Session 11: Matthew 26-28

Session 11: Chapters 26-28

Introduction

What gift have you received that was the most difficult to accept?

Discuss various traditions of communion and what it means to you.

Read Matthew Chapters 26-28.

Reading Questions

1.       In Matthew chapter 26:13, Jesus says that the woman’s actions will be told wherever the Gospel is told. Why is her story told?

2.       Verses 39, 42, and 44 of chapter 26 recount that Jesus asked for the cup to be removed from him. What does this say of prayer?

3.       Matthew 26:50 calls Judas a ‘friend’. It is the same word as used in Matthew 20:13 and 22:12. How does this assist in understanding Judas’s title of ‘friend’ in verse 50?

4.       Jesus makes no reply to the questions and charges according to Matthew 27:14. Why would he not defend himself?

5.       The Great Commission, Matthew 28:18-20, consists of three directives. What are the disciples of the Messiah to do? What encouragement are they given?

6.       Why does Jesus say to baptize in the name of the Trinity: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit?

Old Testament Links

1.       Matthew 26:11 includes half of the verse found in Deuteronomy 15:11 regarding the poor. How does this reference change the understanding of what Jesus says?

2.       Deuteronomy 16:1-2 summarizes the Passover while Exodus 24:3-8 presents the ‘old’ covenant. How do these reflect Matthew 26:28-30?

 3.       Read Daniel 7:13-14. Where do we find the parallel of or reference to these verses in Chapters 26-28?

4.       Matthew 27:46 comes from Psalm 22:1. Read through Psalm 22 to identify other similarities to these chapters (26-28) and the life of Jesus.

5.       The authority given to Jesus, as stated in Matthew 28:18, is also mentioned in Isaiah 9:6-7 and Daniel 7:13-14. What is Jesus’s authority?

Application

1.       The host of the Passover meal in Chapter 26 is never mentioned nor seen. What would you have done had you been hosting the Messiah and the disciples that night?

2.       Considering the Great Commission, which of the directives is most challenging to implement as Christians? Why is it so challenging?

3.       Matthew 28:20 says that Jesus is with his disciples always. Share experiences of his presence in your own life.

Conclusion Questions

Throughout the Old Testament, God is given and gives many names for himself (see ‘The God who sees’ in Genesis 16:13, The Shepherd in Psalm 23). What name or names would you give him?

Read through the characteristics of God that you listed in the Introduction. Would you change any of your list now? Update it and share if or how the list changed.

Discuss any new or interesting things you discovered during the study.

What additional questions about Jesus or God have you developed over the course of the study?

I would love to hear your responses to the last few questions! Feel free to share in comments or drop me a line!