House Church Chat
Matthew Chapter 16
Again, Matthew's writing is dealing with the Pharisees.
- Why are the Pharisees constantly trying to trap or test Jesus?
- What role did the Pharisees play in this culture?
- Speculation: If there have been many men claiming to be the Messiah over the years, what affect would that have on the Pharisees outlook toward Jesus?
- Why does Jesus warn His disciples about the teachings of the Pharisees?
- Jesus then asks the disciples about who people are saying He is. What are the responses?
- Do you truly believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah, God's Son?
- Why is understanding this truth considered to be the foundation, "the rock," upon which Jesus will build His church?
- After talking about who He is, why would Jesus tell His disciples to not tell anyone?
- Jesus then tells His disciples about the coming trip to Jerusalem. Why does Peter stand up and "rebuke" Jesus?
- Many people claim that following after Jesus is free, a gift of grace. When you read the words of Jesus in verses 24ff, what is the cost of following Jesus?
- What makes it worth the cost to follow Him?
- Have you given your life to Jesus?
- What questions does this chapter prompt in you?
- What thoughts do you have?
Matthew Chapter 15
This chapter begins with some serious issues that we all need to examine in our own lives.
- What do the Pharisees accuse Jesus and His disciples of breaking?
- At what point do traditions become a hinderance?
- What is the real issue that Jesus has to deal with here?
- How do we put things into our hearts?
- If someone were to hang out with you for several days, what would they see coming out of your mouth (heart)?
- Why did Jesus choose to heal the woman who was not a part of Israel?
- Once again we see a miracle of food multiplicaton. What do we learn about Jesus from this miracle?
- What other questions do you have from this chapter?
- What thoughts do you want to share from reading this chapter?
Matthew Chapter 14
This chapter begins with an unusual account of what happened to John, the Baptizer.
- What prompted the beheading of John?
- Why is it that when you speak the truth to people that they react negatively?
- When Jesus heard the news of John's death, what did He try to do?
- Why did Jesus continue to show compassion on the people even though He wanted to spend some quiet time mourning?
- What does the miracle of feeding the people teach us about Jesus?
- When the people are finally dispersed, what does Jesus do?
- What are the different responses of the disciples when Jesus walks on the water?
- What does it say about Jesus when the disciples worshiped Him in the boat?
- What are some things that stick out to you in this chapter?
- What questions does it raise for you?
Matthew Chapter 13
Stories. We all like them.
- What is it about stories that we like?
- Why did Jesus choose to teach using parables?
- After reading all the parables in this chapter, what is the common theme to each of the parables?
- How does your image of the Kingdom of heaven compare to the image Jesus presents in this chapter?
- Which parable holds the most meaning to you? Why?
- Why is it so hard for family to accept changes in who you are?
- What are some of your thoughts regarding the different parables?
- What questions does this chapter prompt in you?
Matthew Chapter 12
Chapter 12 seems to handle those who have problems with accepting Jesus's claims to who He is and what He is doing.
Why do the Pharisees choose the Sabbath Day as a point of contention with Jesus?
How does Jesus react to their accusations?
What can we learn about the attitudes of the Pharisees?
Why is there so much attention given to Pharisees in this chapter?
What did the Pharisees see as important and how does that compare to what Jesus sees as important?
What other thoughts come out of this chapter?
What other questions do you have?
There is so much more in this chapter and I feel as if I just glossed over it. Perhaps you have some questions to post to help gain more from this chapter.
Why do the Pharisees choose the Sabbath Day as a point of contention with Jesus?
How does Jesus react to their accusations?
What can we learn about the attitudes of the Pharisees?
Why is there so much attention given to Pharisees in this chapter?
What did the Pharisees see as important and how does that compare to what Jesus sees as important?
What other thoughts come out of this chapter?
What other questions do you have?
There is so much more in this chapter and I feel as if I just glossed over it. Perhaps you have some questions to post to help gain more from this chapter.
Matthew Chapter 11
Questions remain an important part of developing faith. As you start this chapter, why does John ask about Jesus? Afterall, he is the one who baptized Jesus and heard the voice from heaven.
What response did Jesus give to John's questions?
What is John's role in the coming of the Kingdom?
Despite John's importance, who can become greater than John?
How does Jesus describe people's thoughts about John? What about people's thoughts concerning Jesus?
When you think of people calling Jesus a "gluttonous man," a "drunkard," and a "friend of tax-gatherers and sinners," what does that mean to you?
Jesus begins to bring down reproach on some cities. Why does He refer to entire cities? Why not individuals?
Jesus says that it is up to Him to reveal the Father to whomever He wills. Why is the Father hidden to some and revealed to others?
How can we have the Father revealed to us?
What else strikes you from this chapter?
What questions does it bring to mind?
Let's discuss.
What response did Jesus give to John's questions?
What is John's role in the coming of the Kingdom?
Despite John's importance, who can become greater than John?
How does Jesus describe people's thoughts about John? What about people's thoughts concerning Jesus?
When you think of people calling Jesus a "gluttonous man," a "drunkard," and a "friend of tax-gatherers and sinners," what does that mean to you?
Jesus begins to bring down reproach on some cities. Why does He refer to entire cities? Why not individuals?
Jesus says that it is up to Him to reveal the Father to whomever He wills. Why is the Father hidden to some and revealed to others?
How can we have the Father revealed to us?
What else strikes you from this chapter?
What questions does it bring to mind?
Let's discuss.
Matthew Chapter 10
Here are your instructions as you go...this chapter begins by Jesus giving His disciples instructions as they go out and advance the Kingdom.
What does Jesus give the disciples according to the very first verse?
Do we have that same promise as we go?
What instructions strike you as odd?
Of all the instructions that He gives to these Twelve that He sends out, what instructions should we take to heart?
What are some of the situations we could find ourselves in as we go spreading the message of the Kingdom?
What warnings does Jesus give?
Beginning in verse 24, Jesus lays out what it means to be a disciple. How much concern does God have for us?
What is our cost of being a disciple?
If Jesus didn't come to bring peace on earth, should we be praying for world peace? Why or why not?
What stands out to you in this chapter?
What has God been whispering in your ear over the last week?
What does Jesus give the disciples according to the very first verse?
Do we have that same promise as we go?
What instructions strike you as odd?
Of all the instructions that He gives to these Twelve that He sends out, what instructions should we take to heart?
What are some of the situations we could find ourselves in as we go spreading the message of the Kingdom?
What warnings does Jesus give?
Beginning in verse 24, Jesus lays out what it means to be a disciple. How much concern does God have for us?
What is our cost of being a disciple?
If Jesus didn't come to bring peace on earth, should we be praying for world peace? Why or why not?
What stands out to you in this chapter?
What has God been whispering in your ear over the last week?
Matthew Chapter 9
Matthew continues to record numerous healings in this chapter. Notice as you read how Jesus interacts with different people. What can we learn from His interactions?
What is the significance of Jesus having authority to forgive sins?
Who's faith is required for God to intervene?
What is significant about Jesus choosing Matthew?
What is the big deal about eating at his house?
When questioned about fasting, He talks about new and used patches, and new and old wine, what was Jesus trying to say?
What do you notice about the healings at the end of this chapter?
What is seems to be the one thing that Jesus is looking for in people when they want to be healed?
Why is the prayer request that Jesus makes at the end of this chapter so significant?
What are the other questions that this chapter brings up for you?
What did you learn about Jesus?
What is the significance of Jesus having authority to forgive sins?
Who's faith is required for God to intervene?
What is significant about Jesus choosing Matthew?
What is the big deal about eating at his house?
When questioned about fasting, He talks about new and used patches, and new and old wine, what was Jesus trying to say?
What do you notice about the healings at the end of this chapter?
What is seems to be the one thing that Jesus is looking for in people when they want to be healed?
Why is the prayer request that Jesus makes at the end of this chapter so significant?
What are the other questions that this chapter brings up for you?
What did you learn about Jesus?
Matthew Chapter 8
Let the healings begin.
This chapter captures several instances of Jesus healing people. What stands out to you about the different scenarios recorded?
How does Jesus interact with people that simply amazes people?
What makes certain people want Him to go away?
What are the reactions of the people who are healed?
Why does Jesus give the responses He does to the two who come to Him wanting to follow Him (verses 18-22)?
What does the calming of the storm teach us about Jesus?
What are some things that inspired you out of this chapter?
What questions about this chapter do you have?
This chapter captures several instances of Jesus healing people. What stands out to you about the different scenarios recorded?
How does Jesus interact with people that simply amazes people?
What makes certain people want Him to go away?
What are the reactions of the people who are healed?
Why does Jesus give the responses He does to the two who come to Him wanting to follow Him (verses 18-22)?
What does the calming of the storm teach us about Jesus?
What are some things that inspired you out of this chapter?
What questions about this chapter do you have?
Matthew Chapter 7
The teaching of Jesus in chapter 7 starts out with the statement, "Do not judge, or you too will be judged." Why has this become one of the most well known verses in the Bible by both followers of Jesus and those who don't?
Jesus says to ask, seek, and knock and when doing so, things happen. What keeps you from aksing, seeking, or knocking on doors of opportunity?
How often do you seek out God to help you in situations that you are in?
Why are there only a few who enter through the narrow gate? How do you see this in the world around you?
It seems like as you get toward the end of the chapter, Jesus is asking us to judge others. What are we to judge about others?
How do we know the difference between good and bad fruit?
Jesus finishes the sermon with a parable. What is the bottom line of all His teachings?
What are some other questions this chapter brings to your mind?
What stands out to you the most?
What is the most challenging teaching for you in this chapter?
Jesus says to ask, seek, and knock and when doing so, things happen. What keeps you from aksing, seeking, or knocking on doors of opportunity?
How often do you seek out God to help you in situations that you are in?
Why are there only a few who enter through the narrow gate? How do you see this in the world around you?
It seems like as you get toward the end of the chapter, Jesus is asking us to judge others. What are we to judge about others?
How do we know the difference between good and bad fruit?
Jesus finishes the sermon with a parable. What is the bottom line of all His teachings?
What are some other questions this chapter brings to your mind?
What stands out to you the most?
What is the most challenging teaching for you in this chapter?
