Journey through the Gospels

Matthew Chapters 1-2

1) With whom does Matthew start his geneology of Jesus? Why? (see 1:2) Why are David & Abraham highlighted? (see 1:1)

2) What does the name Jesus mean? (see 1:21) Why is it important to always remember this?

3) What prophecies are found in today's reading? (see 1:23, 2:6, 2:15, 2:18 & 2:23) Why would refering to the Old Testament be important for Matthew's readers? (see question 1)

4) How many dreams are referred to in today's reading? (see 1:20, 2:12, 2:13, 2:19 & 2:22) How does God speak to us today?

Matthew addressed his gospel to the Jews.  He wanted them to see that Jesus was the Promised Messiah.  We see evidence of this through showing Jesus’ genealogy through Abraham (the father of the nation) and David (the greatest king of Israel).  Also, you’ll notice the number of Old Testament references.  This would have spoken loudly to the Jews.

Jesus came to save.  We must never get too far away from this simple, but profound truth.  Even the name He was given testifies to this.  From the very beginning this was His purpose and this is still the work He does today.

Finally, though God could still speak to us in dreams, He has fully revealed Himself to us through His Son and His Word.  Be faithful this summer to read through the gospels and allow God to speak to you through the stories and words of Jesus.

Welcome to Journey through the Gospels.  As you read Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, you will have the joy of reading about Jesus and the time He spent on earth.

By reading just two chapters each day, you’ll have the opportunity to walk in the footsteps of Jesus over the next several weeks.  For each day I'll post some questions to consider about the day's reading.  Use them to help guide your time in the Word. 

Use the search box on the right to find the chapters you are currently reading. 

Matthew Chapters 3-4

1) What was John the Baptist's message to the people? (see 3:1-2)  What was Jesus' message to the people? (see 4:17)  What would it look like for you to live out this message?

2) What did Jesus rely on when tempted by Satan? (see 4:4, 7, 10)  How much are you relying on God's word every day?

3) What were Peter and Andrew doing when Jesus saw them? (see 4:18)  What about James and John? (see 4:21)  How did they respond to Jesus' call? (see 4:20, 22)  How quickly did they respond?  What is your response to Jesus' call?

John the Baptist was used to prepare the way for the ministry and message of Jesus.  Yet from the beginning, his message was the same as what Jesus would later share – repent.  Turn from the direction your heading to the direction God wants you to go.

This is what Jesus’ call was to Peter, Andrew, James and John.  “Follow me,” meant leaving what they were doing to pursue what God had for them.  Their response?  What did you read?

One other great truth to pull from this section is our need to fully rely on God’s Word for all we do.  How wonderful that you are investing in this journey through the gospels this summer.  I pray God will meet with you and change you as you spend time with Him.

Matthew Chapters 5-6

1) The Beatitudes (see 5:1-12) seem contradictory to the ways of the world.  Why do you think this is the case?  What does this tell you about God’s ways?

2) Jesus said He came to fulfill the law (see 5:17).  He then gives six examples of Old Testament teachings and their New Testament applications (see 5:21-22; 5:27-28; 5:31-32; 5:33-37; 5:38-39; and 5:43-44).  What is the big difference?  How can you live out Jesus’ ways?

3) Giving, praying and fasting (see 6:1-18) are all spiritual disciplines that were being misused by the religious leaders of the day.  How does Jesus want us to approach these activities?

4) It’s been said, “Money makes the world go around.”  While we know money is important, it’s not the most important.  How would you summarize Jesus’ teaching about money found in 6:24?  What are the implications of this teaching found in 6:25-34?

Chapter 5 begins one of the greatest passages of the gospels.  Known as the Sermon on the Mount, Matthew Chapters 5-7 contain Jesus’ teachings about how we are to live in the Kingdom of God.  Jesus’ words stand in stark contrast to the teachings of the world.

Overall, Jesus’ teachings reflect God’s focus on our heart.  We’ve been called to have the right reasons for doing the right things.  That is, we must consider our motivation; not just our action.  The religious leaders of Jesus’ day proved it is possible to go through the motions (giving, praying and fasting) and not be connecting with God.

More than pursuing the things of this world, a focus on God’s kingdom is to be of highest priority in our lives.  When we do this, God promises to take care of the details along the way.

Matthew Chapters 7-8

1) What we know as the Golden Rule is found in 7:12.  How could Jesus say that this rule summed up the Law and the Prophets?  What would it look like for you to live this out day-to-day?

2) Jesus concludes His teachings about the kingdom by indicating what must take place next (see 7:24).  Why is just hearing about God’s truth not enough?

3) The issue of faith is contrasted in two stories (see 8:5-13 and 8:23-27).  Why was the centurion commended for his faith?  Why were the disciples chastised for their faith?

The Sermon on the Mount continues through Chapter 7.  At the end of this section, Jesus makes a clear distinction between those who just hear what He says and those who hear and put into practice the teachings of the kingdom.

Expressions of faith and the lack of faith were contrasted in Chapter 8.  The centurion had faith to believe without seeing, while the disciples expressed doubt after seeing a miracle.  What is your faith like?  See Hebrews 11:6 to understand the key role of faith.

Matthew Chapters 9-10

1) In Chapter 9, we find Jesus traveling through the area connecting with people as He went (see 9:35 for a summary).  What are the implications for us as we go about our every day lives?

2) We get an insight into Jesus’ heart in 9:36.  What do you see when you look at the people around you?  How do you respond to what you see?

3) In 9:37-38, Jesus tells His followers to ask God to send more workers.  Immediately after this, He sends His followers out (see Chapter 10).  Could it be that you are the solution to the needs around you?

Chapter 9 shows us the ministry of Jesus among the people.  Chapter 10 shows us how Jesus prepared His followers to do the same.  The plan for the Christian faith was never to watch our leader, but rather to follow our leader.

As you learn more about Jesus through the gospels this summer, be on the look out for how God would want you to live out the lessons you learn.

Matthew Chapters 11-12

1) In Chapter 10, we saw that Jesus sent His disciples out to preach and heal.  After they left, what do we find Jesus doing (see 11:1)?  How would you describe Jesus’ involvement in the mission?

2) Jesus’ offer of rest is as welcomed today as it was the day He gave it (see 11:28-30).  Back then, people were burdened with trying to reach God by keeping the law.  What burdens do you carry today?  What would it take for you to find rest in your relationship with Jesus?

3) Jesus was confronted by the religious leaders about healing on the Sabbath (see 12:9-14).  When is the right time to do the right thing?  Are there times you should act that are not convenient?

Jesus indeed prepared His followers to do the things that He was doing.  But at the same time, He never stopped ministering Himself.  We should both build up others to serve and continue to serve ourselves.

The offer of rest is still extended today.  As we follow Jesus, we will find He leads us like a shepherd (see Psalm 23).  The promise of His presence gives us the opportunity to approach life with an attitude of peace.

It’s always the right time to do the right thing.  I pray that we would continue to learn about how Jesus interacted with the people around Him and see that we are called to do the same.

Matthew Chapters 13-14

1) Jesus uses seven parables in Chapter 13 to teach truths about the Kingdom.  Which one do you best understand?  Which one is most confusing?

2) Jesus fed more than 5,000 people with five loaves and two fish – all the disciples could find (see 14:17-20).  What is Jesus waiting to do in and through you if you would only offer to Him what you have?

3) Peter responded to Jesus’ call and walked on water (see 14:28-29).  What could Jesus accomplish through you if you took even a small step of faith?

Jesus used parables to share truth about the Kingdom.  We explain parables as earthly stories with heavenly meanings.  While this is true, parables were also God’s way of getting the message through only to those that really wanted to hear (see 13:10-17).  Do you really want to hear from God?  Allow Him to use His Word to do so.  Prepare yourself each day to meet with Him through the pages of the Bible.

Don’t rush past the miracles of Chapter 14.  Jesus took what was available and fed 5,000 people.  Peter walked on water!  He and Jesus are the only ones that can make that claim.  Yes, I know he sank, but don’t miss what Jesus did through his simple act of faith. 

Matthew Chapters 15-16

1) The Pharisees asked Jesus a question and His reply got to the heart of the matter (see 15:8-9).  What is the bottom line when it comes to our relationship with God (see 15:18-19)?

2) The feeding of the crowd in Chapter 15 is a different setting than what we read in Chapter 14.  So, since they had already witnessed this miracle, how could the disciples ask where to find bread (see also 16:9-11)?  What about you?  Haven’t you seen enough of what God can do to fully trust Him in all things?

3) In one of Peter’s boldest statements, he testifies to Who Jesus is (see 16:16).  Why is understanding this so important?

4) How does Jesus’ call to follow in 16:24-25 compare to what we read in 4:18-22?  How does this translate for us today?

The heart of the issue is the issue of our heart.  While the Pharisees focused on following man-made rules and regulations, God was interested in the status of the heart.  We saw this same truth at work in the Sermon on the Mount (Chapters 5-7).

I used to think that Jesus feeding the crowd in Chapter 15 was a repeat of what we find in Chapter 14.  But they are not.  They are two separate events.  Yet even though the disciples had already seen a miracle like this, they asked Jesus how they were supposed to feed the people.  God has already proven Himself faithful.  We can live forward trusting in Him.

Peter’s confession of Jesus as the Christ, the Son of the living God, puts to rest any notion that Jesus was only a man.  We know Him as fully man and fully God (see Philippians 2:5-11).  This is crucial to our faith.  As a man, He can fully identify with us.  As God, He can do something about it.

Jesus call to follow at the end of Chapter 16 comes right after He spoke about His impending death (see 16:21).  It was clear that Jesus was calling His disciples to more fully understand what it means to follow Him.  We must recognize that in our lives, He continually calls us upward as we follow Him.

Matthew Chapters 17-18

1) How much faith in God do you have?  How much faith is necessary to see God work in powerful ways? (see 17:14-20)

2) The disciples showed they didn’t fully get life in the Kingdom by the question they asked Jesus in 18:1.  What does Jesus’ answer mean (see 18:2-4)?  What did they need to change from?  What did they need to change to?  What does this mean for you?

3) How motivated are you to reconcile with others (see 18:15)?  How willing are you to forgive (see 18:21)?  What relationship are you in that needs forgiveness and reconciliation?

Even though the disciples had previously been given the authority to drive out evil spirits (see 10:1), they were unable to do so.  But consider this: “It’s not the amount of faith that brings the impossible within reach, but the power of God, which is available to even the smallest faith.”  The disciples apparently had less than mustard seed size faith.  But they only needed enough faith to believe in God; not to move a mountain.  It would be God’s power that would do that.

Jesus’ followers wanted to see where they lined up in His Kingdom.  Jesus told them they had to change their whole perspective and come to God as a child.  Rather than confidently bragging about themselves, they needed to humbly and dependently rely upon God.

Reconciliation and forgiveness are the ideas that Jesus shares at the end of Chapter 18.  Living these out is critical in the way we interact with those around us.  In fact, these items are so important that we stand in judgment before God if we fail to live this way (see 18:35).