.

How this stage is organized

Main narrative

The synoptic Gospels and Saint John

You will come to know the baptism of Jesus, the temptations in the wilderness, the beginning of the preaching in Galilee, the call of the disciples, the Sermon on the Mount, the parables of the Kingdom, the miracles, the encounters with sinners and the sick, the choosing of the Twelve, and Peter's confession.

Doctrinal understanding

Kingdom · Conversion · Mercy · Discipleship

You will grasp that the Kingdom of God is the saving presence and action of God in Christ. Jesus calls to conversion, reveals the mercy of the Father, forgives sins, and forms disciples called to live according to the beatitudes, love, justice, and service.

Scripture in depth

Parables · Miracles · Sermon on the Mount

Other Gospel texts let us contemplate the richness of the public life of Jesus. The parables reveal the mystery of the Kingdom; the miracles show the compassion and authority of Christ; the Sermon on the Mount presents the life of the disciple; the signs in Saint John lead to faith in Jesus.

Fulfilled in Christ

The revelation of the Father · The way to the Passover

Jesus does not only announce the Kingdom: He makes it present in His person, His words, and His deeds. He reveals the Father, calls to discipleship, and manifests a divine authority over sin, sickness, and evil. His whole public life prepares the paschal self-gift, in which His saving mission will reach its fullness.

Choose a mode

Path mode

Move step by step, in the recommended order.

Review mode

Shuffled questions to review and gauge your progress.

Group mode

A moderated session, reserved for catechists and teachers.