April 26, 2026 – A Study of Matthew – Out of Our Mouths

Out of Our Mouths

Malachi 2:1-9 – New International Version (NIV)

¹ “And now, you priests, this warning is for you. ² If you do not listen, and if you do not resolve to honor my name,” says the Lord Almighty, “I will send a curse on you, and I will curse your blessings. Yes, I have already cursed them, because you have not resolved to honor me.

³ “Because of you I will rebuke your descendants; I will smear on your faces the dung from your festival sacrifices, and you will be carried off with it. ⁴ And you will know that I have sent you this warning so that my covenant with Levi may continue,” says the Lord Almighty. ⁵ “My covenant was with him, a covenant of life and peace, and I gave them to him; this called for reverence and he revered me and stood in awe of my name. ⁶ True instruction was in his mouth and nothing false was found on his lips. He walked with me in peace and uprightness, and turned many from sin.

⁷ “For the lips of a priest ought to preserve knowledge, because he is the messenger of the Lord Almighty and people seek instruction from his mouth. ⁸ But you have turned from the way and by your teaching have caused many to stumble; you have violated the covenant with Levi,” says the Lord Almighty. ⁹ “So I have caused you to be despised and humiliated before all the people, because you have not followed my ways but have shown partiality in matters of the law.”

Who is the warning for (verse 1)?

What will happen if they don’t “resolve to honor” the name of the Lord (verse 2)?

Who will be rebuked because of them (verse 3)?

Why has the Lord sent “this warning” (verse 4)?

How did Levi react to the Lord (verse 5)?

What was in Levi’s mouth (verse 6)?

Why should “the lips of a priest” preserve knowledge (verse 7)?

What have the priests Malachi is speaking to violated (verse 8)?

Why has the Lord caused them to be “despised and humiliated before all the people” (verse 9)?

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

In your opinion, what does this passage teach us about what is important to God?

Matthew 15:10-20 - New International Version (NIV)

¹⁰ Jesus called the crowd to him and said, “Listen and understand. ¹¹ What goes into someone’s mouth does not defile them, but what comes out of their mouth, that is what defiles them.”

¹² Then the disciples came to him and asked, “Do you know that the Pharisees were offended when they heard this?”

¹³ He replied, “Every plant that my heavenly Father has not planted will be pulled up by the roots. ¹⁴ Leave them; they are blind guides. If the blind lead the blind, both will fall into a pit.”

¹⁵ Peter said, “Explain the parable to us.”

¹⁶ “Are you still so dull?” Jesus asked them. ¹⁷ “Don’t you see that whatever enters the mouth goes into the stomach and then out of the body? ¹⁸ But the things that come out of a person’s mouth come from the heart, and these defile them. ¹⁹ For out of the heart come evil thoughts—murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander. ²⁰ These are what defile a person; but eating with unwashed hands does not defile them.”

Who did Jesus tell to “listen and understand” (verse 10)?

What defiles someone (verse 11)?

Who was offended (verse 12)?

Which plants will be “pulled up by the roots” (verse 13)?

Why were the disciples to “leave” the Pharisees (verse 14)?

What did Peter want Jesus to do (verse 15)?

Who said, “are you still so dull” (verse 16)?

Where do the things that defile someone come from (verse 18)?

Where do “evil thoughts” come from (verse 19)?

What does not defile someone (verse 20)?

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

In your opinion, what does this passage teach us about what is important to God?

In your opinion, how is the choice to not revere the Lord in Malachi 2:1-9 related to the defilement Jesus talks about in Matthew 15:10-20?

Hebrews 9:11-15 - New International Version (NIV)

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 did Christ come as the “high priest” of (verse 11)?

What was the tabernacle He went through “not a part of” (verse 11)?

How did He enter “the Most Holy Place” (verse 12)?

What does “the blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkled on those who are ceremonially unclean” do (verse 13)?

What will “cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death” (verse 14)?

What may we do when our consciences are cleansed (verse 14)?

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

Why did Christ die “as a ransom” (verse 15)?

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

In your opinion, what does this passage teach us about what is important to God?

In your opinion, how might Levi, as discussed in Malachi 2:1-9, be an example for those cleansed by the blood of Christ as described in Hebrews 9:11-15?

In your opinion, what hope do those who Jesus says are defiled in Matthew 15:10-20 find in Hebrews 9:11-15?

Titus 2:11-14 - New International Version (NIV)

¹¹ For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. ¹² It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, ¹³ while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, ¹⁴ who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.

What does the “grace of God” offer to all people (verse 11)?

What does God’s grace teach us to say “No” to (verse 12)?

How does God’s grace teach us to live (verse 12)?

What is the “blessed hope” we wait for (verse 13)?

What did Jesus give Himself to do (verse 14)?

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

In your opinion, what does this passage teach us about what is important to God?

In your opinion, how is Levi’s response to the covenant God gave him in Malachi 2:1-9 an example for the people who Titus 2:11-14 says are redeemed and “eager to do what is good”?

In your opinion, how do each of us, who recognize ourselves when Jesus says in Matthew 15:10-20 that the things that come from our mouths defile us, find hope in Titus 2:11-14?

In your opinion, how is the way we receive the “grace of God” Titus 2:11-14 proclaims described in Hebrews 9:11-15?

In your opinion, what do these passages from Malachi, Matthew, Hebrews and Titus teach us about the difference between being the blind leading the blind and living as people who have been ransomed?

In your opinion, how do we live and serve doing what’s important to God today?

(sprucewhispers.blogspot.com)

December 28, 2025 – Advent 2025 – A Son is Given

A Son is Given

Isaiah 9:2-7 – New International Version (NIV)

² The people walking in darkness
    have seen a great light;
on those living in the land of deep darkness
    a light has dawned.
³ You have enlarged the nation
    and increased their joy;
they rejoice before you
    as people rejoice at the harvest,
as warriors rejoice
    when dividing the plunder.
⁴ For as in the day of Midian’s defeat,
    you have shattered
the yoke that burdens them,
    the bar across their shoulders,
    the rod of their oppressor.
⁵ Every warrior’s boot used in battle
    and every garment rolled in blood
will be destined for burning,
    will be fuel for the fire.
⁶ For to us a child is born,
    to us a son is given,
    and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
    Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
    Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
⁷ Of the greatness of his government and peace
    there will be no end.
He will reign on David’s throne
    and over his kingdom,
establishing and upholding it
    with justice and righteousness
    from that time on and forever.
The zeal of the Lord Almighty
    will accomplish this.

Who has a “light” dawned on (verse 2)?

What has God “increased” (verse 3)?

What has God “shattered” (verse 4)?

Whose boots and garments “will be destined for burning” (verse 5)?

Where will “the government” be (verse 6)?

How will the establishing and upholding of His kingdom “with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever” be accomplished (verse 7)?

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

In your opinion, what do we learn about Jesus in this passage?

Luke 2:4-7 – New International Version (NIV)

⁴ So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. ⁵ He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. ⁶ While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, ⁷ and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.

Where did Joseph go (verse 4)?

Why did he go (verse 4)?

Who went with him (verse 5)?

Why did she go with him (verse 5)?

What “time came” while they were there (verse 6)?

Why was the baby placed “in a manger” (verse 7)?

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

In your opinion, what do we learn about Jesus in this passage?

In your opinion, what does Isaiah 9:2-7 outline about the future burdens of the baby born in Luke 2:4-7?

Titus 2:11-14 - New International Version (NIV)

¹¹ For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. ¹² It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, ¹³ while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, ¹⁴ who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.

Who does God’s grace offer “salvation” to (verse 11)?

What does God’s grace teach us to “say “No” to” (verse 12)?

How does God’s grace teach us to live “in this present age” (verse 12)?

What is the “blessed hope” we wait for (verse 13)?

What did Jesus “redeem us” from (verse 14)?

Who did Jesus “purify for himself” (verse 14)?

What are these people “eager to do” (verse 14)?

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

In your opinion, what do we learn about Jesus in this passage?

In your opinion, what does Titus 2:11-14 help us understand about the kingdom in Isaiah 9:2-7?

In your opinion, why was Jesus, described in Titus 2:11-14 as “our great God and Savior”, born and laid in a manger “because there was no guest room available” in Luke 2:4-7?

Revelation 1:12-20 - 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.

¹⁹ “Write, therefore, what you have seen, what is now and what will take place later. ²⁰ The mystery of the seven stars that you saw in my right hand and of the seven golden lampstands is this: The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands are the seven churches.

What did John see when he turned (verse 12)?

Who was wearing the “robe reaching down to his feet and with a golden sash around his chest” (verse 13)?

How were His eyes described (verse 14)?

What was His voice like (verse 15)?

Where were the “seven stars” (verse 16)?

How did John react (verse 17)?

What keys did “the Living One” hold (verse 18)?

What is John to write (verse 19)?

Who are the seven stars (verse 20)?

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

In your opinion, what do we learn about Jesus in this passage?

In your opinion, how might Revelation 1:12-20 be considered a fulfillment of the prophesy of Isaiah 9:2-7?

In your opinion, how is the baby in Luke 2:4-7 the “First and Last” of Revelation 1:12-20?

In your opinion, how does seeing Jesus through the eyes of John in Revelation 1:12-20 make the “grace of God” of Titus 2:11-14 even more astounding?

In your opinion, what do these Scriptures from Isaiah, Luke, Titus and help us understand about the gift of Jesus given to us?

In your opinion, how do we share that gift?

(sprucewhispers.blogspot.com)

June 27, 2021 - Mark’s Good News about Jesus – Living in the Days

Living in the Days

Daniel 12:1-4 - New International Version (NIV)

1 “At that time Michael, the great prince who protects your people, will arise. There will be a time of distress such as has not happened from the beginning of nations until then. But at that time your people—everyone whose name is found written in the book—will be delivered. 2 Multitudes who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake: some to everlasting life, others to shame and everlasting contempt. 3 Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars for ever and ever. 4 But you, Daniel, roll up and seal the words of the scroll until the time of the end. Many will go here and there to increase knowledge.”

Who is Michael (verse 1)?

What will the “time of distress” be like (verse 1)?

Who will “be delivered” (verse 1)?

What will the “multitudes who sleep in the dust of the earth” do (verse 2)?

How will the “multitudes” be different (verse 2)?

Who will “shine like the brightness of the heavens” (verse 3)?

How long were the “words of the scroll” to be sealed (verse 4)?

In your opinion, is the statement that “many will go here and there to increase knowledge” a positive or a negative statement about the people (verse 4)?

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

Mark 13:32-37 - New International Version (NIV)

32 “But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. 33 Be on guard! Be alert! You do not know when that time will come. 34 It’s like a man going away: He leaves his house and puts his servants in charge, each with their assigned task, and tells the one at the door to keep watch.

35 “Therefore keep watch because you do not know when the owner of the house will come back—whether in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or at dawn. 36 If he comes suddenly, do not let him find you sleeping. 37 What I say to you, I say to everyone: ‘Watch!’”

Who is the only one who knows “that day or hour” (verse 32)?

In your opinion, what does it mean to “Be on guard!  Be alert!” (verse 33)?

What do we not know (verse 33)?

Who does the man who is going away tell to “keep watch” (verse 34)?

Why should we “keep watch” (verse 35)?

How should we not be found (verse 36)?

What does Jesus say to everyone (verse 37)?

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

In your opinion, why was Daniel to “roll up and seal the words of the scroll” in Daniel 12:1-4 but now Jesus is telling the disciples and everyone in Mark 13:32-37 to “watch”?      

Acts 2:14-24 – New International Version (NIV) 

14 Then Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice and addressed the crowd: “Fellow Jews and all of you who live in Jerusalem, let me explain this to you; listen carefully to what I say. 15 These people are not drunk, as you suppose. It’s only nine in the morning! 16 No, this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel:

17 “‘In the last days, God says,

    I will pour out my Spirit on all people.

Your sons and daughters will prophesy,

    your young men will see visions,

    your old men will dream dreams.

18 Even on my servants, both men and women,

    I will pour out my Spirit in those days,

    and they will prophesy.

19 I will show wonders in the heavens above

    and signs on the earth below,

    blood and fire and billows of smoke.

20 The sun will be turned to darkness

    and the moon to blood

    before the coming of the great and glorious day of the Lord.

21 And everyone who calls

    on the name of the Lord will be saved.’

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. 

What does Peter want the “fellow Jews and all of you who live in Jerusalem” to do (verse 14)?

In your opinion, why would people not be drunk at “nine in the morning” (verse 15)?

Who spoke about what is happening (verse 16)?

What does God say He will do “in the last days” (verses 17)?

Who will prophesy (verse 18)?

Where will God show signs (verse 19)?

What is coming after the sun is turned to darkness and the moon being turned to blood (verse 20)?

Who will be saved (verse 21)?

How was Jesus of Nazareth accredited by God (verse 22)?

Who put Jesus to death “by nailing him to the cross” (verse 23)?

What was impossible (verse 24)?

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

In your opinion, are the “last days” that Joel talked about and Peter quoted in Acts 2:14-24 the same as the time of deliverance that Daniel was looking forward to in Daniel 12:1-4?  Why or why not?

In your opinion, how do Peter’s actions in Acts 2:14-24 show his obedience to the command of Jesus to “watch” in Mark 13:32-37?  [see Ezekiel 33:1-6]  

Titus 2:11-14 – New International Version (NIV)

11 For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. 12 It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, 13 while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, 14 who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.

What has appeared “that offers salvation to all people” (verse 11)?

What are we taught to “say no” to (verse 12)?

How are we to live “in this present age” (verse 12)?

What is the “blessed hope” that we wait for (verse 13)?

Why did Jesus give “himself for us” (verse 14)?

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

In your opinion, is the time in Daniel 12:1-4 where Michael, the great prince arises, and the time that Titus 2:11-14 describes as “the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ” the same time?  Why or why not?

In your opinion, what does Mark 13:32-37 help us understand about the time that Paul says in Titus 2:11-14 is “the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ”?  

In your opinion, what does the prophet Joel, through Peter in Acts 2:14-24, teach us about the salvation that Paul proclaims is offered to all people in Titus 2:11-14?  

In your opinion, what do these passages from Daniel, Mark, Acts and Titus teach us about the difference between the last days and the “day or hour that no one knows”?  

In your opinion, how should we live in the days that we are in?

(sprucewhispers.blogspot.com)