Outline the ministry of John the Baptist (Luke 1:76-79) and narrate the healing of the Paralytic man (Luke 5:17-26).

2a) Outline the ministry of John the Baptist as stated in the Benedictus (Luke 1:76-79). Step 1: Identify John's role. The Benedictus states that John will be called a prophet of the Most High. Step 2: Describe his preparatory mission. He will go before the Lord to prepare His ways, making ready a people for the Lord. Step 3: Explain the purpose of his ministry. He will give knowledge of salvation to God's people through the forgiveness of their sins. Step 4: Connect his ministry to God's mercy. This salvation comes through the tender mercy of God, by which the rising sun (Jesus) will come from heaven to shine on those living in darkness and in the shadow of death, and to guide our feet into the path of peace. 2b) Narrate the healing of the Paralytic man (Luke 5: 17-26). Step 1: Setting the scene. One day, while Jesus was teaching, with Pharisees and teachers of the law present, four men arrived carrying a paralytic man on a mat. Step 2: Overcoming obstacles. Unable to get through the large crowd to reach Jesus, they climbed onto the roof, made an opening, and lowered the man on his mat directly into the presence of Jesus. Step 3: Jesus' initial response. Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the paralytic, "Friend, your sins are forgiven." Step 4: The scribes' reaction and Jesus' challenge. The scribes and Pharisees began to question, thinking, "Who is this who speaks blasphemies? Who can forgive sins but God alone?" Jesus, knowing their thoughts, challenged them, asking whether it was easier to say "Your sins are forgiven" or "Get up and walk." Step 5: Demonstrating authority. To prove that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins, Jesus commanded the paralytic, "I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home." Step 6: The man's immediate healing and the crowd's reaction. Immediately, the man stood up in front of them, took his mat, and went home, praising God. Everyone was amazed and glorified God, saying, "We have seen remarkable things today." 3a) Outline Jesus teaching on faith and humility (Luke 9:37-50). Step 1: Teaching on faith through healing. In Luke 9:37-43a, Jesus heals a demon-possessed boy after his disciples failed. He attributes their failure to a lack of faith, stating, "O unbelieving and perverse generation... how long shall I stay with you and put up with you?" This highlights the necessity of faith for divine intervention. Step 2: Teaching on humility through a child. Following a dispute among the disciples about who was the greatest (Luke 9:46-48), Jesus took a little child and placed him beside himself. He taught that "Whoever welcomes this little child in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. For whoever is least among you all is the greatest." This directly instructs on humility and servant leadership. Step 3: Teaching on inclusivity. When John reported stopping someone casting out demons in Jesus' name because he was not one of their group (Luke 9:49-50), Jesus responded, "Do not stop him, for whoever is not against you is for you." This teaches humility in not claiming exclusive rights to God's work and promotes an inclusive perspective. 3b) Explain the cleansing of the Temple (8mks). Step 1: Jesus' arrival and observation. Jesus entered the Temple courts in Jerusalem and found people engaged in commercial activities: selling cattle, sheep, and doves, and money changers conducting business. Step 2: Jesus' indignation. He was deeply angered by the desecration of the Temple, which was meant to be a house of prayer and worship. Step 3: The act of cleansing. Jesus overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves. He drove out those who were buying and selling, and in John's account, he made a whip of cords to do so. Step 4: Jesus' declaration. He declared, "It is written, 'My house will be called a house of prayer,' but you have made it 'a den of robbers.'" (Matthew, Mark, Luke) or "Stop turning my Father's house into a market!" (John). Step 5: Significance. This act demonstrated Jesus' divine authority and zeal for God's holiness, challenging the corrupt religious practices of the time and emphasizing the spiritual purpose of the Temple. 3c) What is the significance of the teaching of Eschatology to Christians today (7mks). Step 1: Provides hope and comfort. Eschatology, the study of "last things," offers Christians hope for a future with God, the resurrection, and a new creation, providing comfort amidst present suffering and injustice. Step 2: Motivates ethical living. The expectation of Christ's return and final judgment encourages believers to live righteously, pursue holiness, and align their lives with God's will, knowing they will give an account. Step 3: Encourages evangelism and mission. Understanding the finite nature of time and the urgency of the gospel message before Christ's return motivates Christians to engage in evangelism and mission, sharing their faith with others. Step 4: Shapes worldview and purpose. It provides a meaningful framework for understanding history and human existence, placing current events within God's overarching plan for redemption and the ultimate triumph of His kingdom. Step 5: Fosters perseverance. Eschatological teachings remind believers that present struggles are temporary and that eternal rewards await those who remain faithful, fostering perseverance in their faith journey. 4a) Explain the Criteria for discerning the gifts of the Holy Spirit (6mks). Step 1: Glorifies Jesus Christ. A genuine gift of the Holy Spirit will always exalt and point to Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, rather than drawing attention to the individual exercising the gift or any other entity (1 Corinthians 12:3). Step 2: Aligns with Scripture. The manifestation or teaching must be consistent with the revealed Word of God. It cannot contradict biblical truth or sound doctrine (2 Timothy 3:16). Step 3: Promotes unity and builds up the church. Spiritual gifts are given for the common good and to edify the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:7, Ephesians 4:12). They should foster unity, not division or disorder. Step 4: Bears good fruit. The character and conduct of the person exercising the gift should reflect the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23), and the outcome of the gift should be positive, constructive, and lead to spiritual growth. Step 5: Orderliness and peace. The exercise of gifts should be conducted in an orderly and peaceful manner, avoiding chaos or confusion within the church gathering (1 Corinthians 14:33). Step 6: Subject to evaluation. Spiritual manifestations, especially prophetic messages, should be tested and weighed by mature believers and church leadership to ensure their authenticity and source (1 Corinthians 14:29, 1 Thessalonians 5:20-21).