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Exploring Discipleship in

Matthew’s Gospel

St John’s Lutheran Church, Tea Tree Gully

Lent 2017

The challenge: As we explore Discipleship this year at St John’s, you are invited to read the Gospel of Matthew during Lent, one chapter a day, reflecting on what Jesus teaches us about being disciples, discipling others, and growing together as a community of his disciples. Please use the questions in this booklet as a starting point in exploring what it means to be a follower of Jesus. You might also like to write down any other thoughts, questions or challenges you have as you read Matthew’s gospel in a journal or notebook. You can then share what God might be saying to you through his word with others:

by catching up regularly with another Christian

in a small group

at our congregation’s Lent devotions on Wednesdays at 10am and 7.30pm

God bless you as you journey through the season of Lent in Matthew’s gospel, and as we grow as a community of Jesus’ disciples. Pastor Eugene

Chapter 1 Wednesday 1 March

Matthew begins his gospel by listing Jesus’ ancestors in 3 sets of 14 generations. In the Hebrew language, writing the number 14 also

spells ‘David.’ Matthew was pointing to Jesus as the descendant of King David who was promised in the Old Testament to rule forever.

What would this family history say to early Jewish readers of Matthew’s gospel about becoming followers of Jesus?

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If we think of Jesus as the King of God’s people promised in the Old Testament, what does that say about his call to you to follow him?

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If you were Joseph, what would you have done after the angel visited you (vv 18-25)? Would you have married Mary or divorced her?

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What do Joseph’s actions tell us about living as followers of Jesus?

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What difference can it make to trust that through Jesus, God is with you right now, no matter what is going on in your life?

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Prayer: Being a disciple of Jesus can mean that we trust God by doing what he wants us to do, just like Joseph. Ask Jesus how he wants you to trust him today by doing what he wants.

Chapter 2 Thursday 2 March

Imagine you were one of the wise men in vv1,2. Would you have set out on a journey without knowing your destination? Why/why not?

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How can their journey be like our journey as Jesus’ disciples? (see John 21:18,19)

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In verses 13-21 Jesus retraces the Exodus journey of the ancient Israelite people lead by Moses. This journey symbolizes God bringing

his people out of slavery into freedom through faith in Jesus.

If we think of discipleship as following Jesus from slavery to freedom, what kinds of freedom does he lead us into?

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What do you, or someone you know, need freedom from? ……………….

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Do you trust that Jesus can lead you into freedom by following him as his disciple? Why/why not?

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Prayer: Ask Jesus to lead you into a renewed understanding of the freedom you have as Jesus’ disciple.

Chapter 3 Friday 3 March

When John the Baptist called people to repent, he called people to ‘produce fruit in keeping with repentance’ (v8 NIV). What do you think the ‘fruit’ is that he was talking about?

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Jesus taught that ‘good fruit’ comes from being connected to him, not by trying harder (John 15:1-8). Why is it important for Jesus’ disciples to be producing good fruit?

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If we think of repentance as ‘turning around,’ could John the Baptist be calling us to turn away from trying to do good by ourselves and turn towards Jesus, who is the source of our goodness?

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How might that look in your life? ……………………………………………………….

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Jesus’ baptism (vv13-17) signals the beginning of Jesus’ earthly ministry. Matthew closely links becoming a disciple of Jesus with baptism (28:19). What do you think your baptism might say about your identity as a follower of Jesus?

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Prayer: Ask Jesus to produce good fruit in the lives of the people you will meet today through your words and actions.

Chapter 4 Monday 6 March

What did Jesus use to overcome the devil’s temptations in vv1-11?

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What do you think Jesus meant by what he said in v4? ……………………..

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What does this story, and especially v4, say about the place of God’s word in the life of Jesus’ disciples?

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What was the message that Jesus began to preach in v17? ……………….

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How does his message describe the life of a follower of Jesus? …………

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In vv18-22, Jesus called his first disciples who left everything to follow him. One way to think of Jesus’ call to discipleship is to leave old ways

behind and follow him into a new way of living in God’s kingdom.

If Jesus is calling us to follow him into a new way of life as a member of God’s kingdom, what might be asking you to leave behind?

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Prayer: Thank Jesus for calling you to follow him & ask that you can throw out his net of grace & peace to all you come across today.

Chapter 5 Tuesday 7 March

Matthew now gives us 3 chapters in which Jesus teaches his disciples. This becomes foundational in our understanding of living Jesus’ way.

Is there one part of the Beatitudes (vv3-12) that you identify with or hope for? What does it mean to you that Jesus says you are blessed?

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One way we can hear vv13-20 is that we are God’s salt and light (vv13-16) when we live in right ways (v20) as Jesus teaches us (v19).

What does this say to you about why it is so important to learn from Jesus as his disciple and put his teachings into practice in your life?

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Jesus sets a new standard for us to live by in vv21-48 as he explains what righteous living looks like.

Which of these teachings will be most challenging for you to live by?

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The key to understanding Jesus’ teachings as acts of grace rather than a new set of rules lies in v45. God is indiscriminate as he

provides good things for all people, including us! When we live as Jesus teaches, we are agents of God’s life-giving grace in the world.

What can you start doing today to live in the way Jesus teaches? ……..

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Pray: Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal God’s grace in Jesus to you today so you can live more in the way Jesus teaches.


In this chapter, what do you hear Jesus saying to you about:

giving to the needy (vv1-4)? …………………………………………………………..

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praying (5-15)? ………………………………………………………………………………

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fasting (16-18)? ………………………………………………………………………………

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money & possessions (vv19-24) ……………………………………………………..

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worry (vv25-34)? ……………………………………………………………………………

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What does Jesus say needs to be his disciples’ highest priority (v33)?

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What does Jesus promise to those who make this their priority? ………

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Do you think that living this way is realistic for you? ………………………….

Can you explain why or why not? ………………………………………………………

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Pray: For grace to seek God’s kingdom and his righteousness first in your life so you can find the freedom from worry that he promises.


As Jesus continues his Sermon on the Mount in this chapter, what do you hear him saying about:

judging others (vv1-6)? ………………………………………………………………….

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asking for good things from God (vv7-12)? …………………………………….

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living in the way Jesus’ teaches (vv13,14)? …………………………………….

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discerning if someone is teaching God’s truth or not (vv15-23)? ……

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In vv 24-27, what is the difference between the person who built his house on the rock and the one who built on sand?

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What does this say about what we are to do with the teachings of Jesus, especially in the Sermon on the Mount?

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Which of these teachings is going to be the hardest for you to put into practice in your life?

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What does the Sermon on the Mount tell you about discipleship? ……

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Pray: That the Holy Spirit will give you God’s grace to build your life on the solid rock of Jesus’ teachings.


Why do you think Jesus told the man he made clean from leprosy not to tell anyone about what he had done (vv1-4)?

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What do you think the Centurion’s reply to Jesus (vv8,9) says about the authority Jesus has?

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What do verses 18-20 say to you about following Jesus? …………………..

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What do verses 21,22 say to you about following Jesus? …………………..

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Ancient people saw storms as symbols of chaos and evil. When you are facing storms in your life, what do vv23-27 say to you?

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Does the authority Jesus displays make him worth following? …………..

Explain why: ………………………………………………………………………………………

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Pray: That in the storms & uncertainties of life, you might have faith that Jesus has authority over everything that is uncertain or harmful.


What authority does Jesus exercise in vv1-8? …………………………………….

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What does the story of Jesus calling Matthew (v9) & his reply to the Pharisees (v12,13) tell you about the people Jesus calls to follow him?

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What do these 2 stories tell us about the connection between following Jesus & forgiving sins?

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Why weren’t Jesus’ disciples fasting in vv 14-17? ………………………………

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Imagine you were one of Jesus’ followers seeing what he was doing in verses 18-34. What would you be thinking about Jesus?

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What was Jesus’ reaction when he sees the crowds in vv35-38? ……….

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Who are the workers (v38) he taught his disciples to pray for? ………….

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Pray: For the Lord of the harvest to send workers out into his harvest field.


What does Jesus give the 12 Apostles he chooses (v1)? …………………….

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What does he do after giving them this (5)? ………………………………………

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What was the message he told them to proclaim? …………………………….

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As you read the rest of this chapter, what are 3 things that stand out to you most? What can Jesus’ instructions still teach us as his disciples today?

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Pray: That you bring God’s peace to every person you meet today.


When John the Baptist’s disciples ask Jesus if he is ‘the one who is to come’ what did Jesus reply to them? (vv4-6)

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If ‘wisdom is proved right by her deeds’ (v19 NIV), what do Jesus’ deeds say about him?

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Why does Jesus denounce the towns where he had been performing miracles? (v20)

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What might Jesus’ words mean for us as his followers? …………………….

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What is the invitation Jesus gives in vv28-30? ……………………………………

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What does he promise to those who accept his invitation? ……………….

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Based on what you have read so far in Matthew’s gospel, do you think following Jesus is worth the risk if what he promises is the end result? Can you explain why?

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Pray: That you can find rest for your soul by following Jesus.


What do you think Jesus meant when he said to the Pharisees, ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice’ (v7)

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Why are these words important for us as Jesus’ followers? ……………….

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How would you summarize Jesus’ reply to the Pharisees when they accused him of driving demons out by Beelzebul (vv25-37)?

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What can we learn from Jesus in his reply? ……………………………………….

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What is the ‘sign of Jonah’ Jesus talks about in v40? ………………………….

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What might Jesus be saying to us in these words when we start to look for a sign from him?

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Who does Jesus say is his mother and sister and brother? (v50) ………..

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What does this tell us about following Jesus? …………………………………….

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Pray: That you produce the fruit of mercy in your words& actions today.


Why does Jesus say he speaks in parables? (vv11-15) ………………………..

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Which parable in this chapter is easiest for you to understand? ………..

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What do you hear Jesus saying to you through it? ……………………………..

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Which parable is most difficult for you to understand? ……………………..

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What is hard for you to understand about it? …………………………………….

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Some people think that Jesus’ parables are not meant to be easily understood, but we are to meditate on them over time until the Holy

Spirit reveals its meaning to us.

Try to read your difficult parable four or five times today, asking the Holy Spirit to open your eyes and ears to see and hear what God

wants to say to you through it.

Has that helped you unravel the meaning of the parable? …………………

What have you learned through it? ……………………………………………………

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Pray: For the Holy spirit to open your eyes and ears to see and hear what Jesus wants to teach you through his words.


Imagine you are Jesus and have just been told of John the Baptist’s death (vv1-12). What might you be thinking as you ‘withdrew … privately to a solitary place’? (v13)

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What was Jesus’ reaction when he saw the crowds following him? …..

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What does that tell you about Jesus? …………………………………………………

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What role do the disciples play in Jesus feeding the 5000? ………………..

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What might that say about our role as Jesus’ disciples today? …………..

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The story of Jesus walking on the water (vv22-33) is interpreted a number of ways. How can we understand it as a story of grace?

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What does it say to you about being Jesus’ disciple? …………………………

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Pray: Ask Jesus to provide for all your needs and to keep you safe in the storms of life.


Why are the Pharisees & teachers of the law upset with Jesus again? (vv1-9)

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What does Jesus say is more important – God’s commands or human traditions?

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Why is it important for us to be able to tell the difference? …………......

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What does Jesus say defiles us (makes us unclean)? (v16-20) ……………

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What does this say about the importance of living as Jesus’ disciples?

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In the following story (vv21-28) why do you think Jesus praises the woman’s reply (v27) as evidence of ‘great faith’?

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The feeding of the 5000 is then followed with 4000 people being fed (vv32-39). Why do you think Matthew includes this story?

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Pray: That we might be faithful to what God wants and our hearts would produce good words and actions.


What signs do you look for (if any) to validate Jesus’ message to us?

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What is Jesus saying to us in vv1-4? …………………………………………………..

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From what you’ve read so far, what do you think the ‘teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees’ was that Jesus was talking about in vv5-12?

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Peter gives his answer to who he believed Jesus is in v16. What would you answer if Jesus asked you the same question?

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Many see Jesus’ words in vv24,25 as being his call to discipleship. What do you think Jesus means when he calls us to deny ourselves, take up our cross and follow him?

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Do you think you are able to do that? Explain why/why not: ……………..

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Pray: Ask Jesus to give you his grace through the Holy Spirit to follow him faithfully as his disciple.


When Peter witnesses Jesus’ transfiguration, why do you think he wants to put up shelters?

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What does the voice form the cloud tell them to do? ………………………..

Why is doing that so important for followers of Jesus? ………………………

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Why does Jesus lead his disciples down from the mountain? …………….

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What does that say about our journeys as Jesus’ disciples? ……………….

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How do you understand what Jesus says in v20? ……………………………….

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Why do you think Jesus predicts his death again in vv 22,23? ……………

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What do vv24-27 say about Jesus’ followers paying taxes? ………………..

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Pray: That the Holy Spirit would open your ears and heart to hear what Jesus is saying to you today.


What do you think Jesus meant when he taught his followers to become like little children (v3)?

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Who do you think are the ‘little ones’ Jesus talks about in vv 6-14? …..

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What does the Parable of the Lost Sheep say about their value? ……….

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What might v14 be saying about how our ministry priorities at TTG?

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Do you think it is important for us to follow vv15-17 if another Christian wrongs us? Explain why:

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How did Jesus treat pagans and tax collectors? ………………………………….

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What does the parable in vv 21-35 teach about forgiveness? …………….

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Who might need your forgiveness today? ………………………………………….

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Pray: That God would give you grace to forgive others as he has forgiven you.


In vv1-11 Jesus expands on his teaching on divorce from 5:31,32. How do you hear what he is saying to us in our time & place?

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What do you think Jesus meant when he said that the kingdom of heaven ‘belongs to those who are like … children’ (v14)?

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Do you think Jesus wants us to literally sell everything we have (v21)?

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What do you think his words mean for us? ………………………………………..

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What does he promise those who follow him in vv29,30? …………………

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What do you think he might have meant by that? ……………………………..

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Pray: For faith to trust in God like infants trust their parents.


Do you think the owner of the vineyard was being fair in the parable Jesus told in vv1-16? Explain why:

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Would you prefer God to be fair or generous towards you? Why?

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How many times is this that Jesus has predicted his death? ………………

Why do you think he is telling them again? ……………………………………….

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Who does Jesus say will be great among his disciples? ………………………

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What does that tell us about living as followers of Jesus? ………………….

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Why did the two men on the side of the road follow Jesus? ………………

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What does this say about Jesus showing us mercy and following him?

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Pray: That Jesus would show you his mercy so you can follow him by serving others.


Matthew began his gospel pointing to Jesus as the descendent of King David who came to rule God’s people. As Jesus enters Jerusalem

on Palm Sunday (vv1-11), the crowds welcome him as their king.

What does it mean for you that Jesus is your King? ……………………………

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Imagine you were watching Jesus clear out the Temple (vv12-16). Describe how you might have reacted:

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Why do you think Jesus avoided giving the chief priests & elders a straight answer in vv23-27?

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What do you think Jesus is telling us in vv28-32? ……………………………….

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The Parable of the Tenants (vv33-44) connects with the story of Jesus cursing the fig tree (vv18-22). Why is it important for Jesus’ followers to be producing fruit in our lives?

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Pray: That you would produce the fruit of living in God’s kingdom.


What does the Parable of the Wedding Banquet (vv1-14) say to us about Jesus’ invitation to follow him?

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What do vv15-21 tell us about how Jesus’ followers are to live in the world?

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V32 can be understood a few ways What do you think Jesus meant when he said that God is not the God of the dead but of the living?

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What does Jesus say is the greatest commandment? (vv37-39) …………

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What do you think your life would be like if this was your main focus?

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In vv41-46, Jesus uses a word-play to point to the Messiah being a son of King David (which would mean he wasn’t as great as King David) but who also existed before King David (which would mean he was greater than King David). What does this tell us about Jesus?

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Pray: That you would have the grace to love God and love others in everything you say and do today.


Jesus is very critical of the religious leaders of his time in this chapter. Some of his criticisms were specifically for them. However, we can

learn from some of them as well.

If what the religious leaders were doing was wrong, what do Jesus’ words tell us about how he wants us to live as his disciples:

Putting burdens on other people (v4) …………………………………………….

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Doing things for others to see (vv5-7) …………………………………………….

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Shutting others out of the kingdom of heaven (v13) ………………………

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Giving a tenth of what we have to God (v23) …………………………………

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Maintaining an outward purity (vv25-28) ……………………………………….

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What does Jesus long to do in v37? ……………………………………………………

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What does this tell you about him? ……………………………………………………

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How can we follow him in this as his disciples? ………………………………….

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Pray: That God would give you compassion for all people.

Chapter 24 Monday 3 April

What does Jesus say will happen to the temple buildings? (v2) …………

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What does this say about what Jesus wants us to prioritize as church?

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In vv9-14 Jesus talks about what will happen to his disciples. What is one thing that stands out to you from what he says here?

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What does Jesus say his followers should do if people point to the Messiah in vv 23-28? Why do you think he says that?

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How will we know for sure when Jesus returns? (v27) ……………………….

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What does Jesus say will never pass away? ……………………………………….

What do you think he meant by that? ……………………………………………….

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Jesus urges his followers to keep watch & be ready for his return. How do you think that looks practically in our lives?

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Pray: That you will be ready and waiting for Jesus when he returns.

Chapter 25 Tuesday 4 April

Jesus continues to talk about his return at the end of time. How do you think we can be like the wise young women? (vv1-13)

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What do you think the bags of money in vv14-30 represent? …………….

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What do you hear Jesus saying through this parable? ……………………….

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What are you doing with your ‘bag of money’? ………………………………….

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In the parable in vv31-46, why were those on the right surprised when they were welcomed into the kingdom? (v37-39)

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What does the King reply to them? ……………………………………………………

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What do you hear Jesus saying to you in this parable? ………………………

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Pray: That you can use what Jesus has given you to serve & bless the least of his brothers & sisters.

Chapter 26 Wednesday 5 April

If you were watching the scene in vv6-13, how do you think you would have reacted? Like Jesus’ disciples? Or differently?

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What do you imagine it would have been like for Jesus’ disciples to share in the Last Supper vv17-30? Do you think they would have been confused? Afraid? Unconcerned? Explain why you think that way.

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What does Jesus’ prayer in Gethsemane (vv36-42) say to you about what he was experiencing?

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What does that say to you about times when you are struggling with God’s will or tempted in some way?

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Why does Jesus say things had to happen the way they did? (vv54,56)

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Why doesn’t Jesus defend himself at his trial before the Sanhedrin?

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What does Peter’s denial say to you about the challenges we face as Jesus disciples?

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Pray: For strength to follow Jesus, no matter where he leads.

Chapter 27 Thursday 6 April

Why did Judas hang himself? ……………………………………………………………..

Do you think Judas could have found redemption? Explain why: ……….

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In some ways, we can understand God’s plan for saving the world just by looking at Jesus & Barabbas – the innocent dies so the guilty can go free. How does Barabbas represent all people, including us?

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From the beginning of his gospel, Matthew has pointed to Jesus as King David’s descendant who was going to rule God’s people. When you read vv27-31 and v37, what kind of king is Jesus to you?

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Some made fun of Jesus on the cross by saying that he trusted in God (v43). How was going to the cross the ultimate act of faith by Jesus?

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Jesus experienced being abandoned by God on the cross (v46). How can this give us hope if we ever feel like God has abandoned us?

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Pray: Thanks for Jesus’ sacrifice which sets us free and gives us life.

Chapter 28 Friday 7 April

The same women who sat outside Jesus’ tomb when he was buried (27:61) are the first to go to the tomb on the first day of the week (28:1). What does this say about their relationship with Jesus?

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What might they have been feeling as they went to the tomb? …………

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What was their reaction when the angel told them Jesus is risen? (v8)

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What do you think your reaction might have been? …………………………..

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We know Jesus’ instructions to the eleven disciples at the end of Matthew’s gospel as the Great Commission. What does Jesus tell them he wants them to do?

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What does that say about what Jesus wants us to do as his disciples?

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What is the promise Jesus gives them with their commission? ………….

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Pray: For grace to be Jesus’ disciple, a witness of his death and resurrection, who makes disciples of others.

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