Want to learn more about Matthew? Use these Bible Studies for personal devotion, group Bible studies, or teaching a church class. Below are links to the lessons in this 13-part series.
We start a new series about the Gospel of Matthew.
Matthew was a disciple of Jesus who had been a tax collector for the
Romans – a profession despised by the Jews. What a miraculous turn-around that Matthew should write one of the accounts of Jesus! What
an interesting background for Matthew’s writing. Let’s dive into our
study and learn more!
How would you like Jesus to say that there “is no one
greater” than you? Not likely, you say? Our study this week is about
someone for whom this is true. Jesus said about John the Baptist,
“among those born of women there is no one greater than John.” Let’
jump into our study of Matthew and see what lessons Matthew has for
us through John the Baptist!
The Sermon on the Mount is an astonishing presentation.
However, there are varied views on it. Some think it is the “rule
book” for when we are in heaven – and therefore it is not for us now.
Others think it is intended to make us conclude that God’s standard
is impossible, and thus we are driven to rely on grace. Some consider
it a challenge for them to bring their righteous works to a higher
level. My view is that the Sermon on the Mount shows us that grace is
not just a matter of salvation, but is a lifestyle. God calls on us
to depend on His strength in all things, and that includes how we
live. Let’s plunge into this challenging study and learn more!
Last week we studied Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount. This
week we look at a series of healings and miracles that give us a
greater insight into Jesus’ ministry and strengthen Matthew’s
argument that Jesus is the Messiah. Let’s dive into our study of the
Bible and learn more about our glorious Lord!
Many Christians have one of two opposing opinions. They
think that salvation turns on their good works, or they think that
salvation is merely accepting grace and then continuing on their
normal way. Our lesson this week reveals a third approach: relying on
God in everything. This not only includes salvation, it includes all
of the problems and victories of life. Let’s dig into our study of
Matthew and learn more!
As a lawyer, I believe in rules. Having the right rules
provides the maximum amount of freedom, including religious freedom.
God believes in the rule of law, otherwise Jesus would not have come
to fulfill the requirements of the law on our behalf. What keeps
lawyers in business is conflicts between rules and different views
about the same rule. Our lesson this week is about sorting out God’s
rules. Let’s plunge into our study of Matthew and see what we can
learn about the nature of God’s rules!
A common belief is that men cannot understand women.
This might be an idea started by women! Are there people you do not
understand? Of those you do understand, do you understand them all
the time? One of the reasons to study the Bible is to better
understand God. I think one reason Matthew wrote the material we
study in this week’s lesson is to teach us to trust God, even when we
do not understand His decisions. Let’s plunge into our study and
learn more!
Have you ever been in a situation where the solution to
a problem is right in front of you, but somehow you cannot see it?
Someone else will come by, point out the solution, and you cannot
believe that you missed the obvious! In our study of Matthew this
week, he illustrates this kind of situation with those who crossed
paths with Jesus. Let’s dig into our study and learn more so that we
will not be oblivious and miss the spiritually obvious!
Jeffrey Brauch, the former Dean of the Regent
University School of Law, is one of the most amazing men I have ever
met. His focus always seemed to be on me when we spoke. When I speak
with others, I regret that my focus also generally seems to be on me.
I’m sure Jeff is just like that with everyone – his focus is on them.
Jeff lives what Matthew teaches this week: to live a life of concern
for others. Let’s dig into our lesson and learn more!
Accepting a leader has consequences. Your acceptance
means that you agree that person should lead and make critical
decisions. Matthew makes a transition in his continuing proof that
Jesus is the Messiah, Jesus is Lord. Matthew now recites the
consequences of refusing to actively follow Jesus. Let’s dig into our
study of the Bible and learn more!
One of the wonderful advantages of writing this lesson
is that it forces me to study the Bible. Major goals in writing these
studies are to improve the quality of the Sabbath School and help
students better understand God’s will. However, when I study the
Bible I’m always thinking about the impact of God’s word on my life.
This week some of Matthew’s statements are so connected to my life
that I apologize in advance for injecting myself so much in the
lesson. Let’s dig in and see if you, too, feel a special connection
to our Bible study!
Our study of Matthew this week pictures two betrayers
and one woman fully devoted to Jesus. What does it mean, really, to
betray Jesus? What does it mean to be fully devoted to Jesus? Why is
the outcome so much different for one betrayer than for the other?
Let’s plunge into our study of the Bible and learn more!
The time has come for us to study Jesus’ sacrifice on
our behalf. Words cannot adequately describe it. What incredible
love! What incredible mercy! What incredible unselfishness He showed
towards us. Let’s dig into our Bibles and witness Jesus’ astonishing
sacrifice for you and me!
