Matthew 16; Lesson 17

Chuck's study this week:

Lesson    17

Passage Matthew 16

Content (List of Topics or Events)

Sign from Heaven - Pharisees & teachers request sign while Disciples reminded of signs receives warning of contamination (Matthew 16:1-12) a. Pharisee and Teacher request sign from heaven (1) b. Jesus challenge that they don’t interpret signs they have (2-4) c. Disciples talk about bread while Jesus reminds of signs and warns of yeast (5-12)

Jesus asks for response to signs – Who is the Son of Man? (Matthew 16:13-20) a. What do the people say Jesus is? (13-14) b. Who does the disciples say Jesus is with Peter’s bold confession (15-16) c. Jesus commends Simon’s bold confession and faith as foundation for Kingdom of Heaven (17-18) d. Jesus gives authority to disciples to work for Him (19-20)

Jesus describes suffering to come and cost to Disciples and followers (Matthew 16:21-28) a. Jesus explains suffering to come (21) b. Peter rebuked for challenge to God’s course for Jesus (22-23) c. Jesus describes priorities – Deny Self, take up cross and follow Jesus.  (24-26) d. Reward for those that follow based upon Kingdom accomplishments (27-28)

Divisions (Main Blocks of Thought)

Division	Scripture
Sign from Heaven - Pharisees & teachers request sign while Disciples reminded of signs receives warning of contamination	Matthew 16:1-12
Jesus asks for response to signs – Who is the Son of Man?	Matthew 16:13-20
Jesus describes suffering to come and cost to Disciples and followers	Matthew 16:21-28

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

Request for sign challenged, Jesus faith confession is foundation of Kingdom

Aim (Main Teaching Point of the Passage)

To learn that followers of Jesus must recognize the signs of God and confess Jesus as Son of God and Lord.

Specific Application Questions

	1.       What signs do you see from God that you ignore? What action should you take?
	2.       Who do you say Jesus is?  Have you made a commitment to Him?
	3.       What are you doing personally to follow Jesus?  What actions are you taking right now?

Principles to Remember

	God has shown the signs that lead to faith in Jesus.
	All are asked to take a step of faith and confess Jesus is Lord.
	We are asked to sacrifice and follow Jesus in difficult times.

Matthew 15; Lesson 16

John's study this week:

Content (Summarize 10 – 15 statements on the passage)

Matthew 15

1. Matthew 15:1 – 3 Pharisees question Jesus about His disciples breaking the law to which Jesus rebukes them with his classic quote, “And why do you break the command of God for the sake of your tradition?

2. Matthew 15:4 – 6 Jesus teaches Pharisees using the commandment to honor father and mother and that it is not the Pharisees’ position to as Jesus said,’ nullify the word of God for the sake of your tradition.” 
3. Matthew 15:7 – 9 Jesus quotes Isaiah’s prophesy:
"‘These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.
They worship me in vain; their teachings are merely human rules.’”
4. Matthew 15:10 – 11 ^Jesus teaches the crowd listening to him saying, “Listen and understand. ¹¹ What goes into someone’s mouth does not defile them, but what comes out of their mouth that is what defiles them.”
5. Matthew 15:12 – 14 When His disciples tell Jesus that Jesus statement offended the Pharisees, Jesus gives his parable about defilement: “Every plant that my heavenly Father has not planted will be pulled up by the roots. Leave them; they are blind guides. If the blind lead the blind, both will fall into a pit.”
6. Matthew 15:15 – 20 When Peter asks what He means, Jesus replies with a story about what goes into the body through the mouth does not defile, but what come out does. The same is true of what evil the heart may express outward through the mouth defiles. But eating without washing does not defile. Note: Jesus explicitly lists: evil thoughts—murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander. 
7. Matthew 15:21 – 23a Jesus then withdraws to the region of Tyre and Sidon where a Canaanite woman came to him crying out for Jesus to have mercy and heal her daughter of demon possession and suffering, to which Jesus initially does not reply.
8. Matthew 15:23b – 24 When the disciples urge Jesus to send her on her way, Jesus teaches them saying  “I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel.” which is controversial.
9. Matthew 15:25 - 28 When the woman came, knelt before Jesus as asked “Lord, help me,” Jesus uses the moment to teach asking “It is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to the dogs.” to which she replied, “Yes it is, Lord, Even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their master’s table,” so which Jesus replied, “Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted.” and her daughter was healed at that moment.
10. Matthew 15:29 – 31 Jesus the traveled along the Sea of Galilee and nearby mountains healing people, amazing the crowds and all praising the God of Israel.
11. Matthew 15:32 – 36 Jesus demonstrates his compassion for people and wishing to feed them demonstrating again his sovereignty over our world, who after asking the crowd to sit, gave thanks and took the 7 loaves of bread and a few small fish and broke them, gave them to the disciples who in turn gave them to the people.
12. Matthew 15:37 – 38 After the four thousand men, besides women and kids, had eaten and were satisfied, the disciples up seven basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over. 
13. Matthew 15:39 After Jesus had sent the crowd away, he got into the boat and went to the vicinity of Magadan.

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

1. Matthew 15:1 – 20 Jesus corrects and denounces religiously held traditions as ‘truth’ as opposed to scriptural truth and the heart.

Application: How do we best prepare ourselves to discern truth from falsity and what is my response to be?

2. Matthew 15:21 - 28 Jesus answers a Canaanite women’s request

Application: How is your compassion demonstrated when facing the needs of someone you may feel may not be ‘worth my time’?

3. Mathew 14:29 – 39 Jesus and disciples feed the 4000.

Application: 4000 or 7 billion, Jesus’ compassion is for all people. How is your compassion playing out here in the Silicon Valley?

Subject Sentence (Ten words or less)

Jesus corrects Pharisees, ministers to Gentiles and feeds the 4000.

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

TCTATS that Jesus ‘s desire is to reach others with the truth will meet people where they are at, at church, on the street, even at outdoor revivals.

Matthew 14; Lesson 15

Chuck's Study this week:

Lesson    15

Passage Matthew 14

Content (List of Topics or Events)

Jesus miraculous is known to Herod and revives guilt  for killing John the Baptist (Matthew 14:1-12) a. Confusion thinking Jesus must be Jesus risen from dead (1-2) b. Herod’s sin with brother’s wife and reluctance to kill John(3-5) c. Herodias evil request as reward for daughter’s dance (6-12)

Jesus miraculous power demonstrates compassion to crowds with healing and feeding of 5000 (Matthew 14:13-21) a. Jesus withdraws and crowds follow to see compassionate healing (13-14) b. 5000 feed demonstrating miraculous powers (15-19) c. Abundance demonstrated as fish and loaves gathered (20-21)

Jesus miraculous power is visible to disciples bringing faith identifying Jesus as Son of God (Matthew 14:22-36) a. Jesus sends disciples ahead and He prays alone (22-23) b. Disciples buffeted in boat during storm (24) c. Jesus walks on water and disciples terrified (25-27) d. Peter demonstrates “little faith” allowing Jesus salvation in time of need and calming storm (28-31) e. Disciples recognized Jesus as Son of God (32-33)

Divisions (Main Blocks of Thought)

Division	Scripture
Jesus miraculous power is known to Herod and revives guilt for killing John the Baptist	Matthew 14:1-12
Jesus miraculous power demonstrates compassion to crowds with healing and feeding of 5000	Matthew 14:13-21
Jesus miraculous power is visible to disciples bringing faith and identifying Jesus as Son of God	Matthew 14:22-36

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

Jesus mighty power highlights Herod’s guilt, healing and water-walking

Aim (Main Teaching Point of the Passage)

To learn that to prayer is the source of comfort and strength as we deal with life’s challenges.  Jesus found comfort talking to His Heavenly Father and it illustrates what we gain through our daily prayer time.

Specific Application Questions

	1.   What things do you have guilt, and have you taken these to God and asked for forgiveness?
	2.   How do you demonstrate compassion to those you see in need?
	3.   How are you demonstrating the faith in Jesus and trusting Him in your circumstances?

Principles to Remember

	Knowledge of sin brings guilt
	Compassion is demonstrated in action
	Jesus is the Son of God; faith is required in our daily walk.

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.

Matthew 13:1-30; 36-43; Lesson 13

Chuck's study this week:

Lesson    13

Passage Matthew 13:1-30; 36-43

Content (List of Topics or Events)

First Parable – The Farmer (Matthew 13:1-9) a. Farmer sows (1-3) b. Unfavorable seed and results (4-7) c. Good seed and results (8-9)

Purpose of Parable (Matthew 13:10-17) a. Acceptance bring knowledge  (10-12) b. People hearts condition prophesied in Isaiah (13-15) c.  Jesus recognizes disciples hearts (16-17)

a. Meaning of sower Parable  (18-23) b. Parable of Seeds given –watch bad seeds can be sown when not watch (24-30) c. Parable of the Seeds explained – Good Seed, field and judgment (36-40)

Divisions (Main Blocks of Thought)

Division	Scripture
First Parable – The Farmer	Matthew 13:1-9
Purpose of Parable	Matthew 13:10-17
Interpretation of Parable of the Sower with Parable of Seeds	Matthew 13:18-30; 36-40

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

Jesus parables of sower and seed explained to understanding followers

Aim (Main Teaching Point of the Passage)

To learn that Jesus’ message are heard, seen and understood by Christ followers; others outside do not. Good seed is sown by Christians with proper care for our labor.  There is a judgment.

Specific Application Questions

	1.       What seed are you?
	2.       How do you hear, listen and see  the Lord’s direction?
	3.       The farmer sows good seed; do you sow good seed and bring others to Christ?
	4.

Principles to Remember

	Good soil produces a crop.
	Followers of Christ has access to the secrets of the Kingdom through the Holy Spirit.
	There are those who would seek to destroy the work of the Kingdom; there is a judgment.

Matthew 11; Lesson 12

John's study this week:

Content (Matthew 11 - 12)

Matthew 11

1. Matthew 11:1 – 10  John send his disciples to Jesus asking if Jesus is the Messiah to which Jesus replied that they’d seen the miracles and that John was more than a prophet in that he was sent to announce Jesus coming.

2. Matthew 11:11 – 19 Jesus declares that among those born of a woman, none is greater than John and that until now the prophets and the law have held sway, but that now John is like the Elijah.

3. Matthew 11:20 – 24 Then Jesus began to denounce the towns in which most of his miracles had been performed, because they did not repent and that judgment worse than Sodom will theirs on the day of judgment.

4. Matthew 11:25 – 27 Jesus declares praise for the Father and their Father Son relationship.

5. Matthew 11:28 – 30  Jesus declares “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest; take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls, for my yoke is easy and my burden is light.

5. Matthew 12:1 – 8 When Jesus’ disciples go through the grain fields and pick and eat some grain, the Pharisees declare them to be doing that which is unlawful on the Sabbath to which Jesus declared that David (OT)  and companions, being hungry, ate of the temple sacrifice while priests can do it w/o condemnation.

6. Matthew 12:9 – 14 Jesus heals a man with shriveled hand after being accused of unlawfulness on the Sabbath which precipitates the Pharisees to plot how they might kill Jesus.

7. Matthew 12:15 – 21 Jesus was aware of the plot and so left , yet continued healing all who were ill that followed him, but waned them not to tell others about him which fulfilled that which was spoken by Isaiah about God’s love for him.

8. Matthew 12:22 – 29 When Jesus healed a blind, mute demon-possessed man, the Pharisees declared that Jesus must be the devil, yet Jesus spoke the truth about himself, which they did not like.

9. Matthew 12:30 - 32 Jesus addresses sin that speaking against him may be forgiven, but not against the Holy Spirit which may not: blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven.

10. Matthew 12:33 – 37 Jesus speaks of our yielding good or bad fruit and that everyone will give account of our lives on the day of judgment “For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.”

11. Matthew 12:38 – 45 Jesus addresses the Pharisees request to see a sign warns that this generation will see a sign in his death, burial and resurrection (sign of Jonah).

12. Matthew 12:46 – 50 While Jesus was talking with the crowd, his mother and brothers approached to speak with Jesus, to which Jesus uses it as a teaching point that whoever does the will of the Father in heaven is Jesus brother, sister and mother.

Divisions

1. Matthew 11:1 - 19 Jesus assures John the Baptist’s disciples that he is the Messiah and that John is the prophet spoken of in Old Testament.

Application: Whose disciple are you?

2. Matthew 11:20 - 30 Jesus speaks of what will happen to the cities that rejects John’s message and Jesus ministry and praises those who accept His ministry and message because it is Jesus who bears the burden of the yoke of following Him.

Application: How will Jesus judge our city and how we contributed to it’s redemption.

3. Matthew 12:1 - 37 Jesus demonstrates that he is the Lord of the Sabbath and uses the Sabbath day controversies of working on, healing on and the priests in the temple profaning on the Sabbath to explain how God sees that their hearts are depraved.

Application: How do your words reveal how you feel about following Christ?

4. Matthew 12:38 - 50 When the Pharisees request a sign, Jesus instructs them that they’ve been shown such and that signed do not change people’s hearts and that only those of faith will be received by the Father and be called sons and daughters (and Moms) of God.

Application: Have you accepted Christ by faith and faith alone?

Subject Sentence

Jesus, Messiah, Lord of the Sabbath calls men by faith.

Aim

TCTATS that we who believe by faith is a sovereign God will do His will as opposed to a wicked and evil generation who reject Him. 

Matthew 9:35 - 10:42; Lesson 11

Chuck's study this week:

Lesson    11

Passage Matthew 9:35-10:42

Content (List of Topics or Events)

Need: Workers for the harvest (Matthew 9:35- 10:4) a. Jesus proclaims good news and healing and shares need with disciples (35-38) b. Jesus gives authority to drive our spirits and heal (1) c. The disciples of Christ (2-4)

Warning: Instructions, warnings and assurances to the workers (Matthew 10:5-31) a. Go to Israel and heal, raise dead and cleanse (5-8) b. Travel light; dependent on welcoming persons (9-15) c. Workers until the kingdom comes will be persecuted (16-31)

Indicators: Priorities and attitude of those that follow Jesus (Matthew 10:32-42) a. Following Jesus challenges our priorities and allegiance  (32-37) b. Following Jesus requires hardship (38-39) c. Acceptance of disciples is acceptance of Jesus (40-42)

Divisions (Main Blocks of Thought)

Division	Scripture
Need: Workers for the harvest	Matthew 9:35- 10:4
Warning: Instructions, warnings and assurances to the workers	Matthew 10:5-31
Indicators: Priorities and Attitude of those that follow Jesus	Matthew  10:32-42

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

Jesus provides authority to workers, with warnings and follower characteristics

Aim (Main Teaching Point of the Passage)

To learn we are ambassadors for Christ sharing the good news to the needy, providing healing and hope for the lost.

Specific Application Questions

	1.       What is the harvest Christ has put in front of you?  How do you recognize their need?
	2.       How has Jesus challenged you and what assurances do you hold from Christ?
	3.       Is the indicator of a follower your description; how should you change to match that description?
	4.

Principles to Remember

	The harvest is ready for those who will present Jesus
	Our reward is beyond this earthly life.
	Disciples are representatives of Christ; what others do to us they do to Christ