Good evening.  Tonight we pick back up with the book of Matthew, and we will be discussing chapters 19 and 20.  after this week, we should only have about 4 more weeks to go until we will be finished with the book of Matthew.

Now, before we get started here, let’s open our time with a word of prayer.  Let’s Pray!

To start this evening, what advice have you been given or have you given to others about marriage?

Well, in this first section, we are reading about divorce.  Let’s go ahead and take a look at that passage.  Whoever has the first key, go ahead and read that for us please.  (READ)

As we look at this passage, what would the Pharisees have gained if Jesus had opposed Moses?

Why doesn’t Jesus debate divorce with them?

Why does He focus on Marriage instead?

What was Moses’ intentions for allowing divorce in the first place?

How can you have the marriage that God desires?

When divorce does occur, what hope does God offer to us?

Does anyone have anything that they would like to add?

Well, if there is nothing else, we will move on and take a look at the rest of chapter 19.  If your house was on fire, what 3 items would you try and save?

Well, in this passage, we read about a guy that wanted to save his life, but we don’t know that he was willing to give up some of the things in his life.  Whoever has the next key, go ahead and read that at this time please.  (READ)

Why do you think parents were bringing their children to Jesus?

Why do you think the disciples discouraged this?

As we look at the young man, what appears to be this man’s view on how one obtains eternal life?

Why do you think that it is so difficult for the rich to enter into the Kingdom?

On what basis is it possible for anyone, rich or poor, to enter into the Kingdom?

Why is Jesus so tough on riches?

As you look at this story, Jesus hit this guy right where it hurt him the most, his wallet.  If Jesus were to address you where it hurts, what would be His hot topic?

At this time, allow me to read for you what the commentary has to say about chapter 19 as a whole.  It says, (READ COMMENTARY)

Does anyone have anything that they would like to add before we move on?

Well, if there is nothing, we will move on and take a look at the first section of Matthew chapter 20.  Do you ever get frustrated that life just isn’t fair?  If so, explain.

Well, this next parable that we look at is one of many parables that Jesus told about God’s Kingdom.  We learn from this parable that God’s Grace and Mercy extend to all, even when it doesn’t seem fair.  Whoever has the next key, go ahead and read that for us please.  (READ)

If you had been one of the first workers hired that day, how would you have felt at pay time?

To what is the Kingdom of Heaven compared to in this story?

What does this parable say to you about God, and His way of dealing with things?

Is the landowner being unjust, or is he simply being generous?

Does anyone have anything that they would like to add?

Now, just because the people that were hired at the end of the day received the same pay, that doesn’t mean that we should wait until close to the end to make the decision to become a Christian.  We never know when the end is coming, we need to have a sense of urgency about our lives that causes us to make that decision now.

But, that’s enough on that topic, let’s move on and take a look at our last section for this evening.  This last section, combines the last 3 little sections of chapter 20.  And let’s just go ahead and jump right into this last section.  Whoever has the last 2 keys, go ahead and read them for us at this time please.  (READ)

Why does Jesus once again predict His own death?

In order to share in His Kingdom, what “cup” must the disciple share with Jesus?

How would you compare the attitude of the 2 blind men with the attitude of the disciples?

How do their requests differ from one another?

Once these men are healed, what do they do?

If Jesus were to ask you, “What do you want me to do for you?” what would be your answer?

At this time, let me read for you what my commentary has to say about this chapter.  It says about chapter 20, (READ COMMENTARY)

Does anyone have anything that they would like to add this evening before we close?

Well, if there is nothing else, for next week we will be looking at chapters 21 and 22.  So that is what you can look at in order to be ready for discussion next time.

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