FEBRUARY WEEK 6
This week will cover Matthew, chapters 23 through 27. These chapters record the events of Passion Week that lead up to Jesus’ crucifixion.
Don’t forget to check out the Rooted Facebook page for a bit more discussion on each chapter.
Discussion Questions:
• What does this chapter have to say about our ability to resist God's call? (Matt. 23:37-39)
• How should we live as we wait for Jesus to return for us? (Mt. 24:45-51)
• What talents/resources has the Lord given you? And what are you doing with them? (Mt. 25:14-30)
• What does Jesus’ prayer in the garden of Gethsemane tell us about his humanity? (Mt. 26:36-46)
• What is the significance of Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection?
Some Answers from Last Week's Questions:
• What is Matthew 18:8-9 saying. Are we really supposed to consider chopping off a hand or foot, or gouging out an eye? - No. He is telling us that we need to eliminate anything from our lives that would keep us from Him.
• Does Jesus really expect all of us to sell everything we have and give it to the poor? If not, how should we take Matthew 19:21? - Maybe or maybe not. His challenge is to let nothing get in the way of faithfully serving Him. That may be wealth. But it may be people, possessions, jobs, or something entirely different.
• How is greatness defined in the kingdom of heaven? (Matt. 20:25-27) - It is defined by our service here. We become great in the kingdom of God by serving here. By following Jesus' example.
• Was Jesus’ cursing of the fig tree just a peevish response of Jesus to it having no fruit? (Matt. 21:18-19) Or does this have some greater significance? - It was a visual parable. The fig tree represents fruitless Israel. An Israel that is soon to be destroyed.
• Can every law in the Torah be assigned to one of the two commands in Matthew 22:37-40? For instance: “Do not cook a young goat in its mother’s milk” (Ex. 23:19, Ex. 34:26, and Deut. 14:21). – Probably. Cooking a young goat in its mother's milk was probably a pagan religious practice. Following their example would be to worship that idol. So this falls under loving God.
Helpful Resources:
• Rooted Facebook Group for online sharing and further exploration
• Bible Project New Testament overview videos
• Bible Gateway, a Bible app with many translations and some other free helps
• A Clay Jar Devotionals
Don’t forget to check out the Rooted Facebook page for a bit more discussion on each chapter.
Discussion Questions:
• What does this chapter have to say about our ability to resist God's call? (Matt. 23:37-39)
• How should we live as we wait for Jesus to return for us? (Mt. 24:45-51)
• What talents/resources has the Lord given you? And what are you doing with them? (Mt. 25:14-30)
• What does Jesus’ prayer in the garden of Gethsemane tell us about his humanity? (Mt. 26:36-46)
• What is the significance of Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection?
Some Answers from Last Week's Questions:
• What is Matthew 18:8-9 saying. Are we really supposed to consider chopping off a hand or foot, or gouging out an eye? - No. He is telling us that we need to eliminate anything from our lives that would keep us from Him.
• Does Jesus really expect all of us to sell everything we have and give it to the poor? If not, how should we take Matthew 19:21? - Maybe or maybe not. His challenge is to let nothing get in the way of faithfully serving Him. That may be wealth. But it may be people, possessions, jobs, or something entirely different.
• How is greatness defined in the kingdom of heaven? (Matt. 20:25-27) - It is defined by our service here. We become great in the kingdom of God by serving here. By following Jesus' example.
• Was Jesus’ cursing of the fig tree just a peevish response of Jesus to it having no fruit? (Matt. 21:18-19) Or does this have some greater significance? - It was a visual parable. The fig tree represents fruitless Israel. An Israel that is soon to be destroyed.
• Can every law in the Torah be assigned to one of the two commands in Matthew 22:37-40? For instance: “Do not cook a young goat in its mother’s milk” (Ex. 23:19, Ex. 34:26, and Deut. 14:21). – Probably. Cooking a young goat in its mother's milk was probably a pagan religious practice. Following their example would be to worship that idol. So this falls under loving God.
Helpful Resources:
• Rooted Facebook Group for online sharing and further exploration
• Bible Project New Testament overview videos
• Bible Gateway, a Bible app with many translations and some other free helps
• A Clay Jar Devotionals