Journey through the Gospels

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).

Matthew Chapters 19-20

1) In 19:23-24, following the story of the rich man, Jesus makes a strong statement about riches and the kingdom of heaven.  What does He say?  What does this mean?  Has wealth gotten in your way of pursuing God?

 

2) Consider the story Jesus told in 20:1-16.  How would you have felt if you had worked all day and got paid the same as the ones that worked for only one hour?  Do you think this was fair?  What does this tell you about God’s grace?

 

3) This is it!  Jesus’ statement of purpose is found in 20:28.  How can you live this out today?

 

 

When it comes to wealth, don’t miss what Jesus is saying because you don’t think you are wealthy.  If you are reading this in America, you are among the richest people in the world.  Go to www.globalrichlist.com to see where you stand compared to the rest of the world.

 

God’s grace doesn’t make sense.  None of us deserve any of it (that’s why it’s called grace!).  But even how God gives His grace doesn’t fit into our mold.  We still default to trying to earn our way before God.

 

Serve!  In one word, that sums up Jesus’ mission.  Imagine the impact you could make if you kept this at the forefront of all you do.  What about starting this today?

 

Matthew Chapters 21-22

1) Why did Jesus curse the fig tree in 21:18-19?  What was supposed to be on the tree?  How does this story relate to how we live our lives?

2) The story of the two sons (21:28-32) is an example of the statement “action speak louder than words.”  Which son are you most like?  What would it take for your words and your actions to be consistent?

3) In one of the most significant passages of the Bible (22:34-40), Jesus summarizes the teachings of the Old Testament.  How would you put this in your own words?  How will you make this real?

Commentators say that the cursing of the unfruitful fig tree was symbolic of Jesus’ charge against unfruitful Israel.  There were supposed to be figs on the fig tree (evidence of growth).  There are implications for us.  Having been changed by Christ, we are to live differently.  There is supposed to be evidence of growth in our lives.

Jesus challenged the religious leaders by telling them they were all talk and no action (like the son that said “yes” but who didn’t go to work).  We’re not just to talk about our faith; we are to live it out (see James 1:22). 

Love God – love people.  It doesn’t get any more basic than this.  And although it is a simple statement, it will take all you have for all your life to live this out.

Matthew Chapters 23-24

1) Ouch!  In Chapter 23, Jesus brings charges against the religious leaders of His day.  They could be summarized by what He says at the beginning of 23:5.  How are you in danger of this today?  How does 23:11-12 provide the answer to the problem?

2) Do you think much about the return of Jesus?  Do you wonder when the end of the world will take place?  How does this impact the way you live day-to-day?  How should you live in light of 24:44-46?

Being focused too much on the practices of religion and not enough on their relationship with God was Jesus charge against the religious leaders of His day.  They fully enjoyed their positions of prominence in the community.  We must guard against being religious and continue to sincerely live out our relationship with God among others.

Chapter 24 deals with knowing when Jesus will return and the end of time will come.  The bottom line is found in 24:36.   Based on 24:26-27, we won’t be unaware when He returns, so we don’t have to worry about missing the event.  However, we shouldn’t just be waiting around.  We should live day-to-day prepared for His return so He finds us faithful.

Matthew Chapters 25-26

1) Matthew 25 records the last three parables Jesus teaches.  They provide a great review of how we should live.  Give a one-sentence summary of each parable (1-13, 14-30, 31-46).

2) Much takes place in Chapter 26, but one of the most significant events is found in 36-46.  What happens in the Garden of Gethsemane that prepares Jesus for all that is to come?  What four words capture this?  How would it impact us if we learned and accepted this truth?

3) The Garden exposes a truth about our nature (40-41).  Why is this true?  Can this be changed?

The final parables of Jesus found in Matthew’s gospel could be summarized this way.  Verses 1-13: Be ready for Jesus’ return.  Verses 14-30: Be faithful with what He has given you.  Verses 31-46: Be a servant to all in need.  These three stories provide a great reminder of how we are to live day-to-day.

“Thy will be done.”  Jesus taught us to pray this way in Matthew 6:10 and now He expresses this Himself.  “Thy will be done” is not giving up, but rather accepting God’s ways over our ways.  It’s not a statement of “whatever,” but an expression of faith in God’s wisdom and sovereignty.

Is your spirit willing, but your flesh weak?  Do you struggle with doing what you want to do and not doing what you don’t want to do?  Paul experienced this same thing (see Romans 7:15-25).  It’s not what you can or can’t do.  The way to change this is to continue to rely upon God’s working in and through your life each day.

Matthew Chapters 27-28

1) Some of the most difficult words to read in the entire Bible are found in 27:46.  How could this be?  Why would Jesus have said this?  Why is this so significant?

2) One of the most hopeful aspects of the resurrection is found buried in 28:6.  “…just as He said…” is tucked away in the midst of what the angel tells the women at the tomb.  Why were these words of hope?  How are these words of hope for you today?

3) They say opposites attract.  That may be what is taking place in 28:8.  It doesn’t seem like these two emotions should co-exist.  How is this possible?

That Jesus died is an historical fact.  How He died causes us great pain.  Why He died (for you and me) is difficult to fully comprehend.  But perhaps the greatest challenge is to consider what it cost Jesus.  God the Father and God the Son had never been separated.  Now, as He took on our sins, He saw His Father turn His back on Him.  The whips – painful; the mocking – humiliating; the cross – shameful.  But it was after all this that He cried out, “My God, My God, why have you forsaken Me?”

“Just as He said,” is a reminder of God’s faithfulness.  Throughout the Bible we find evidence of God doing exactly what He said He would do (see Joshua 21:45).  You can go forward with confidence knowing that God is faithful.

As the women left the tomb, we read they were “afraid, yet filled with joy.”  What a great combination!  Afraid that they didn’t know exactly what was going on yet filled with joy that Jesus was alive!  No matter what you are facing, the fact remains – Jesus is alive!

Mark Chapters 1-2

1) One characteristic of Mark’s gospel is the fast pace at which the events of Jesus’ ministry unfold.  Consider the day described in 1:21-34.  This makes what we read in 1:35 even more incredible.  When did Jesus pray?  What do you think Jesus prayed for?  What excuses do you have for not starting your day this way?

2) Jesus lived with purpose (1:38), yet responded to what He saw around Him (1:40-42).  How can you do both?  How could the time Jesus spent in prayer (see question 1) have prepared Him for the day?

3) Consider the types of people that followed Jesus (2:13-17).  How should this impact us?  How do we live right in God’s eyes and live out in the world?

It wasn’t until after sunset that Jesus began healing those that came from the whole town (1:32-34).  We don’t know how late He was up, but “very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.”  This certainly shows the absolute priority Jesus had regarding His time with His Father.  If the God the Son needed to spend time with God the Father, how much more important is it for us to do so.

Although He was busy, Jesus never lost sight of what He was here for – people.  Compassion was what guided Him and His response time and time again was, “I am willing.”  I pray we would say “I am willing” to those in need around us.

As good, church-going people, we sometimes don’t know what to do with Jesus and the people He was with.  The religious leaders couldn’t have imagined spending time with “them”.  But we are called to make a difference in a very dark world (see Philippians 2:15).