October 12, 2025 – A Study of Matthew – Being Restored

 

Being Restored

1 Kings 12:28-13:6 – New International Version (NIV)

²⁸ After seeking advice, the king made two golden calves. He said to the people, “It is too much for you to go up to Jerusalem. Here are your gods, Israel, who brought you up out of Egypt.” ²⁹ One he set up in Bethel, and the other in Dan. ³⁰ And this thing became a sin; the people came to worship the one at Bethel and went as far as Dan to worship the other.

³¹ Jeroboam built shrines on high places and appointed priests from all sorts of people, even though they were not Levites. ³² He instituted a festival on the fifteenth day of the eighth month, like the festival held in Judah, and offered sacrifices on the altar. This he did in Bethel, sacrificing to the calves he had made. And at Bethel he also installed priests at the high places he had made. ³³ On the fifteenth day of the eighth month, a month of his own choosing, he offered sacrifices on the altar he had built at Bethel. So he instituted the festival for the Israelites and went up to the altar to make offerings.

13 ¹ By the word of the Lord a man of God came from Judah to Bethel, as Jeroboam was standing by the altar to make an offering. ² By the word of the Lord he cried out against the altar: “Altar, altar! This is what the Lord says: ‘A son named Josiah will be born to the house of David. On you he will sacrifice the priests of the high places who make offerings here, and human bones will be burned on you.’” ³ That same day the man of God gave a sign: “This is the sign the Lord has declared: The altar will be split apart and the ashes on it will be poured out.”

⁴ When King Jeroboam heard what the man of God cried out against the altar at Bethel, he stretched out his hand from the altar and said, “Seize him!” But the hand he stretched out toward the man shriveled up, so that he could not pull it back. ⁵ Also, the altar was split apart and its ashes poured out according to the sign given by the man of God by the word of the Lord.

⁶ Then the king said to the man of God, “Intercede with the Lord your God and pray for me that my hand may be restored.” So the man of God interceded with the Lord, and the king’s hand was restored and became as it was before.

How did the king justify making the two golden calves (verse 28)?

Where did the king put the two golden calves (verse 29)?

What did the setting up of the golden calves become (verse 30)?

What did the king, Jeroboam, build on the high places (verse 31)?

What did Jeroboam do on the fifteenth day of the eight month (verse 32)?

Where did the king offer sacrifices (verse 33)?

What was Jeroboam doing when the “man of God” came to him (verse 1)?

What does the “man of God” say will be sacrificed on the alter (verse 2)?

What is the “sign the Lord has declared” (verse 3)?

When did king Jeroboham’s hand shrivel up (verse 4)?

What happened to the alter (verse 5)?

How did things change when the “man of God” interceded with the Lord (verse 6)?

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

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

Matthew 12:9-14 - New International Version (NIV)

⁹ Going on from that place, he went into their synagogue, ¹⁰ and a man with a shriveled hand was there. Looking for a reason to bring charges against Jesus, they asked him, “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?”

¹¹ He said to them, “If any of you has a sheep and it falls into a pit on the Sabbath, will you not take hold of it and lift it out? ¹² How much more valuable is a person than a sheep! Therefore it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath.”

¹³ Then he said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” So he stretched it out and it was completely restored, just as sound as the other. ¹⁴ But the Pharisees went out and plotted how they might kill Jesus.

Where did Jesus go (verse 9)?

Who was there (verse 10?

Why did they say, “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?” (verse 10)?

What did Jesus ask them (verse 11)?

What is more valuable than a sheep (verse 12)?

When does Jesus say it “is lawful to do good” (verse 12)?

What happened when the man stretched out his hand (verse 13)?

How did the Pharisees react to this (verse 14)?

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

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

In your opinion, how are the Pharisees in Matthew 12:9-14 like the king who had just established two alters to false gods and wanted the prophet of God seized in 1 Kings 12:28-13:6?

1 Peter 5:6-11 - New International Version (NIV)

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.

Where should Christians humble themselves (verse 6)?

When will God lift Christians up (verse 6)?

Why should Christians “cast all your anxiety” on God (verse 7)?

In your opinion, what does it mean to “be alert and of sober mind” (verse 8)?

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

What is “the whole family of believers throughout the world” undergoing (verse 9)?

When will the “God of all grace . . . 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, what does this passage teach us about restoration?

In your opinion, how is a Christian humbling themselves “under God’s mighty hand” as commanded by 1 Peter 5:6-11 a contrast to King Jeroboam asking the prophet to “intercede” for him in 1 Kings 12:28-13:6?

In your opinion, where in Matthew 12:9-14 do you see the devil “looking for someone to devour” as Peter warns in 1 Peter 5:6-11?

Galatians 6:1-10 - New International Version (NIV)

¹ Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted. ² Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. ³ If anyone thinks they are something when they are not, they deceive themselves. ⁴ Each one should test their own actions. Then they can take pride in themselves alone, without comparing themselves to someone else, ⁵ for each one should carry their own load. ⁶ Nevertheless, the one who receives instruction in the word should share all good things with their instructor.

⁷ Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. ⁸ Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. ⁹ Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. ¹⁰ Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.

What should a brother or sister do for someone “caught in a sin” (verse 1)?

How can Christians “fulfill the law of Christ” (verse 2)?

When do people “deceive themselves” (verse 3)?

What should each Christian “test” (verse 4)?

What should each Christian “carry” (verse 5)?

Who “cannot be mocked” (verse 7)?

What does a man reap (verse 7)?

Who will “reap eternal life” (verse 8)?

What will Christians reap if they “do not give up” (verse 9)?

What should Christians do if they “have the opportunity” to (verse 10)?

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

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

In your opinion, how is the truth “a man reaps what he sows” in Galatians 6:1-10 demonstrated in 1 Kings 12:28-13:6?

In your opinion, who in Matthew 12:9-14 could be an example of the people that Galatians 6:1-10 say may think “they are something when they are not”?  Who is an example of one that carries “each other’s burdens”?

In your opinion, how does Galatians 6:1-10 help us know how to respond when another Christian falls prey to the roaring lion that 1 Peter 5:6-11 talks about?

In your opinion, what do these Scriptures from 1 Kings, Matthew, 1 Peter and Galatians teach us about what to do when we need restoration?

In your opinion, how can we ‘pay forward’ the restoration they have received?

(sprucewhispers.blogspot.com)

November 3, 2019 – Mark’s Good News about Jesus – Authority and Grace

Authority and Grace


Zechariah 3:1-9 - New International Version (NIV)

¹ Then he showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the Lord, and Satan standing at his right side to accuse him. ² The Lord said to Satan, “The Lord rebuke you, Satan! The Lord, who has chosen Jerusalem, rebuke you! Is not this man a burning stick snatched from the fire?”

³ Now Joshua was dressed in filthy clothes as he stood before the angel. ⁴ The angel said to those who were standing before him, “Take off his filthy clothes.”

Then he said to Joshua, “See, I have taken away your sin, and I will put fine garments on you.”

⁵ Then I said, “Put a clean turban on his head.” So they put a clean turban on his head and clothed him, while the angel of the Lord stood by.

⁶ The angel of the Lord gave this charge to Joshua: ⁷ “This is what the Lord Almighty says: ‘If you will walk in obedience to me and keep my requirements, then you will govern my house and have charge of my courts, and I will give you a place among these standing here.

⁸ “‘Listen, High Priest Joshua, you and your associates seated before you, who are men symbolic of things to come: I am going to bring my servant, the Branch. ⁹ See, the stone I have set in front of Joshua! There are seven eyes on that one stone, and I will engrave an inscription on it,’ says the Lord Almighty, ‘and I will remove the sin of this land in a single day.

Why was Satan standing at Joshua’s right side (verse 1)?

In your opinion, how is Joshua “a burning stick snatched from the fire” (verse 2)?

How was Joshua dressed (verse 3)?

What was taken away from Joshua (verse 4)?

Who said “put a clean turban on his head” (verse 5)?

What did the “angel of the Lord” give to Joshua (verse 6)?

What would happen if Joshua walked in obedience and kept God’s requirements (verse 7)?

In your opinion, how are Joshua and his associates “symbolic of things to come” (verse 8)?

What will the Lord remove in a single day (verse 9)?

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

Mark 1:21-28 - New International Version (NIV)

²¹ They went to Capernaum, and when the Sabbath came, Jesus went into the synagogue and began to teach. ²² The people were amazed at his teaching, because he taught them as one who had authority, not as the teachers of the law. ²³ Just then a man in their synagogue who was possessed by an impure spirit cried out, ²⁴ “What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God!”

²⁵ “Be quiet!” said Jesus sternly. “Come out of him!” ²⁶ The impure spirit shook the man violently and came out of him with a shriek.

²⁷ The people were all so amazed that they asked each other, “What is this? A new teaching—and with authority! He even gives orders to impure spirits and they obey him.” ²⁸ News about him spread quickly over the whole region of Galilee.

When did Jesus go into the synagogue and begin to teach (verse 21)?

Why were the people amazed at His teaching (verse 22)?

How was the man in the synagogue possessed (verse 23)?

In your opinion, how did the man know that Jesus was “the Holy One of God” (verse 24)?

What did Jesus order the impure spirit to do (verse 25)?

How did the people react (verse 26)?

Where did news about Jesus go (verse 27)?

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

In your opinion, how are Joshua in Zechariah 3:1-9 and Jesus in Mark 1:21-28 similar?

Romans 8:1-10 – New International Version (NIV)

¹ Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, ² because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death. ³ For what the law was powerless to do because it was weakened by the flesh, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh to be a sin offering.  And so he condemned sin in the flesh, ⁴ in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.

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.

Where is there “now no condemnation” (verse 1)?

What sets us free “from the law of sin and death” (verse 2)?

Why was the law powerless (verse 3)?

What did God send “his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh” to be (verse 3)?

Who fully meets the “righteous requirements of the law” (verse 4)?

What do those who “live in accordance wht the Spirit” have their minds set on (verse 5)?

In your opinion, how is the mind that is governed by the Spirit “life and peace” (verse 6)?

What can the mind that is governed by the flesh not do (verse 7)?

Who cannot please God (verse 8)?

Who does not belong to the realm of the Spirit (verse 9)?

Why does the Spirit give life to those who Christ is in (verse 10)?

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

In your opinion, how is the removing of the filthy clothes from Joshua in Zechariah 3:1-10 and the righteous requirement of the law being met for those who the Spirit of God lives in in Romans 8:1-10 similar?

In your opinion, how are one who is free of condemnation because they are in Christ Jesus as in Romans 8:1-10 and the man whom Jesus casts the impure spirit out of in Mark 1:21-28 similar?  How are they different? 

 1 Peter 5:6-11 – New International Version (NIV)

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 does Peter say we should humble ourselves “under God’s mighty hand” (verse 6)?

What should we cast on God because He cares for us (verse 7)?

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

What is “the family of believers throughout the world” undergoing (verse 9)?

In your opinion, why does Peter say God is “the God of all grace” (verse 10)?

Where does “the God of all grace” call us (verse 10)?

Who does Peter pray will have “power for ever and ever” (verse 11)?

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

In your opinion, how does what Satan wanted to do to Joshua in Zechariah 3:1-9 and what the “roaring lion” in 1 Peter 5:6-11 wants to accomplish similar?

In your opinion, how are the casting out of the impure spirit in Mark 1:21-28 and the restoration of the believer in 1 Peter 5:6-11 different?  How are they similar?

In your opinion, what does 1 Peter 5:6-11 show us about the challenges that those who Romans 8:1-10 say now have no condemnation will still have?

In your opinion, what do these passages from Zechariah, Mark, Romans and 1 Peter teach us about God’s power, authority and plan?

In your opinion, how should we react to the “God of grace” today?

(sprucewhispers.blogspot.com)

November 22, 2015 – The Great Commission – A Study of Matthew – Humbling and Restoring

  

Matthew 28:18-20 – 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.”

Humbling and Restoring

Matthew 26:69-75 – New International Version (NIV)

⁶⁹ “Now Peter was sitting out in the courtyard, and a servant girl came to him. “You also were with Jesus of Galilee,” she said.

⁷⁰ But he denied it before them all. “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” he said.

⁷¹ Then he went out to the gateway, where another servant girl saw him and said to the people there, “This fellow was with Jesus of Nazareth.”

⁷² He denied it again, with an oath: “I don’t know the man!”

⁷³ After a little while, those standing there went up to Peter and said, “Surely you are one of them; your accent gives you away.”

⁷⁴ Then he began to call down curses, and he swore to them, “I don’t know the man!”

Immediately a rooster crowed. ⁷⁵ Then Peter remembered the word Jesus had spoken: “Before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times.” And he went outside and wept bitterly.”

Where was Peter sitting (verse 69)?

Who came to him and said “you also were with Jesus of Galilee” (verse 69)?

How did Peter respond (verse 70)?

In your opinion, why did Peter go out to the gateway (verse 71)?

Who saw him and said “this fellow was with Jesus of Nazareth” (verse 71)?

How was Peter’s denial more emphatic this time that the first time (verse 72)?

Why did “those standing there” think that Peter was one of those with Jesus of Galilee (verse 73)?

How was Peter’s denial even stronger this time (verse 74)?

What happened immediately after Peter said “I don’t know the man” (verse 74)?

What did Peter remember (verse 75)?

In your opinion, why do you think Peter “wept bitterly” (verse 66)?

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

Matthew 10:32-33 - New International Version (NIV)

³² “Whoever acknowledges me before others, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven. ³³ But whoever disowns me before others, I will disown before my Father in heaven.”

What does Jesus say He will do for “whoever acknowledges me before others” (verse 32)?

What does Jesus say He will do about “whoever disowns me before others” (verse 33)?

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

In your opinion, how does your understanding of Peter’s bitter weeping in Matthew 26:69-75 change when you remember that Peter heard this instruction about acknowledging and disowning from Jesus in Matthew 10:32-33?

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 when they were released from the rulers, the elders, and the teachers of the law (verse 23)?

What did Peter and John report (verse 23)?

How did the people respond (verse 24)?

How did the Sovereign Lord speak through the mouth of David (verse 24)?

In your opinion, why did the people choose this quotation from David to quote (verses 25 and 26)?

Who met together to “conspire against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed” (verse 27)?

What did the conspirators do (verse 28)?

How did they pray that the Sovereign Lord would allow them to meet the present threats (verse 29)?

In your opinion, why did they ask for the Sovereign Lord to “stretch out your hand to heal and perform signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus” (verse 30)?

What happened to “the place where they were meeting” after the prayer (verse 31)?

How did God respond their prayers from verse 29 to “speak your word with great boldness” (verse 31)?

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

In your opinion, how is the response of the people to the threats of the rulers, elders and teachers of the law in Acts 4:23-31 so soon after the same people orchestrated the death of Jesus an example of how to respond to Jesus teaching in Matthew 10:32-33 about acknowledging and disowning Him?

In your opinion, what can we learn about ourselves and our relationship with God from Peter’s disowning Jesus in Matthew 26:69-75 to the boldness of Peter in Acts 4:23-31?

1 Peter 5:6-11 – New International Version (NIV)

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.”

What does Peter instruct us to do that God “may lift you up in due time” (verse 6)?

Why should we “cast all your anxiety on him” (verse 7)?

How should we be (verse 8)?

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

How should we resist that enemy (verse 9)?

In your opinion, why does Peter say that “the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings” (verse 9)?

What has the “God of all grace” done (verse 10)?

What will the “God of all grace” do “after you have suffered a little while” (verse 10)?

To whom will be “the power for ever and ever” (verse 11)?

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

In your opinion, what parts of the passage of Acts 4:23-31 illustrate the various parts of Peter’s instructions in 1 Peter 5:6-11 including 1) the enemy, the devil, prowling like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour; 2) standing firm in the faith; 3) casting anxiety on Him; and 4) God restoring and making strong, firm and steadfast?

In your opinion, how can we who are intimidated by the instructions of Jesus in Matthew 10:32-33 take comfort and instruction from 1 Peter 5:6-11?

In your opinion, how does the failure of Peter to do what he expected of himself in Matthew 26:69-75 add to his compassionate instruction in 1 Peter 5:6-11?

In your opinion, what do these passages, from Matthew, Acts and 1 Peter show us about the Great Commission?

Next, back to Matthew 27:1 – (sprucewhispers.blogspot.com)