February 15, 2026 – A Study of Matthew – God’s Mighty Hand

God’s Mighty Hand

Psalm 18:16-19 – New International Version (NIV)

¹⁶ He reached down from on high and took hold of me;
    he drew me out of deep waters.
¹⁷ He rescued me from my powerful enemy,
    from my foes, who were too strong for me.
¹⁸ They confronted me in the day of my disaster,
    but the Lord was my support.
¹⁹ He brought me out into a spacious place;
    he rescued me because he delighted in me.

Where did the Lord reach from to take hold of David (verse 16)?

What did the Lord draw David out of (verse 16)?

Who was “too strong” for David (verse 17)?

When did the Lord support David (verse 18)?

Where did the Lord bring David to (verse 19)?

Why did the Lord rescue David (verse 19)?

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

In your opinion, where do we see the hand of God in this passage?

Matthew 14:22-36 - New International Version (NIV)

²² Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd. ²³ After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. Later that night, he was there alone, ²⁴ and the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it.

²⁵ Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. ²⁶ When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear.

²⁷ But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.”

²⁸ “Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.”

²⁹ “Come,” he said.

Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. ³⁰ But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!”

³¹ Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?”

³² And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. ³³ Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”

³⁴ When they had crossed over, they landed at Gennesaret. ³⁵ And when the men of that place recognized Jesus, they sent word to all the surrounding country. People brought all their sick to him ³⁶ and begged him to let the sick just touch the edge of his cloak, and all who touched it were healed.

What did Jesus make the disciples do before He “dismissed the crowd” (verse 22)?

Where did Jesus go after dismissing the crowd (verse 23)?

Why was the boat “buffeted by the waves” (verse 24)?

What did Jesus do “shortly before dawn” (verse 25)?

How did the disciples react when they saw Jesus (verse 26)?

What did Jesus tell them (verse 27)?

Who wanted Jesus to tell him to “come to you on the water” (verse 28)?

What did Jesus tell him (verse 29)?

When did Peter cry out “Lord, save me” (verse 30)?

What did Jesus do when Peter cried out (verse 31)?

When did the wind die down (verse 32)?

What did the disciples do (verse 33)?

Where did they land (verse 34)?

What did the people there do (verse 35)?

Who was healed (verse 36)?

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

In your opinion, where do we see the hand of God in this passage?

In your opinion, how are David (symbolically) in Psalm 18:16-19 and Peter in Matthew 14:22-36 alike?

Acts 3:1-10 - New International Version (NIV)

¹ One day Peter and John were going up to the temple at the time of prayer—at three in the afternoon. ² Now a man who was lame from birth was being carried to the temple gate called Beautiful, where he was put every day to beg from those going into the temple courts. ³ When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for money. ⁴ Peter looked straight at him, as did John. Then Peter said, “Look at us!” ⁵ So the man gave them his attention, expecting to get something from them.

⁶ Then Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.” ⁷ Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man’s feet and ankles became strong. ⁸ He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God. ⁹ When all the people saw him walking and praising God, ¹⁰ they recognized him as the same man who used to sit begging at the temple gate called Beautiful, and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.

When were Peter and John “going up to the temple” (verse 1)?

Why was the man “who was lame from birth” being carried to the gate called Beautiful (verse 2)?

What did the man ask Peter and John for (verse 3)?

How did Peter and John respond to the man’s request (verse 4)?

What did Peter say to the man (verse 6)?

What did Peter do for him (verse 7)?

How did the man react (verse 8)?

What filled the people who recognized the beggar (verse 10)?

In your opinion, where do we see the hand of God in this passage?

In your opinion, how are the lame man at the Beautiful Gate in Acts 3:1-10 and David in Psalm 18:16-19 alike?

In your opinion, how might Jesus reaching to pull Peter from the water in Matthew 14:22-36 influenced his actions with the lame man in Acts 3:1-10?

1 Peter 5:5b-11 - New International Version (NIV)

All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because,

“God opposes the proud
    but shows favor to the humble.”

 

⁶ Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. ⁷ Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

⁸ Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. ⁹ Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.

¹⁰ And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. ¹¹ To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen.

Why should Christians “clothe yourselves with humility toward one another” (verse 5)?

When will God lift up the ones who humble themselves under His “mighty hand” (verse 6)?

What should Christians cast on God and why (verse 7)?

Who “prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour” (verse 8)?

How can Christians resist the lion (verse 9)?

When will God “restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast” (verse 10)?

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

In your opinion, where do we see the hand of God in this passage?

In your opinion, how does David being aware that his foes were too strong for him but being rescued by the Lord in Psalm 18:16-19 help us understand what Peter means by instructing us to humble ourselves “under God’s mighty hand” in 1 Peter 5:5b-11?

In your opinion, how could Peter’s doubting, then sinking, and Jesus saving him in Matthew 14:22-36 have shaped his instructions to us in 1 Peter 5:5b-11?

In your opinion, what does the beggar’s feet and ankles becoming strong when Peter helps him up in Acts 3:1-10 help us understand about what might happen when God lifts us up “in due time” in 1 Peter 5:5b-11?

In your opinion, what do these passages from Psalms, Matthew, Acts and 1 Peter teach us about ourselves?

In your opinion, where do you see “God’s mighty hand” in your life today?

(sprucewhispers.blogspot.com)

February 8, 2026 – A Study of Matthew – Trusting God

Trusting God

Deuteronomy 8:1-5 – New International Version (NIV)

¹ Be careful to follow every command I am giving you today, so that you may live and increase and may enter and possess the land the Lord promised on oath to your ancestors. ² Remember how the Lord your God led you all the way in the wilderness these forty years, to humble and test you in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep his commands. ³ He humbled you, causing you to hunger and then feeding you with manna, which neither you nor your ancestors had known, to teach you that man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord. ⁴ Your clothes did not wear out and your feet did not swell during these forty years. ⁵ Know then in your heart that as a man disciplines his son, so the Lord your God disciplines you.

What was the reward for following “every command” (verse 1)?

How long had the Lord led them “in the wilderness” (verse 2)?

What was the testing in the wilderness to reveal (verse 2)?

What did the Lord do after humbling the people and causing them to hunger (verse 3)?

What were they supposed to learn in the wilderness (verse 3)?

How long did their clothes last (verse 4)?

What had the Lord been doing (verse 5)?

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

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

Matthew 14:13-21 - New International Version (NIV)

¹³ When Jesus heard what had happened, he withdrew by boat privately to a solitary place. Hearing of this, the crowds followed him on foot from the towns. ¹⁴ When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them and healed their sick.

¹⁵ As evening approached, the disciples came to him and said, “This is a remote place, and it’s already getting late. Send the crowds away, so they can go to the villages and buy themselves some food.”

¹⁶ Jesus replied, “They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat.”

¹⁷ “We have here only five loaves of bread and two fish,” they answered.

¹⁸ “Bring them here to me,” he said. ¹⁹ And he directed the people to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people. ²⁰ They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over. ²¹ The number of those who ate was about five thousand men, besides women and children.

Where did Jesus go (verse 13)?

How did Jesus react to the “large crowd” (verse 14)?

Why did the disciples want Jesus to “send the crowds away” (verse 15)?

What did Jesus want the disciples to do (verse 16)?

What resources did the disciples have (verse 17)?

What did Jesus tell the disciples to do with the resources (verse 18)?

What did Jesus do before he gave the loaves to the disciples (verse 19)?

How did the people feel after they ate (verse 20)?

How many ate (verse 21)?

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

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

In your opinion, how are the people receiving the manna in the desert in Deuteronomy 8:1-5 and the feeding of the five thousand in Matthew 14:13-21 similar?

1 Corinthians 11:23-32 - New International Version (NIV)

²³ For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, ²⁴ and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, “This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.” ²⁵ In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.” ²⁶ For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.

²⁷ So then, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord. ²⁸ Everyone ought to examine themselves before they eat of the bread and drink from the cup. ²⁹ For those who eat and drink without discerning the body of Christ eat and drink judgment on themselves. ³⁰ That is why many among you are weak and sick, and a number of you have fallen asleep. ³¹ But if we were more discerning with regard to ourselves, we would not come under such judgment. ³² Nevertheless, when we are judged in this way by the Lord, we are being disciplined so that we will not be finally condemned with the world.

What did Paul do with what he “received from the Lord” (verse 23)?

What are we to do “in remembrance” of Jesus (verse 24)?

What is “the cup” (verse 25)?

How can we “proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes” (verse 26)?

Who will be “guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord” (verse 27)?

What should “everyone” do before eating the bread and drinking from the cup (verse 28)?

How can people “eat and drink judgment on themselves” (verse 29)?

Why are many “weak and sick” (verses 29 and 30)?

How could the Corinthian Christians “not come under such judgment” (verse 31)?

What would this discipline help us avoid (verse 32)?

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

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

In your opinion, how can the testing and discipline of the Israelite people in the desert that Moses spoke of in Deuteronomy 8:1-5 be compared with the self-examination that Paul says each Christian should do before remembering Jesus with the bread and wine in 1 Corinthians 11:23-32?

In your opinion, how should the generosity and compassion of Jesus in feeding the five thousand in Matthew 14:13-21 shape our understanding when remembering Jesus with the bread and wine as discussed in 1 Corinthians 11:23-32?

Titus 3:3-8 - New International Version (NIV)

³ At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. ⁴ But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, ⁵ he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, ⁶ whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, ⁷ so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. ⁸ This is a trustworthy saying. And I want you to stress these things, so that those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good. These things are excellent and profitable for everyone.

What were we “at one time” (verse 3)?

When did “God our Savior” save us (verses 4 and 5)?

How did He save us (verse 5)?

How was the Holy Spirit “poured out on us” through Jesus Christ (verse 6)?

What do those who are saved have hope of (verse 7)?

What are those who have “trusted in God” to devote themselves to (verse 8)?

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

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

In your opinion, how are the salvation of the Israelite people as described by Moses in Deuteronomy 8:1-5 and the salvation of Christians as described by Paul in Titus 3:3-8 similar?

In your opinion, how are the compassion and mercy of Jesus proclaimed in both Matthew 14:13-21 and Titus 3:3.8?

In your opinion, how does Titus 3:3-8 help us understand what we are to remember when we follow the instructions of 1 Corinthians 11:23-32?

In your opinion, what do these passages from Deuteronomy, Matthew, 1 Corinthians and Titus help us understand about why we need to go to God in all circumstances?

In your opinion, how do we feed the hungry today?

(sprucewhispers.blogspot.com)

February 1, 2026 – A Study of Matthew – Boldly Different

Boldly Different

Leviticus 18:1-5, 16 – New International Version (NIV)

¹ The Lord said to Moses, ² “Speak to the Israelites and say to them: ‘I am the Lord your God. ³ You must not do as they do in Egypt, where you used to live, and you must not do as they do in the land of Canaan, where I am bringing you. Do not follow their practices. ⁴ You must obey my laws and be careful to follow my decrees. I am the Lord your God. ⁵ Keep my decrees and laws, for the person who obeys them will live by them. I am the Lord.

¹⁶ “‘Do not have sexual relations with your brother’s wife; that would dishonor your brother.

Who spoke to Moses (verse 1)?

Who was Moses to tell I am the Lord you God” (verse 2)?

What practices did God tell them not to do (verse 3)?

What were they to be “careful to follow” (verse 4)?

Who will “live by” the Lord’s decrees and laws (verse 5)?

What would “dishonor your brother” (verse 16)?

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

In your opinion, what does this passage teach us about how God’s people should respond to the world?

Matthew 14:1-12 - New International Version (NIV)

¹ At that time Herod the tetrarch heard the reports about Jesus, ² and he said to his attendants, “This is John the Baptist; he has risen from the dead! That is why miraculous powers are at work in him.”

³ Now Herod had arrested John and bound him and put him in prison because of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife, ⁴ for John had been saying to him: “It is not lawful for you to have her.” ⁵ Herod wanted to kill John, but he was afraid of the people, because they considered John a prophet.

⁶ On Herod’s birthday the daughter of Herodias danced for the guests and pleased Herod so much ⁷ that he promised with an oath to give her whatever she asked. ⁸ Prompted by her mother, she said, “Give me here on a platter the head of John the Baptist.” ⁹ The king was distressed, but because of his oaths and his dinner guests, he ordered that her request be granted ¹⁰ and had John beheaded in the prison. ¹¹ His head was brought in on a platter and given to the girl, who carried it to her mother. ¹² John’s disciples came and took his body and buried it. Then they went and told Jesus.

What did “Herod the tetrarch” hear (verse 1)?

Who did Herod think Jesus was (verse 2)?

Who was Herodias (verse 3)?

What had John been telling Herod (verse 4)?

Who was Herod afraid of (verse 5)?

How did Herodias’s daughter please Herod (verse 6)?

What oath did Herod make (verse 7)?

What did Herodias prompt her daughter to ask for (verse 8)?

Why did the king order her request to be granted (verse 9)?

What happened to John (verse 10)?

What did the girl give her mother (verse 11)?

Who did John’s disciples tell after they buried John’s body (verse 12)?

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

In your opinion, what does this passage teach us about how God’s people should respond to the world?

In your opinion, how did Leviticus 18:1-5, 16 effect the relationship between John the Baptist and Herod in Matthew 14:1-12?

Acts 4:23-31 - New International Version (NIV)

²³ On their release, Peter and John went back to their own people and reported all that the chief priests and the elders had said to them. ²⁴ When they heard this, they raised their voices together in prayer to God. “Sovereign Lord,” they said, “you made the heavens and the earth and the sea, and everything in them. ²⁵ You spoke by the Holy Spirit through the mouth of your servant, our father David:

“‘Why do the nations rage
    and the peoples plot in vain?
²⁶ The kings of the earth rise up
    and the rulers band together
against the Lord
    and against his anointed one.’

²⁷ Indeed Herod and Pontius Pilate met together with the Gentiles and the people of Israel in this city to conspire against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed. ²⁸ They did what your power and will had decided beforehand should happen. ²⁹ Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness. ³⁰ Stretch out your hand to heal and perform signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus.”

³¹ After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.

Where did Peter and John go “on their release” (verse 23)?

What did the people do “when they heard’ what the chief priests and elders had told them (verse 24)?

What did David say the “peoples” did in vain (verse 25)?

Who did David say the kings of earth and rulers “band together against” (verse 26)?

What did Herod, Pontius Pilate, “the Gentiles and the people of Israel in this city” do (verse 27)?

Who had decided what “should happen” (verse 28)?

What did Peter, John, and their people ask God to enable them to do (verse 29)?

Who did they pray would “heal and perform signs and wonders” (verse 30)?

How did God respond to their prayer (verse 31)?

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

In your opinion, what does this passage teach us about how God’s people should respond to the world?

In your opinion, how does the believers’ prayer for boldness in the face of threats in Acts 4:23-31 demonstrate their willingness to obey the Lord’s commands in Leviticus 18:1-5, 16?

In your opinion, how do both Matthew 14:1-12 and Acts 4:23-31 reveal “nations” raging and “peoples” plotting against the Lord?

Hebrews 10:14-25 - New International Version (NIV)

¹⁴ For by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy.

¹⁵ The Holy Spirit also testifies to us about this. First he says:

¹⁶ “This is the covenant I will make with them
    after that time, says the Lord.
I will put my laws in their hearts,
    and I will write them on their minds.”

¹⁷ Then he adds:

“Their sins and lawless acts
    I will remember no more.”

¹⁸ And where these have been forgiven, sacrifice for sin is no longer necessary.

¹⁹ Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, ²⁰ by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, ²¹ and since we have a great priest over the house of God, ²² let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. ²³ Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. ²⁴ And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, ²⁵ not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

What did Jesus do “by one sacrifice” (verse 14)?

Who “testifies to us about this” (verse 15)?

Where will the Lord write His laws (verse 16)?

What will the Lord “remember no more” (verse 17)?

Where is “sacrifice for sin” no longer necessary (verse 18)?

How can Christians have “confidence to enter the Most Holy Place” (verse 19)?

What is the “new and living way opened for us through the curtain” (verse 20)?

With what can Christians “draw near to God” (verse 22)?

Why can we “hold unswervingly to the hope we profess” (verse 23)?

What should we consider (verse 24)?

Who should we encourage (verse 25)?

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

In your opinion, what does this passage teach us about how God’s people should respond to the world?

In your opinion, how might the Israelites entering the land of Canaan in Leviticus 18:1-5, 16 be a foreshadowing of the entry of “brothers and sisters” into the “Most Holy Place” in Hebrews 10:14-25?

In your opinion, what does Matthew 14:1-12 help us understand about the difficulty of obeying the instructions of Hebrews 10:14-25 to “hold unswervingly to the hope we profess”?

In your opinion, how is Acts 4:23-31 an encouragement for the “meeting together” that Hebrews 10:14-25 instructs us to not give up on?

In your opinion, what do these passages from Leviticus, Matthew, Acts and Hebrews teach us about how to be boldly different from the world we live in?

In your opinion, how can we as Christians encourage and spur one another on today?

(sprucewhispers.blogspot.com)