14:1-13 Why was the king grieved when Herodias asked for John’s head? How did Jesus respond to the news of John’s death?
14:14-21 Why did the crowds follow Jesus? Do you think they expected Him to feed them?
14:22-36What happened as soon as Jesus got into the boat after walking to the boat on the water? What did the disciples do?
15:1-9 How did Jesus answer the Pharisees’ criticism of His disciples? (v. 3)
15:10-20 How does this passage relate to the previous one?
15:21-31 How did Jesus’ disciples react at first to the Canaanite woman? What was her response to Jesus’ answer in verse 24? Besides faith, what other attribute(s) did this woman display?
15:32-39Besides the difference in number, how does this account differ from the feeding of the 5,000 in Matthew 14? For instance, who instigated it? What motivated the meal?
16:1-12 How is Jesus’ answer to the Pharisees and Sadducees compare to the answer He gave them before (12:38-42)? After this incident, of what does He warn His disciples?
16:13-20 What does Jesus mean by "this rock"? What does He mean by the "keys of the kingdom"? (Acts 2 may hold a clue.)
16:21-26 How does the warning in verses 24-26 relate to the incident in verses 21- 23?
16:27-28 When will the Son of Man come in his kingdom?
For Discussion:
14:3-11 Did John do the right thing in confronting Herod about his illegal marriage? What good purpose did it accomplish in the end?
15:1-9 In what ways (and areas) are we in danger of keeping traditions while forsaking God's will?
16:13-20 Why would Jesus tell the disciples not to publicize who He was?
15:1-9 In what ways (and areas) are we in danger of keeping traditions while forsaking God's will?
The most common thing that *I* do is to attend a worship service with my mind on other matters, and even with momentary true commitment to worshiping, letting my mind wander. There's also a tendency of those of us who've been Christians for a long time to resent any kind of change, when the change itself affects nothing in truly worshiping God.
Another common area here is "doing good" for the benefit of good will and respect from other people; in other words, a self-serving motive.
Yes, Yvonne, I suppose we could substitute the word "habits" for "tradition." Even though worshiping with other Christians is a good habit, that habit also lends itself to just going through the motions, which can't be pleasing to God.
Any suggestion, anyone? Is there a way we can prepare our minds better to worship in the public assembly?
Regarding change, sometimes we object to a change simply because it makes us feel "uncomfortable." I think that's when we have to do a good self-examination, compare our objections to what the Bible says, and then decide whether or not the objection is legitimate.
Your last comment reminded me of Matthew 7:21: "But Lord...we did this, and we did that." And he was anything but happy with them.
15:1-9 In what ways (and areas) are we in danger of keeping traditions while forsaking God's will?
ReplyDeleteThe most common thing that *I* do is to attend a worship service with my mind on other matters, and even with momentary true commitment to worshiping, letting my mind wander. There's also a tendency of those of us who've been Christians for a long time to resent any kind of change, when the change itself affects nothing in truly worshiping God.
Another common area here is "doing good" for the benefit of good will and respect from other people; in other words, a self-serving motive.
Yes, Yvonne, I suppose we could substitute the word "habits" for "tradition." Even though worshiping with other Christians is a good habit, that habit also lends itself to just going through the motions, which can't be pleasing to God.
ReplyDeleteAny suggestion, anyone? Is there a way we can prepare our minds better to worship in the public assembly?
Regarding change, sometimes we object to a change simply because it makes us feel "uncomfortable." I think that's when we have to do a good self-examination, compare our objections to what the Bible says, and then decide whether or not the objection is legitimate.
Your last comment reminded me of Matthew 7:21: "But Lord...we did this, and we did that." And he was anything but happy with them.