May 25, 2026 – A Study of Matthew – Like “a Son of Man”

Like a “Son of Man”

Daniel 7:9-14 – New International Version (NIV)

⁹ “As I looked,

“thrones were set in place,
    and the Ancient of Days took his seat.
His clothing was as white as snow;
    the hair of his head was white like wool.
His throne was flaming with fire,
    and its wheels were all ablaze.
¹⁰ A river of fire was flowing,
    coming out from before him.
Thousands upon thousands attended him;
    ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him.
The court was seated,
    and the books were opened.

¹¹ “Then I continued to watch because of the boastful words the horn was speaking. I kept looking until the beast was slain and its body destroyed and thrown into the blazing fire. ¹² (The other beasts had been stripped of their authority, but were allowed to live for a period of time.)

¹³ “In my vision at night I looked, and there before me was one like a son of man, coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into his presence. ¹⁴ He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all nations and peoples of every language worshiped him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed.

Who “took his seat” (verse 9)?

What “were opened” (verse 10)?

What happened to the body of the beast (verse 11)?

Who “were allowed to live for a period of time” (verse 12)?

Who came “with the clouds of heaven” (verse 13)?

What was He given (verse 14)?

How long will His kingdom last (verse 14)?

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

In your opinion, what does this passage teach us about the “one like a son of man”?

Matthew 16:13-20 - New International Version (NIV)

¹³ When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?”

¹⁴ They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”

¹⁵ “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?”

¹⁶ Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”

¹⁷ Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven. ¹⁸ And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it. ¹⁹ I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” ²⁰ Then he ordered his disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Messiah.

What did Jesus ask his disciples (verse 13)?

What was their answer (verse 14)?

How did Simon Peter answer the question, “who do you say I am” (verses 15 and 16)?

Who revealed the answer to “Simon son of Jonah” (verse 17)?

What will not overcome Christ’s church (verse 18)?

What did Jesus say would be given to Peter (verse 19)?

What did Jesus order the disciples not tell anyone (verse 20)?

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

In your opinion, what does this passage teach us about the “one like a son of man”?

In your opinion, what does Daniel 7:9-14 help us understand about the title that Jesus calls Himself in His question to the disciples in Matthew 16:13-20?

 

1 Thessalonians 1:2-10 - New International Version (NIV)

² We always thank God for all of you and continually mention you in our prayers. ³ We remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.

⁴ For we know, brothers and sisters loved by God, that he has chosen you, ⁵ because our gospel came to you not simply with words but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and deep conviction. You know how we lived among you for your sake. ⁶ You became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you welcomed the message in the midst of severe suffering with the joy given by the Holy Spirit. ⁷ And so you became a model to all the believers in Macedonia and Achaia. ⁸ The Lord’s message rang out from you not only in Macedonia and Achaia—your faith in God has become known everywhere. Therefore we do not need to say anything about it, ⁹ for they themselves report what kind of reception you gave us. They tell how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, ¹⁰ and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead—Jesus, who rescues us from the coming wrath.

How often does Paul mention the church in Thessalonica in his prayers (verse 2)?

What does Paul say inspires the endurance of the church (verse 3)?

Who chose the “brothers and sisters” (verse 4)?

How did the gospel come to them (verse 5)?

What were they in the midst of when they welcomed the message (verse 6)?

What did they become (verse 7)?

Where is the “faith in God” known (verse 8)?

What did they turn to God from (verse 9)?

Who do they wait for (verse 10)?

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

In your opinion, what does this passage teach us about the “one like a son of man”?

In your opinion, how does 1 Thessalonians 1:2-10 reveal the impact in our daily lives of the glorious God the Father and Son, as presented in Daniel 7:9-14?

In your opinion, what does 1 Thessalonians 1:2-10 help us understand about the significance of Peter’s statement that Jesus is “the Son of the living God” in Matthew 16:13-20?

Revelation 1:12-18 - New International Version (NIV)

¹² I turned around to see the voice that was speaking to me. And when I turned I saw seven golden lampstands, ¹³ and among the lampstands was someone like a son of man, dressed in a robe reaching down to his feet and with a golden sash around his chest. ¹⁴ The hair on his head was white like wool, as white as snow, and his eyes were like blazing fire. ¹⁵ His feet were like bronze glowing in a furnace, and his voice was like the sound of rushing waters. ¹⁶ In his right hand he held seven stars, and coming out of his mouth was a sharp, double-edged sword. His face was like the sun shining in all its brilliance.

¹⁷ When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. Then he placed his right hand on me and said: “Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last. ¹⁸ I am the Living One; I was dead, and now look, I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades.

Why did John turn (verse 12)?

Who was the one he saw like (verse 13)?

What was His hair like (verse 14)?

How did His voice sound (verse 15)?

What was His face like (verse 16)?

How did John react (verse 17)?

What was He (verse 18)

How long will He be alive (verse 18)?

What does He hold (verse 18)?

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

In your opinion, what does this passage teach us about the “one like a son of man”?

In your opinion, how are the vision of Daniel in Daniel 7:9-14 and the vision of John in Revelation 1:12-18 similar?  How are they different?

In your opinion, what is the significance of Jesus saying that He will give Peter “the keys of the kingdom of heaven” in Matthew 16:13-20 and that John quotes Jesus as saying that He holds “the keys of death and Hades” in Revelation 1:12-18?

In your opinion, how can a people in the midst of “severe suffering” like the church of Thessalonica in 1 Thessalonians 1:2-10 find comfort in the “one like a son of man” as described in Revelation 1:12-18?

In your opinion, what do these passages from Daniel, Matthew, 1 Thessalonians, and Revelation teach us about the power of Jesus?

In your opinion, how does the Lord’s message ring out from us today?

(sprucewhispers.blogspot.com)

May 17, 2026 – A Study of Matthew – Love the Truth

Love the Truth

Psalm 118:1-9 – New International Version (NIV)

¹ Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
    his love endures forever.

² Let Israel say:
    “His love endures forever.”
³ Let the house of Aaron say:
    “His love endures forever.”
⁴ Let those who fear the Lord say:
    “His love endures forever.”

⁵ When hard pressed, I cried to the Lord;
    he brought me into a spacious place.
⁶ The Lord is with me; I will not be afraid.
    What can mere mortals do to me?
⁷ The Lord is with me; he is my helper.
    I look in triumph on my enemies.

⁸ It is better to take refuge in the Lord
    than to trust in humans.
⁹ It is better to take refuge in the Lord
    than to trust in princes.

What “endures forever” (verse 1)?

Who is to say “His love endures forever” (verse 2)?

What is the house of Aaron to say (verse 3)?

Who are those who say “His love endures forever” to fear (verse 4)?

What did the Psalmist do “when hard pressed” (verse 5)?

Why will the Psalmist “not be afraid” (verse 6)?

Who is the Psalmist’s helper (verse 7)?

What is better than to trust “in humans” and “in princes” (verses 8 and 9)?

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

In your opinion, what truth about God does this passage reveal?

Matthew 16:1-12 - New International Version (NIV)

¹ The Pharisees and Sadducees came to Jesus and tested him by asking him to show them a sign from heaven.

² He replied, “When evening comes, you say, ‘It will be fair weather, for the sky is red,’ ³ and in the morning, ‘Today it will be stormy, for the sky is red and overcast.’ You know how to interpret the appearance of the sky, but you cannot interpret the signs of the times. ⁴ A wicked and adulterous generation looks for a sign, but none will be given it except the sign of Jonah.” Jesus then left them and went away.

⁵ When they went across the lake, the disciples forgot to take bread. ⁶ “Be careful,” Jesus said to them. “Be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees.”

⁷ They discussed this among themselves and said, “It is because we didn’t bring any bread.”

⁸ Aware of their discussion, Jesus asked, “You of little faith, why are you talking among yourselves about having no bread? ⁹ Do you still not understand? Don’t you remember the five loaves for the five thousand, and how many basketfuls you gathered? ¹⁰ Or the seven loaves for the four thousand, and how many basketfuls you gathered? ¹¹ How is it you don’t understand that I was not talking to you about bread? But be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees.” ¹² Then they understood that he was not telling them to guard against the yeast used in bread, but against the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees.

How did the Pharisees and Sadducees test Jesus (verse 1)?

What did Jesus say they would think when the sky was red in the evening (verse 2)?

What can the Pharisees and Sadducees not interpret (verse 3)?

Who looks for a sign (verse 4)?

What did the disciples forget (verse 5)?

What were the disciples to be on their guard against (verse 6)?

What did the disciples think this warning was about (verse 7)?

In your opinion, what does having little faith have to do with not understanding the warning (verse 8)?

What should the disciples have remembered (verses 9 and 10)?

What was Jesus not talking about (verse 11)?

What was Jesus warning them to guard against (verse 12)?

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

In your opinion, what truth about God does this passage reveal?

In your opinion, how does the disciples’ difficulty understanding Jesus in Matthew 16:1-12 help us understand the challenges of following the guidance in Psalm 118:1-9 to take refuge in the Lord instead of trusting in humans?

Acts 4:1-12 - New International Version (NIV)

¹ The priests and the captain of the temple guard and the Sadducees came up to Peter and John while they were speaking to the people. ² They were greatly disturbed because the apostles were teaching the people, proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection of the dead. ³ They seized Peter and John and, because it was evening, they put them in jail until the next day. ⁴ But many who heard the message believed; so the number of men who believed grew to about five thousand.

⁵ The next day the rulers, the elders and the teachers of the law met in Jerusalem. ⁶ Annas the high priest was there, and so were Caiaphas, John, Alexander and others of the high priest’s family. ⁷ They had Peter and John brought before them and began to question them: “By what power or what name did you do this?”

⁸ Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them: “Rulers and elders of the people! ⁹ If we are being called to account today for an act of kindness shown to a man who was lame and are being asked how he was healed, ¹⁰ then know this, you and all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed. ¹¹ Jesus is

“‘the stone you builders rejected,
    which has become the cornerstone.’

¹² Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.”

What were Peter and John doing when the “priests and the captain of the temple guard and the Sadducees came up to” them (verse 1)?

Why were they “greatly disturbed” (verse 2)?

Where did they put Peter and John (verse 3)?

What did many people who had heard the message do (verse 4)?

Who met in Jerusalem (verse 5)?

What was Annas (verse 6)?

What question did they ask Peter and John (verse 7)?

Who filled Peter (verse 8)?

In your opinion, why does Peter begin by mentioning the “act of kindness” (verse 9)?

What did Peter say that “the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth” has done (verse 10)?

Who is “the cornerstone” (verse 11)?

Where is salvation found (verse 12)?

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

In your opinion, what truth about God does this passage reveal?

In your opinion, how do Peter and John in Acts 4:1-12 demonstrate what it means to “take refuge in the Lord” in Psalms 118:1-9?

In your opinion, what can we learn about heeding the warning of Jesus in Matthew 16:1-12 to “Be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees” by Peter and John in Acts 4:1-12?

2 Thessalonians 2:7-17 - New International Version (NIV)

⁷ For the secret power of lawlessness is already at work; but the one who now holds it back will continue to do so till he is taken out of the way. ⁸ And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will overthrow with the breath of his mouth and destroy by the splendor of his coming. ⁹ The coming of the lawless one will be in accordance with how Satan works. He will use all sorts of displays of power through signs and wonders that serve the lie, ¹⁰ and all the ways that wickedness deceives those who are perishing. They perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. ¹¹ For this reason God sends them a powerful delusion so that they will believe the lie ¹² and so that all will be condemned who have not believed the truth but have delighted in wickedness.

¹³ But we ought always to thank God for you, brothers and sisters loved by the Lord, because God chose you as firstfruits to be saved through the sanctifying work of the Spirit and through belief in the truth. ¹⁴ He called you to this through our gospel, that you might share in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.

¹⁵ So then, brothers and sisters, stand firm and hold fast to the teachings we passed on to you, whether by word of mouth or by letter.

¹⁶ May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, ¹⁷ encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word.

What is already at work (verse 7)?

How will the lawless one be overthrown (verse 8)?

What will be “in accordance with how Satan works” (verse 9)?

Why do people perish (verse 10)?

What does God send them (verse 11)?

Who will be condemned (verse 12)?

How are “brothers and sisters” saved (verse 13)

What do those who are “called through our gospel” share (verse 14)?

What should the “brothers and sisters” do (verse 15)?

Who will “encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word” (verses 16 and 17)?

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

In your opinion, what truth about God does this passage reveal?

In your opinion, how does the wisdom of Psalm 118:1-9 help us with the challenges of 2 Thessalonians 2:7-17?

In your opinion, what don Matthew 16:1-12 and 2 Thessalonians 2:7-17 teach us about desiring signs?

In your opinion, how does the message of Peter and John in Acts 4:1-12 help us see through the lies described in 2 Thessalonians 2:7-17?

In your opinion, what do these passages from Psalms, Matthew, Acts, and 2 Thessalonians reveal about how the world can make it hard for Christians to believe that God’s “love endures forever”?

In your opinion, how does discerning the truth about God help Christians to “stand firm and hold fast” in the midst of the pressures and challenges of the world?

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)