May 26-31
May 26: Week 1 Start - The Gospel of Matthew
Who is this Jesus of Nazareth? How does He fit with the Messiah spoken of by the Hebrew prophets? What guidelines does Jesus offer for life?
John 20:31 states the clear purpose of all the gospels: “These are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name” (as crucial to us as to people in the time of the gospel writers). The same issue is at stake: Belief will lead to eternal life, unbelief to eternal death. Therefore, the two worlds are alike: Twenty centuries later we should ask with the first century believers, “Who is this Jesus of Nazareth?”
Matthew, a Jewish Christian, writes specifically to Jewish readers to answer this question and support his claim that Jesus is the fulfillment of Jewish prophecy. Matthew’s purpose seems to be education rather than evangelism–he wrote not for the outsider but in order that believers could deepen their understanding of their roots (where they came from).
In the very first verse, Matthew introduces Jesus as the “Son of David” and so begins to form his argument: Jesus is clearly presented as the Messiah long awaited by the nation of Israel. Matthew quotes again and again from the Old Testament as he urges that Jesus is the One spoken of in the prophecies, that He is the fulfillment of the law, and that He is in fact “King of the Jews” promised by God long ago.
As you read Matthew, pay particular attention to these characteristics: 1) sensitivity to Jewish audience 2) great interest in the end of the age and Second Coming 3) teachings about Christian community and fellowship 4) main blocks of Jesus’ teachings 5) Christ as King
May 26: Read Matthew 1-4
1. Note how many times Matthew refers to Old Testament prophecies in these four chapters. Keep a list or tally as you read through the entire gospel.
2. (1:23) What is the meaning of “Immanuel”? To what extent is God with you in your everyday life?
3. (3:17) Why do you think God the Father is “well pleased” with you today?
4. (4:17) Comment on the fact that the temptation in the wilderness was before the beginning of Jesus’ preaching ministry. Do you think this ordering is significant? Why or why not?
5. What stood out to you from today’s reading?
May 27: Read Matthew 5-7
1. These chapters contain Jesus’ most famous block of teaching, the Sermon on the Mount. What are five topics He deals with?
2. (6:25-34) This passage (one of the most beautiful and encouraging in Scripture) is summarized in verse 33. What is making you anxious today? What does Jesus teach here about your worries? How might you be seeking God’s kingdom (His ways) more persistently?
3. (7:1-11) Consider your life in light of these verses. What have you hesitated to ask God for? How does this passage influence your prayers?
4. (7:24-27) What are you building your life on? What is your most important goal or priority? Is this goal/priority most like rock or sand?
5. What stood out to you from today’s reading?
May 28: Read Matthew 8-10
1. (8:5-13; 9:20-22) Think about the relationship between God’s mighty power and our faith. How do these two things work together? What do these two examples of faith teach you about yourself?
2. (8:23-27) What storm in your life has Jesus calmed? What current turbulence can you ask Him to silence now?
3. (10:1-42) Consider the specifics of Jesus’ instructions. What assignment does He make, what warnings does He give, and what comfort does He offer?
4. What stood out to you from today’s reading?
May 29: Read Matthew 11-13
1. (12:1-14) Jesus claims that He is Lord of the Sabbath. How do the Pharisees react to this statement? How does Jesus’ claim affect the man with the shriveled hand?
2. (12:46-50) What tone of voice do you imagine Jesus used in verse 48? What do you think Jesus meant by His comments here?
3. (13:18-23) What kind of ground did the seed of God’s Word find in your life? If the conditions have changed over the years, comment on the differences that you’ve experienced. Spend some time talking to God about the growing conditions (past and present) in your life.
4. What stood out to you from today’s reading?
May 30: Read Matthew 14-16
1. (14:1-22) Imagine that day and its schedule of demanding activities. What had Jesus done that day? What did he do at the end of it? What do you usually do after a long and exhausting day?
2. (15:21-28) How did you react to Jesus’ initial response to the woman’s plea for help? What are your thoughts about her response to Jesus? What is a lesson, from this story, that you can apply to your life?
3. (16:5-12) What do you think Jesus felt when He heard the disciples’ words in verse 7? What was Jesus trying to tell them? Do you think you always understand God’s message to you? What can you do today to help you hear Him more clearly?
4. What stood out to you from today’s reading?
May 31: Read Matthew 17-19
1. (17:20-21) What does the mini-parable of these verses teach you about your faith?
2. (18:19-20) What do these two verses teach about prayer? What about the importance of a community of believers?
3. (18:21-35) Look at yourself for a moment. For what has God forgiven you? Have you forgiven people who have hurt or disappointed you? When have you been like an unmerciful servant who has been forgiven much but will not forgive little? Talk to God about the issue of forgiveness in your life.
4. (19:16-30) What keeps the young man from having eternal life? What are some things in your life that tend to keep you from loving Jesus wholeheartedly?
5. What stood out to you from today’s reading?