Although I setup this blog back in January, I was procrastinating until I heard from someone who felt the content was somewhat lacking. Last Monday night, 2/18/2008, was such a night. Thanks Charles.
If, in the process of reading, you find something that you feel was misstated, please feel free to add a comment and I will do one of the following: make changes accordingly, answer your comment, or both.
Blogs tend to be a chronology such that the sequence of each posting follows linearly from that of the previous post. However, since this blog's genesis finds itself more than half way through the book of Matthew, I will add posts that proceed in both directions (forward and backward) starting with Matthew chapter 17.
Monday, April 28, 2008
Matthew 26:1-46
Preparation For Death (Matthew 26:1-16)
God's plans always succeed.
Is the value you place on Christ closer to that of Mary or of Judas?
How does your life reflect that value?
Whose plans are more important to you, your or God's? How might your actions be a contradiction to your answer?
Preparation For Passover (Matthew 26:17-30)
All Christians should partake of communion regularly.
Where is your focus when you partake of the Lord's supper?
Has the remembrance become more important to you than the event it remembers?
How diligent are you at removing the yeast before communion?
Preparation In Prayer (Matthew 26:31-46)
Turning to God provides strength to endure any difficulty.
How are you like the disciples in your prayer life?
How have you seen your right motives fail due to lack of prayer?
Is God's will the most important aspect of your approach to prayer?
God's plans always succeed.
Is the value you place on Christ closer to that of Mary or of Judas?
How does your life reflect that value?
Whose plans are more important to you, your or God's? How might your actions be a contradiction to your answer?
Preparation For Passover (Matthew 26:17-30)
All Christians should partake of communion regularly.
Where is your focus when you partake of the Lord's supper?
Has the remembrance become more important to you than the event it remembers?
How diligent are you at removing the yeast before communion?
Preparation In Prayer (Matthew 26:31-46)
Turning to God provides strength to endure any difficulty.
How are you like the disciples in your prayer life?
How have you seen your right motives fail due to lack of prayer?
Is God's will the most important aspect of your approach to prayer?
Matthew 25
Anticipating Delay? (Matthew 25:1-13)
Future preparation for the future is not possible.
What makes you certain that Christ will welcome you into his kingdom one day?
Do you have any oil or are you hoping to get some later in life?
What is the basis for your relationship with God? Something you do or strictly something that He has done for you?
How are you relying upon another Christian and your association with him to give you a right status with the king?
How are you perhaps basing your readiness on some past experience? Might you be fooled or lulled to sleep?
Faithfully Occupied? (Matthew 25:14-30)
Only faithfulness is rewarded by God.
What is your honest opinion of the Master? Are you afraid of Him? Do you think He is unjust?
What misunderstanding of God's true character is keeping you from being a true servant?
Regardless of your abilities, what are you honestly doing with God's resources?
How are you dwelling too much on your abilities instead of taking seriously your responsibilities to God?
What will you hear the Master say on the Day of Accountability?
Whose Inheritance? (Matthew 25:27-35)
God's love is the basis for our ability to love as God requires.
How would you rate your love and concern for other Christians?
What does this tell you about yourself?
Are the things you do for others out of guilt, coercion, and fear, or do they stem from God's love inside you?
If you were to stand before God tonight, which side would He place you on, the right or the left? Are you absolutely sure?
Future preparation for the future is not possible.
What makes you certain that Christ will welcome you into his kingdom one day?
Do you have any oil or are you hoping to get some later in life?
What is the basis for your relationship with God? Something you do or strictly something that He has done for you?
How are you relying upon another Christian and your association with him to give you a right status with the king?
How are you perhaps basing your readiness on some past experience? Might you be fooled or lulled to sleep?
Faithfully Occupied? (Matthew 25:14-30)
Only faithfulness is rewarded by God.
What is your honest opinion of the Master? Are you afraid of Him? Do you think He is unjust?
What misunderstanding of God's true character is keeping you from being a true servant?
Regardless of your abilities, what are you honestly doing with God's resources?
How are you dwelling too much on your abilities instead of taking seriously your responsibilities to God?
What will you hear the Master say on the Day of Accountability?
Whose Inheritance? (Matthew 25:27-35)
God's love is the basis for our ability to love as God requires.
How would you rate your love and concern for other Christians?
What does this tell you about yourself?
Are the things you do for others out of guilt, coercion, and fear, or do they stem from God's love inside you?
If you were to stand before God tonight, which side would He place you on, the right or the left? Are you absolutely sure?
Monday, April 21, 2008
Matthew 24:1-51
Prelude: Two Questions (Matthew 24:1-3)
Jesus honors honest questions about the future.
Who are you taking your honest question about the future to?
Are you looking to the sages of our day? Or you looking to the one who has the answers for all time?
Are you taking more of your queues about the uncertainty of our day from the pessimistic media outlets or from the infallible word of God?
Premonition: The Birth Pains (Matthew 24:4-26)
Tribulation will precede Christ's second coming.
How are you equipping yourself to deal with the tribulation to come?
Are you spending time studying the word so that you won't fall prey to false teachers and be led away from the faith?
What are you doing to get to know the author of this Book more intimately?
How will you be able to distinguish between the true Christ and a counterfeit? They will be convincing!
Are you prepared to give your life for your faith if that's what God requires of you?
Παρουσία: Redemption's Consummation (Matthew 24:27-35)
Jesus' coming brings fear to the lost and hope to the elect.
Are the events of Jesus coming something you dread or something you long for?
Will you be a mourner or be rejoicing when Jesus returns?
Are you excited about Jesus return or neutral? Why?
Jesus honors honest questions about the future.
Who are you taking your honest question about the future to?
Are you looking to the sages of our day? Or you looking to the one who has the answers for all time?
Are you taking more of your queues about the uncertainty of our day from the pessimistic media outlets or from the infallible word of God?
Premonition: The Birth Pains (Matthew 24:4-26)
Tribulation will precede Christ's second coming.
How are you equipping yourself to deal with the tribulation to come?
Are you spending time studying the word so that you won't fall prey to false teachers and be led away from the faith?
What are you doing to get to know the author of this Book more intimately?
How will you be able to distinguish between the true Christ and a counterfeit? They will be convincing!
Are you prepared to give your life for your faith if that's what God requires of you?
Παρουσία: Redemption's Consummation (Matthew 24:27-35)
Jesus' coming brings fear to the lost and hope to the elect.
Are the events of Jesus coming something you dread or something you long for?
Will you be a mourner or be rejoicing when Jesus returns?
Are you excited about Jesus return or neutral? Why?
Matthew 22:15-23:39
Three Deceptive Questions (Matthew 22:15-40)
God made man so everything man is belongs to God.
What areas of your life lack evidence of a love for God?
Do you consider God in all your motives, thoughts, energies, emotions, etc.?
Do you ask God for direction or do you ask God to bless your current direction?
Is obeying God more important to you than personal goals?
How are you guilty of being ignorant of Scripture and of God's power?
When convicted by what you read do you ignore it or do you ask God to apply it or do you think of someone you know who could use that Scripture?
How are you doing as a citizen of this country?
Are you paying the respect, acting upon your civic duties, and paying what you owe to those in authority?
Could anyone close to you legitimately call you a hypocrite?
Three Revealing Questions (Matthew 22:41-46)
Jesus is both the Son of David and the Son of God.
Why is it important to you that Jesus is not merely the son of David?
What does the fact that Jesus is Lord mean to you?
By definition, Jesus is Lord, but is He just Lord to you or is He your Lord?
Seven Deserved Denunciations (Matthew 23:1-39)
God condemns spiritual hypocrisy.
In which of the seven woes do you see a bit of yourself and what are you going to do to deal with it?
Where do your words and your actions diverge?
Are all of your actions worth following? Why or why not?
Are all of your words worth following? Why or why not?
How are you sporting a superior attitude in relation to other kingdom members?
How might you be elevating a spiritual leader in your mind to a position reserved only for God?
God made man so everything man is belongs to God.
What areas of your life lack evidence of a love for God?
Do you consider God in all your motives, thoughts, energies, emotions, etc.?
Do you ask God for direction or do you ask God to bless your current direction?
Is obeying God more important to you than personal goals?
How are you guilty of being ignorant of Scripture and of God's power?
When convicted by what you read do you ignore it or do you ask God to apply it or do you think of someone you know who could use that Scripture?
How are you doing as a citizen of this country?
Are you paying the respect, acting upon your civic duties, and paying what you owe to those in authority?
Could anyone close to you legitimately call you a hypocrite?
Three Revealing Questions (Matthew 22:41-46)
Jesus is both the Son of David and the Son of God.
Why is it important to you that Jesus is not merely the son of David?
What does the fact that Jesus is Lord mean to you?
By definition, Jesus is Lord, but is He just Lord to you or is He your Lord?
Seven Deserved Denunciations (Matthew 23:1-39)
God condemns spiritual hypocrisy.
In which of the seven woes do you see a bit of yourself and what are you going to do to deal with it?
Where do your words and your actions diverge?
Are all of your actions worth following? Why or why not?
Are all of your words worth following? Why or why not?
How are you sporting a superior attitude in relation to other kingdom members?
How might you be elevating a spiritual leader in your mind to a position reserved only for God?
Matthew 21:18 - 22:14
Rejection - Opposition -- But FAITH (Matthew 21:18-22)
Believing in Christ and actions aligned with His will shows true faithfulness.What area in your life seems like a mountain and how can your prayer life better address that mountain?
Rejection - Opposition -- But Belief and Action (Matthew 21:23-32)
We cannot learn new truth if we disobey what God has already told us.
What area in your life have your said "I Don't Know" but need to re-evaluate?
Rejection - Opposition -- Then Judgment (Matthew 21:33-46)
If you reject Jesus as savior then you will face him as judge.
What fruit is coming from your vineyard and what active steps are you taking to have a bumper crop this year?
Rejection - Opposition -- But Clothed in Jesus (Matthew 22:1-14)
Our self-righteousness must be exchanged for Jesus' righteousness.
What clothes will you be wearing to the banquet?
Believing in Christ and actions aligned with His will shows true faithfulness.What area in your life seems like a mountain and how can your prayer life better address that mountain?
Rejection - Opposition -- But Belief and Action (Matthew 21:23-32)
We cannot learn new truth if we disobey what God has already told us.
What area in your life have your said "I Don't Know" but need to re-evaluate?
Rejection - Opposition -- Then Judgment (Matthew 21:33-46)
If you reject Jesus as savior then you will face him as judge.
What fruit is coming from your vineyard and what active steps are you taking to have a bumper crop this year?
Rejection - Opposition -- But Clothed in Jesus (Matthew 22:1-14)
Our self-righteousness must be exchanged for Jesus' righteousness.
What clothes will you be wearing to the banquet?
Matthew 19:23 - 21:17
The Value of Discipleship (Matthew 19:23-20:16)
The Christian reaps rewards in eternity.What attitude of superiority do you need to renounce in relation to others in God's vineyard?
How are you forgetting that none of us deserve God's grace and that He owes us nothing?
What have you had to give up to follow Jesus? And how does it compare to Eternal life?
The Value of Service (Matthew 20:17-34)
God values service, not slothfulness.
How have you been the recipient of a Christian brother serving you?
What has God given you that you can use in service to others?
How are you using your spiritual gifts for others in your church?
Who do you find hard to serve for one reason or other? Will you ask God for the opportunity and ability to obey His mandate?
The Value of the Savior (Matthew 21:1-17)
God values pure motives and obedience.
What do you need cleaned out of your life?
Are you willing to risk asking God to show you what is displeasing in your life?
If He shows you, are you willing to ask Him to remove it?
How is your life making the statement the children made regarding Jesus' ability to save?
The Christian reaps rewards in eternity.What attitude of superiority do you need to renounce in relation to others in God's vineyard?
How are you forgetting that none of us deserve God's grace and that He owes us nothing?
What have you had to give up to follow Jesus? And how does it compare to Eternal life?
The Value of Service (Matthew 20:17-34)
God values service, not slothfulness.
How have you been the recipient of a Christian brother serving you?
What has God given you that you can use in service to others?
How are you using your spiritual gifts for others in your church?
Who do you find hard to serve for one reason or other? Will you ask God for the opportunity and ability to obey His mandate?
The Value of the Savior (Matthew 21:1-17)
God values pure motives and obedience.
What do you need cleaned out of your life?
Are you willing to risk asking God to show you what is displeasing in your life?
If He shows you, are you willing to ask Him to remove it?
How is your life making the statement the children made regarding Jesus' ability to save?
Tuesday, March 4, 2008
Matthew 19:1-22
Two Are One (Matthew 19:1-12)
What God has done, man dare not undo!
How do you need to change your attitude in relation to your wife? To be more sacrificial. More loving. More sensitive to her needs. Less self-absorbed.
What past offense do you need to repent of and who do you need to ask forgiveness of?
How are you treating your current marriage as a permanent institution ordained by God?
The Insignificant Are Significant (Matthew 19:13-15)
The insignificant are significant to God.
What signals, verbal or otherwise, are you giving your children regarding the importance of time spent with God?
How might your actions be turning “little ones” away from Jesus?
How are your being used by God to draw the children to Jesus?
"Good" Is Not Good (Matthew 19:16-22)
God demands goodness but only God can supply it.
What good things are your trying to do to please God when the only good you can do is submit your life to Christ?
What is in your life is robbing God of your complete devotion?
Will you ask God this week to show you where your allegiance is split between Him and something else?
What God has done, man dare not undo!
How do you need to change your attitude in relation to your wife? To be more sacrificial. More loving. More sensitive to her needs. Less self-absorbed.
What past offense do you need to repent of and who do you need to ask forgiveness of?
How are you treating your current marriage as a permanent institution ordained by God?
The Insignificant Are Significant (Matthew 19:13-15)
The insignificant are significant to God.
What signals, verbal or otherwise, are you giving your children regarding the importance of time spent with God?
How might your actions be turning “little ones” away from Jesus?
How are your being used by God to draw the children to Jesus?
"Good" Is Not Good (Matthew 19:16-22)
God demands goodness but only God can supply it.
What good things are your trying to do to please God when the only good you can do is submit your life to Christ?
What is in your life is robbing God of your complete devotion?
Will you ask God this week to show you where your allegiance is split between Him and something else?
Matthew 18
Humility (Matthew 18:1-9)
In God's eyes, only the humble are great.
When did you enter God's kingdom in humility?
How are you doing at becoming great in the kingdom of heaven?
When was the last time you seriously asked God to show you areas of pride in your life?
How do you plan to start taking on a Christlike attitude of serving others?
What are you allowing in your life that might be causing others to sin?
Repentance & Restoration (Matthew 18:10-20)
Jesus demands discipline in the church.
How have you witness the effects of personal sin and its impact on others?
What sin have you seen in a brother that needs to be addressed by you?
How has your service to Christ and your church been negatively effected by sin in your life?
How do you need to pray for and show love toward someone who has been removed from church fellowship?
Forgiveness (Matthew 18:21-35)
An unforgiving heart indicates an unforgiven heart.
Who are you withholding forgiveness from? Will you forgive them tonight?
Who have you forgiven, but still have hard feelings toward? You need forgiveness from the heart – ask God for the ability.
What do you need to ask God to forgive you for?
What do you need to ask a brother to forgive you for?
In God's eyes, only the humble are great.
When did you enter God's kingdom in humility?
How are you doing at becoming great in the kingdom of heaven?
When was the last time you seriously asked God to show you areas of pride in your life?
How do you plan to start taking on a Christlike attitude of serving others?
What are you allowing in your life that might be causing others to sin?
Repentance & Restoration (Matthew 18:10-20)
Jesus demands discipline in the church.
How have you witness the effects of personal sin and its impact on others?
What sin have you seen in a brother that needs to be addressed by you?
How has your service to Christ and your church been negatively effected by sin in your life?
How do you need to pray for and show love toward someone who has been removed from church fellowship?
Forgiveness (Matthew 18:21-35)
An unforgiving heart indicates an unforgiven heart.
Who are you withholding forgiveness from? Will you forgive them tonight?
Who have you forgiven, but still have hard feelings toward? You need forgiveness from the heart – ask God for the ability.
What do you need to ask God to forgive you for?
What do you need to ask a brother to forgive you for?
Saturday, February 23, 2008
Matthew 13 Part 1
Have or Have Not (Matthew 13:1-3a; 10-17)
Rejecting the truth leads to a hard heart and inability to hear.
What callouses are on your heart as a result of selective hearing or hearing without doing?
What do you need to do, like the disciples did, in order to come back to the one who can reveal the truth to you?
How have you been bless because you hear and see the truth? Will you thank God for that blessing?
Humus or Hard Pack (Matthew 13:3b-9)
True believers hear the word, understand, and produce a crop.
What is the condition of the soil of your heart? Hard packed, rocky, thorny, or Good?
What spiritual fruit are you producing for God's kingdom?
What can you do to ensure an optimal yield?
If your heart soil is not good, will you ask God to change the condition of your heart from its current state to one that is receptive to Him?
Wheat or Weed (Matthew 13:24-30; 36-43)
Only good seed are in God's Kingdom.
What are you doing to reach the weeds around you with the Gospel of Jesus Christ?
How is the fact that God is the owner of the field a comfort to you in these days of trouble?
What is it that make you certain you are wheat and not a weed? How did you get planted here?
Rejecting the truth leads to a hard heart and inability to hear.
What callouses are on your heart as a result of selective hearing or hearing without doing?
What do you need to do, like the disciples did, in order to come back to the one who can reveal the truth to you?
How have you been bless because you hear and see the truth? Will you thank God for that blessing?
Humus or Hard Pack (Matthew 13:3b-9)
True believers hear the word, understand, and produce a crop.
What is the condition of the soil of your heart? Hard packed, rocky, thorny, or Good?
What spiritual fruit are you producing for God's kingdom?
What can you do to ensure an optimal yield?
If your heart soil is not good, will you ask God to change the condition of your heart from its current state to one that is receptive to Him?
Wheat or Weed (Matthew 13:24-30; 36-43)
Only good seed are in God's Kingdom.
What are you doing to reach the weeds around you with the Gospel of Jesus Christ?
How is the fact that God is the owner of the field a comfort to you in these days of trouble?
What is it that make you certain you are wheat and not a weed? How did you get planted here?
Matthew 13 Part 2
Humble Beginnings (Matthew 13:31-35)
Jesus' words reveal hidden truth.
What new truths have you gained from our Matthew study this year? And more importantly, what difference is it making in your life?
How are you encouraged by the fact that God can turn the seemingly insignificant into something very significant?
What active part are you taking in the spread of God's kingdom?
Immense Value (Matthew 13:44-50)
Losing everything to be a disciple is an excellent deal.
What cost of discipleship have your experienced?
What part of “everything” are you not willing to give up in order to be a disciple?
What kind of “fish” does God consider you, wicked or righteous?
Revelation Brings Responsibility (Matthew 13:51-58)
All disciples have a mandate to teach what they learn.
Is your conclusion about Jesus based upon a good or a faulty premise? How do you know?
As a disciple, has God given you any understanding? If so, what are you doing with it now?
As a disciple, do you lack any understanding? Who are you asking and where are you searching for revelation?
Jesus' words reveal hidden truth.
What new truths have you gained from our Matthew study this year? And more importantly, what difference is it making in your life?
How are you encouraged by the fact that God can turn the seemingly insignificant into something very significant?
What active part are you taking in the spread of God's kingdom?
Immense Value (Matthew 13:44-50)
Losing everything to be a disciple is an excellent deal.
What cost of discipleship have your experienced?
What part of “everything” are you not willing to give up in order to be a disciple?
What kind of “fish” does God consider you, wicked or righteous?
Revelation Brings Responsibility (Matthew 13:51-58)
All disciples have a mandate to teach what they learn.
Is your conclusion about Jesus based upon a good or a faulty premise? How do you know?
As a disciple, has God given you any understanding? If so, what are you doing with it now?
As a disciple, do you lack any understanding? Who are you asking and where are you searching for revelation?
Matthew 14
John Beheaded (Matthew 14:1-12)
True obedience, not tradition, pleases God.
What good traditions do you observe that are based upon Scripture?
What traditions are you blindly following which really contradict the Scriptures?
What wrong interpretations of Scripture are you using as a pretext for disobeying God?
What words are you using that truly bring praise to God and enable worship?
What empty word are you bringing to God and calling it worship?
Thousands Fed (Matthew 14:13-21)
Genuine faith is strengthened through testing.
How have you experience stronger faith after going through difficult testing?
How are you approaching God with your needs? Is it humble yet expectant? Are you persistent, even when He's silent?
How have you experienced confident persistence in prayer this year and how has God rewarded your persistence?
Peter's Walk (Matthew 14:22-36)
God's work results in God receiving glory.
How are you seeing God praised through the work you do for Him?
How have you experienced the same test over again because you didn't learn the lesson the first time?
What impossible thing are you facing in your own strength that needs to be turned over to Jesus?
True obedience, not tradition, pleases God.
What good traditions do you observe that are based upon Scripture?
What traditions are you blindly following which really contradict the Scriptures?
What wrong interpretations of Scripture are you using as a pretext for disobeying God?
What words are you using that truly bring praise to God and enable worship?
What empty word are you bringing to God and calling it worship?
Thousands Fed (Matthew 14:13-21)
Genuine faith is strengthened through testing.
How have you experience stronger faith after going through difficult testing?
How are you approaching God with your needs? Is it humble yet expectant? Are you persistent, even when He's silent?
How have you experienced confident persistence in prayer this year and how has God rewarded your persistence?
Peter's Walk (Matthew 14:22-36)
God's work results in God receiving glory.
How are you seeing God praised through the work you do for Him?
How have you experienced the same test over again because you didn't learn the lesson the first time?
What impossible thing are you facing in your own strength that needs to be turned over to Jesus?
Matthew 15
False Traditions (Matthew 15:1-20)
True obedience, not tradition, pleases God.
What good traditions do you observe that are based upon Scripture?
What traditions are you blindly following which really contradict the Scriptures?
What wrong interpretations of Scripture are you using as a pretext for disobeying God?
What words are you using that truly bring praise to God and enable worship?
What empty word are you bringing to God and calling it worship?
Faith Tested (Matthew 15:21-28)
Genuine faith is strengthened through testing.
How have you experience stronger faith after going through difficult testing?
How are you approaching God with your needs? Is it humble yet expectant? Are you persistent, even when He's silent?
How have you experienced confident persistence in prayer this year and how has God rewarded your persistence?
Thousands Fed (Matthew 15:29-39)
God's work results in God receiving glory.
How are you seeing God praised through the work you do for Him?
How have you experienced the same test over again because you didn't learn the lesson the first time?
What impossible thing are you facing in your own strength that needs to be turned over to Jesus?
True obedience, not tradition, pleases God.
What good traditions do you observe that are based upon Scripture?
What traditions are you blindly following which really contradict the Scriptures?
What wrong interpretations of Scripture are you using as a pretext for disobeying God?
What words are you using that truly bring praise to God and enable worship?
What empty word are you bringing to God and calling it worship?
Faith Tested (Matthew 15:21-28)
Genuine faith is strengthened through testing.
How have you experience stronger faith after going through difficult testing?
How are you approaching God with your needs? Is it humble yet expectant? Are you persistent, even when He's silent?
How have you experienced confident persistence in prayer this year and how has God rewarded your persistence?
Thousands Fed (Matthew 15:29-39)
God's work results in God receiving glory.
How are you seeing God praised through the work you do for Him?
How have you experienced the same test over again because you didn't learn the lesson the first time?
What impossible thing are you facing in your own strength that needs to be turned over to Jesus?
Matthew 16
A Sign or a Savior (Matthew 16:1-12)
God doesn't give special signs to skeptics.
What false teachers or teachings are you listening to?
What do you need to stop ignoring from God's word so He can move you into a relationship with Him?
What do you need to stop ignoring from God's word so He can move you into a deeper walk with Him?
How are the questions you're asking really hypocritical, since you wouldn't believe the answer if you were told?
The Essential Question (Matthew 16:13-20)
Everyone must answer the question, 'Who is Jesus'?
Who do you say Jesus is?
What difference has your answer made in your day to day life?
What are you doing with the key God has given you (the Gospel)?
The Key Revealed (Matthew 16:21-28)
True life is only possible through the cross.
Have you found real life, or are you still living your old life?
What are you afraid of losing by following Jesus?
How are you trying to earn your way into God's good graces? Don't you know that's impossible?
What cross do you need to start picking up daily in order to follow Jesus?
God doesn't give special signs to skeptics.
What false teachers or teachings are you listening to?
What do you need to stop ignoring from God's word so He can move you into a relationship with Him?
What do you need to stop ignoring from God's word so He can move you into a deeper walk with Him?
How are the questions you're asking really hypocritical, since you wouldn't believe the answer if you were told?
The Essential Question (Matthew 16:13-20)
Everyone must answer the question, 'Who is Jesus'?
Who do you say Jesus is?
What difference has your answer made in your day to day life?
What are you doing with the key God has given you (the Gospel)?
The Key Revealed (Matthew 16:21-28)
True life is only possible through the cross.
Have you found real life, or are you still living your old life?
What are you afraid of losing by following Jesus?
How are you trying to earn your way into God's good graces? Don't you know that's impossible?
What cross do you need to start picking up daily in order to follow Jesus?
Matthew 17
Jesus Transfigured (Matthew 17:1-13)
Experience is no substitute for, but instead must reinforce, the truth.
Do you know Jesus any better now than when we started this Matthew study? If not, why not?
How have you experienced a nearness to Jesus lately and how has it changed your perspective?
How much time are you taking out of your busy life to spend in concentrated prayer?
What changes are you going to make to spend more time alone in prayer?
When was the last time your fell on your face before God and marveled at His Majesty?
Little or No Faith (Matthew 17:14-23)
The object of faith is more important than the quantity of faith.
What mountains are you facing in your life that seem impossible? Have you brought them in prayer to Jesus lately?
How has God growing your faith recently? If it's not growing, why not?
What work have you started in God's power, but are no longer relying on Him but on your own ability? Without faith, it is impossible to please God!
Tax From a Fish's Mouth (Matthew 17:24-27)
Jesus is the true temple of God.
Are you part of the body of Christ? What evidence is there to that fact?
What are you trusting in for your eternal destiny? Is it your works? Is it your church? Or is it the glorified Christ who died and rose again?
In light of God redeeming you, what are you offering Him in return?
Experience is no substitute for, but instead must reinforce, the truth.
Do you know Jesus any better now than when we started this Matthew study? If not, why not?
How have you experienced a nearness to Jesus lately and how has it changed your perspective?
How much time are you taking out of your busy life to spend in concentrated prayer?
What changes are you going to make to spend more time alone in prayer?
When was the last time your fell on your face before God and marveled at His Majesty?
Little or No Faith (Matthew 17:14-23)
The object of faith is more important than the quantity of faith.
What mountains are you facing in your life that seem impossible? Have you brought them in prayer to Jesus lately?
How has God growing your faith recently? If it's not growing, why not?
What work have you started in God's power, but are no longer relying on Him but on your own ability? Without faith, it is impossible to please God!
Tax From a Fish's Mouth (Matthew 17:24-27)
Jesus is the true temple of God.
Are you part of the body of Christ? What evidence is there to that fact?
What are you trusting in for your eternal destiny? Is it your works? Is it your church? Or is it the glorified Christ who died and rose again?
In light of God redeeming you, what are you offering Him in return?
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