Good evening.  Tonight we will be discussing Matthew chapters 23-24.  After we are done this evening, we will have 2 more weeks, and then we will be done with our second book of the Bible.  Before we get started tonight though, let’s begin our time with a word of prayer.  Let’s Pray!

As we begin tonight, can anyone tell me the meaning behind the word “Woe?”

(Deep sorrow, misery, grief…)

Well, as we read chapter 23, we find that the entire chapter is devoted to Jesus giving 7 woes to the people that He was talking to.  Chapter 23 is 39 verses long, so I decided to break it down into 2 sections for you to read.  So however has the first 2 keys, go ahead and read them at this time please.  (READ 1-22, 23-39)

As Jesus was talking, what was the “seat of Moses?”

After Jesus’ remarks about the Pharisees in chapters 21 and 22, what is surprising about His remarks in verse 3?

How does He limit His approval of the Pharisees?

As Jesus sees it, what is the main evil of the Pharisees?

How have the religious leaders corrupted the practice of evangelism (v. 13-15)?

What is interesting about their oath making (v. 16-22)?

In what way are these religious leaders condemned to repeat the past because of their failure to learn from their forefathers (v. 29-36)?

What is it that Jesus says that catches your attention the most in this passage?

How can you avoid “talking the talk” but not “walking the walk?”

What do you think about the swallowing camels and gnats (v. 24)?  What is that verse talking about?

At this time, allow me to go ahead and read for you what the commentary has to say about Matthew chapter 23 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 else, we will start taking a look at Matthew chapter 24 this evening.  In the first section of this chapter, Jesus and His disciples begin to talk about the signs of the end of the age.  As we start this section, what is it that you know, or think you know about the end of the age?

Well, let’s go ahead and see what Jesus has to say about the end of the age in this first section of chapter 24.  Whoever has the next 2 keys, go ahead and read them for us please.  (READ 1-18, 19-35)

What is it that prompts Jesus’ next lesson?

How do the Jewish people, including the disciples, feel about the temple?

How must the disciples have felt as they heard Jesus’ words in verse 2?

What 3 questions do the disciples ask in verse 3?

What events might mislead the disciples into thinking the end had come (v. 4-7)?

What is it that Jesus promises for those who endure and don’t give in?

What is it that the church must keep on doing (v. 14)?

What dangerous deceptions must Christians guard against (v. 23-26)?

What is it that will mark the coming of the Messiah (v. 27-29)?

What will His second coming be like (v. 30-31)?

What is the lesson that we need to learn from the fig tree?

How does it apply to the disciples questions (v. 3), and Jesus’ answer (v. 33-35)?

Some people believe that this passage anticipated the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 A.D., while others think that it refers to the end of the world.  What do you think?

Could it be both?

How does this passage influence your lifestyle?

If you could ask Jesus one question about either the second coming or the end of the world, what would you ask Him?

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

Well, if there is nothing else, let’s go ahead and move on to our last section for this evening.  In this passage, Jesus is further discussing the day and hour of His return.  As we start, if you were guaranteed that Jesus would return at 7:00 P.M this Friday, what would you be doing?

Well, let’s go ahead and read about the time that Jesus will return.  Whoever has the last key, go ahead and finish things up for us please.  (READ 36-51)

In what way is the flood like the second coming of Christ?

What does it mean to you, to be ready for Jesus’ return if we don’t know when He will come?

In view of Christ’s second coming, what does the story of the faithful and wise servant teach you about readiness?

How does the knowledge that Jesus will return one day affect your behavior?

How would you explain the end times and the second coming to a non-Christian?

At this time, let me go ahead and read for us what the commentary has to say about Matthew chapter 24.  It says, (READ COMMENTARY)

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

Well, if that is all, next week we will be looking at Matthew chapters 25 and 26.  So that is what you can take a look at to be ready for discussion for next time.

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