Understand the Passage:
- Of what did Jesus accuse the religious leaders? What evidence of twisted priorities did he cite?
- What important warning about spiritual deception did Jesus issue?
- To what did Jesus' compare his return? Why?
Application
- How can a spiritual leader affect his or her followers?
- What are some of the dangers of having a "checklist" of dos and don't that go beyond God's written Word?
- How is it helpful that Jesus didn't give us a specific time or date for His return? How is is difficult?
- How can we use our time each day to honor the Lord's imminent return?
Understand the Passage
- During the Triumphant Entry, what was the significance of the donkey? The cloaks? The shouting by the people?
- What themes are similar among the parables in Chapters 21 and 22? (Two sons, Tenants, Wedding Banquet)
- How was Jesus' tested by the religious leaders of the day? What was remarkable about his responses?
Application
- In what ways do we try to rationalize our way out of submitting to Jesus' authority? In what area of your life have you been putting off full submission to God?
- When is it too late to do the right thing? How do Jesus' comments in these Chapter help define his meaning of "repentance?"
- Who do you think Jesus' is calling you to minister to today? How is our ministry approach consistent or inconsistent with Jesus' teaching in these chapters?
- What else did you learn?
Scripture Reading:
Matthew 20Understand the Passage
- What strikes you personally about the parable in Chapter 20 (Workers in the Vineyard)? Why did that aspect of the story catch your attention?
- What was James/John's mother really asking for when she made her request of Jesus?
- How is Jesus' 3rd prediction of his death consistent/different from his earlier disclosures we have read previously in Matthew?
Application
- On a scale of 1-10, how would you rate your level of generosity? What factors in your life have contributed to how generous/or not so generous a person you are?
- In our studies of Matthew, we have seen that those who pursue Jesus the hardest (e.g. leper), the loudest (e.g. two blind men here) are most blessed. In what area of your life are you "pursuing" Jesus in this way? In what way does fear prevent you from pursuing him more?
- I am struck how Jesus consistently asks the question "What do you want me to do for you?" - when the answer is both obvious (such as with the blind man) and not so obvious (as with James/John's mother). How would you answer that question if Jesus ask you that question today?
Reading: Matthew 19
Understand the Passage
- Why do you think the Pharisees questioned Jesus about divorce? (Remember what got John the Baptist in trouble with Herod) What was their real objective with the question?
- Why do you think the disciples tried to keep the children from Jesus?
- Why were Jesus' comments about rich people entering the kingdom of Heaven so surprising to the disciples?
Application
- In what ways do we incorrectly weigh people's worth or favor with God based on their wealth or social status? How does it impact our relationships?
- What "attachments" do we hold on to that keep us from following Jesus?
- What teachings of Jesus do you find the "hardest" to follow? Why?
- What does it mean for you to be "last" in your marriage / family? In what areas do you insist on being first?
Scripture Reading:
Matthew 17-18Understand the Passage:
- Who else appeared and began talking to Jesus on top of the mountain? What was the significance of the event?
- What memories or insight do you think Peter, James and John took away from this event?
- Why did Jesus say a person's treatment of children was significant?
- What quality makes for true greatness in God's kingdom?
Application
- How might seeing Christ in all his glory prompt us to obey Him more completely? In what ways does he reveal himself today?
- What prevents us from being more "child-like" in our faith? In what ways can you be more child-like?
- If God is so willing to forgive us, why are we sometimes unwilling to forgive others?
