March 2, 2014 - The Great Commission - A Study of Matthew – Unclean to Clean

March 2, 2014 - The Great Commission - A Study of Matthew – Unclean to Clean

Matthew 28 - New International Version (NIV) – The Great Commission

^“18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. ¹⁹ Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, ²⁰ and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

Unclean to Clean

Matthew 8:1-4 - New International Version (NIV)

“When Jesus came down from the mountainside, large crowds followed him. ² A man with leprosy came and knelt before him and said, “Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean.”

³ Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” he said. “Be clean!” Immediately he was cleansed of his leprosy. ⁴ Then Jesus said to him, “See that you don’t tell anyone. But go, show yourself to the priest and offer the gift Moses commanded, as a testimony to them.”

Who followed Jesus (verse 1)?

What disease did the man who knelt before Jesus have (verse 2)?

What did the man say that Jesus could do (verse 2)?

In your opinion, why did the man say, “if you are willing” (verse 2)?

How did Jesus physically respond (verse 3)?

In your opinion, why did Jesus say “I am willing” (verse 3)?

What happened when Jesus said “Be clean” (verse 3)?

What did Jesus instruct the man not to do after he was healed (verse 4)?

What did Jesus instruct the man to do after he was healed (verse 4)?

In your opinion, why did Jesus want to have testimony to the priest (verse 4)?

In your opinion, what does this passage from Matthew 8:1-4 show us about the Great Commission?

Leviticus 13:1-8 and 45-46 - New International Version (NIV)

“The Lord said to Moses and Aaron, ² “When anyone has a swelling or a rash or a shiny spot on their skin that may be a defiling skin disease, they must be brought to Aaron the priest or to one of his sons who is a priest. ³ The priest is to examine the sore on the skin, and if the hair in the sore has turned white and the sore appears to be more than skin deep, it is a defiling skin disease. When the priest examines that person, he shall pronounce them ceremonially unclean. ⁴ If the shiny spot on the skin is white but does not appear to be more than skin deep and the hair in it has not turned white, the priest is to isolate the affected person for seven days. ⁵ On the seventh day the priest is to examine them, and if he sees that the sore is unchanged and has not spread in the skin, he is to isolate them for another seven days. ⁶ On the seventh day the priest is to examine them again, and if the sore has faded and has not spread in the skin, the priest shall pronounce them clean; it is only a rash. They must wash their clothes, and they will be clean. ⁷ But if the rash does spread in their skin after they have shown themselves to the priest to be pronounced clean, they must appear before the priest again. ⁸ The priest is to examine that person, and if the rash has spread in the skin, he shall pronounce them unclean; it is a defiling skin disease.

⁴⁵ “Anyone with such a defiling disease must wear torn clothes, let their hair be unkempt, cover the lower part of their face and cry out, ‘Unclean! Unclean!’ ⁴⁶ As long as they have the disease they remain unclean. They must live alone; they must live outside the camp.”

Who instructed Moses and Aaron (verse 1)?

What is the instruction about (verse 2)?

In your opinion, why should the person be brought to the priest (verse 2)?

What is the priest to do if the hair in the sore turns white and the sore is more than skin deep (verse 3)?

What is the priest to do if the hair in the sore has not turned white and the sore is not more than skin deep (verses 4 and 5 and 6)?

In your opinion, why does the person who is pronounced clean have to wash their clothes (verse 6)?

What is to be done if the person who is had been pronounced clean then has a rash that spreads (verse 7 and 8)?

Who has to wear torn clothes, let their hair be unkempt, cover the lower part of their face and cry out ‘Unclean! Unclean!’ (verse 45)?

Where do they have to live (verse 46)?

In your opinion, why do the unclean have to these things (verse 45 and 46)?

How did the behavior of the man in Matthew compare to what Leviticus required?

In your opinion, what does this passage from Leviticus teach us about Matthew 8:1-4?

In your opinion, what does this passage from Leviticus show us about the Great Commission?

Leviticus 5:2-6 - New International Version (NIV)

² “‘If anyone becomes aware that they are guilty—if they unwittingly touch anything ceremonially unclean (whether the carcass of an unclean animal, wild or domestic, or of any unclean creature that moves along the ground) and they are unaware that they have become unclean, but then they come to realize their guilt; ³ or if they touch human uncleanness (anything that would make them unclean) even though they are unaware of it, but then they learn of it and realize their guilt; ⁴ or if anyone thoughtlessly takes an oath to do anything, whether good or evil (in any matter one might carelessly swear about) even though they are unaware of it, but then they learn of it and realize their guilt— ⁵ when anyone becomes aware that they are guilty in any of these matters, they must confess in what way they have sinned. ⁶ As a penalty for the sin they have committed, they must bring to the Lord a female lamb or goat from the flock as a sin offering; and the priest shall make atonement for them for their sin.

What word is used to describe the person who touches something or someone that is unclean (verses 2 and 3)?

In your opinion, why would taking an oath make someone unclean (verse 4)?

What is the person who becomes aware they have sinned to do (verse 5)?

What is the lamb or goat to be (verse 6)?

Who will make the atonement for the sin (verse 6)?

In your opinion, does the fact that the priest only makes atonement, but Jesus in Matthew healed, teach us anything?

In your opinion, what does this passage from Leviticus teach us about Matthew 8:1-4?

In your opinion, what does this passage from Leviticus show us about the Great Commission?

Hebrews 9:6-15 – New International Version (NIV)

^“6 When everything had been arranged like this, the priests entered regularly into the outer room to carry on their ministry. ⁷ But only the high priest entered the inner room, and that only once a year, and never without blood, which he offered for himself and for the sins the people had committed in ignorance. ⁸ The Holy Spirit was showing by this that the way into the Most Holy Place had not yet been disclosed as long as the first tabernacle was still functioning. ⁹ This is an illustration for the present time, indicating that the gifts and sacrifices being offered were not able to clear the conscience of the worshiper. ¹⁰ They are only a matter of food and drink and various ceremonial washings—external regulations applying until the time of the new order.

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 room do the priests enter (verse 6)?

Who entered the inner room (verse 7)?

What did the high priest never enter the inner room without (verse 7)?

Why was the blood necessary (verse 7)?

In your opinion, why was the way into the Most Holy Place not disclosed as “long as the first tabernacle was still functioning” (verse 8)?

What are the gifts and sacrifices not able to do (verse 9)?

What are the gifts and sacrifices a matter of (verse 10)?

What did Jesus go through when he came as high priest (verse 11)?

Through what did Jesus enter the Most Holy Place (verse 12)?

In your opinion, why does Jesus obtain eternal redemption only through entering the Most Holy Place by his own blood (verse 12)?

What part of the ceremonially unclean is made clean by the blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer (verses 13)?

How did Jesus offer himself to God (verse 14)?

What does the blood of Jesus do to our consciences (verse 14)?

In your opinion, why does Paul go straight from “cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death” to “so that we may serve the living God” (verse 14)?

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

In your opinion, what does it mean to be called (verse 15)?

In your opinion, what does this passage from Hebrews teach us about Matthew 8:1-4?

In your opinion, what does this passage from Hebrews show us about the Great Commission?

1 Peter 1:13-21 - New International Version (NIV)

¹³ Therefore, with minds that are alert and fully sober, set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed at his coming. ¹⁴ As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. ¹⁵ But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; ¹⁶ for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.”

¹⁷ Since you call on a Father who judges each person’s work impartially, live out your time as foreigners here in reverent fear. ¹⁸ For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, ¹⁹ but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. ²⁰ He was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake. ²¹ Through him you believe in God, who raised him from the dead and glorified him, and so your faith and hope are in God.

What are we to “set our hope” on (verse 13)?

In your opinion, why are we supposed to “set our hope” with minds that are “alert and fully sober”  (verse 13)?

What are we not to do (verse 14)?

How are we to be (verse 15 and 16)?

How are we to “live out your time as foreigners here” (verse 17)?

In your opinion, what does it mean to “live out your time as foreigners here” (verse 17)?

With what were we redeemed (verses 18 and 19)?

When was Jesus chosen to be the “lamb without blemish or defect” (verse 20)?

How do we believe in God (verse 21)?

Where are our faith and hope (verse 21)?

In your opinion, can we make the same plea to Jesus that the man in Matthew 8:2 made?

In your opinion, what does this passage from 1 Peter teach us about Matthew 8:1-4?

In your opinion, what does this passage from 1 Peter show us about the Great Commission?

Next, back to Matthew 8:5 - (sprucewhispers.blogspot.com)

February 23, 2014 - The Great Commission - A Study of Matthew – Destruction and Life

February 23, 2014 - The Great Commission - A Study of Matthew – Destruction and Life

Matthew 28 - New International Version (NIV) – The Great Commission

^“18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. ¹⁹ Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, ²⁰ and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

Destruction and Life

Matthew 7:13-29 - New International Version (NIV)

¹³ “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to                 destruction, and many enter through it. ¹⁴ But small is the gate and narrow the road that                     leads to life, and only a few find it.

¹⁵ “Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. ¹⁶ By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? ¹⁷ Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. ¹⁸ A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. ¹⁹ Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. ²⁰ Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.

²¹ “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. ²² Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ ²³ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’

²⁴ “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. ²⁵ The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. ²⁶ But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. ²⁷ The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.”

²⁸ When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching,                    ²⁹ because he taught as one who had authority, and not as their teachers of the law.”

Where are we to enter (verse 13)?

What are the gate and the road that leads to destruction like (verse 13)?

In your opinion, why will many enter through the wide gate (verse 13)?

In your opinion, why will few find the gate and the road that leads to life (verse 14)?

Who should we watch out for (verse 15)?

How will they appear to us (verse 15)?

What are they in reality (verse 15)?

How will we recognize them (verse 16)?

In your opinion, how do we tell good fruit from bad fruit (verses 16 through 20)?

Who will enter into the kingdom of heaven (verse 21)?

In your opinion, why will some who say “Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?” be called evildoers by Jesus (verses 22 and 23)?

Who is like the wise man who built his house on the rock (verse 24)?

What is that house able to withstand (verse 25)?

In your opinion, how does hearing the words of Jesus and putting them into practice enable us to stand what the world throws at us?

Who is like the foolish man who built his house on the sand (verse 26)?

What happens to his house (verse 27)?

In your opinion, what is different about Jesus teaching that caused the crowds to believe that He taught with authority and not as the teachers of the law (verses 28 and 29)?

In your opinion, what does this passage from Matthew 7:13-29 show us about the Great Commission?

Joel 2:28-32 - New International Version (NIV)

²⁸ “And afterward,
    I will pour out my Spirit on all people.
Your sons and daughters will prophesy,
    your old men will dream dreams,
    your young men will see visions.
²⁹ Even on my servants, both men and women,
    I will pour out my Spirit in those days.
³⁰ I will show wonders in the heavens
    and on the earth,
    blood and fire and billows of smoke.
³¹ The sun will be turned to darkness
    and the moon to blood
    before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord.
³² And everyone who calls
    on the name of the Lord will be saved;
for on Mount Zion and in Jerusalem
    there will be deliverance,
    as the Lord has said,
even among the survivors.”

What is God going to pour out on all people (verse 28)?

In your opinion, does all people include you?

What will sons and daughters do (verse 28)?

What will old men do (verse 28)?

What will young men do (verse 28)?

What will happen to servants (verse 29)?

What will be shown in the heavens and on the earth (verse 30)?

What will happen before “the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord” (verse 31)?

In your opinion, what is “the great and dreadful day of the Lord” (verse 31)?

Who will be saved (verse 32)?

In your opinion, how can the statement that “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved” be reconciled with “But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.”?

In your opinion, what does this passage from Joel teach us about Matthew 7:13-29?

In your opinion, what does this passage from Joel show us about the Great Commission?

Acts 2:22-41 – New International Version (NIV)

²² “Fellow Israelites, listen to this: Jesus of Nazareth was a man accredited by God to you by miracles, wonders and signs, which God did among you through him, as you yourselves know. ²³ This man was handed over to you by God’s deliberate plan and foreknowledge; and you, with the help of wicked men, put him to death by nailing him to the cross. ²⁴ But God raised him from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him. ²⁵ David said about him:

“‘I saw the Lord always before me.
    Because he is at my right hand,
    I will not be shaken.
²⁶ Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices;
    my body also will rest in hope,
²⁷ because you will not abandon me to the realm of the dead,
    you will not let your holy one see decay.
²⁸ You have made known to me the paths of life;
    you will fill me with joy in your presence.’

²⁹ “Fellow Israelites, I can tell you confidently that the patriarch David died and was buried, and his tomb is here to this day. ³⁰ But he was a prophet and knew that God had promised him on oath that he would place one of his descendants on his throne. ³¹ Seeing what was to come, he spoke of the resurrection of the Messiah, that he was not abandoned to the realm of the dead, nor did his body see decay. ³² God has raised this Jesus to life, and we are all witnesses of it. ³³ Exalted to the right hand of God, he has received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit and has poured out what you now see and hear. ³⁴ For David did not ascend to heaven, and yet he said,

“‘The Lord said to my Lord:
    “Sit at my right hand
³⁵ until I make your enemies
    a footstool for your feet.”’

³⁶ “Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified,               both Lord and Messiah.”

³⁷ When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other                     apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?”

³⁸ Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. ³⁹ The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.”

⁴⁰ With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, “Save yourselves from             this corrupt generation.” ⁴¹ Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three               thousand were added to their number that day.”

What does Peter, who is being quoted here, say “accredited” Jesus of Nazareth (verse 22)?

How did it happen that Jesus was nailed to the cross (verse 23)?

What did God do once Jesus was dead (verse 24)?

In your opinion, why was it impossible for death to keep a hold on Jesus (verse 24)?

How was David able to remain unshaken (verse 25)?

What does David say about his future in the “realm of the dead” (verses 26 and 27)?

What fills David with joy (verse 28)?

Where does Peter say that David is (verse 29)?

What does Peter say that David was (verse 30)?

So, who does Peter say that David was speaking about (verses 30 and 31)?

Who are witnesses to God raising Jesus to life (verse 32)?

In your opinion, why is it important that Jesus is “Exalted to the right hand of God” (verses 33 through 35)?

What has God made Jesus (verse 36)?

In your opinion, why were the people “cut to the heart” (verse 37)?

What does Peter tell the people to do (verse 38)?

Who is the gift that is “The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.” (verses 38 and 39)?

What was Peter’s plea (verse 40)?

In your opinion, what does this passage from Acts teach us about Matthew 7:13-29?

In your opinion, what does this passage from Acts show us about the Great Commission?

2 Peter 3:2-13 - New International Version (NIV)

^“2 I want you to recall the words spoken in the past by the holy prophets and the command                 given by our Lord and Savior through your apostles.

³ Above all, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires. ⁴ They will say, “Where is this ‘coming’ he promised? Ever since our ancestors died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation.” ⁵ But they deliberately forget that long ago by God’s word the heavens came into being and the earth was formed out of water and by water. ⁶ By these waters also the world of that time was deluged and destroyed. ⁷ By the same word the present heavens and earth are reserved for fire, being kept for the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly.

⁸ But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. ⁹ The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.

¹⁰ But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the               elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything done in it will be laid bare.

¹¹ Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives ¹² as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat. ¹³ But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells.”

Whose words are we to recall (verse 2)?

Whose command are we to recall (verse 2)?

What are we to understand (verse 3)?

What will scoffers say (verse 4)?

What do scoffers deliberately forget (verses 5 through 7)?

In your opinion, why is it appropriate to say that scoffers “deliberately forget” (verse 5)?

Why is the Lord not slow, but patient (verse 9)?

In your opinion, what is meant by saying “the day of the Lord will come like a thief” (verse 10)?

What will happen when the day of the Lord comes (verse 10)?

Since everything will be destroyed when the day of the Lord comes, what kind of people ought we be (verse 11)?

In your opinion, why would we “look forward to the day of God and speed its coming” (verse 12)?

When the heavens are destroyed by fire and the elements will melt in the heat, what will come that we are looking forward to (verses 12 and 13)?

In your opinion, why is it appropriate to say that righteousness dwells in the new heaven and the new earth (verse 13)?

In your opinion, how does this passage in 2 Peter help us understand this quote from Matthew, “For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. ¹⁴ But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.”?

In your opinion, what does this passage from 2 Peter teach us about Matthew 7:13-29?

In your opinion, what does this passage from 2 Peter show us about the Great Commission?

Next, back to Matthew 8:1 - (sprucewhispers.blogspot.com)

February 16, 2014 - The Great Commission - A Study of Matthew – Judging and Beyond

February 16, 2014 - The Great Commission - A Study of Matthew – Judging and Beyond

Matthew 28 - New International Version (NIV) – The Great Commission

¹⁸ Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. ¹⁹ Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, ²⁰ and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

Judging and Beyond

Matthew 7:1-12 - New International Version (NIV)

¹“Do not judge, or you too will be judged. ² For in the same way you judge others, you will                 be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.

³ “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? ⁴ How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? ⁵ You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.

⁶ “Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may                     trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces.

⁷ “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened               to you. ⁸ For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who                         knocks, the door will be opened.

⁹ “Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? ¹⁰ Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? ¹¹ If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him! ¹² So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.”

What are we not to do (verse 1)?

What is the consequence if we do what we aren’t supposed to (verse 1)?

What is the standard that will be used if we do what we aren’t supposed to (verse 2)?

In your opinion, why is this standard fair?

In your opinion, why is this standard scary and hard?

Where is the irony in the discussion about specks and planks (verse 3)?

Which will interfere with vision the most, the speck in the brother’s eye or the plank in your own eye (verse 4)?

In your opinion, why is the person with the plank described as a hypocrite (verse 5)?

What is the correct order of removal (verse 5)?

In your opinion, why does Jesus follow the statement on judging with the discussion about specks and planks?

Why aren’t we to give what is sacred to dogs and pearls to pigs (verse 6)?

In your opinion, is it significant that this follows a discussion about judging?

What will happen if we ask (verse 7)?

What will happen if we seek (verse 7)?

What will happen if we knock (verse 7)?

In your opinion, why does verse 8 repeat the promises of verse 7?

In your opinion, what is the point that the questions in verse 9 and 10 is trying to make?

How are human parents and the Heavenly Father compared in verse 11?

In your opinion, what does this comparison teach us about the way God answers prayer?

How is the Law and the Prophets summed up (verse 12)?

In your opinion, why is this summary located after a discussion about judging and prayer?

In your opinion, what does this passage from Matthew 7:1-12 show us about the Great Commission?

2 Samuel 9:1-13 - New International Version (NIV)

“David asked, “Is there anyone still left of the house of Saul to whom I can show kindness for              Jonathan’s sake?”

² Now there was a servant of Saul’s household named Ziba. They summoned him to appear                 before David, and the king said to him, “Are you Ziba?”

“At your service,” he replied.

³ The king asked, “Is there no one still alive from the house of Saul to whom I can show                       God’s kindness?”

Ziba answered the king, “There is still a son of Jonathan; he is lame in both feet.”

⁴ “Where is he?” the king asked.

Ziba answered, “He is at the house of Makir son of Ammiel in Lo Debar.”

⁵ So King David had him brought from Lo Debar, from the house of Makir son of Ammiel.

⁶ When Mephibosheth son of Jonathan, the son of Saul, came to David, he bowed down to                   pay him honor.

David said, “Mephibosheth!”

“At your service,” he replied.

⁷ “Don’t be afraid,” David said to him, “for I will surely show you kindness for the sake of                 your father Jonathan. I will restore to you all the land that belonged to your grandfather Saul,             and you will always eat at my table.”

⁸ Mephibosheth bowed down and said, “What is your servant, that you should notice a dead               dog like me?”

⁹ Then the king summoned Ziba, Saul’s steward, and said to him, “I have given your master’s grandson everything that belonged to Saul and his family. ¹⁰ You and your sons and your servants are to farm the land for him and bring in the crops, so that your master’s grandson may be provided for. And Mephibosheth, grandson of your master, will always eat at my table.” (Now Ziba had fifteen sons and twenty servants.)

¹¹ Then Ziba said to the king, “Your servant will do whatever my lord the king commands his             servant to do.” So Mephibosheth ate at David’s table like one of the king’s sons.

¹² Mephibosheth had a young son named Mika, and all the members of Ziba’s household                     were servants of Mephibosheth. ¹³ And Mephibosheth lived in Jerusalem, because he always               ate at the king’s table; he was lame in both feet.”

Who did King David ask about (verse 1)?

How does King David want to treat them (verse 1)?

In your opinion, why would King David want to treat them this way?

Who was summoned to appear before King David (verse 2)?

Whose name is given to King David when he asks “Is there no one still alive from the house of Saul to whom I can show God’s kindness?” (verse3)?

What is distinctive about this person (verse 3)?

How did Mephibosheth “the son of Jonathan, the son of Saul” show honor to King David (verse 6)?

In your opinion, why would King David begin his discussion with Mephibosheth by saying “Don’t be afraid" (verse 7)?

Why did King David say that he was restoring to Mephibosheth the land that belonged to his grandfather, Saul (verse 7)?

What instructions did King David give to Ziba, Saul’s steward (verses 9 and 10)?

How did Mephibosheth eat at King David’s table (verse 11)?

Why did Mephibosheth live in Jerusalem (verse 13)?

In your opinion, how do King David’s actions illustrate Jesus’ instruction in Matthew 7 about “do to others what you would have them do to you”?

In your opinion, what does this passage from 2 Samuel teach us about Matthew 7:1-12?

In your opinion, what does this passage from 2 Samuel show us about the Great Commission?

Romans 13:8-14 – New International Version (NIV)

^8 “Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law. ⁹ The commandments, “You shall not commit adultery,” “You shall not murder,” “You shall not steal,” “You shall not covet,” and whatever other command there may be, are summed up in this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” ¹⁰ Love does no harm to a neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.

¹¹ And do this, understanding the present time: The hour has already come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. ¹² The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. ¹³ Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy. ¹⁴ Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the flesh.”

What debt is supposed to remain outstanding (verse 8)?

Why is that debt supposed to remain outstanding (verse 8)?

In your opinion, why would Paul say that we have a “continuing debt to love one another” (verse 8)?

In your opinion, how are the commandments “You shall not commit adultery,” “You shall not murder,” “You shall not steal,” “You shall not covet,” summed up in the command “Love your neighbor as yourself.” (verse 9)?

What does love not do (verse 10)?

What is love a fulfillment of (verse 10)?

In your opinion, how can the emotion of love be a fulfillment of the written commands of the law?

Why are we to “wake up” from our slumber (verse 11)?

What are we to put aside (verse 12)?

What are we to put on (verse 12)?

How are we to behave (verse 13)?

How are we to clothe ourselves (verse 14)

In your opinion, why does this discussion about clothing ourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ follow a discussion about love?

In your opinion, what does this passage from Romans teach us about Matthew 7:1-12?

In your opinion, what does this passage from Romans show us about the Great Commission?

Colossians 3:12-17 - New International Version (NIV)

^12” Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. ¹³ Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. ¹⁴ And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

¹⁵ Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. ¹⁶ Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. ¹⁷ And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”

Who is this message for (verse 12)?

How are we (“God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved”) to clothe ourselves (verse 12)?

What specific instructions does Paul give in how to do this (verse 13)?

How is the way we are to forgive defined (verse 13)?

What is love to be “put over” (verse 14)?

In your opinion, how could love bind the virtues “all together in perfect unity” (verse 14)?

What is the message of Christ to do (verse 15)?

In your opinion, how do “psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts” allow us to “teach and admonish one another with all wisdom” (verse 16)?

How are we to do whatever we do “whether in word or deed” (verse 17)?

Do you think that Paul’s instruction to “do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him” would help us be obedient to Jesus instruction about judging and doing to others that we read from Matthew 7?

In your opinion, what does this passage from Colossians teach us about Matthew 7:1-12?

In your opinion, what does this passage from Colossians show us about the Great Commission?

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