Session 8: Matthew 17-19

Session Eight: Matthew 17-19

Introduction

What are the best and worst parts of being a child?

How do you deal with sin in your family? How does the church deal with sin?

Reading Questions

1.       Describe how you imagine the transfiguration looked (Matthew 17:1-8).

2.       Jesus pays the temple tax with money in the mouth of a fish (Matthew 17:24-27). What characteristics of God does this show?

3.       Matthew 18:3 says we must become like little children to enter the kingdom of heaven. How should we be like a child? What might is look like to welcome ‘one such child’ (verse 5)?

4.       Matthew 18:12-14 describes Jesus going after the lost sheep. Describe the situation for the 99 who await his return.

5.       Matthew 18:17 says to treat the unrepentant as a ‘pagan or tax collector.’ What does that look like today?

6.       Describe the servant in Matthew 18:21-35. If we take verses 18-35, what stands out most about the teaching?

7.       In Matthew 19:8, the reason for divorce is given as ‘hearts are hard.’ What characterizes a hard heart?

8.       Why would it be difficult to enter the kingdom as a rich person? (Matthew 19:23)

Old Testament Links

1.       Exodus 33:18-23 describes Moses’s encounter with the glory of God. Compare it to the transfiguration in Matthew 17:1-13.

2.       Read Leviticus 19:15-17 and Deuteronomy 19:15. How are these old testament laws related to Matthew 18:15-16?

3.       In Matthew 19:18-19, Jesus only lists some of the commandments in answer to the rich man. Review Exodus 20:1-17 to discuss which were left out and why. In verses 16-22, how does Jesus address other commandments?

4.       Read Jeremiah 32:17 and 27 together with Matthew 19:26. Compare the phrases and their strength of meaning.

Application Questions

1.       Faith is again described as a mustard seed. In the context of Matthew 17:20, what does that faith look like to you? What mountains are in your life and do you have the mustard-seed faith that he will move them when you pray?

2.       Matthew 18:1-5 describes the greatest as a child. Who does society say is the greatest? What are the pitfalls of a child being the greatest and society’s current greatest?

 3.       In Matthew 18:6-9, Jesus calls for drastic action to keep others from stumbling. What measures have you taken to overcome sin or sinful behavior?

4.       Matthew 18:15-20 sets out a plan for helping others overcome sin. Describe the difficulties in carrying out this plan. What other passages from Matthew should also be considered in helping others overcome sin?

5.       Matthew 18:35 admonishes to forgive from the heart. How can forgiveness from the heart be carried out?