May 10, 2026 – A Study of Matthew – Content

Content

(Highlighted words are from the Greek (chortazo) means: To feed, to be filled to satisfaction, to satisfy the desire of anyone)

Ecclesiastes 5:8-15 – New International Version (NIV)

⁸ If you see the poor oppressed in a district, and justice and rights denied, do not be surprised at such things; for one official is eyed by a higher one, and over them both are others higher still. ⁹ The increase from the land is taken by all; the king himself profits from the fields.

¹⁰ Whoever loves money never has enough;
    whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with their income.
    This too is meaningless.

¹¹ As goods increase,
    so do those who consume them.
And what benefit are they to the owners
    except to feast their eyes on them?

¹² The sleep of a laborer is sweet,
    whether they eat little or much,
but as for the rich, their abundance
    permits them no sleep.

¹³ I have seen a grievous evil under the sun:

wealth hoarded to the harm of its owners,
¹⁴     or wealth lost through some misfortune,
so that when they have children
    there is nothing left for them to inherit.
¹⁵ Everyone comes naked from their mother’s womb,
    and as everyone comes, so they depart.
They take nothing from their toil
    that they can carry in their hands.

What should not surprise us (verse 8)?

Who takes “the increase from the land” (verse 9)?

What is the one “who loves wealth” never satisfied with (verse 10)?

What increases when “goods increase” (verse 11)?

Who is unable to sleep because of “their abundance” (verse 12)?

What “grievous evil” has been seen (verse 13)?

How does everyone depart (verse 15)?

In your opinion, what is the basic message of this passage?

In your opinion, what does this passage teach us about priorities?

Matthew 15:29-39 - New International Version (NIV)

²⁹ Jesus left there and went along the Sea of Galilee. Then he went up on a mountainside and sat down. ³⁰ Great crowds came to him, bringing the lame, the blind, the crippled, the mute and many others, and laid them at his feet; and he healed them. ³¹ The people were amazed when they saw the mute speaking, the crippled made well, the lame walking and the blind seeing. And they praised the God of Israel.

³² Jesus called his disciples to him and said, “I have compassion for these people; they have already been with me three days and have nothing to eat. I do not want to send them away hungry, or they may collapse on the way.”

³³ His disciples answered, “Where could we get enough bread in this remote place to feed such a crowd?”

³⁴ “How many loaves do you have?” Jesus asked.

“Seven,” they replied, “and a few small fish.”

³⁵ He told the crowd to sit down on the ground. ³⁶ Then he took the seven loaves and the fish, and when he had given thanks, he broke them and gave them to the disciples, and they in turn to the people. ³⁷ They all ate and were satisfied. Afterward the disciples picked up seven basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over. ³⁸ The number of those who ate was four thousand men, besides women and children. ³⁹ After Jesus had sent the crowd away, he got into the boat and went to the vicinity of Magadan.

Where was Jesus when He “sat down” (verse 29)?

What did Jesus do for the people the “great crowds” brought Him (verse 30)?

How did the people react (verse 31)?

Why did Jesus have compassion for the people (verse 32)?

How did His disciples answer (verse 33)?

What did Jesus ask the disciples (verse 34)?

What did Jesus tell the crowd to do (verse 35)?

What happened to the loaves (verse 36)?

How much was left over after the people “were satisfied” (verse 37)?

How many ate (verse 38)?

When did Jesus get into the boat (verse 39)?

In your opinion, what is the basic message of this passage?

In your opinion, what does this passage teach us about priorities?

In your opinion, how are the wealthy in Ecclesiastes 5:8-15 and the crowd listening to Jesus in Matthew 15:29-39 different?

Philippians 4:10-19 - New International Version (NIV)

¹⁰ I rejoiced greatly in the Lord that at last you renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you were concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. ¹¹ I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. ¹² I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. ¹³ I can do all this through him who gives me strength.

¹⁴ Yet it was good of you to share in my troubles. ¹⁵ Moreover, as you Philippians know, in the early days of your acquaintance with the gospel, when I set out from Macedonia, not one church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving, except you only; ¹⁶ for even when I was in Thessalonica, you sent me aid more than once when I was in need. ¹⁷ Not that I desire your gifts; what I desire is that more be credited to your account. ¹⁸ I have received full payment and have more than enough. I am amply supplied, now that I have received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent. They are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God. ¹⁹ And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.

Why did Paul rejoice (verse 10)?

What was Paul “not saying this” because (verse 11)?

What secret has Paul learned (verse 12)?

How does Paul do this (verse 13)?

What was good of the Philippians (verse 14)?

What have only the Philippians done (verse 15)?

What had the Philippians done for Paul when he “was in Thessalonica” (verse 16)?

What does Paul desire (verse 17)?

Why is Paul “amply supplied” (verse 18)?

How will God meet the Philippians needs (verse 19)?

In your opinion, what is the basic message of this passage?

In your opinion, what does this passage teach us about priorities?

In your opinion, what could the Philippians Christians in Philippians 4:10-20 have taught the rich in Ecclesiastes 5:8-15?

In your opinion, how does the reason Jesus fed the 4,000 plus in Matthew 15:29-39 reflected in the Philippian Christians in Philippians 4:10-20?

James 2:14-26 - New International Version (NIV)

¹⁴ What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? ¹⁵ Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. ¹⁶ If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? ¹⁷ In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.

¹⁸ But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.”

Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds. ¹⁹ You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder.

²⁰ You foolish person, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless? ²¹ Was not our father Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? ²² You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did. ²³ And the scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,” and he was called God’s friend. ²⁴ You see that a person is considered righteous by what they do and not by faith alone.

²⁵ In the same way, was not even Rahab the prostitute considered righteous for what she did when she gave lodging to the spies and sent them off in a different direction? ²⁶ As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.

In your opinion, how does the illustration in verses 15 and 16 answer the questions of verse 14?

What is faith that is “not accompanied by action” (verse 17)?

What do the demons believe that causes them to shudder (verse 19)?

What was Abraham considered righteous for doing (verse 21)?

How was Abraham’s faith made complete (verse 22)?

What was Abraham called (verse 23)?

How is a person “considered righteous” (verse 24)

What was Rahab considered righteous for doing (verse 25)?

What is the “body without the spirit” (verse 26)?

What is “faith without deeds” (verse 26)?

In your opinion, what is the basic message of this passage?

In your opinion, what does this passage teach us about priorities?

In your opinion, how is Ecclesiastes 5:8-15 an example of the consequences of resisting the instructions in James 2:14-26?

In your opinion, how are Jesus in Matthew 15:29-39 and the Philippian Christians in Philippians 4:10-20 examples that we can learn from as we read James 2:14-26?

In your opinion, what do these passages from Ecclesiastes, Matthew, Philippians and James teach us about the link between compassion and deeds of faith?

In your opinion, how do we learn to be content today?

 

(sprucewhispers.blogspot.com)

May 3, 2026 – A Study of Matthew – Chosen People

Chosen People

Genesis 17:9-14 – New International Version (NIV)

⁹ Then God said to Abraham, “As for you, you must keep my covenant, you and your descendants after you for the generations to come. ¹⁰ This is my covenant with you and your descendants after you, the covenant you are to keep: Every male among you shall be circumcised. ¹¹ You are to undergo circumcision, and it will be the sign of the covenant between me and you. ¹² For the generations to come every male among you who is eight days old must be circumcised, including those born in your household or bought with money from a foreigner—those who are not your offspring. ¹³ Whether born in your household or bought with your money, they must be circumcised. My covenant in your flesh is to be an everlasting covenant. ¹⁴ Any uncircumcised male, who has not been circumcised in the flesh, will be cut off from his people; he has broken my covenant.”

Who was to keep God’s covenant (verse 9)?

What is the covenant they are to keep (verse 10)?

Who is the covenant between (verse 11)?

What instruction is given for those “bought with your money” (verse 12)?

How long is the covenant to last (verse 13)?

What will happen to the uncircumcised male (verse 14)?

In your opinion, what is the basic message of this passage?

In your opinion, what does this passage help us understand about Jews and Gentiles?

Matthew 15:21-28 - New International Version (NIV)

²¹ Leaving that place, Jesus withdrew to the region of Tyre and Sidon. ²² A Canaanite woman from that vicinity came to him, crying out, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on me! My daughter is demon-possessed and suffering terribly.”

²³ Jesus did not answer a word. So his disciples came to him and urged him, “Send her away, for she keeps crying out after us.”

²⁴ He answered, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel.”

²⁵ The woman came and knelt before him. “Lord, help me!” she said.

²⁶ He replied, “It is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to the dogs.”

²⁷ “Yes it is, Lord,” she said. “Even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their master’s table.”

²⁸ Then Jesus said to her, “Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted.” And her daughter was healed at that moment.

Where did Jesus withdraw to (verse 21)?

Who cried out “Lord, Son of David” (verse 22)?

Who was “demon-possessed and suffering terribly” (verse 22)?

How did Jesus respond (verse 23)?

What did the disciples urge Jesus to do (verse 23)?

How did Jesus answer them (verse 24)?

What did the woman tell Jesus when she knelt before Him (verse 25)?

What did Jesus reply to the woman (verse 26)?

In your opinion, why can the woman accept the comparison to dogs (verse 27)?

What does Jesus recognize about the woman’s faith (verse 28)?

What happened to the daughter (verse 28)?

In your opinion, what is the basic message of this passage?

In your opinion, what does this passage help us understand about Jews and Gentiles?

In your opinion, how does Genesis 17:9-14 help us understand the rejection of the woman by the disciples in Matthew 15:21-28?

Ephesians 2:11-22 - New International Version (NIV)

¹¹ Therefore, remember that formerly you who are Gentiles by birth and called “uncircumcised” by those who call themselves “the circumcision” (which is done in the body by human hands)— ¹² remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world. ¹³ But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ.

¹⁴ For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, ¹⁵ by setting aside in his flesh the law with its commands and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new humanity out of the two, thus making peace, ¹⁶ and in one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility. ¹⁷ He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near. ¹⁸ For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit.

¹⁹ Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household, ²⁰ built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. ²¹ In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. ²² And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.

What were the Gentiles by birth called “by those who call themselves “the circumcision”” (verse 11)?

What were the Gentiles “without” (verse 12)?

How have those “who once were far away” been brough near (verse 13)?

What have the two groups been made into (verse 14)?

How was “the law with its commands and regulations” set aside (verse 15)?

How were the two groups reconciled “to God” (verse 16)?

What was preached “to you who were far away” and “to those who were near” (verse 17)?

Who do both groups have access to (verse 18)?

What have the foreigners and strangers become (verse 19)?

Who is the “chief cornerstone” (verse 20)?

What does the “whole building” rise to become (verse 21)?

Where does God live “by his Spirit” (verse 22)?

In your opinion, what is the basic message of this passage?

In your opinion, what does this passage help us understand about Jews and Gentiles?

In your opinion, how does what is revealed in Ephesians 2:11-22 change the covenant made in Genesis 17:9-14?

In your opinion, how does Jesus’s interaction with the Canaanite woman in Matthew 15:21-28 help prepare for the revelations of Ephesians 2:11-22?

1 Peter 2:4-10 - New International Version (NIV)

⁴ As you come to him, the living Stone—rejected by humans but chosen by God and precious to him— ⁵ you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. ⁶ For in Scripture it says:

“See, I lay a stone in Zion,
    a chosen and precious cornerstone,
and the one who trusts in him
    will never be put to shame.”

⁷ Now to you who believe, this stone is precious. But to those who do not believe,

“The stone the builders rejected
    has become the cornerstone,”

⁸ and,

“A stone that causes people to stumble
    and a rock that makes them fall.”

They stumble because they disobey the message—which is also what they were destined for.

⁹ But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. ¹⁰ Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.

Who has chosen “the living Stone” (verse 4)?

What are those like “living stones” being built into (verse 5)?

Who will “never be put to shame” (verse 6)?

What is the Stone “to those who do not believe” (verses 7 and 8)?

Why do people stumble (verse 8)?

What are the “chosen people” to declare (verse 9)?

Who are the ones who once “were not a people” (verse 10)

In your opinion, what is the basic message of this passage?

In your opinion, what does this passage help us understand about Jews and Gentiles?

In your opinion, how does Peter’s statement in 1 Peter 2:1-10 (10) “once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God” apply to the descendants of Abraham who are part of the covenant of Genesis 17:9-14?

In your opinion, what does the Canaanite woman in Matthew 15:21-28 help us understand about the “spiritual sacrificies” that 1 Peter 2:1-10 (5) says we are to offer?

In your opinion, what do 1 Peter 2:1-10 and Ephesians 2:11-22 help us understand about the building being built on the cornerstone of Christ?

In your opinion, what do these passages from Genesis, Matthew, Ephesians and 1 Peter teach us about Jews and Gentiles in God’s eyes?

In your opinion, how can the chosen faithfully declare God’s praises today?

(sprucewhispers.blogspot.com)

April 26, 2026 – A Study of Matthew – Out of Our Mouths

Out of Our Mouths

Malachi 2:1-9 – New International Version (NIV)

¹ “And now, you priests, this warning is for you. ² If you do not listen, and if you do not resolve to honor my name,” says the Lord Almighty, “I will send a curse on you, and I will curse your blessings. Yes, I have already cursed them, because you have not resolved to honor me.

³ “Because of you I will rebuke your descendants; I will smear on your faces the dung from your festival sacrifices, and you will be carried off with it. ⁴ And you will know that I have sent you this warning so that my covenant with Levi may continue,” says the Lord Almighty. ⁵ “My covenant was with him, a covenant of life and peace, and I gave them to him; this called for reverence and he revered me and stood in awe of my name. ⁶ True instruction was in his mouth and nothing false was found on his lips. He walked with me in peace and uprightness, and turned many from sin.

⁷ “For the lips of a priest ought to preserve knowledge, because he is the messenger of the Lord Almighty and people seek instruction from his mouth. ⁸ But you have turned from the way and by your teaching have caused many to stumble; you have violated the covenant with Levi,” says the Lord Almighty. ⁹ “So I have caused you to be despised and humiliated before all the people, because you have not followed my ways but have shown partiality in matters of the law.”

Who is the warning for (verse 1)?

What will happen if they don’t “resolve to honor” the name of the Lord (verse 2)?

Who will be rebuked because of them (verse 3)?

Why has the Lord sent “this warning” (verse 4)?

How did Levi react to the Lord (verse 5)?

What was in Levi’s mouth (verse 6)?

Why should “the lips of a priest” preserve knowledge (verse 7)?

What have the priests Malachi is speaking to violated (verse 8)?

Why has the Lord caused them to be “despised and humiliated before all the people” (verse 9)?

In your opinion, what is the basic message of this passage?

In your opinion, what does this passage teach us about what is important to God?

Matthew 15:10-20 - New International Version (NIV)

¹⁰ Jesus called the crowd to him and said, “Listen and understand. ¹¹ What goes into someone’s mouth does not defile them, but what comes out of their mouth, that is what defiles them.”

¹² Then the disciples came to him and asked, “Do you know that the Pharisees were offended when they heard this?”

¹³ He replied, “Every plant that my heavenly Father has not planted will be pulled up by the roots. ¹⁴ Leave them; they are blind guides. If the blind lead the blind, both will fall into a pit.”

¹⁵ Peter said, “Explain the parable to us.”

¹⁶ “Are you still so dull?” Jesus asked them. ¹⁷ “Don’t you see that whatever enters the mouth goes into the stomach and then out of the body? ¹⁸ But the things that come out of a person’s mouth come from the heart, and these defile them. ¹⁹ For out of the heart come evil thoughts—murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander. ²⁰ These are what defile a person; but eating with unwashed hands does not defile them.”

Who did Jesus tell to “listen and understand” (verse 10)?

What defiles someone (verse 11)?

Who was offended (verse 12)?

Which plants will be “pulled up by the roots” (verse 13)?

Why were the disciples to “leave” the Pharisees (verse 14)?

What did Peter want Jesus to do (verse 15)?

Who said, “are you still so dull” (verse 16)?

Where do the things that defile someone come from (verse 18)?

Where do “evil thoughts” come from (verse 19)?

What does not defile someone (verse 20)?

In your opinion, what is the basic message of this passage?

In your opinion, what does this passage teach us about what is important to God?

In your opinion, how is the choice to not revere the Lord in Malachi 2:1-9 related to the defilement Jesus talks about in Matthew 15:10-20?

Hebrews 9:11-15 - New International Version (NIV)

¹¹ But when Christ came as high priest of the good things that are now already here, he went through the greater and more perfect tabernacle that is not made with human hands, that is to say, is not a part of this creation. ¹² He did not enter by means of the blood of goats and calves; but he entered the Most Holy Place once for all by his own blood, thus obtaining eternal redemption. ¹³ The blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkled on those who are ceremonially unclean sanctify them so that they are outwardly clean. ¹⁴ How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God!

¹⁵ For this reason Christ is the mediator of a new covenant, that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance—now that he has died as a ransom to set them free from the sins committed under the first covenant.

What did Christ come as the “high priest” of (verse 11)?

What was the tabernacle He went through “not a part of” (verse 11)?

How did He enter “the Most Holy Place” (verse 12)?

What does “the blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkled on those who are ceremonially unclean” do (verse 13)?

What will “cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death” (verse 14)?

What may we do when our consciences are cleansed (verse 14)?

Why is Christ “the mediator of a new covenant” (verse 15)?

Why did Christ die “as a ransom” (verse 15)?

In your opinion, what is the basic message of this passage?

In your opinion, what does this passage teach us about what is important to God?

In your opinion, how might Levi, as discussed in Malachi 2:1-9, be an example for those cleansed by the blood of Christ as described in Hebrews 9:11-15?

In your opinion, what hope do those who Jesus says are defiled in Matthew 15:10-20 find in Hebrews 9:11-15?

Titus 2:11-14 - New International Version (NIV)

¹¹ For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. ¹² It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, ¹³ while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, ¹⁴ who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.

What does the “grace of God” offer to all people (verse 11)?

What does God’s grace teach us to say “No” to (verse 12)?

How does God’s grace teach us to live (verse 12)?

What is the “blessed hope” we wait for (verse 13)?

What did Jesus give Himself to do (verse 14)?

In your opinion, what is the basic message of this passage?

In your opinion, what does this passage teach us about what is important to God?

In your opinion, how is Levi’s response to the covenant God gave him in Malachi 2:1-9 an example for the people who Titus 2:11-14 says are redeemed and “eager to do what is good”?

In your opinion, how do each of us, who recognize ourselves when Jesus says in Matthew 15:10-20 that the things that come from our mouths defile us, find hope in Titus 2:11-14?

In your opinion, how is the way we receive the “grace of God” Titus 2:11-14 proclaims described in Hebrews 9:11-15?

In your opinion, what do these passages from Malachi, Matthew, Hebrews and Titus teach us about the difference between being the blind leading the blind and living as people who have been ransomed?

In your opinion, how do we live and serve doing what’s important to God today?

(sprucewhispers.blogspot.com)