Session 7: Matthew 14-16

Session 7: Matthew 14-16

Introduction

Share some old proverbs or sayings, like ‘don’t put your eggs all in one basket’. How often have you found they are true?

Share your experience of shared dinners or church potlucks. How many people were there? Did everyone bring food? Were there general guidelines on what to bring? What shortfalls did you plan for?

Read Matthew Chapters 14-16.

Reading Questions

1.       How does Matthew 14:16 relate to Matthew 10:6-8, 24-25? What do you think was done with the leftovers?

2.       What do you think those in the boat were thinking, feeling, or doing while Peter was talking to Jesus and walking on water? (Matthew 14:22-33)

3.       Matthew 15:1-20 contrasts law and tradition as well as law and worship. Point out the points of law, tradition, and worship. Which fall short and which have been manipulated?

4.       Matthew 15:21-28 tells of another Gentile with great faith. What does she compare her faith to? Discuss how Jesus views this amount of faith.

5.       In Matthew 14:16, the disciples were instructed to feed the multitude. In Matthew 15 they are not. Why might Jesus have done this?

6.       In Matthew 16:5-12, Jesus warns the disciples against the yeast of the Pharisees. How did the disciples understand this? How was Jesus instructing them on?

Old Testament Links

1.       The feeding of the 5,000 (Matthew 14:13-21) is not the first time God has fed many with little. Read 2 Kings 4: 42-44. What are the similarities and differences? What do these accounts tell of Jesus and God?

2.       2 Kings 4:1-7 gives an account of what was done with one woman’s excess. Along with the feeding of the 5,000, what characteristics do these stories bring to mind?

3.       Read Exodus 3:14, in which God reveals himself to Moses. What are the parallels to Jesus’s words from Matthew 14:27?

4.       Read Isaiah 22:20-25. How does this passage shed light on the nature of Peter’s assignment (Matthew 16:17-20)?

Application

1.       Peter got out of the boat and walked on water. When have you stepped out in faith? What were your ‘wind and waves’, if any?

2.       Jesus feeds two multitudes in this section of Matthew. Has he also delivered repeat lessons or miracles in your life? Share them with others.

3.       Do you look for signs from heaven? When might it be appropriate or inappropriate to do so?

4.       In Matthew 16:5-12, Jesus warns the disciples against the yeast of the Pharisees, but they misunderstood their responsibility. Have you misunderstood responsibilities in working for the Lord? How did you come to understand the shift in what you need to do and then do it?