May 31, 2026 – A Study of Matthew – Following Jesus

Following Jesus

Isaiah 53:7-12 – New International Version (NIV)

⁷ He was oppressed and afflicted,
    yet he did not open his mouth;
he was led like a lamb to the slaughter,
    and as a sheep before its shearers is silent,
    so he did not open his mouth.
⁸ By oppression and judgment he was taken away.
    Yet who of his generation protested?
For he was cut off from the land of the living;
    for the transgression of my people he was punished.
⁹ He was assigned a grave with the wicked,
    and with the rich in his death,
though he had done no violence,
    nor was any deceit in his mouth.

¹⁰ Yet it was the Lord’s will to crush him and cause him to suffer,
    and though the Lord makes his life an offering for sin,
he will see his offspring and prolong his days,
    and the will of the Lord will prosper in his hand.
¹¹ After he has suffered,
    he will see the light of life and be satisfied;
by his knowledge my righteous servant will justify many,
    and he will bear their iniquities.
¹² Therefore I will give him a portion among the great,
    and he will divide the spoils with the strong,
because he poured out his life unto death,
    and was numbered with the transgressors.
For he bore the sin of many,
    and made intercession for the transgressors.

Where will God’s servant be led (verse 7)?

Why was He punished (verse 8)?

What was He assigned (verse 9)?

What does the Lord make His life (verse 10)?

When will He “be satisfied” (verse 11)?

Where will He be given “a portion” (verse 12)?

Who did He make “intercession for” (verse 12)?

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

In your opinion, what does this passage teach us about being children of God?

Matthew 16:21-28 - New International Version (NIV)

²¹ From that time on Jesus began to explain to his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life.

²² Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. “Never, Lord!” he said. “This shall never happen to you!”

²³ Jesus turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns.”

²⁴ Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. ²⁵ For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it. ²⁶ What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul? ²⁷ For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father’s glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what they have done.

²⁸ “Truly I tell you, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom.”

What did Jesus explain to His disciples (verse 21)?

Who rebuked Jesus (verse 22)?

What kind of concerns did Jesus say Peter had (verse 23)?

Who must “deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me” (verse 24)?

What will those who lose their life for Jesus find (verse 25)?

In your opinion, “what can anyone give in exchange for their soul” (verse 26)?

How will each person be rewarded (verse 27)?

What will some not taste before “they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom” (verse 28)?

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

In your opinion, what does this passage teach us about being children of God?

In your opinion, how does Isaiah 53:7-12 help us understand what the “concerns of God” are that Jesus mentioned in Matthew 16:21-28?

Romans 8:5-17 - New International Version (NIV)

⁵ Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. ⁶ The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace. ⁷ The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. ⁸ Those who are in the realm of the flesh cannot please God.

⁹ You, however, are not in the realm of the flesh but are in the realm of the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they do not belong to Christ. ¹⁰ But if Christ is in you, then even though your body is subject to death because of sin, the Spirit gives life because of righteousness. ¹¹ And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of his Spirit who lives in you.

¹² Therefore, brothers and sisters, we have an obligation—but it is not to the flesh, to live according to it. ¹³ For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live.

¹⁴ For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. ¹⁵ The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” ¹⁶ The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. ¹⁷ Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.

Who has their minds set on, “what the Spirit desires” (verse 5)?

What is “the mind governed by the flesh” (verse 6)?

What does the “mind governed by the flesh” not do (verse 7)?

Who “cannot please God” (verse 8)?

What realm are the people who “the Spirit of God lives in” in (verse 9)?

Who “gives life because of righteousness” (verse 10)?

What will “the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead” do if He is living in you (verse 11)?

What do “brothers and sisters” hot have an obligation to (verse 12)?

How do Christians “put to death the misdeeds of the body” (verse 13)?

Who are children of God” (verse 14)?

What has the Spirit “brought about” in those who receive Him (verse 15)?

Who does the Spirit testify with (verse 16)?

What do we share with Christ “in order that we may also share in his glory” (verse 17)?

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

In your opinion, what does this passage teach us about being children of God?

In your opinion, how does the servant in Isaiah 53:7-12 display the “mind governed by the Spirit” described in Romans 8:5-17?

In your opinion, how does Romans 8:5-17 help us better understand the disagreement between Peter and Jesus in Matthew 16:21-28?

1 Peter 4:7-11 - New International Version (NIV)

⁷ The end of all things is near. Therefore be alert and of sober mind so that you may pray. ⁸ Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. ⁹ Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. ¹⁰ Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. ¹¹ If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.

What is near (verse 7)?

How should Christians prepare to pray (verse 7)?

What “covers a multitude of sins” (verse 8)?

What should not accompany hospitality (verse 9)?

Who should “use whatever gift you have received to serve others” (verse 10)?

How should the one who speaks speak (verse 11)?

How should the one who serves serve (verse 11)?

How should God be praised (verse 11)?

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

In your opinion, what does this passage teach us about being children of God?

In your opinion, how does the servant in Isaiah 53:7-12 fulfill the instructions in 1 Peter 4:7-11?

In your opinion, how does 1 Peter 4:7-11 help us understand how to follow Jesus’s instructions about being a disciple in Matthew 16:21-28?

In your opinion, what does 1 Peter 4:7-11 teach us about how to be children of God as instructed by Romans 8:5-17?

In your opinion, what do these passages from Isaiah, Matthew, Romans, and 1 Peter teach us about following Jesus?

In your opinion, what does it mean to be led by the Spirit today?

(sprucewhispers.blogspot.com)

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?