February 9, 2025 – A Study of Matthew – This Little Light of Mine

This Little Light of Mine

Isaiah 30:18-26 – New International Version (NIV)

¹⁸ Yet the Lord longs to be gracious to you;
    therefore he will rise up to show you compassion.
For the Lord is a God of justice.
    Blessed are all who wait for him!

¹⁹ People of Zion, who live in Jerusalem, you will weep no more. How gracious he will be when you cry for help! As soon as he hears, he will answer you. ²⁰ Although the Lord gives you the bread of adversity and the water of affliction, your teachers will be hidden no more; with your own eyes you will see them. ²¹ Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.” ²² Then you will desecrate your idols overlaid with silver and your images covered with gold; you will throw them away like a menstrual cloth and say to them, “Away with you!”

²³ He will also send you rain for the seed you sow in the ground, and the food that comes from the land will be rich and plentiful. In that day your cattle will graze in broad meadows. ²⁴ The oxen and donkeys that work the soil will eat fodder and mash, spread out with fork and shovel. ²⁵ In the day of great slaughter, when the towers fall, streams of water will flow on every high mountain and every lofty hill. ²⁶ The moon will shine like the sun, and the sunlight will be seven times brighter, like the light of seven full days, when the Lord binds up the bruises of his people and heals the wounds he inflicted.

Why will the Lord “rise up to show you compassion” (verse 18)?

Who is blessed (verse 18)?

When will the Lord be gracious (verse 19)?

What “will be hidden no more” (verse 20)?

What will the voice from behind say (verse 21)?

What will they say when “idols overlaid with silver and your images covered with gold” are desecrated (verse 22)?

What will be “rich and plentiful” (verse 23)?

How will the fodder and mash that the oxen and donkeys eat be spread out (verse 24)?

Where will the streams of water flow (verse 25)?

How bright with the sunlight shine (verse 26)?

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

In your opinion, what does this passage teach us about living in light?

Matthew 5:13-16 - New International Version (NIV)

¹³ “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.

¹⁴ “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. ¹⁵ Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. ¹⁶ In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

What are “you” (verse 13)?

In your opinion, “if salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again” (verse 13)?

What is salt that loses saltiness good for (verse 13)?

What are “you” (verse 14)?

What cannot be hidden (verse 14)?

Where do people not put a lamp that is lit (verse 15)?

What will the lamp do when it is “put on its stand” (verse 15)?

Where should our light shine (verse 16)?

When do others glorify our “Father in heaven” (verse 16)?

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

In your opinion, what does this passage teach us about living in light?

In your opinion, how does God’s graciousness, that includes bringing bright light, in Isaiah 30:18-26 relate to the light that Matthew 5:13-16 says we are to let “shine before others”?

Philippians 2:12-18 - New International Version (NIV)

¹² Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, ¹³ for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.

¹⁴ Do everything without grumbling or arguing, ¹⁵ so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.” Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky ¹⁶ as you hold firmly to the word of life. And then I will be able to boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor in vain. ¹⁷ But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service coming from your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you. ¹⁸ So you too should be glad and rejoice with me.

What does Paul want the Philippian Christians to “continue to work out” (verse 12)?

Who “works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose” (verse 13)?

What should Christians do “without grumbling or arguing” (verse 14)?

How does Paul describe the generation in which he wants Christians to be “children of God without fault” (verse 15)?

Where will Christians shine as they “hold firmly to the word of life” (verses 15 and 16)?

What will Paul be able to boast “on the day of Christ” (verse 16)?

What is Paul able to do with Christians even if he “is being poured out like a drink offering” (verse 17)?

How should Christians react with Paul (verse 18)?

In your opinion, what does this passage teach us about living in light?

In your opinion, what does Philippians 2:12-18 reveal about how people should respond to God’s graciousness when they cry for help as described in Isaiah 30:18-26?

In your opinion, how does Philippians 2:12-18 help us understand how Christians can let our “light shine before others” as commanded in Matthew 5:13-16?

Revelation 21:22-27 – New International Version (NIV)

²² I did not see a temple in the city, because the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. ²³ The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp. ²⁴ The nations will walk by its light, and the kings of the earth will bring their splendor into it. ²⁵ On no day will its gates ever be shut, for there will be no night there. ²⁶ The glory and honor of the nations will be brought into it. ²⁷ Nothing impure will ever enter it, nor will anyone who does what is shameful or deceitful, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life.

Why did John “not see a temple in the city” (verse 22)?

What is the light of the city (verse 23)?

What is the city’s lamp (verse 23)?

Who will walk by the city’s light (verse 24)?

Why will the gates never be shut (verse 25)?

What will be brought to the city (verse 26)?

Who will enter the city (verse 27)?

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

In your opinion, what does this passage teach us about living in light?

In your opinion, how does the light and healing in Isaiah 30:18-26 anticipate the magnificent light of the city in Revelation 21:22-27?

In your opinion, how do those whose “names are written in the Lamb’s book of life” in Revelation 21:22-27 letting their “light shine before others” as commanded in Matthew 5:13-16 glorify the One whose glory lights the city of Revelation 21:22-27?

In your opinion, how can the city described in Revelation 21:22-27 be a source of inspiration for those who are struggling to work out their “salvation with fear and trembling” in the “warped and crooked generation” in Philippians 2:12-18?

In your opinion, what do these Scriptures from Isaiah, Matthew, Philippians and Revelation teach us about the source of light?

In your opinion, how do we let our lights shine today?

(sprucewhispers.blogspot.com)

February 2, 2025 – A Study of Matthew – God’s Favor and Blessing

God’s Favor and Blessing

Genesis 4:1-10 – New International Version (NIV)

¹ Adam made love to his wife Eve, and she became pregnant and gave birth to Cain. She said, “With the help of the Lord I have brought forth a man.” ² Later she gave birth to his brother Abel.

Now Abel kept flocks, and Cain worked the soil. ³ In the course of time Cain brought some of the fruits of the soil as an offering to the Lord. ⁴ And Abel also brought an offering—fat portions from some of the firstborn of his flock. The Lord looked with favor on Abel and his offering, ⁵ but on Cain and his offering he did not look with favor. So Cain was very angry, and his face was downcast.

⁶ Then the Lord said to Cain, “Why are you angry? Why is your face downcast? ⁷ If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must rule over it.”

⁸ Now Cain said to his brother Abel, “Let’s go out to the field.” While they were in the field, Cain attacked his brother Abel and killed him.

⁹ Then the Lord said to Cain, “Where is your brother Abel?”

“I don’t know,” he replied. “Am I my brother’s keeper?”

¹⁰ The Lord said, “What have you done? Listen! Your brother’s blood cries out to me from the ground.

Who was Cain (verse 1)?

Who was Abel (verse 2)?

What did Cain bring “as an offering to the Lord” (verse 3)?

What did Abel bring (verse 4)?

Who did the Lord look on with favor (verse 4)?

Why was Cain “very angry” (verse 5)?

When is sin “crouching at” Cain’s door (verse 7)?

What did Cain need to do with the sin (verse 7)?

Where were they when Cain killed Abel (verse 8)?

How did Cain respond when the Lord ask “where is your brother, Abel” (verse 9)?

What was Abel’s blood doing (verse 10)?

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

In your opinion, what does this passage teach us about who God looks at with favor and blessing?

Matthew 5:1-12 - New International Version (NIV)

¹ Now when Jesus saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, ² and he began to teach them.

He said:

³ “Blessed are the poor in spirit,
    for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
⁴ Blessed are those who mourn,
    for they will be comforted.
⁵ Blessed are the meek,
    for they will inherit the earth.
⁶ Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
    for they will be filled.
⁷ Blessed are the merciful,
    for they will be shown mercy.
⁸ Blessed are the pure in heart,
    for they will see God.
⁹ Blessed are the peacemakers,
    for they will be called children of God.
¹⁰ Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
    for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

¹¹ “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. ¹² Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

Where did Jesus go when He “saw the crowds” (verse 1)?

What did He begin to do (verse 2)?

How are the “poor in spirit” blessed (verse 3)?

Who “will be comforted” (verse 4)?

What will the meek inherit (verse 5)?

In your opinion, what will fill those “who hunger and thirst for righteousness” (verse 6)?

Who will “be shown mercy” (verse 7)?

How are the “pure in heart” blessed (verse 8)?

What will the peacemakers be called (verse 9)?

How are those who are “persecuted because righteousness” blessed (verse 10)?

Why should those who people insult, persecute and falsely say evil things against “rejoice and be glad” (verses 11 and 12)?

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

In your opinion, what does this passage teach us about who God looks at with favor and blessing?

In your opinion, how could Cain killing Abel in anger about offerings in Genesis 4:1-10 be an example of the way Jesus says that believers will be persecuted and blessed in Matthew 5:1-12?

2 Timothy 3:10-17 - New International Version (NIV)

¹⁰ You, however, know all about my teaching, my way of life, my purpose, faith, patience, love, endurance, ¹¹ persecutions, sufferings—what kinds of things happened to me in Antioch, Iconium and Lystra, the persecutions I endured. Yet the Lord rescued me from all of them. ¹² In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, ¹³ while evildoers and impostors will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. ¹⁴ But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, ¹⁵ and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. ¹⁶ All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, ¹⁷ so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

What had the Lord rescued Paul from (verses 10 and 11)?

Who will be persecuted (verse 12)?

What will “evildoers and impostors” do (verse 13)?

Why was Timonthy to “continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of” (verse 14)?

What are “the Holy Scriptures” able to do (verse 15)?

How much Scripture is “God-breathed” (verse 16)?

What does the Scripture’s usefulness in “teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness” do for the servant of God (verse 17)?

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

In your opinion, what does this passage teach us about who God looks at with favor and blessing?

In your opinion, how could Timothy, who is to look at Paul as an example in 2 Timothy 3:10-17, also find Abel in Genesis 4:1-10 to be an example?

In your opinion, how could the words of Jesus in Matthew 5:1-12 have served to equip Paul for the things that he went through listed in 2 Timothy 3:10-17?

Revelation 22:7-14 – New International Version (NIV)

⁷ “Look, I am coming soon! Blessed is the one who keeps the words of the prophecy written in this scroll.”

⁸ I, John, am the one who heard and saw these things. And when I had heard and seen them, I fell down to worship at the feet of the angel who had been showing them to me. ⁹ But he said to me, “Don’t do that! I am a fellow servant with you and with your fellow prophets and with all who keep the words of this scroll. Worship God!”

¹⁰ Then he told me, “Do not seal up the words of the prophecy of this scroll, because the time is near. ¹¹ Let the one who does wrong continue to do wrong; let the vile person continue to be vile; let the one who does right continue to do right; and let the holy person continue to be holy.”

¹² “Look, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to each person according to what they have done. ¹³ I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.

¹⁴ “Blessed are those who wash their robes, that they may have the right to the tree of life and may go through the gates into the city. 

Who is “blessed” (verse 7)?

Who “heard and saw these things” (verse 8)?

Who is a fellow servant with John and “with your fellow prophets and with all who keep the words of this scroll” (verse 9)?

Why were the “words of prophecy of this scroll” not to be sealed (verse 10)?

Who is to continue to do wrong (verse 11)?

Who is to continue to do right (verse 11)?

What will be given “to each person” (verse 12)?

Who is “blessed” (verse 14)?

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

In your opinion, what does this passage teach us about who God looks at with favor and blessing?

In your opinion, how is Genesis 4:1-10 an example of Revelation 22:7-14’s instruction to “Let the one who does wrong continue to do wrong; let the vile person continue to be vile; let the one who does right continue to do right; and let the holy person continue to be holy”? 

In your opinion, how does Matthew 5:1-12 help us understand what we have to do receive the blessing that Revelation 22:7-14 promises to those who “wash their robes”?

In your opinion, what do we learn from Revelation 22:7-14 to help us as we strive to follow Paul’s instruction to Timothy, “continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus” in 2 Timothy 3:10-17?

In your opinion, what do these God-breathed Scriptures from Genesis, Matthew, 2 Timothy and Revelation teach us about how the world reacts to those who have found God’s favor?

In your opinion, how does God react to we, who are poor in spirit, mourning, meek, hungry for righteousness, merciful, pure in heart, peacemakers, who are persecuted, and who wash their robes?

(sprucewhispers.blogspot.com)