New Hope High School – Lesson 3 - The Great Commission - A Study of Matthew – Blessed Are the Poor In Spirit

New Hope High School – Lesson 3 - The Great Commission - A Study of Matthew – Blessed Are the Poor In Spirit

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.”

Matthew 5:1-3 New International Version (NIV)

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.

Who did Jesus see (verse 1)?

Where did Jesus go (verse 1)?

Who came to Jesus (verse 1)?

What did Jesus do (verse 2)?

How does this and every following Beatitude start out (verse 3-and later verses)?

Who are the first to be Blessed (verse 3)?

How are they Blessed (verse 3)?

Blessed is from the Greek word “makarios (mak-ar’-ee-os)” and is found 49 times in the Bible, all in the New Testament.  In the King James Version is translated as blessed 43 times, happy 5 times and happier 1 time.  The Old Testament Hebrew word that is translated as blessed and is “esher (eh’-sher)” and it is translated as blessed 27 times and happy 18 times. 

In your opinion, what does this passage at the beginning of Matthew show us about the Great Commission?

Psalm 32:1-5 (which uses esher) New International Version (NIV)

¹ Blessed is the one
    whose transgressions are forgiven,
    whose sins are covered.
² Blessed is the one
    whose sin the Lord does not count against them
    and in whose spirit is no deceit.

³ When I kept silent,
    my bones wasted away
    through my groaning all day long.
⁴ For day and night
    your hand was heavy on me;
my strength was sapped
    as in the heat of summer.

⁵ Then I acknowledged my sin to you
    and did not cover up my iniquity.
I said, “I will confess
    my transgressions to the Lord.”
And you forgave
    the guilt of my sin.

How does the Psalm begin (verse 1)?

Who does David, the Psalmist, say will be blessed (verse 1)?

How does the second verse begin (verse 2)?

Who does David indicate will be blessed this time (verse 2)

What happened to David when he kept silent (verse 3 and 4)?

In your opinion, why did this happen?

What did David do to break away from the problems he had (verse 5)?

How did God respond (verse 5)?

In your opinion, could Matthew have deliberately patterned the Beatitudes after the beginning of this Psalm?

In your opinion, was David’s recognition and confession of his sins what Matthew had in mind with the “poor in spirit” Beatitude?

In your opinion, what does this passage from Psalms show us about Matthew 5:1-3?

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

James 1:12-18 (which uses makarios) New International Version (NIV)

¹² Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.

¹³ When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; ¹⁴ but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. ¹⁵ Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.

¹⁶ Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers and sisters. ¹⁷ Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. ¹⁸ He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created.

With what word does this passage begin (verse 12)?

In your opinion, could James be linking what he is about to say with Psalm 32 and the Beatitudes?

Who does James say is blessed (verse 12)?

What is the blessing that they are to receive (verse 12)?

What is the source of temptation (verse 14)?

What are the steps between evil desire and death (verse 15)?

Where does “every good and perfect gift” come from (verse 17)?

Through what did God chose to give us birth (verse 18)?

In your opinion, what is the word of truth?

In your opinion, what does this passage from James teach us about Matthew 5:1-3?

In your opinion, what does this passage from James teach us about the Great Commission?

Isaiah 57:14-21 New International Version (NIV)

¹⁴ And it will be said:

“Build up, build up, prepare the road!
    Remove the obstacles out of the way of my people.”
¹⁵ For this is what the high and exalted One says—
    he who lives forever, whose name is holy:
“I live in a high and holy place,
    but also with the one who is contrite and lowly in spirit,
to revive the spirit of the lowly
    and to revive the heart of the contrite.
¹⁶ I will not accuse them forever,
    nor will I always be angry,
for then they would faint away because of me—
    the very people I have created.
¹⁷ I was enraged by their sinful greed;
    I punished them, and hid my face in anger,
    yet they kept on in their willful ways.
¹⁸ I have seen their ways, but I will heal them;
    I will guide them and restore comfort to Israel’s mourners,
¹⁹     creating praise on their lips.
Peace, peace, to those far and near,”
    says the Lord. “And I will heal them.”
²⁰ But the wicked are like the tossing sea,
    which cannot rest,
    whose waves cast up mire and mud.
²¹ “There is no peace,” says my God, “for the wicked.”

For who are the road to be prepared and the obstacles removed (verse 14)?

Who says that He lives “in a high and holy place, but also with the one who is contrite and lowly in spirit” (verse 15)?

What is He going to do for the spirit of the lowly (verse 15)?

What is He going to do for the heart of the contrite (verse 15)?

What is He not going to do to the lowly and contrite forever (verse 16)?

What enraged Him about the people (verse 17)?

Even though He was enraged and saw their ways, what will He do for the lowly and contrite (verse 18)?

How are the wicked described (verse 20)?

In your opinion, what is the difference between those who will be healed and the wicked, for whom “There is no peace”?

In your opinion, what does this passage from Isaiah teach us about Matthew 5:1-3? 

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

Galatians 4:8 & 9 New International Version (NIV)

⁸ Formerly, when you did not know God, you were slaves to those who by nature are not gods. ⁹ But now that you know God—or rather are known by God—how is it that you are turning back to those weak and miserable forces? Do you wish to be enslaved by them all over again?

What were the Galatians like before (verse 8)?

What are the Galatians to whom this letter is addressed turning back to (verse 9)?

Who does Paul ask if the Galatians want to be “enslaved by” all over again (verse 9)?

The Greek word translated as “poor” in Matthew 5:3 is “ptochos (pto-khos’)” and is translated here are “beggarly” in the King James Version and “miserable” in the NIV.  

In your opinion, what is the connection between the poor who are blessed in Matthew 5:3 and the miserable in Galations 4:9?

In your opinion, what is the contrast of the poor who are blessed in Matthew 5:3 and the miserable in Galatians 4:9?

In your opinion, what does this passage from Galatians teach us about Matthew 5:1-3?

In your opinion, what does this passage from Galatians teach us about the Great Commission?

Next, back to Matthew 5:4 - (sprucewhispers.blogspot.com)

New Hope High School – Lesson 2 - The Great Commission - A Study of Matthew – Rahab

New Hope High School – Lesson 2 - The Great Commission - A Study of Matthew – Rahab

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.”

  

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

 This is the genealogy of Jesus the Messiah the son of David, the son of Abraham:

² Abraham was the father of Isaac,

Isaac the father of Jacob,

Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers,

³ Judah the father of Perez and Zerah, whose mother was Tamar,

Perez the father of Hezron,

Hezron the father of Ram,

⁴ Ram the father of Amminadab,

Amminadab the father of Nahshon,

Nahshon the father of Salmon,

⁵ Salmon the father of Boaz, whose mother was Rahab,

Who is Rahab (verse 5)?

In your opinion why, in the first ten generations listed of the genealogy of Jesus are there only two women listed?

In your opinion, what does this passage at the beginning of Matthew show us about the Great Commission?

Hebrews 11:31 New International Version (NIV)

^“31 By faith the prostitute Rahab, because she welcomed the spies, was not killed with those who were disobedient.^”

What was Rahab?

What did she do by faith?

What was she protected from because of her action?

What were those in Jericho called?

In your opinion, is it harder to have faith in God if you are among people who believe in other gods?

In your opinion, what does this passage from Hebrews show us about Matthew 1:1-5a?

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

James 2:25 New International Version (NIV)

^“25 In the same way, was not even Rahab the prostitute considered righteous for what she did when she gave lodging to the spies and sent them off in a different direction?”

What was Rahab considered because she gave lodging and guidance to the spies?

In your opinion, is this similar to Abraham being considered righteous in the previous lesson?

In your opinion, what does this passage from James show us about Matthew 1:1-5a?

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

Joshua 2 New International Version (NIV)

Then Joshua son of Nun secretly sent two spies from Shittim. “Go, look over the land,” he                   said, “especially Jericho.” So they went and entered the house of a prostitute named Rahab                 and stayed there.

² The king of Jericho was told, “Look, some of the Israelites have come here tonight to spy out the land.” ³ So the king of Jericho sent this message to Rahab: “Bring out the men who came to you and entered your house, because they have come to spy out the whole land.”

⁴ But the woman had taken the two men and hidden them. She said, “Yes, the men came to me, but I did not know where they had come from. ⁵ At dusk, when it was time to close the city gate, they left. I don’t know which way they went. Go after them quickly. You may catch up with them.” ⁶ (But she had taken them up to the roof and hidden them under the stalks of flax she had laid out on the roof.) ⁷ So the men set out in pursuit of the spies on the road that leads to the fords of the Jordan, and as soon as the pursuers had gone out, the gate was shut.

⁸ Before the spies lay down for the night, she went up on the roof ⁹ and said to them, “I know that the Lord has given you this land and that a great fear of you has fallen on us, so that all who live in this country are melting in fear because of you. ¹⁰ We have heard how the Lord dried up the water of the Red Sea for you when you came out of Egypt, and what you did to Sihon and Og, the two kings of the Amorites east of the Jordan, whom you completely destroyed. ¹¹ When we heard of it, our hearts melted in fear and everyone’s courage failed because of you, for the Lord your God is God in heaven above and on the earth below.

¹² “Now then, please swear to me by the Lord that you will show kindness to my family, because I have shown kindness to you. Give me a sure sign ¹³ that you will spare the lives of my father and mother, my brothers and sisters, and all who belong to them—and that you will save us from death.”

¹⁴ “Our lives for your lives!” the men assured her. “If you don’t tell what we are doing, we                 will treat you kindly and faithfully when the Lord gives us the land.”

¹⁵ So she let them down by a rope through the window, for the house she lived in was part of the city wall. ¹⁶ She said to them, “Go to the hills so the pursuers will not find you. Hide yourselves there three days until they return, and then go on your way.”

¹⁷ Now the men had said to her, “This oath you made us swear will not be binding on us ¹⁸ unless, when we enter the land, you have tied this scarlet cord in the window through which you let us down, and unless you have brought your father and mother, your brothers and all your family into your house. ¹⁹ If any of them go outside your house into the street, their blood will be on their own heads; we will not be responsible. As for those who are in the house with you, their blood will be on our head if a hand is laid on them. ²⁰ But if you tell what we are doing, we will be released from the oath you made us swear.”

²¹ “Agreed,” she replied. “Let it be as you say.”

So she sent them away, and they departed. And she tied the scarlet cord in the window.

²² When they left, they went into the hills and stayed there three days, until the pursuers had searched all along the road and returned without finding them. ²³ Then the two men started back. They went down out of the hills, forded the river and came to Joshua son of Nun and told him everything that had happened to them. ²⁴ They said to Joshua, “The Lord has surely given the whole land into our hands; all the people are melting in fear because of us.”

Who went to the house of Rahab (verse 1)?

In your opinion, why did the king of Jericho want them?

In your opinion, what would have happened to the spies if the king of Jericho got them?

In your opinion, what would happen to Rahab if the king of Jericho found out that she was protecting the spies?

What did Rahab tell the king’s representatives (verses 4 & 5)?

What advice did she give the king’s representatives (verse 5)?

Where were the spies when the king’s representatives ask about them (verse 6)?

In the conversation that Rahab had with the spies:

            What did she say about the Lord and the land (verse 9)?

            How do the people of the country feel about the nation of Israel (verse 9)?

            What miracles does she reference (verse 10)?

            How did the people of Jericho respond to the miracles (verse 11)?

            What does she say about God (verse 11)?

            What does she ask for (verses 12 & 13)?

How do the spies respond (verse 14)?

How does Rahab continue to assist the spies (verses 15 & 16)?

What do the men say to Rahab (verses 17 through 20)?

What do Rahab and her family have to do to stay safe (verses 17 through 20)?

In your opinion, is there a similarity between the scarlet cord and the blood above the doors at the Passover in Egypt?

In your opinion, is there a similarity between the scarlet cord and the blood of Jesus at Calvary?

Did the spies follow Rahab’s advice (verse 22)?

In your opinion, was her advice good?

How did Joshua respond to the news that the spies gave (verse 24)?

In your opinion, what does this passage from Joshua show us about Matthew 1:1-5a?

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

James 2:14-26 New International Version (NIV)

¹⁴ What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? ¹⁵ Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. ¹⁶ If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? ¹⁷ In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.

¹⁸ But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.”

Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds. ¹⁹ You believe                 that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder.

²⁰ You foolish person, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless? ²¹ Was not our father Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? ²² You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did. ²³ And the scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,” and he was called God’s friend. ²⁴ You see that a person is considered righteous by what they do and not by faith alone.

²⁵ In the same way, was not even Rahab the prostitute considered righteous for what she did               when she gave lodging to the spies and sent them off in a different direction? ²⁶ As the body               without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.

What is faith without action (verse 17)?

Who, in addition to Rahab, is presented in this as an example by James (verses 21 through 23)?

In your opinion, what is the similarity between Rahab and Abraham?

In your opinion, was Rahab a good person who deserved to be considered righteous before she helped the spies?

In your opinion, was it Rahab’s helping the spies that caused her to be considered righteous or her helping the spies because she believed “for the Lord your God is God in heaven above and on the earth below” and she helped the spies (see Hebrews 11:31)?

In your opinion, what does Matthew including Rahab in the ancestry of Jesus lead us in understanding Jesus?

In your opinion, what does this passage from James show us about Matthew 1:1-5a?

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

Next, back to Matthew 5:1-3 - (sprucewhispers.blogspot.com)

New Hope High School – Lesson 1 - The Great Commission - A Study of Matthew – Abraham

New Hope High School – Lesson 1 - The Great Commission - A Study of Matthew – Abraham

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.”

Matthew 1:1 & 2 New International Version (NIV)

“This is the genealogy of Jesus the Messiah the son of David, the son of Abraham:

Abraham was the father of Isaac,

Isaac the father of Jacob,

Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers,”

Who is the genealogy of?

Who are the two people who are named as ancestors of Jesus in the first line?

In your opinion, why would they be listed as father and son when if you go farther in Matthew there are generations between them?

Is Abraham listed as the father in the second line of the same person who is listed as his son in the first line?

In your opinion, what does this passage at the beginning of Matthew show us about the Great Commission?

Hebrews 11:8-19 New International Version (NIV)

^“8 By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going. ⁹ By faith he made his home in the promised land like a stranger in a foreign country; he lived in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise. ¹⁰ For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God. ¹¹ And by faith even Sarah, who was past childbearing age, was enabled to bear children because she considered him faithful who had made the promise. ¹² And so from this one man, and he as good as dead, came descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as countless as the sand on the seashore.

¹³ All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance, admitting that they were foreigners and strangers on earth. ¹⁴ People who say such things show that they are looking for a country of their own. ¹⁵ If they had been thinking of the country they had left, they would have had opportunity to return. ¹⁶ Instead, they were longing for a better country—a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them.

¹⁷ By faith Abraham, when God tested him, offered Isaac as a sacrifice. He who had embraced the promises was about to sacrifice his one and only son, ¹⁸ even though God had said to him, “It is through Isaac that your offspring will be reckoned.” ¹⁹ Abraham reasoned that God could even raise the dead, and so in a manner of speaking he did receive Isaac back from death.”

What allowed Abraham to go and to make his home (verses 8 and 9)?

What are the different things that Abraham did that are specifically listed?

1.      _________________________________________________ (verse 8)

2.      _________________________________________________ (verse 9)

3.      _________________________________________________ (verse 17)

Even though Abraham and others listed in Hebrews 11 did not receive from the things promised, how did the react when the “saw them” (verse 13)?

Why was God not ashamed to be called their God (verse 16)?

In your opinion, what does this passage from Hebrews show us about Matthew 1:1 & 2?

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

Romans 4:3 New International Version (NIV)

³ What does Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.”

Where did Abraham’s righteousness come from?

In your opinion, what does this passage from Romans show us about Matthew 1:1 & 2?

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

Genesis 15:1-6 New International Version (NIV)

 “After this, the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision:

“Do not be afraid, Abram.
    I am your shield,
    your very great reward.”

² But Abram said, “Sovereign Lord, what can you give me since I remain childless and the one who will inherit my estate is Eliezer of Damascus?” ³ And Abram said, “You have given me no children; so a servant in my household will be my heir.”

⁴ Then the word of the Lord came to him: “This man will not be your heir, but a son who is your own flesh and blood will be your heir.” ⁵ He took him outside and said, “Look up at the sky and count the stars—if indeed you can count them.” Then he said to him, “So shall your offspring be.”

⁶ Abram believed the Lord, and he credited it to him as righteousness.”

How does God’s word come to Abraham (called Abram here) (verse 1)?

What is God’s word to Abraham (verse 1)?

What is the question that Abraham asks God in response to His word (verse 2)?

Why does Abraham ask that question (verse 3)?

How does God reassure Abraham (verse 4 and 5)?

What was Abraham’s reaction to God’s reassurance (verse 6)?

In your opinion, why did that reaction result in “he credited it to him as righteousness”?

In your opinion, did God fulfill this promise?

In your opinion, are Christians today counted like “the stars” as descendants of Abraham?

In your opinion, what does this passage from Genesis show us about Matthew 1:1 & 2?

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

Romans 4:13-25 New International Version (NIV)

¹³ It was not through the law that Abraham and his offspring received the promise that he would be heir of the world, but through the righteousness that comes by faith. ¹⁴ For if those who depend on the law are heirs, faith means nothing and the promise is worthless, ¹⁵ because the law brings wrath. And where there is no law there is no transgression.

¹⁶ Therefore, the promise comes by faith, so that it may be by grace and may be guaranteed to all Abraham’s offspring—not only to those who are of the law but also to those who have the faith of Abraham. He is the father of us all. ¹⁷ As it is written: “I have made you a father of many nations.” He is our father in the sight of God, in whom he believed—the God who gives life to the dead and calls into being things that were not.

¹⁸ Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations, just as it had been said to him, “So shall your offspring be.” ¹⁹ Without weakening in his faith, he faced the fact that his body was as good as dead—since he was about a hundred years old—and that Sarah’s womb was also dead. ²⁰ Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, ²¹ being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised. ²² This is why “it was credited to him as righteousness.” ²³ The words “it was credited to him” were written not for him alone, ²⁴ but also for us, to whom God will credit righteousness—for us who believe in him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead. ²⁵ He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification.

Was it obedience to the law that allowed Abraham and his offspring to receive the promise (verse 13)?

If not obedience then what allowed Abraham and his offspring to receive the promise (verse 13)?

What does the law bring (verse 15)?

What two types of offspring does Abraham have (verse 16)?

In your opinion, what is the connection between hope and belief (verse 18)?

Why was it physically impossible for Abraham and Sarah to have children (verse 19)?

In your opinion, how are wavering through unbelief and giving glory to God opposites (verse 20)?

Who were the words “it was credited to him” written for (verses 23 and 24)?

Who do we need to believe in (verse 24)?

Why was Jesus delivered over to death (verse 25)?

What was accomplished by Jesus being raised to life (verse 25)?

In your opinion, what does this passage from Romans show us about Matthew 1:1 & 2?

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

In your opinion, why did Matthew begin with Abraham when Abraham was not the first of the ancestors that could have been listed in the genealogy of Jesus, the Bible goes all the way back to Adam?

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