Good evening. This evening we are going to come one step closer to finishing up our study of the book of Matthew. By the way, has anyone come up with any idea of where to go from here?
Well, anyway, tonight we will be looking at Matthew chapters 21 and 22. After tonight’s discussion, we will only have 3 more weeks of Matthew. Now, before we get started this evening, let’s open our time with a word of prayer. Let’s Pray!
As we get started, tell me what arrangements you would make if you knew that the President of the United States was about to visit?
Well, in this first section that we take a look at, we see Jesus making a visit or entering into Jerusalem. And in this passage, we see the preparations that were made for this trip. Whoever has the first key, if you could go ahead and read that for us please.(READ 1-11)
In this story, we learn that Jesus comes in riding on a donkey and not a stallion. What does that reveal to us about Jesus?
What kind of kingdom and king were the people expecting?
How do their wishes compare to the reality of Jesus?
How might that discrepancy account for the same crowd yelling and shouting later, “Crucify Him!”?
How do you think you would have reacted if you had been there to greet Jesus as He rode into town?
Does anyone have anything that they would like to add before we move on?
Well, if there is nothing else, on to the next little section of chapter 21. When you see something that is wrong, are you more likely to act without thinking, or think without acting?
Well, as we examine this next passage, we see Jesus enter into the Temple, and begin destroying things. Then we see Jesus curse a fig tree. So, whoever has the next key, go ahead and read that for us please. (READ 12-22)
What was it that upset Jesus so much that He saw in the Temple?
In this passage, which groups of people did and did not recognize Jesus for who He really was?
How is the fig tree incident a parable about what has happened in the temple and what is to come?
If Jesus were to visit your life, where would He begin “turning over tables?”
Could the promise of verse 22 be abused?
Does anyone have anything that they would like to add?
Okay, well let’s just go ahead and jump right into this next section. And let me go ahead and read that section. Matthew 21:23-27 says, (READ)
How could Jesus have answered the priest’s question?
Why didn’t He?
When it comes right down to it, whose opinion do you care about more, God’s or people’s?
How does that concern show?
Does anyone have anything that they want to add before we move on?
Well if that is all, let’s move on and take a look at the Parable of the Two Sons. And let me go ahead and read this passage for you as well. Matthew 21:28-32 says, (READ)
What is the father’s request?
How does each son respond, and then what are their actual actions?
How do you think the religious leaders felt about this story?
Which of these sons do you relate to the most? Why?
Does anyone have anything that they want to add?
Well, it there is nothing else, we will move on and take a look at the rest of chapter 21. If you were an absentee landlord and had to find trustworthy tenants, what would you look for?
Well, in this passage, we are reading about some bad tenants. Whoever has the next key, go ahead and read that parable for us please. (READ 33-46)
In this parable, who is represented by each of the characters? (The landowner, the vineyard, the tenants, the servants, the son?)
At whom does Jesus direct this parable to?
To whom will the Kingdom of God be given to? (Verse 43)
At this time, allow me to read for you what the commentary has to say about Matthew chapter 21 as a whole. It says, (READ COMMENTARY)
Now, does anyone have anything that they would like to add about chapter 21?
Well, if there isn’t anything else, let’s move on and take a look at chapter 22 this evening as well. As we start chapter 22, tell me of the best wedding banquet that you have ever been to? What made is so good?
Well, as we begin chapter 22, we see Jesus telling us a parable about a wedding banquet. Whoever has the next key, go ahead and read that for us please. (READ 1-14)
Why was the banquet being held?
What do we learn about those who were originally invited?
Who did the king end up inviting next?
What is the problem with one of the guests?
What does it mean to be in the king’s presence, without wedding clothes on?
Is there anything that anyone would like to add before we move on?
Well, if that is it, let’s move on to the next section. Who can guess how many times the word or the number “one” is printed on a one dollar bill?
Well in this next section, some people are talking to Jesus about taxes. Let me go ahead and read this passage for you. Matthew 22:15-22 says, (READ)
What does Jesus mean by His answer in verse 21?
Which of these obligations is first of importance? Why?
In your life, what belongs to Caesar?
What belongs to God in your life?
Does anyone have anything to add?
Okay, if that is it, let’s move on to the next section of this chapter. In Heaven, who or what on earth would you miss the most?
Well, in this next passage, Jesus is being questioned about marriage at the resurrection. Whoever has the next key, go ahead and read that for us please. (READ 23-33)
Who is it that questions Jesus this time?
What aspects of their question does Jesus answer?
Why is there no marriage in Heaven?
What hope can be found in the resurrection?
Does anyone have anything that they would like to add before we move on?
Well, let’s go ahead and jump right into the next section. Whoever has the next key, go ahead and read that. (READ 34-40)
Why do you think Jesus emphasizes loving God with all our heart, soul, and mind?
How is loving God related to loving people?
Is there anything that anyone would like to add?
Well, if there is nothing else, let’s go ahead and finish this chapter. But first, would you rather ask questions, or answer them? Why?
Okay, whoever has the last key, go ahead and read that for us please. (READ 41-46)
What do you learn from this passage?
Why would it take Jesus’ death and resurrection to show that the Messiah is more than just David’s descendant?
What does Jesus’ humanity mean to you?
What does His divinity mean to you?
At this time, let me go ahead and read for you what the commentary had to say about chapter 22. It says, “READ COMMENTARY)
Does anyone have anything that they would like to add before we close this evening?
Well, if there is nothing else, for next week we will be looking at Matthew chapters 23 and 24. So that is what you can look at for next week to be ready for discussion.
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