We did not finish Matthew 4 last Wednesday. We finished somewhere around Matthew 4:20ff. Continue to study and think about Jesus call of discipleship. Consider the example of Simon, Andrew, James, and John with their "immediate" following of Christ. Take some time also to consider Matthew's summary statement of Jesus threefold ministry of teaching, preaching, and healing in Matthew 4:23-25. I look forward to seeing you on Wednesday.
Andrew
Showing posts with label bible study. Show all posts
Showing posts with label bible study. Show all posts
Monday, April 23, 2007
Tuesday, April 10, 2007
Matthew 4 Study Guide PT. Two
This Wednesday, April 11th, we will continue with our study of Matthew 4. Last week we got through Matthew 4:7 and this Wednesday I would like to conclude our thoughts on the temptation of Jesus and proceed as far as Matthew 4:17. Please come prepared to discuss these verses.
Let me also take advantage of this opportunity to encourage you to keep reading through the entire book of Matthew. The more you read through the book of Matthew the more you will appreciate its themes and motifs. More importantly, the more you read through the book of Matthew the more you will know of our dear Savior the Lord Jesus Christ and desire to serve him with all your undivided attention.
Repetition is the mother of all learning.
Let me also take advantage of this opportunity to encourage you to keep reading through the entire book of Matthew. The more you read through the book of Matthew the more you will appreciate its themes and motifs. More importantly, the more you read through the book of Matthew the more you will know of our dear Savior the Lord Jesus Christ and desire to serve him with all your undivided attention.
Repetition is the mother of all learning.
Monday, March 26, 2007
Matthew 4 Study Guide PT. One
This Wednesday we will wrap up any thoughts concerning the baptism of Christ in Matthew 3 and we will consider the temptation of Jesus Christ in Matthew 4:1-11. To try and do any more than that this Wednesday would be to much. Jesus Christ's baptism and temptation go together. They are unique yet crucially connected and this bible study we will explore some of those connections. Here are some suggestions/thoughts/comments...
1) Read Deuteronomy 6-8. If you do nothing else, please read this portion of Scripture.
2) Did you notice who led him up into the wilderness? Does this strike you as odd? Is God leading his son Jesus into temptation? Who does the tempting here in this passage?
3) Why is he tempted in the wilderness? Why not in the city, or in a garden, etc? What is the significance of "wilderness" in biblical theology? See Numbers 20:5; Hosea 2:14-23
4) Jesus Christ fasted "forty days and forty nights." Is there any significance to this? Can you think of any other examples in Scripture of 40 days and nights?
5) Twice Satan says to Jesus Christ, "If you are the Son of God..." This is an important connection with God saying to his Son, "This is my beloved son in whom I am well pleased." (Matthew 3:17; cf Matthew 4:3, 6).
6) Consider 1 John 2:16, "...lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes, pride of life..." in relation to the three temptations offered by Satan to Jesus, indeed, even to Adam and Eve.
7) In relation to the previous point, consider Hebrews 2:17-18 and Hebrews 4:18. Do these verses in connection with the temptation of Jesus comfort you?
Hopefully this will jump start you for this Wednesday.
1) Read Deuteronomy 6-8. If you do nothing else, please read this portion of Scripture.
2) Did you notice who led him up into the wilderness? Does this strike you as odd? Is God leading his son Jesus into temptation? Who does the tempting here in this passage?
3) Why is he tempted in the wilderness? Why not in the city, or in a garden, etc? What is the significance of "wilderness" in biblical theology? See Numbers 20:5; Hosea 2:14-23
4) Jesus Christ fasted "forty days and forty nights." Is there any significance to this? Can you think of any other examples in Scripture of 40 days and nights?
5) Twice Satan says to Jesus Christ, "If you are the Son of God..." This is an important connection with God saying to his Son, "This is my beloved son in whom I am well pleased." (Matthew 3:17; cf Matthew 4:3, 6).
6) Consider 1 John 2:16, "...lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes, pride of life..." in relation to the three temptations offered by Satan to Jesus, indeed, even to Adam and Eve.
7) In relation to the previous point, consider Hebrews 2:17-18 and Hebrews 4:18. Do these verses in connection with the temptation of Jesus comfort you?
Hopefully this will jump start you for this Wednesday.
Monday, March 19, 2007
Matthew Three Study Guide PT. 1
This Wednesday, March 21, we will begin studying Matthew 3. From Matthew 2:23 to Matthew 3:1 we jump nearly 30 years in time; We jump from the birth narrative, to the ministry of John the Baptist, and his baptism of Jesus Christ. Scripture tells us nothing concerning these childhood and young adult years of Jesus life from two to thirty, save Luke's account in 2:41-52 when Jesus is twelve years old. We are not to worry ourselves over this. The childhood and young adult years are of no concern in reference to the gospel of Jesus Christ. Here are some thoughts/observations/comments that may be helpful for you as you study this portion of Scripture and prepare for Wednesday night.
1) We are immediately confronted with one named John the Baptist. This is the first occurrence of his name in Matthew, Luke of course gives us the details concerning his birth, and per usual Matthew has made a connection with this event and the fulfillment of Scripture (Matthew 3:3; Isa. 40:3). Take the time now to pick up a good bible dictionary and read up on John the Baptist.
2) In Matthew 3:2 we see part of the message John the Baptist has been preaching is "repentance." This is a word we do not hear enough of from the pulpits of churches and from the mouths of evangelists around the world. This is an action that is far too often unpracticed in our own lives and in the lives of those all over the world. I say all of this because we live in a world of relativism. We live in a world where we are told everyone is right, and so if everyone is right then what is there to repent from? Contra relativism, repentance is fundamental to the preaching and acceptance of the gospel. Take time now to think about the importance of repentance. How would you define repentance? Consider the connection John the Baptist makes between repentance and the nearness of the kingdom of heaven. What is the significance of that? What does the kingdom of heaven have to do with repentance? Additionally, think of the significance of who he is preaching this message of repentance to! He is telling the Jews to repent! It is not enough to be born a Jew to enter the kingdom of heaven. In application then it is not enough to be born in a christian family, to be baptized, to answer to an altar call to truly be repentant!
3) What is the connection between John the Baptist and Elijah?
4) In Matthew 3:7 we are introduced for the first time to the Pharisees and Sadducees. Take time now to look them up in a good bible dictionary.
5) What does John the Baptist mean by "I baptize you with water....but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire?"
6) John the Baptist's words in Matthew 3:7-12 clearly refer to eternal punishment in fire.
7) What is intended by Jesus words to John the Baptist "for in this way it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness?" Does Jesus need to repent? Is Jesus righteous before his baptism?
8) Again the Holy Spirit is shown to be intricately involved in the life of Jesus Christ, first in his birth and now at his baptism in Matthew 3:16. We would do well to stop and be thankful for the powerful role the Spirit has played in the life of Christ and in your life right now! The Spirit often plays a "thankless" role in our lives.
This weekend I will post some concluding thoughts concerning Matthew 2 since we are now moving on to Matthew three.
1) We are immediately confronted with one named John the Baptist. This is the first occurrence of his name in Matthew, Luke of course gives us the details concerning his birth, and per usual Matthew has made a connection with this event and the fulfillment of Scripture (Matthew 3:3; Isa. 40:3). Take the time now to pick up a good bible dictionary and read up on John the Baptist.
2) In Matthew 3:2 we see part of the message John the Baptist has been preaching is "repentance." This is a word we do not hear enough of from the pulpits of churches and from the mouths of evangelists around the world. This is an action that is far too often unpracticed in our own lives and in the lives of those all over the world. I say all of this because we live in a world of relativism. We live in a world where we are told everyone is right, and so if everyone is right then what is there to repent from? Contra relativism, repentance is fundamental to the preaching and acceptance of the gospel. Take time now to think about the importance of repentance. How would you define repentance? Consider the connection John the Baptist makes between repentance and the nearness of the kingdom of heaven. What is the significance of that? What does the kingdom of heaven have to do with repentance? Additionally, think of the significance of who he is preaching this message of repentance to! He is telling the Jews to repent! It is not enough to be born a Jew to enter the kingdom of heaven. In application then it is not enough to be born in a christian family, to be baptized, to answer to an altar call to truly be repentant!
3) What is the connection between John the Baptist and Elijah?
4) In Matthew 3:7 we are introduced for the first time to the Pharisees and Sadducees. Take time now to look them up in a good bible dictionary.
5) What does John the Baptist mean by "I baptize you with water....but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire?"
6) John the Baptist's words in Matthew 3:7-12 clearly refer to eternal punishment in fire.
7) What is intended by Jesus words to John the Baptist "for in this way it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness?" Does Jesus need to repent? Is Jesus righteous before his baptism?
8) Again the Holy Spirit is shown to be intricately involved in the life of Jesus Christ, first in his birth and now at his baptism in Matthew 3:16. We would do well to stop and be thankful for the powerful role the Spirit has played in the life of Christ and in your life right now! The Spirit often plays a "thankless" role in our lives.
This weekend I will post some concluding thoughts concerning Matthew 2 since we are now moving on to Matthew three.
Monday, March 12, 2007
Matthew 2 Study Guide PT. 2
This Wednesday, March 14, we will continue with our study of Matthew 2. Last week we completed Matthew 2:1-12, which is concerned with the visit of the magi, so this Wednesday we will Lord willing cover the rest of Matthew 2. Here are some thoughts/comments/observations to aid you as you prepare for this upcoming study.
1) Matthew 2 is the more unfamiliar, perhaps darker, story in regard to the birth narrative of Jesus Christ. How often we hear messages of our Lord's birth from Matthew 1-2:12 but when is the last time you heard a message from Matthew 2:12-23? Is it or is it not just as relevant and important for us to study and seek to understand? I fear we often avoid these final verses of Matthew 2 because it presents the "ugly side" of Christ's birth. We always want to present the beautiful side of Christ's birth to the world. Matthew saw fit to include both the beautiful and the ugly together. To what purpose has Matthew done this?
2) Matthew quotes Hosea 11:1 in Matthew 2:15. Read Hosea 11 now (I say Hosea 11, not just Hosea 11:1 because they did not have chapters and verses in Matthew's time so when Matthew quotes what is to us Hosea 11:1 it was to the original readers a cause to read the entire context or passage from which this quotation comes)! Hosea 11 describes the history of the nation of Israel at the time of the Exodus as well as the succeeding events. Hosea's focus is on the nation and not the Messiah. In fact, there is no reason at all in reading Hosea 11 to think of the Messiah. Yet when Matthew quotes this passage he relates it as being fulfilled by the events in Christ's life! Matthew connects these two completely unrelated events! How and on what basis has Matthew made this connection?Does this quotation trouble you? Does this use of the Old Testament in the New Testament shake your hermeneutics? It should! How are we to understand Matthew's use of the Old Testament in his book? Does he understand Hosea 11:1 as predictive prophecy? As Sensus Plenior? As typological? Or in some other manner?
3) Matthew 2:16-18 really brings to light the darker side to the story of Christ's birth. Again I ask why has Matthew included this? How is this related to his quotation of Jeremiah 31:15?
4) Who is Archelaus and why is Joseph afraid of him? Josephus discusses him in some length in his works. See "Antiquities of the Jews" Book 17, the last few chapters.
5) What is the significance of Jesus residing in Nazareth?
1) Matthew 2 is the more unfamiliar, perhaps darker, story in regard to the birth narrative of Jesus Christ. How often we hear messages of our Lord's birth from Matthew 1-2:12 but when is the last time you heard a message from Matthew 2:12-23? Is it or is it not just as relevant and important for us to study and seek to understand? I fear we often avoid these final verses of Matthew 2 because it presents the "ugly side" of Christ's birth. We always want to present the beautiful side of Christ's birth to the world. Matthew saw fit to include both the beautiful and the ugly together. To what purpose has Matthew done this?
2) Matthew quotes Hosea 11:1 in Matthew 2:15. Read Hosea 11 now (I say Hosea 11, not just Hosea 11:1 because they did not have chapters and verses in Matthew's time so when Matthew quotes what is to us Hosea 11:1 it was to the original readers a cause to read the entire context or passage from which this quotation comes)! Hosea 11 describes the history of the nation of Israel at the time of the Exodus as well as the succeeding events. Hosea's focus is on the nation and not the Messiah. In fact, there is no reason at all in reading Hosea 11 to think of the Messiah. Yet when Matthew quotes this passage he relates it as being fulfilled by the events in Christ's life! Matthew connects these two completely unrelated events! How and on what basis has Matthew made this connection?Does this quotation trouble you? Does this use of the Old Testament in the New Testament shake your hermeneutics? It should! How are we to understand Matthew's use of the Old Testament in his book? Does he understand Hosea 11:1 as predictive prophecy? As Sensus Plenior? As typological? Or in some other manner?
3) Matthew 2:16-18 really brings to light the darker side to the story of Christ's birth. Again I ask why has Matthew included this? How is this related to his quotation of Jeremiah 31:15?
4) Who is Archelaus and why is Joseph afraid of him? Josephus discusses him in some length in his works. See "Antiquities of the Jews" Book 17, the last few chapters.
5) What is the significance of Jesus residing in Nazareth?
Saturday, February 10, 2007
Forthcoming Bible Study
This past Wednesday we introduced the Gospels as a whole and talked briefly concerning the "synoptic problem." This upcoming Wednesday we will jump into the text of Matthew chpt. 1. Please, as always, come with at least three observations from the text to share with us all. Also, let me take advantage of this oppurtunity to once again challenge you to read through Matthew entirely once each week! You will profit and gain from this in more than words can say.
Stay posted, in the following days I will post some suggestions and brief observations concerning Matthew 1.
Stay posted, in the following days I will post some suggestions and brief observations concerning Matthew 1.
Tuesday, February 6, 2007
Synoptic Problem and Wednesday Night
Several have expressed unease and apprehension concerning our upcoming discussion of the Synoptic Problem this Wednesday night. Please do not be alarmed! I merely desire for us to be aware of it as a problem and familiar with it's terminology. I desire this because any commentary you pick up on Matthew (or any of the synoptic Gospels) that was written in the last century will be full of synoptic Gospel terminology and language. You will see terms like "form criticism," "source criticism," "redaction criticism," "sitz im leben," etc. that you should at the very least be able to define. What's more, several commentaries or articles you may pick up will be discussing the synoptic problem without ever using these terms and you need to be able to identify it.
In short, to prepare for Wednesday night, don't lose any sleep over the synoptic problem. Simply read some of the material suggested concerning it and think through some of the positive and negative aspects of the synoptic problem, and then stop and think if there really is a synoptic problem after all.
To be well prepared for Wednesday night, spend most of your time reading Matthew and introductions to the Gospel.
In short, to prepare for Wednesday night, don't lose any sleep over the synoptic problem. Simply read some of the material suggested concerning it and think through some of the positive and negative aspects of the synoptic problem, and then stop and think if there really is a synoptic problem after all.
To be well prepared for Wednesday night, spend most of your time reading Matthew and introductions to the Gospel.
Wednesday, January 24, 2007
Update concerning suggested reading for Matthew bible study
For those concerned, if you wish to read any of these articles I have suggested, but have no means of obtaining them, please let me know, and I will get a copy of them to you. They are valuable to read. Also, it should go without saying, but make an effort to have read Matthew through entirely at least once before this February 7th.
It would be ideal for you to read it through once each week we have the bible study. At that rate, by the end of the study you would have read it through at least 28x! Imagine the potential for increase in knowledge of God's word and His son Jesus Christ! Imagine the potential for us to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior!
It would be ideal for you to read it through once each week we have the bible study. At that rate, by the end of the study you would have read it through at least 28x! Imagine the potential for increase in knowledge of God's word and His son Jesus Christ! Imagine the potential for us to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior!
Saturday, January 20, 2007
Bible Study Suggested Reading
Carson, D.A., Douglas J. Moo, and Leon Morris. An Introduction To The New Testament.
Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1992.
See especially the first two chapters. I recommend reading these first two chapters before anything else.
Periodicals
Black, David Alan. “The Historical Origins of the Gospels.” Faith and Mission. (Fall
2000): 21-42.
Ellis, E. Earle. “Reading the Gospels as History.” Criswell Theological Review. (Fall
1998): 3-15. I actually found this article on the internet at the following address - http://faculty.gordon.edu/hu/bi/Ted_Hildebrandt/NTeSources/NTArticles/CTR-NT/Ellis-GospelsHistory-CTR.htm
Guelich, Robert A. “The Gospels: Portraits of Jesus and His Ministry.” Journal of the
Evangelical Society. (June 1981): 117-125.
Hagner, Donald A. “Interpreting the Gospels: The Landscape and the Quest.” Journal of
the Evangelical Society. (March 1981): 23-37.
Johnson, S. Lewis Jr. “The Argument of Matthew.” Bibliotheca Sacra. (April-June
1956): 143-153.
Commentaries
Blomberg, Craig L. Matthew. The New American Commentary, ed. David S. Dockery,
vol. 22. Nashville, Broadman Press, 1982.
Carson, D.A. Matthew. The Expositors Bible Commentary, ed. Frank E. Gaebelein, vol.
8. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1984.
Morris, Leon. The Gospel According to Matthew. The Pillar New Testament
Commentary, ed. D.A. Carson. Grand Rapids, Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1992.
Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1992.
See especially the first two chapters. I recommend reading these first two chapters before anything else.
Periodicals
Black, David Alan. “The Historical Origins of the Gospels.” Faith and Mission. (Fall
2000): 21-42.
Ellis, E. Earle. “Reading the Gospels as History.” Criswell Theological Review. (Fall
1998): 3-15. I actually found this article on the internet at the following address - http://faculty.gordon.edu/hu/bi/Ted_Hildebrandt/NTeSources/NTArticles/CTR-NT/Ellis-GospelsHistory-CTR.htm
Guelich, Robert A. “The Gospels: Portraits of Jesus and His Ministry.” Journal of the
Evangelical Society. (June 1981): 117-125.
Hagner, Donald A. “Interpreting the Gospels: The Landscape and the Quest.” Journal of
the Evangelical Society. (March 1981): 23-37.
Johnson, S. Lewis Jr. “The Argument of Matthew.” Bibliotheca Sacra. (April-June
1956): 143-153.
Commentaries
Blomberg, Craig L. Matthew. The New American Commentary, ed. David S. Dockery,
vol. 22. Nashville, Broadman Press, 1982.
Carson, D.A. Matthew. The Expositors Bible Commentary, ed. Frank E. Gaebelein, vol.
8. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1984.
Morris, Leon. The Gospel According to Matthew. The Pillar New Testament
Commentary, ed. D.A. Carson. Grand Rapids, Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1992.
Sunday, December 17, 2006
Daniel 12 Bible Study
This Wednesday night we will be having our bible study. We will begin covering Daniel chpt. 12 (though there are a few things I would like to go back over in Daniel 11), and perhaps even finish it! In light of this fact, be thinking about what book of Scripture we should study next.
The context for this chapter is the "end time" (Daniel 11:40, 12:1, 12:4, 12:9), specifically, the end time as it relates to God's holy people Israel (Daniel 12:1; 12:7).
Some things to be thinking about as you prepare for this Wednesday night are (in no specific order):
1. How does Ezekiel 38, 39 relate to Daniel 11:40-45.
2. Is Daniel 12:1 simultaneous with 11:40-45 or is Daniel 11:40-12:4 chronological?
3. What is the "time of distress" (Daniel 12:1)?
4. What is the significance of "attaining to the 1,335 days" (Daniel 12:12)?
5. Some important cross references to look up including Ezekiel 38, 39 are:Psalm 17:15; Isa. 26:19; Matthew 24-25; Rev. 20:1-6.
6. What is the significance of this entire vision? Or in another way, why is this vision given to Daniel?
7. Outline Daniel 10-12! This will help you a great deal!
The context for this chapter is the "end time" (Daniel 11:40, 12:1, 12:4, 12:9), specifically, the end time as it relates to God's holy people Israel (Daniel 12:1; 12:7).
Some things to be thinking about as you prepare for this Wednesday night are (in no specific order):
1. How does Ezekiel 38, 39 relate to Daniel 11:40-45.
2. Is Daniel 12:1 simultaneous with 11:40-45 or is Daniel 11:40-12:4 chronological?
3. What is the "time of distress" (Daniel 12:1)?
4. What is the significance of "attaining to the 1,335 days" (Daniel 12:12)?
5. Some important cross references to look up including Ezekiel 38, 39 are:Psalm 17:15; Isa. 26:19; Matthew 24-25; Rev. 20:1-6.
6. What is the significance of this entire vision? Or in another way, why is this vision given to Daniel?
7. Outline Daniel 10-12! This will help you a great deal!
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