Quick Note: I recommend that you occassonal reference one of the various "paraphrase" translations of the Bible to enhance your Bible study. The Message (see second link above) is a really good one, and is available on www.biblegateway.com. I would not rely on this as your primary translation, but as a supplement.
Understand the Passage:
- What circumstances in the Old Testament would Jesus' time in the wilderness parallel for a Jew of Jesus' day? What is the importance of these connections?
- Why did Jesus need to be "tested" before initiating his public ministry? (note: Matt 4:1 "Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness..")
- What type of tests did Jesus encounter in the wilderness? How might we characterize them in modern terms?
- What strikes you about the calling of Jesus' first disciples and the launch of his public ministry?
Application
- What is the prevailing attitude in today's church toward testing or tempatation? What temptations are inevitable for most people?
- The devil offered Jesus the kingdom without the cross - how are we tempted in the same way today?
- In what specific area of your life is temptation the strongest these days? What steps can you take this week to resist the temptations you are facing?
- What does it mean for you personally to "follow" Jesus? In what way do you consider yourself a fisher of men?
No comments:
Post a Comment