Good evening. Tonight we are going to continue to work our way through a little more of the book of Matthew. Tonight’s focus will be on chapters 15 and 16. Before we get started though, let’s go ahead and begin with a word of prayer.
Let’s Pray!
Have you ever felt like “the blind leading the blind?” If so, explain?
Well, in this first section of chapter 15, we read about clean and unclean things, and Jesus tells us not to blindly follow the blind. Let’s go ahead and jump into this passage. Whoever has the first key, go ahead and read that for us please. (READ)
Okay, Jesus addresses 3 different groups of people here. He talks to the Pharisees, the crowd, and His own disciples. Of these 3, which is Jesus the harshest with, and why?
Why does Jesus call these people “blind guides?”
How is “un-cleanness” understood by the Pharisees?
How is “un-cleanness” understood by Jesus?
What traditions in our church, (if there are any,) do you think might make it difficult for new people to feel at home or comfortable here?
How can we change things?
Does anyone have anything that they would like to add before we move on?
Well, if there is nothing else, we will move on to the next section of chapter 15. Let me start by asking a question: Is there anything that you would walk 100 miles for? If so, why?
Well, in this next section, we see Jesus makes a long trip, and then a lady seeks Him out for a series problem. Whoever has the next key, go ahead and read that for us please. (READ)
First of all, what do we learn about this woman?
What do we learn about Jesus and His attitude toward non-Jews?
Why do you think Jesus didn’t just heal the girl right away?
When you deal with needy people or “outsiders,” are you more like Jesus or are you more like the disciples?
Does anyone have anything that they would like to add about this section?
Well, if no one has anything else, let’s go ahead and finish the rest of chapter 15. What do you often tend to forget: names, birthdays, keys, etc.? And why do you forget?
Well, in this last section of chapter 15, we see Jesus’ disciples forgetting things that Jesus has already done. Whoever has the next key, go ahead and read that for us at this time please. (READ)
How does this feeding of the multitude compare with the feeding of the 5,000?
Having already seen a miraculous feeding, how do you account for the disciples lack of faith?
Why does Jesus heal and feed the crowds?
When you face overwhelming situations now, how well do you remember God’s provisions for you in the past?
How helpful is it for you to hear the stories of the way God has worked in the lives of other Christians, and why is that?
At this time, let me go ahead and read for you what the commentary has to say about chapter 15 as a whole. It says, (READ COMMENTARY)
Does anyone have anything that they would like to add about this chapter before we take a look at chapter 16?
Well, if there is nothing else, let’s move our attention to the next section. In fact, let’s just jump right into this next chapter, and whoever has the next key, go ahead and read that please. (READ)
How convincing do you think a sign would have been for those religious leaders?
Why are the disciples so slow in understanding Jesus in this story?
How is the “yeast,” or the teachings of the “Pharisees and Sadducees” working today?
When you are not understanding Jesus, what is it that helps you to understand and to keep on trying?
Does anyone have anything that they would like to add before we move on?
Well, if there is nothing else, let’s finish up our reading for the night. Before we do that though, answer me a question: If I were to poll 2 of your friends from your younger years, what would they say to describe you?
Well, in this last section, Jesus begins to make a transition in His teaching, and He asks who people say He is. Whoever has the last key, go ahead and read that for us please. (READ)
Why did Jesus ask His disciple who people said He was?
Why did people think that Jesus was John the Baptist, Elijah, or Jeremiah?
If you asked the typical person today who Jesus was, what would they say?
What was significant about Peter’s confession? (It came from the Father)
Why does Jesus change the direction of His teaching now? (To prepare them for what is to come. He has gained their faith, now it is time to tell why He came.)
Why was Jesus’ response to Peter in verse 23 so strong?
When and how did you come to recognize Jesus as your Messiah?
What does it mean to deny self and take up cross and follow Jesus?
How does verse 26 influence the way you make priorities?
At this time, allow me to go ahead and read for you what the commentary has to say about chapter 16 as a whole. It says, (READ COMMENTARY)
Does anyone have anything that they would like to add this evening before we close?
Well, if there is nothing else, I will close us in a word of prayer and then we will be dismissed. For next week, we will be discussing chapters 17 and 18. So that is what you can read to be prepared for discussion next week.
Announcements/Prayer Concerns
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