Friday, February 8 - Matthew 20

Friday, February 8, 2013 – Matthew 20

 

Jesus shows that God has a different set of values and priorities than does the sinful, selfish human world.  God’s ways broaden our view and His Holy Spirit enables us to share in the work of reclaiming the world.

 

20:1-16:    What qualities of God does this parable reveal?    What human characteristics stand in contrast to this nature of God?    How does Jesus’ vision broaden your own vision when it comes to the concept of “grace?”

  

20:17-27    After Jesus predicts His death, the next line shows James and John’s mother making a request concerning their positions in the Messiah’s reign.   Consider the contrast.   

 

What is the relationship between “discipleships” and “servitude?”  Why was this a hard concept for the disciples to grasp?   How do you think Jesus’ death and resurrection will change their thinking?  How does it change your thinking in this regard?

 

20:29-34     Why do you think the blind men ask Jesus for “mercy?”  Why did the crowd rebuke them?  How did Jesus respond to the crowd’s rebuke?

 How have you shown mercy to others?

Thursday, February 7 - Matthew 19

Thursday February 7^th

19: 1-12     The Pharisees are trying to trap Jesus into contradicting the Law, and Jesus reaffirms the definition of marriage in this section. Who brings two people together in marriage? Who has the power to dissolve marriage?

 God allowed divorce among the people because of their hardness of heart. Does this mean that it was His will? What is the difference between God’s allowance of divorce and His willing of it?

 

Is it the will of God for every person to be married, based on this text?

 

19:13-15     What place do little children have in the kingdom of God?

 Does v. 14 tell us anything about our Lutheran practice of infant baptism?

 

19:16-30     The rich young man in this text claims to have kept all the commandments. Think about self-righteousness and the quest for salvation. Do you find yourself tending to rely on your own intuition, or do you trust God to save you?

 Jesus asks the man to do something really difficult: sell everything he has, give to the poor, and follow Him. Has anyone ever asked you to do something really difficult? What was it, and how did you respond?

 Does this text imply that it is impossible for rich men to be saved? (see vv. 24 and 26). What does Jesus mean by “a rich man?”

Wednesday, February 6 - Matthew 18

Wednesday, February 06, 2013 -  Matthew 18

  

18:1-9:             Jesus says that we must become like little children to really receive the kingdom of heaven.  What do you think it means to become like a child?  How have you done that?   What kinds of things prevent you from receiving Jesus like a little child?

 

18:7-10:           Jesus here speaks of radical discipleship – not so much actual human mutilation, but cutting off everything that hinders your “childlike” relationship with God.  What things might you need to cut out of your life if you are to fully follow Jesus?

 

18:10-14:   Who are the lost sheep in the world today?  How does Jesus send you to them?  Who is the “one sheep” in your personal world?  How have you reached out to him/her with the Gospel?

 

18:15-20:   In these verses Jesus talks of the importance of winning back a brother who has erred or strayed.  It encourages the believer to initiate reconciliation, and eventually in employing the Church to work together to lead the brother back to Christ.   Is there anyone who has wronged you?  How is God calling you to bring reconciliation?  Are you willing to forgive?

 

18:21-35    Jesus reminds the disciples of the incredible forgiveness that God offers to His people despite their continual failure.   Does a realization of this incredible forgiveness which God has given you help impel you to forgive others who have wronged you?

Tuesday, February 5 - Matthew 17

Tuesday February 5- Matthew 17   (Ryan's Questions)

 

17:1-13   This is the account of Jesus and His transfiguration. Peter, James, and John likely never forgot these events. Think about what this must have been like for them. Have you had an experience that you just can’t forget?

 

During the Transfiguration, a cloud appears and the voice of the Father declares Jesus’ divinity. Where have you seen this before in the New Testament? In the Old Testament?

 

Jesus tells Peter, James, and John not to tell anyone what they have seen until after the Son of Man has been raised from the dead. Why do you suppose that is? Have you ever had to keep a secret this big?

 

17:14-23When the father comes to Jesus and says that the disciples could not heal the boy, Jesus rebukes the generation for being unbelieving and perverse. What about the situation causes Jesus to say this? Does this apply to us today?

 

Jesus also talks in this section about faith, mustard seeds, and moving mountains. It is not the amount of faith that matters, but the quality of faith. How do you know that your faith is strong? Are there things you do to strengthen your faith?

 

 

17:24-27   In this section, Jesus talks about paying the tax so that He does not offend the tax collectors. The two-drachma tax was the annual temple tax required of all males. Why does Jesus say He is exempt? Are you careful to not offend others by your actions?

Monday, February 4 - Matthew 16

Matthew 16 -  Monday, Febrary 4

 

 

16:1-4              Jesus refused to give a sign to those who sought it as a test.  Why do you think He is especially angered by these Saducees?   Have you ever asked God to send you a sign?   How did the reception of a sign or the lack of one affect your faith?

  

16:5-12:           What do you think was dangerous about the teaching of the Pharisees and Saducees?  How is yeast a good example of how little deviations can affect something dramatically?

16:13-20:   Jesus is direct in His questioning of the disciples.  “Who do YOU say I am?” he asks.  Peter, moved by the Holy Spirit, gives a meaningful confession of Jesus as Messiah.   When did you first come to believe in Jesus as the Savior of the world?   Have you ever confessed Him before a hostile crowd?

 

16:21-28:     Shortly after Jesus praises Peter’s confession, He says to Peter, “Get behind me Satan, you do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men.”   How were Peter’s comments reflective of Satan’s temptation of Jesus?   How is the “easy way out” a temptation for every Christian?

 

What does it mean, to “take up one’s cross?”  How is a Christian called to “deny himself?”

Friday, February 1 - Matthew 15

Friday, February 01, 2013 -  Matthew 15

 

After they were in exile in Babylon for seventy years, the Jewish priests began to make detailed regulations concerning the daily life of the people.  These regulations determined what made a person unclean, requiring certain sacrifices in the temple to receive God’s forgiveness.

 

 

15:8, 18:  After the Pharisees challenge Jesus, he turns the tables by challenging them.  In these verses he makes a distinction between the words and actions of people and what is in their hearts.  If you rated the cleanliness of your heart, how is your relationship with God?  Do your actions reveal to others how you feel about Him?

 

 

15:21-28:  How did you react to reading Jesus first response to the Canaanite woman’s request for help?   Why do you think He spoke to her in this way?  How do you feel about her response to Jesus?  What lesson does this story teach?

 

 

15:29-31:   People were amazed when they saw the results of Jesus’ healing on the crowds.  What things have you seen God do in people’s lives that have amazed you?   What amazing thing has God done in your life?

 

 

 

15:32-39:    When you consider the miracles of Jesus that are recorded in the Scriptures, does it change your thinking about the possibility of the unbelievable happening in your life or at our church?