Matthew 13:31 - 35, 44 - 58; Lesson 14

John's study this week:

Content (Summarize 10 – 15 statements on the passage)

Matthew 13:31-35

1. Matthew 13:31 - 32 Jesus gives us the parable of the kingdom of heaven being like a mustard seed planted  and grows in the garden to become a tree and give support to birds who come and rest in it.

2. Matthew 13:33 – 33 Jesus gives us the parable of the kingdom of heaven being  like yeast that a woman took and mixed into about sixty pounds of flour until it worked all through the dough.”
3. Matthew 13: 34 – 35 Jesus spoke of many things, always in parables thus fulfilling the prophesy:  “I will open my mouth in parables; I will utter things hidden since the creation of the world.”

Matthew 13:44-58

4. Matthew 13:44 - 44 Jesus gives us a parable of the kingdom of heaven being like treasure hidden in a field which when a man finds it, hides it again then sells all he has and buys the land where he hid it.

5. Matthew 13:45 – 46 Jesus gives us the parable of the kingdom of heaven like a merchant looking for fine pearls, who when he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it.
6. Matthew 13:47 – 48 Jesus gives us the parable of the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was let down into the lake and caught all kinds of fish, and when it was full, the fishermen pulled it up on the shore, then sat down and collected the good fish in baskets and threw the bad away.
7. Matthew 13:49 – 51 Jesus then added and confirmed that we understand that this last parable speaks of the end of the age when angels will separate the wicked from the righteous and throw them into the blazing furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
8. Matthew 13:52 – 52 Jesus then teaches that  every teacher of the law who has become a disciple in the kingdom of heaven is like the owner of a house who brings out of his storeroom new treasures as well as old.
9. Matthew 13:53 – 57 Jesus then taught in his home town where He taught people who marveled at his wisdom and questioned where he got his power taking offense in their unbelief to which Jesus said to them “A prophet is not without honor except in his own town and in his own home.”
10. Matthew 13:58 – 58 Jesus did not do many miracles there because of their lack of faith.

Divisions (Two – three main summaries of passage being studied)

Matthew 13:31 – 32 Jesus teaches us prophetically that the church will grow from its humble beginning to a church that will reach the world for Christ.

Application: What are you doing to promote the growth of the church and the shelter it offers?

Matthew 13:33 – 35 Jesus teaches us that corruption (leavening) or worldly influence in the church is inevitable and will weaken the message of the Gospel.
Application: Cling to Jesus and His truth; do not stand for the corruption that may easily ensnare others.

Mathew 13:44 – 58 Jesus teaches us that He seeks to have us as His treasure or pearl, and values us to have us at any cost, to the point of his sacrificial death.

Application: How do you see yourself, as a treasure or pearl to Jesus? Remember not to hang on to guilt or past wrongs as you have been forgiven and the past forgotten.

Subject Sentence (Ten words or less)

Parables teach of growth, corruption, and value of God’s church.

AIM (Single / main point of teaching for the passage)

TCTATC that Jesus seeks us as one who values a pearl (believers) and happily gives all to possess us.

Genesis 16 - 17; Lesson 15

Chuck's study this week:

Lesson     15

Passage Genesis 16-17

Content (List of Topics or Events)

Man’s answer to God’s Covenant - Promise (Hagar and Ishmael) (Genesis 16) a. Sarai’s child answer - Hagar (1-4a) b. Sarai mistreats Hagar (4b-6) c. Angel of the Lord intercedes, describes son and “sees” Hagar’s distress (7-15)

God confirms covenant with circumcision identification (Household of God) (Genesis 17:1-16; 23-27) a. Name change to identify Abraham as father of nations (1-8) b. Covenant requirement circumcision (9-14) c. Name change to Sarah as mother of nations (15-16) d. Commitment identification with covenant circumcision (23-27)

God’s Covenant Son - Answer (Isaac from Sarah) (Genesis 17:17-22) a. Covenant Son Isaac foretold (19) b. Blessing to Ishmael (20) c. Time set for covenant son’s birth (21-22)

Divisions (Main Blocks of Thought)

Division	Scripture
Man’s answer to God’s Covenant - Promise (Hagar and Ishmael)	Genesis 16
God confirms covenant with circumcision identification (Household of God)	Genesis 17:1-16; 23-27
God’s Covenant Son - Answer (Isaac from Sarah)	Genesis 17:17-22

Subject Sentence (Summarizes the contents of the Divisions – No more than 10 words)

Human action is Ishmael, but identification with covenant yields Isaac blessing

Aim (Main Teaching Point of the Passage)

To Learn that being blameless in God’s eyes requires first identification with His covenant and walking with Him.

Specific Application Questions

	1.       In what ways are we intervening in God’s plans and setting our own direction?
	2.       How do we identify ourselves with God; how are we involved in our church?
	3.       What specific blessings, are you accepting through involvement in His work?

Principles to Remember

	God has a perfect plan for us.
	We should stick out as God’s own; an attractive ambassador of Christ
	There is blessing and joy in serving Jesus

Genesis 15: Lesson 14

Chuck's study this week:

Lesson     14

Passage Genesis 15

Content (List of Topics or Events)

God “the Word” comes to Abram  (Genesis 15:1-7) a. Vision of Lord “I am” Shield and Reward (1) b. Abram’s response  “no heir” (2-3) c. Word of Lord promises blood heir (4-6) d. Abram belief is righteousness (7)

Abram asks and God’s response to how to possess promise (Genesis 15:8-17) a. Abram wants to know that he will possess promise (8) b. God’s  request of sacrifice (9) c. The preparation of sacrifice (10-11) d. The journey to inheritance (12-16) e. Acceptance of sacrifice (17)

Lord’s Covenant with Abram (Genesis 15:18-21) a. Expanse of covenant “the land” (18) b. Impact of covenant  “the people” (19-21)

Divisions (Main Blocks of Thought)

Division	Scripture
God “the Word” comes to Abram	Genesis 15:1-7
Abram asks and God’s response to how to possess promise	Genesis 15:8-17
Lord’s Covenant with Abram	Genesis 15:18-21

Subject Sentence (Summarizes the contents of the Divisions – No more than 10 words)

God’s Word and Abram’s belief leads to covenant from God

Aim (Main Teaching Point of the Passage)

To Learn that belief in God’s promises leads to rich reward

Specific Application Questions

	1.       How are you being open to God’s word?
	2.       In what ways are you asking God to guide you?
	3.       How are you accepting God’s direction, or are you?
	4.

Principles to Remember

	The “Word” of the Lord never fails
	We need to participate in the promise of God
	The Lord has a plan for us; our faith is enriched by following God’s direction.

Genesis 14; Lesson 13

John's study this week:

Content

(In your own words, summarize passages into sentences. Goal of 12 – 15 sentences)

Genesis 14

1. Genesis 14: 1 – 4 Four kings: Amraphel, king of Shinar, Arioch, king of Ellasar, Kedorlaomer, king of Elam and Tidal, king of Goyim  went to war with Bera, king of Sodom, Birsha, king of Gomorrah, Shinab, king of Admah, Shemeber, king of Zeboyim, and the king of Bela rebelling as the had been subject for 12 years to the kingdom of Kedorlaomer.

2. Genesis 14:5 – 7 In the 14^th year Kedorlaomer and the kings allied with him went out and defeated the Rephaites, the Zuzites, the Emites and the Horites , then turned back and went to En Mishpat and conquered the whole territory of the Amalekites, as well as the Amorites.

3. Genesis 14:8 – 12 The 5 kings of Sodom, Gemorrah, Admah, Zeboyim and Bela battled against Kedorlaomer and his 3 kings and in loosing against K. lost their goods, food as well as Abram’s nephew Lot.

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4. Genesis 14:13 – 16 When Abram heard of Lot’s capture, called upon the 318 trained men in his household to attack and route the enemy, recovering the goods, Lot (and his possessions) as well as the women and other people captured.

5. Genesis 14:17 – 20a After Abram defeated K., the kings allied with Abram including the King of Sodom who came out to meet him and Melchizedek, king of Salem, who blessed Abram, praising God who delivered Abram’s enemies into his hand.

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6. Genesis 14:20b Abram gave a tenth of everything he had.

7. Genesis 14:21 - 23 When the king of Sodom said “Give me the people and keep the goods for yourself.” Abram replied that he had sworn to take nothing from Sodom or the spoils of war that the king could never say that he made or contributed to making Abram rich.

8. Genesis 14:24 Abram stated that he would accept nothing but what my men have eaten and the share that belongs to the men who went with me—to Aner, Eshkol and Mamre.  

Divisions

(Summarize main groupings of thoughts. Goal of 2, 3 or 4 divisions. ID passages covered)

1. Genesis 14:1 – 12 Without God as there focus, man rebels / wars against man which affects family and friends alike

Application: No Jesus, no peace; Know Jesus, know peace.

2. Genesis 14:13 – 20a Through Abram’s faithfulness, God blesses him with victory over their enemies.

Application: How are you including God in your battles?

3. Galatians 14:20b - 24 Abram offers sacrifice and praises honoring the God who gives victory.

Application: What have you offered to God for the victories in your life?

Subject Sentence

(Summarizing the Divisions into one sentence – ten words or less):

God offers victory over enemies; we offer obedience and praise.

Aim

(A main teaching point for the overall study of the passages):

To cause the audience to see even when faced enemies far larger than we can battle on our own, God is faithful to give us victory if we trust and obey.