Matthew 11-13

1. 11:1-19 How did Jesus answer John’s question? Where was John at the time?
   
2. 11:20-24 Why was Jesus so angry with Chorazin and Bethsaida?
   
3. 11:25-28 To whom do the teachings of Jesus appeal? (verses 25, 28)
   
4. 12:1-21 What did the Pharisees criticize Jesus for?
   
5. 12:22-37 What did the Pharisees accuse Jesus of after He cured the blind and mute demoniac? What does Jesus call them in response?
   
6. 12:38-45 Who would “rise up” and condemn the scribes and Pharisees for their disbelief? To what does He compare them in verses 43-45?
   
7. 12:46-50 Who does Jesus consider as his family?
   
8. 13:1-23 What is at least one lesson you learn from the Parable of the Sower?
   
9. 13:10-17, 34-35 Why did Jesus speak in parables?
   
10. 13:24-30, 36-43 What is the lesson of the Parable of the Weeds (Tares)?
    
11. 13:31-33 What are the lessons of the Parable of the Mustard Seed and Parable of the Yeast (Leaven)?
    
12. 13:44-53 What other things does Jesus compare with the kingdom of heaven?
    
13. 13:54-58 How was Jesus treated in his hometown?

[NOTE: If you prefer a printed version of these questions, you can view the entire study guide here. It should open as a Google Doc. Just click on “File” and choose “Print (PDF).” If you have a problem, let me know.]

 

For Discussion:

1. 11:4-19 What tributes does Jesus pay to John, even in the way He answers John’s question in verses 4-7?
   
2. 12:9-13 How do this story and the lessons Jesus draws from it relate to the incident in 12:1-8?
   
3. 12:33-37 It appears this is a continuation of the previous verses. How does this teaching about good trees/good fruit and bad trees/bad fruit relate to the Pharisee's recent accusation?
   
4. 13:18-23 a) Is it really a listener's fault if he or she doesn't understand the message? b) Is it a listener's fault if he or she has had an unstable family life and has never learned to persevere? Shouldn't we keep on trying until people see the value of being stable Christians? c) How do we know whether or not we're bearing fruit? If we're not, does that mean we're not good soil?

Matthew 8-10 Class Comments

Notes from Thursday Class Discussion

Matthew 8-10

1. 8:1-17 How do verses 1-16 fulfill the prophecy mentioned in verse 17? Class Answers: 1-4 He cleansed a leper; 5-13 He healed a centurion’s servant; 14-15 He healed Peter’s mother-in-law; 16 He cast out spirits with a word, and healed all who were sick. Most of us in the class had not considered the significance of “He took our infirmities, carried (or bore) our diseases,” as if somehow He took on the burdens of the physical diseases, just as He did our sins.
2. 8:18-9:1 Describe the different responses to Jesus’ works. Class Answers: v. 19 – Devotion: “I will follow you everywhere.” And this from a scribe! v. 21 – An excuse: “I have something more important to do first.” v. 23 – Obedience: they followed Him. v. 27 – They marveled. v. 34 – They rejected him; begged him to leave. Discussion on the reasons for this rejection was either because they feared him, they didn’t want the change he seemed to be making, or he had ruined their livelihood. We generally agreed that according to the map we’re using, this was the Gergesenes, rather than the Gadarenes (in some translations), which is inland.
3. 9:2-8 Why were the crowds awestruck? Class Answer: Because God had given such power to men. They obviously still saw Jesus just as a man, though they did recognize God as the source of His power.
4. 9:9-17 What two complaints did Jesus receive, first from Pharisees, then from the disciples of John? Class Answers: The Pharisees criticized Him for eating with the tax collectors and sinners. The tax collectors were considered “scum,” for not only working for the Roman government but for collecting as much as they could above the taxes owed. We noticed that such criticism meant nothing to Jesus. He knew what His mission was; He knew Whom He was pleasing. John’s disciples criticized Jesus’ disciples for not fasting, as they and the Pharisees did. Jesus’ answer about the old and new cloth and new wine in old wineskins indicated that the old, traditional ways were no longer viable. To fast would have been for traditional reasons only; it made no sense to fast and mourn when the bridegroom was with them.
5. 9:18-38 What specific people did Jesus heal in this passage? What percentage of the people who asked for healing received it from Him? Class Answers: The ruler’s daughter; the woman with a flow of blood; two blind men; a man who was mute and demon-possessed; every sickness and every disease. According to this passage, all who asked for healing were healed.
6. 10:1-15 What were some of the things the apostles were to do? Class Answers: 6 - Go to the lost sheep of Israel (according to Jesus’ order of evangelism – first, Israel then – after they rejected Him for the most part – the Gentiles); 7 – Preach that the kingdom of heaven is at hand; 8 – Heal the sick, cleanse lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons; 9-10 – Take nothing extra; 11-15 – Turn away from those who don’t refuse to hear you.
7. 10:16-25 What challenges would they face? Class Answers: 17 – They would be arrested and scourged; 18 – They would be brought before rulers – sources of intimidation and with the power to punish; 21 – Betrayed by family members; 22 – Hated for Jesus’ name’s sake; 25 – Called Beelzebub.
8. 10:26-42 What assurances did Jesus give them? Class Answers: 19 – They would know what to say; 26 – Everything will be revealed eventually – you will be vindicated; 28 – they can kill only the body, not the soul; 30 – You are valuable; 32 – I will confess you before My Father; 39 – In losing your life for My sake, you will find it.

For Discussion:

1. 8:1-4 It appears that Jesus is surrounded by throngs of people here, yet he tells the healed leper not to tell anyone of his healing. Did this have to do with publicity or something else more personal for the leper?
2. 9:13 Does Jesus’ statement here mean that He saw the Pharisees as righteous?
3. 10:5 Why did Jesus send the apostles to the Jews only, and not to Gentiles or Samaritans?

Matthew 8-10

1. 8:1-17 How do verses 1-16 fulfill the prophecy mentioned in verse 17?
2. 8:18-9:1 Describe the different responses to Jesus’ works, as stated in verses 19, 23, 27, and 34.
   
3. 9:2-8 Why were the crowds awestruck?
   
4. 9:9-17 What two complaints did Jesus receive, first from Pharisees, then from the disciples of John?
   
5. 9:18-38 What specific people did Jesus heal in this passage? What percentage of the people who asked for healing received it from Him?
   
6. 10:1-15 What were some of the things the apostles were to do?
   
7. 10:16-25 What challenges would they face?
   
8. 10:26-42 What assurances did Jesus give them? (verses 31, 39, 40-42)

Matthew 5-7 Class Comments

Notes from Thursday Class Discussion

The Sermon on the Mount

1. 5:1-12 Who was listening to this sermon? Why might they appreciate these blessings? (Also read 7:28.) Class Answer: His disciples – those who wanted to learn from Him, not just be healed by Him. The beatitudes (“blessed” could also be translated “happy”) assured them that even though they would go through difficult times as His disciples, they would be blessed by God. They also encouraged those who at this time were without either political or religious power.
   
2. 5:13-16 What are the qualities of salt and light that Jesus emphasizes here? What is the purpose of letting our lights shine? Class Answer: Salt enhances flavor and preserves. In the same way, the influence of Christians gives life meaning and also slows the moral decay of the world around us. As lights, we can show the way to the Savior and glorify God.
   
3. 5:17-20 What law is Jesus talking about? What did Jesus say about lawbreakers? Class Answer: His listeners would understand this as the Law of the Old Testament. Those who broke it would be the least in the kingdom. We weren’t sure exactly what this meant, except to refer to those who are weak. Still, like the Corinthians with all their problems, they are still in the kingdom.
   
4. 5:21-37 In these verses, how is Jesus “changing” the commandments and traditions of the (Old) law? Class Answer: He is not changing them, but fulfilling them. He is stating their intended purpose, which had been interpreted as external actions only. Not just “do not murder,” but do not hate, do not call others names, be reconciled to those with whom you disagree. Not just “do not commit adultery,” but don’t lust and bring your  body under control. And don’t treat divorce lightly. It causes adultery, against which there is a clear commandment. Not just “don’t break an oath,” but tell the truth without having to make an oath.
   
5. 5:38-48 What should be our attitude toward those who treat us badly? Class Answer: To rise above bad treatment. With all his power, Jesus never physically resisted authority, though he did combat false teaching and hypocrisy. We are to love  and try to understand those who hate or resent us, though that doesn’t mean we enable them. Prayer helps us to learn to love others.
   
6. 6:2-18 What should be our motivation when we give, pray, or fast? Class Answer: To please God and to glorify Him.
   
7. 6:19-34 List at least three attitudes we should have about material wealth. (19-21; 24; 25-34) Class Answer: Humility, happiness and contentment. Wealth doesn’t last; it causes divided loyalties; worrying about it shows a lack of faith.
   
8. 7:1-6 What are at least two things we should consider before we begin to judge someone? Class Answer: We will be judged by the same standard; we all have our own failings – planks in our eyes.
   
9. 7:7-12 What does our Father in heaven want to give us? Class Answer: Good things, just as we would give our own children. Note about 7:12, known as the Golden Rule: it includes acts of commission and omission – things we do for other people we would want done for us, and things we choose not to do that might hurt others.
   
10. 7:13-27 How can we tell the difference between true and false followers of Jesus? (verses 16, 21, 24) Class Answer: By their fruits, by watching their actions and the results of their actions, though that may take time. Also, by whether or not they do the Father’s will.
    
11. 7:28-29 Why were the crowds astonished at his teaching? Class Answer: This carpenter’s son spoke with wisdom that should have been beyond his experience. He also spoke with authority – beyond what they had heard from others – like someone who had not just learned from a book, but as someone who really knew.

Matthew 5-7

The Sermon on the Mount

What some call the “Christian constitution.” We can’t read this too often. Hope you’ll be able to spend some not only reading but meditating on what’s taught in this timeless message. 
Personal Note: It will be hard to know which concepts to talk about next Thursday; I wish we had more than one lesson to discuss them! That’s what’s nice about an online study. We’re not limited to just one appointed hour. (CB)

1. 5:1-12 Who was listening to this sermon? Why might they appreciate these blessings? (Also read 7:28.)
2. 5:13-16 What are the qualities of salt and light that Jesus emphasizes here? What is the purpose of letting our lights shine?
3. 5:17-20 What law is Jesus talking about? What did Jesus say about lawbreakers?
   
4. 5:21-37 In these verses, how is Jesus “changing” the commandments and traditions of the (Old) law?
   
5. 5:38-48 What should be our attitude toward those who treat us badly?
   
6. 6:2-18 What should be our motivation when we give, pray, or fast?
   
7. 6:19-34 List at least three attitudes we should have about material wealth. (19-21; 24; 25-34)
   
8. 7:1-6 What are at least two things we should consider before we begin to judge someone?
   
9. 7:7-12 What does our Father in heaven want to give us?
   
10. 7:13-27 How can we tell the difference between true and false followers of Jesus? (verses 16, 21, 24)
    
11. 7:28-29 Why were the crowds astonished at his teaching?

For Discussion

This section is for the purpose of encouraging those of you who participate only online to engage in a discussion about the text. If there’s any other part of the text you want to discuss, please feel free. I’d love to hear from you, to discuss the Bible with you across the miles.
For the sake of time, I’ll limit my discussion prompts to one question per chapter.

1. 5:43-48 How do you think verse 48 (“be perfect”) relates to the first part of the passage about love?
2. 6:22-34 Discuss these passages, particularly verse 33, in light of 2 Corinthians 4:16-18, which concludes with “…for what can be seen is temporary, but what cannot be seen is eternal.”
3. 7:1-5 What is the danger of taking the first three words, “Do not judge,” out of context?

Matthew 3-4

1. 3:1-12 What was prophesied about John the Baptist? What did the people do as they were baptized? What was the purpose of John’s baptism? What would be different about the baptism of the One to come after him?
   
2. 3:13-17 Why did Jesus insist on being baptized? What happened when He came up out of the water?
   
3. 4:1-11 After you read these verses, compare them to Genesis 3:6 (Eve’s temptation) and 1 John 2:16. Do you see any similarities? How did Jesus overcome the temptations?
   
4. 4:12-17 When Jesus began to preach, what was His message?
   
5. 4:18-22 Whom did Jesus call to follow Him? How long did it take for them to decide?
   
6. 4:23-25 What three things was Jesus doing as He traveled? What kinds of diseases did He cure?

 

For Discussion:

1. 3:6 As they were baptized, they confessed their sins. How specific were these confessions? How specific should we be when we confess our sins to one another? (also James 5:16)
   
2. 3:7 Wasn't John the Baptist pre-judging the Pharisees and Sadducees? After all, they were coming for baptism.
   
3. 4:18-22 What kind of excuses could Peter, Andrew, James and John have made for not following Jesus? Doesn't it seem kind of irresponsible just to get up and leave their livelihoods? Didn't they have families to take care of?
   
4. 4:23-25 After looking at a map, determine just how widespread Jesus' fame was.

There are more of these types of questions at my Bible reading blog, Word Walk. Way back in 2008, when I took notes on Matthew, I put them in forms of questions I had as I read. Many of them probably cannot be answered.

Matthew 1-2

1. 1:1-17 How were Ruth and David related? What about Ruth and Rahab?
2. 1:18-25 How did the angel appear to Joseph? What do you think “Jesus” might mean? What about “Immanuel”?
3. 2:1-12 What did the wise men say that upset Herod so much? Where were Mary and her baby when the wise men found them? How did they know they should return by another way?
4. 2:13-23 How long were Joseph, Mary and Jesus to stay in Egypt? Why did Herod kill the children of Bethlehem? How did the family end up in Nazareth?