November 23, 2014 – The Great Commission – A Study of Matthew – Faith and Love

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.”

Faith and Love

Matthew 17:14-20 – New International Version (NIV)

¹⁴ “When they came to the crowd, a man approached Jesus and knelt before him. ¹⁵ “Lord, have mercy on my son,” he said. “He has seizures and is suffering greatly. He often falls into the fire or into the water. ¹⁶ I brought him to your disciples, but they could not heal him.”

¹⁷ “You unbelieving and perverse generation,” Jesus replied, “how long shall I stay with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring the boy here to me.” ¹⁸ Jesus rebuked the demon, and it came out of the boy, and he was healed at that moment.

¹⁹ Then the disciples came to Jesus in private and asked, “Why couldn’t we drive it out?”

²⁰ He replied, “Because you have so little faith. Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.”

Who did the man approach (verse 14)?

What was wrong with the man’s son (verse 15)?

Who was not able to help the son (verse 16)?

In your opinion, what did Jesus mean by “you unbelieving and perverse generation how long shall I stay with you” (verse 17)?

Who did Jesus rebuke (verse 18)?

What happened to the boy (verse 18)?

Where was Jesus when the disciples ask “why couldn’t we drive it out” (verse 19)?

Why couldn’t the disciples drive it out (verse 20)?

How much faith does it take to move a mountain (verse 20)?

What is impossible (verse 20)?

In your opinion, what does this passage from Matthew 17:14-20 show us about the Great Commission?

Zechariah 4:1-7 - New International Version (NIV)

¹ “Then the angel who talked with me returned and woke me up, like someone awakened from sleep. ² He asked me, “What do you see?”

I answered, “I see a solid gold lampstand with a bowl at the top and seven lamps on it, with seven channels to the lamps. ³ Also there are two olive trees by it, one on the right of the bowl and the other on its left.”

⁴ I asked the angel who talked with me, “What are these, my lord?”

⁵ He answered, “Do you not know what these are?”

“No, my lord,” I replied.

⁶ So he said to me, “This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: ‘Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the Lord Almighty.

⁷ “What are you, mighty mountain? Before Zerubbabel you will become level ground. Then he will bring out the capstone to shouts of ‘God bless it! God bless it!’”

Who returned and woke Zechariah up, “like someone awakened from sleep” (verse 1)?

What did Zechariah see (verse 2)?

Where were the two olive trees (verse 3)?

In your opinion, why did Zechariah ask “what are these, my lord” (verse 4)?

How did the angel respond to Zechariah (verse 5)?

What is the “word of the Lord to Zerubbabel” (verse 6)?

How will “mighty mountain” change before Zerubbabel (verse 7)?

In your opinion, what is the significance of the bringing out of the capstone to shouts of “God bless it! God bless it!” (verse 7)?

In your opinion, what is the connection between the “not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit” in Zechariah 4:1-7 and the “nothing will be impossible for you” in Matthew 17:14-20?

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

1 Corinthians 13:1-13 – New International Version (NIV)

¹ “If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. ² If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. ³ If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.

⁴ Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. ⁵ It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. ⁶ Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. ⁷ It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

⁸ Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. ⁹ For we know in part and we prophesy in part, ¹⁰ but when completeness comes, what is in part disappears. ¹¹ When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me. ¹² For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.

¹³ And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.”

What gives meaning to speaking “in the tongues of men or of angels” (verse 1)?

In your opinion, how does love give value to being able to “fathom all mysteries” and to “faith that can move mountains” (verse 2)?

How much is gained if everything is given to the poor without love (verse 3)?

What is love and what is it not (verse 4)?

What does love not do (verse 5)?

How does love react to truth (verse 6)?

When does love protect, trust, hope and persevere (verse 7)?

What happens to: love - _______________, prophecies - _______________, tongues - _______________, and knowledge - _______________ (verse 8)?

In your opinion, why do we “know in part” and “prophesy in part” (verse 9)?

Where does “what is in part” go when completeness comes (verse 10)?

What changed when Paul became a man (verse 11)?

In your opinion, what is the difference between the “now” and the “then” (verse 12)?

What is the greatest of the three that remain (verse 13)?

In your opinion, how is the love, as defined in 1 Corinthians 13:1-13, of God demonstrated in the statement from the Lord to Zerubbabel that said “not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit”?

In your opinion, how does the statement that “if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing” in 1 Corinthians 13:1-13 expand our understanding of the statement that Jesus made in Matthew 17:14-20 that “Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.”?

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

1 Peter 4:7-11 – New International Version (NIV)

⁷ “The end of all things is near. Therefore be alert and of sober mind so that you may pray. ⁸ Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. ⁹ Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. ¹⁰ Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. ¹¹ If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.”

What is near (verse 7)?

Why should we be “alert and of sober mind” (verse 7)?

How should we “love each other” (verse 8)?

In your opinion, how does love cover a multitude of sins (verse 8)?

How should we “offer hospitality” (verse 9)?

What should we do with the gifts that we have (verse 10)?

How should the one who speaks speak (verse 11)?

With what should the one who serves serve (verse 11)?

In what should God be “praised through Jesus Christ” (verse 11)?

In your opinion, how does the statement in 1 Peter 4:7-11 to “above all, love each other deeply” amplify the statement in 1 Corinthians 13:1-13 that “these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love”?

In your opinion, how is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel in Zechariah 4:1-7 “not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit” expanded on in 1 Peter 4:7-11 by the instruction to the one who speaks to “do so as one who speaks the very words of God” and to the one who serves to do so “with the strength God provides”?

In your opinion, how powerful is the faith that Jesus demonstrated in healing the demon possessed boy in Matthew 17:14-20 when combined with the love discussed in 1 Peter 4:7-11 that Jesus demonstrated that “covers over a multitude of sins” including all our sins when He went to the cross?

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

Next, back to Matthew 17:22 – (sprucewhispers.blogspot.com)

November 16, 2014 – The Great Commission – A Study of Matthew – Jesus and Witnesses

November 16, 2014 – The Great Commission – A Study of Matthew – Jesus and Witnesses

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.”

Jesus and Witnesses

Matthew 17:1-13 – New International Version (NIV)

¹ “After six days Jesus took with him Peter, James and John the brother of James, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. ² There he was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light. ³ Just then there appeared before them Moses and Elijah, talking with Jesus.

⁴ Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here. If you wish, I will put up three shelters—one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.”

⁵ While he was still speaking, a bright cloud covered them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!”

⁶ When the disciples heard this, they fell facedown to the ground, terrified. ⁷ But Jesus came and touched them. “Get up,” he said. “Don’t be afraid.” ⁸ When they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus.

⁹ As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus instructed them, “Don’t tell anyone what you have seen, until the Son of Man has been raised from the dead.”

¹⁰ The disciples asked him, “Why then do the teachers of the law say that Elijah must come first?”

¹¹ Jesus replied, “To be sure, Elijah comes and will restore all things. ¹² But I tell you, Elijah has already come, and they did not recognize him, but have done to him everything they wished. In the same way the Son of Man is going to suffer at their hands.” ¹³ Then the disciples understood that he was talking to them about John the Baptist.”

Who went with Jesus up a high mountain (verse 1)?

What happened to Jesus there that caused His face to shine like the sun and His clothes to become as white as light (verse 2)?

Who appeared before the disciples talking with Jesus (verse 3)?

In your opinion, why did Peter suggest putting up three shelters (verse 4)?

What did the voice from the bright cloud say (verse 5)?

How did the disciples respond to the voice (verse 6)?

Who touched the disciples and comforted them (verse 7)?

In your opinion, what happened to Elijah and Moses (verse 8)?

When were the disciples to tell what they had seen (verse 9)?

Who said that Elijah must come first (verse 10)?

What did Jesus say Elijah was going to do when he came (verse 11)?

In your opinion, why was “Elijah” not recognized when he came (verse 12)?

What happened to Elijah (verse 12)?

What is going to happen to the “Son of Man” (verse 12)?

Who was Jesus talking about when He was talking about Elijah (verse 13)?

In your opinion, what does this passage from Matthew 17:1-13 show us about the Great Commission?

Malachi 4:1-6 - New International Version (NIV)

¹ “Surely the day is coming; it will burn like a furnace. All the arrogant and every evildoer will be stubble, and the day that is coming will set them on fire,” says the Lord Almighty. “Not a root or a branch will be left to them. ² But for you who revere my name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its rays. And you will go out and frolic like well-fed calves. ³ Then you will trample on the wicked; they will be ashes under the soles of your feet on the day when I act,” says the Lord Almighty.

⁴ “Remember the law of my servant Moses, the decrees and laws I gave him at Horeb for all Israel.

⁵ “See, I will send the prophet Elijah to you before that great and dreadful day of the Lord comes. ⁶ He will turn the hearts of the parents to their children, and the hearts of the children to their parents; or else I will come and strike the land with total destruction.”

What will the day burn like when it comes (verse 1)?

Who will be stubble that the “day that is coming” will set on fire (verse 1)?

Who will “frolic like well-fed calves” when “the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its rays” (verse 2)?

What will the wicked be “on the day when” the Lord Almighty acts (verse 3)?

How is Moses identified (verse 4)?

What did the Lord Almighty give to Moses at Horeb (verse 4)?

When will the prophet Elijah be sent (verse 5)?

What will Elijah do (verse 6)?

In your opinion, what is the significance of Moses and Elijah being mentioned in the last chapter in the Old Testament, Malachi 4:1-7, and also being a part of the transfiguration of Jesus in Matthew 17:1-13?

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

Acts 1:1-11 – New International Version (NIV)

¹ “In my former book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and to teach ² until the day he was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles he had chosen. ³ After his suffering, he presented himself to them and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God. ⁴ On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. ⁵ For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”

⁶ Then they gathered around him and asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?”

⁷ He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. ⁸ But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

⁹ After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight.

¹⁰ They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. ¹¹ “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.”

Who was written about in the former book (verse 1)?

What did He give to the Holy Spirit to the apostles (verse 2)?

How many times did Jesus appear to the disciples (verse 3)?

Where were the disciples to stay until they received “the gift” (verse 4)?

How are the disciples to be baptized (verse 5)?

In your opinion, why did the disciples ask, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel” (verse 6)?

Who has set the “times or dates” (verse 7)?

When will the disciples receive power (verse 8)?

What will the disciples be when they receive power (verse 8)?

How did Jesus leave the disciples (verse 9)?

In your opinion, why were the disciples “looking intently up into the sky” (verse 10)?

What is the promise is given about Jesus (verse 11)?

In your opinion, how does the statement that Jesus “who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven” in Acts 1:1-11 expand our understanding of “that great and dreadful day of the Lord” that is proclaimed in Malachi 4:1-6?

In your opinion, how is the transfiguration of Jesus that occurred in Matthew 17:1-13 a foreshadowing of Jesus being taken into heaven of Acts 1:1-11?

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

    

Revelation 11:1-14 – New International Version (NIV)

¹ “I was given a reed like a measuring rod and was told, “Go and measure the temple of God and the altar, with its worshipers. ² But exclude the outer court; do not measure it, because it has been given to the Gentiles. They will trample on the holy city for 42 months. ³ And I will appoint my two witnesses, and they will prophesy for 1,260 days, clothed in sackcloth.” ⁴ They are “the two olive trees” and the two lampstands, and “they stand before the Lord of the earth.” ⁵ If anyone tries to harm them, fire comes from their mouths and devours their enemies. This is how anyone who wants to harm them must die. ⁶ They have power to shut up the heavens so that it will not rain during the time they are prophesying; and they have power to turn the waters into blood and to strike the earth with every kind of plague as often as they want.

⁷ Now when they have finished their testimony, the beast that comes up from the Abyss will attack them, and overpower and kill them. ⁸ Their bodies will lie in the public square of the great city—which is figuratively called Sodom and Egypt—where also their Lord was crucified. ⁹ For three and a half days some from every people, tribe, language and nation will gaze on their bodies and refuse them burial. ¹⁰ The inhabitants of the earth will gloat over them and will celebrate by sending each other gifts, because these two prophets had tormented those who live on the earth.

¹¹ But after the three and a half days the breath of life from God entered them, and they stood on their feet, and terror struck those who saw them. ¹² Then they heard a loud voice from heaven saying to them, “Come up here.” And they went up to heaven in a cloud, while their enemies looked on.

¹³ At that very hour there was a severe earthquake and a tenth of the city collapsed. Seven thousand people were killed in the earthquake, and the survivors were terrified and gave glory to the God of heaven.

¹⁴ The second woe has passed; the third woe is coming soon.”

What was John given (verse 1)?

Why is the outer court not be measured (verse 2)?

How long are the two witnesses to prophesy (verse 3)?

Where do the two witnesses stand (verse 4)?

What happens to those who try to harm the two witnesses (verse 5)?

In your opinion, why are the powers to “shut up the heavens” and to “turn the waters into blood and to strike the earth with every kind of plague” significant (verse 6)?

What happens when the testimony of the two witnesses is finished (verse 7)?

Where will the bodies lay (verse 8)?

Who will gaze on their bodies (verse 9)?

In your opinion, why will the inhabitants of earth gloat and send each other gifts (verse 10)?

What enters the bodies at the end of three and a half days (verse 11)?

Where did the voice come from (verse 12)?

How did they go to heaven (verse 12)?

In your opinion, why would the survivors give glory to God (verse 13)?

What has passed and what is coming (verse 14)?

In your opinion, what is the significance of the fact that the two witnesses were taken to heaven in a cloud in Revelation 11:1-14 and that Jesus was taken up “before their very eyes” in Acts 1:1-11?

In your opinion, what can we deduce from the fact that the miracles that the two witnesses do in Revelation 11:1-14 were the miracles that Moses (calling the plagues) and Elijah (shutting up the heavens so that it does not rain) were known for, who are both mentioned in Malachi 4:1-6 which also discusses the “great and dreadful day of the Lord”?

In your opinion, how does the calling of the two witnesses to heaven, where Jesus was already raised to, in Revelation 11:1-14 complete a reunion of the three who were together at the transfiguration described in Matthew 17:1-13?

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

Next, back to Matthew 17:14 – (sprucewhispers.blogspot.com)

November 9, 2014 – The Great Commission – A Study of Matthew – Life and Meaning

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.”

Life and Meaning

Matthew 16:21-28 – New International Version (NIV)

²¹ “From that time on Jesus began to explain to his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life.

²² Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. “Never, Lord!” he said. “This shall never happen to you!”

²³ Jesus turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns.”

²⁴ Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. ²⁵ For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it. ²⁶ What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul? ²⁷ For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father’s glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what they have done.

²⁸ “Truly I tell you, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom.”

What did Jesus begin to explain to his disciples (verse 21)?

In your opinion, why did Peter take Jesus aside and begin to rebuke Him (verse 22 and also see Matthew 16:19)?

How did Jesus respond to Peter (verse 23)?

What kind of concerns did Jesus say that Peter was concerned with (verse 23)?

What do those who want to be a disciple of Jesus need to do (verse 24)?

In your opinion, why do those who want to save their life lose it while those who lose their life for Jesus will find it (verse 25)?

In your opinion, how does the value of the world compare to the value of an individual’s soul (verse 26)?

How will the Son of Man return (verse 27)?

How will the Son of Man reward people when he returns (verse 27)?

In your opinion, what does Jesus mean by the promise “some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom” (verse 28)?

In your opinion, what does this passage from Matthew 16:21-28 show us about the Great Commission?

Ecclesiastes 12:1-8 - New International Version (NIV)

¹ “Remember your Creator
    in the days of your youth,
before the days of trouble come
    and the years approach when you will say,
    “I find no pleasure in them”—
² before the sun and the light
    and the moon and the stars grow dark,
    and the clouds return after the rain;
³ when the keepers of the house tremble,
    and the strong men stoop,
when the grinders cease because they are few,
    and those looking through the windows grow dim;
⁴ when the doors to the street are closed
    and the sound of grinding fades;
when people rise up at the sound of birds,
    but all their songs grow faint;
⁵ when people are afraid of heights
    and of dangers in the streets;
when the almond tree blossoms
    and the grasshopper drags itself along
    and desire no longer is stirred.
Then people go to their eternal home
    and mourners go about the streets.

⁶ Remember him—before the silver cord is severed,
    and the golden bowl is broken;
before the pitcher is shattered at the spring,
    and the wheel broken at the well,
⁷ and the dust returns to the ground it came from,
    and the spirit returns to God who gave it.

⁸ “Meaningless! Meaningless!” says the Teacher.
    “Everything is meaningless!”

When should we remember “Our Creator” (verse 1)?

In your opinion, what are verses 2 through 5a talking about?

In your opinion, what is verse 5b talking about?

Who should we remember “before the silver cord is severed, and the golden bowl is broken” (verse 6)?

Where does the spirit return to (verse 7)?

In your opinion, why does the Teacher say that everything is “Meaningless, Meaningless” (verse 8)?

In your opinion, what is the similarity between those who do not “remember your creator in the days of your youth” finding life “Meaningless” in Ecclesiastes 12:1-8 and the person who “wants to save their life” but “will lose it” in Matthew 16:21-28?

In your opinion, what does this passage from Ecclesiastes 12 show us about the Great Commission?

Hebrews 12:1-13 – New International Version (NIV)

¹ “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, ² fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. ³ Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

⁴ In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. ⁵ And have you completely forgotten this word of encouragement that addresses you as a father addresses his son? It says,

“My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline,
    and do not lose heart when he rebukes you,
⁶ because the Lord disciplines the one he loves,
    and he chastens everyone he accepts as his son.”

⁷ Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as his children. For what children are not disciplined by their father? ⁸ If you are not disciplined—and everyone undergoes discipline—then you are not legitimate, not true sons and daughters at all. ⁹ Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of spirits and live! ¹⁰ They disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, in order that we may share in his holiness. ¹¹ No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.

¹² Therefore, strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees. ¹³ “Make level paths for your feet,” so that the lame may not be disabled, but rather healed.”

Who surrounds us (verse 1)?

What should we throw off (verse 1)?

How should we run (verse 1)?

In your opinion, how is Jesus “the pioneer and perfecter of faith” (verse 2)?

Why did Jesus endure the cross and scorn its shame (verse 2)?

What are we to do “so that” we “will not grow weary and lose heart” (verse 3)?

How far have we not yet resisted in our “struggle against sin” (verse 4)?

In your opinion, how can we consider it encouragement to consider “My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastens everyone he accepts as his son” (verses 5 and 6)?

How are we to “endure hardship” (verse 7)?

What are we not if we are not disciplined (verse 8)?

What do we do if we “submit to the Father of spirits” (verse 9)?

Why does God discipline us “for our good” (verse 10)?

When does discipline produce a “harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it” (verse 11)?

In your opinion, how should we “strengthen feeble arms and weak knees” (verse 12)?

Why should we “make levels paths for your feet” (verse 13)?

In your opinion, how is the one will “throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles” in Hebrews 12:1-12 the opposite of the one who does not “remember your creator in the days of your youth” and who ends up saying “meaningless, meaningless” in Ecclesiastes 12:1-8?

In your opinion, how is the “everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles” in Hebrews 12:1-13 similar to the “human concerns” that Jesus said Peter had in Matthew 16:21-28?

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

    

2 Peter 1:16-21 – New International Version (NIV)

¹⁶ “For we did not follow cleverly devised stories when we told you about the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ in power, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. ¹⁷ He received honor and glory from God the Father when the voice came to him from the Majestic Glory, saying, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.” ¹⁸ We ourselves heard this voice that came from heaven when we were with him on the sacred mountain.

¹⁹ We also have the prophetic message as something completely reliable, and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a light shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts. ²⁰ Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet’s own interpretation of things. ²¹ For prophecy never had its origin in the human will, but prophets, though human, spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.”

In your opinion, why is Peter careful to say that he is not “following cleverly devised stories” but was one of the “eyewitnesses of his majesty” (verse 16)?

What did Jesus receive from “God the Father” (verse 17)?

What did the voice from “the Majestic Glory” say to Jesus (verse 17)?

Where did they hear the voice (verse 18)?

How is the “prophetic message” described (verse 19)?

How should we pay attention to the prophetic message (verse 19)?

In your opinion, why does no “prophecy of Scripture” come about because of “the prophet’s own interpretation of things” (verse 20)?

Where does prophecy not have its origin (verse 21)?

How do prophets “though human” speak for God (verse 21)?

In your opinion, how complex is “our Lord Jesus Christ” who in 2 Peter 1:16-21 comes “in power” and as someone having “majesty” but in Hebrews 12:1-13 as the “pioneer and perfecter of faith” who “for the joy set before him . . . endured the cross”?

In your opinion, how does paying attention to the “prophetic message” “as to a light shining in a dark place” in 2 Peter 1:16-21 address the despair of the Teacher in Ecclesiastes 12:1-8 as he says “meaningless, meaningless, everything is meaningless”?

In your opinion, was Peter in his statement that “we were eyewitnesses of his majesty” in 2 Peter 1:16-21 verifying that Jesus was accurate in Matthew 16:21-28 when He says “some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom”?

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

Next, back to Matthew 17:1 – (sprucewhispers.blogspot.com)