ARPC DG
Handbook
Issue 2 February to April 2016
Meet the King:
A Study of Matthew 1-8
1
© Adam Road Presbyterian Church 2016
ADAM ROAD PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
25 Adam Road, Singapore 289894
Website: arpc.sg
Email: enquiry@arpc.sg
All rights reserved.
This publication is for the use of small group members in Adam Road Presbyterian Church.
No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted by others in any form or by any
means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the
written permission of the copyright owners, Alwyn Ko and Tan Sern Khoon.
1
CONTENTS
Weeks
beginning
Bible Passage
DG Study
Page
Feb 14
Matthew 1
Study 1: Jesus’ Warped Family
4-5
Feb 21
Matthew 2
Study 2: Jesus Meets Hatred
6-7
Feb 28
Matthew 3
Study 3: God Endorses Jesus
8-9
Mar 6
Matthew 4
Study 4: Jesus’ Temptation
10-11
Mar 13
Matthew 5:1-16
Study 5: Jesus’ Beatitudes
12-13
Mar 20
Matthew 5:17-48
Study 6: Jesus and the Law
14-15
Mar 27
Matthew 6:1-18
Study 7: Jesus and Spiritual Disciplines
16-17
Apr 3
Matthew 6:19-34
Study 8: Jesus and Our Treasures
18-19
Apr 10
Matthew 7
Study 9: Jesus and Two Ways to Live
20-21
Apr 17
Matthew 8:1-17
Study 10: Jesus the Miracle Man
22-23
Apr 24
Matthew 8:18-34
Study 11: Why Follow Jesus?
24-25
1
Meet the King
The Gospel of Matthew is one of the four accounts of Jesus’ life, death and resurrection.
Unlike modern biographies, the Gospel writers devoted much space to the last days of Jesus on
earth. Jesus’ last days on earth until he ascended to the Father are recorded in the last 8 chapters
(Matt 21:1-28:20).
Although the author is unidentified, the Gospel was reasonably ascribed to Matthew
because its earliest manuscripts bear the title ΚΑΤΑ ΜΑΤΤΗΑΙΟΝ (“According to Matthew”).
Matthew was one of Jesus’ twelve apostles (Matt 10:3; Mark 3:18). A former tax collector in
Capernaum (Matt 9:9), he was also known by his Hebrew name, Levi (Mark 2:14; Luke 5:27).
It is harder to ascertain the purpose of the Gospel because Matthew was concerned with
diverse themes. It has been variedly suggested that Matthew was writing to encourage Jewish
Christians to evangelise Gentiles, to justify this Gentile mission to non-Christian Jews, or to
address the Gentiles directly. In the end, it is reductionistic to narrow Matthew’s purpose in
writing simply to one of these.
Carson suggests that Matthew’s purpose is, broadly, to demonstrate that:
(1) Jesus is the promised Messiah, Son of David, Son of God, Son of Man, Immanuel;
(2) many Jews, and especially the leaders, failed to perceive this during his ministry;
(3) the messianic kingdom has already dawned, inaugurated by the life, ministry, death,
resurrection, and exaltation of Jesus;
(4) this messianic reign, characterised by obedience to Jesus and consummated by his
return, is the fulfilment of OT prophetic hopes,
(5) the church, both Jew and Gentile, constitutes the true locus of the people of God and
the witness to the world of the “gospel of the kingdom”;
(6) throughout this age Jesus’ true disciples must overcome temptation, endure
persecution from the world, witness to the gospel, and live in submission to Jesus’
ethical demands, even as they enjoy the new covenant.
And so, like the other Gospel writers, Matthew was simultaneously:
(1) a narrator recalling Jesus’ life and sayings,
(2) a historian reporting what had happened then,
(3) a theologian accounting for God’s work through Jesus, and
(4) an evangelist proclaiming the good news of Jesus.
The portion of Matthew’s Gospel that we are reading (chapters 1 to 8) looks at the origins
of Jesus the Messiah and his ministry (Matthew 1-4), and the first phase of the Messiah’s ministry
in Galilee (Matthew 5-8).
The Messiah is God’s promised King in the lineage of David (2 Samuel 7), who would
establish God’s eternal kingdom. This was precisely Jesus’ opening cry as he commences his
ministry - “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” (Matt 4:17). It was also Jesus’ final claim
before he ascended to sit at the right hand of the Father in glory - “All authority in heaven and on
earth has been given to me.” (Matt 28:18).
So come and meet the King of God’s kingdom!
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STUDY 1: Jesus’ Warped Family (Matthew 1)
Week of Feb 14-20
Introduction:
The Gospel of Matthew starts with a genealogy (Greek:
genesis or origin) of Jesus Christ (see a slightly different
genealogy in Luke 3:23-38) and a brief account of Jesus’ birth.
These introduce the first section of the Gospel (Matthew 1-4),
which records the origins of Jesus before his public ministry in
Matthew 4:17.
Jesus’ genealogy in Matthew traces Joseph’s lineage,
while that in Luke traces Mary’s lineage. Both genealogies are
making different theological statements about Jesus.
A. The genealogy of Jesus Christ (Matthew 1:1-17; 30 min)
1. According to Matthew 1:1, what is this book about? (In
Greek, the verse reads: “The book of genesis of Jesus Christ,
son of David, son of Abraham.”)
2. Trace the ancestors of Jesus in the Old Testament (do this
beforehand if possible). Share with the group any interesting
or significant findings.
• 1:2-6a 14 generations from Abraham to David:
Abraham -> Isaac -> Jacob -> Judah & Tamar -> Perez
-> Hezron -> Ram -> Amminadab -> Nahshon -> Salmon &
Rahab -> Boaz & Ruth -> Obed -> Jesse -> David the king
Some Guidelines for Our
DGs
1. Welcome, Singing &
Prayer (10 min)
Always welcome one another
with God’s peace! Spend
some time singing and
praying to God. Always begin
your times with humble
prayer asking God to help us
obey his Word.
2. Length of Study
Each meeting is designed to
take 1.5 hour. The first hour
is spent on the study. The
final 1/2 hr is focussed on
application and prayer.
3. Preparation
Prepare each study in
advance as part of your
responsibility as an active
learner of God’s Word. Come
with a prayerful heart to
give, not simply to gain! Read
the relevant passages and
notes (if any).
The goal of Bible study is not
information but
transformation!
• 1:6b-11 14 generations from David to the deportation to Babylon:
David & Uriah’s wife (Bathsheba) -> Solomon -> Rehoboam -> Abijah -> Asaph -> Jehoshaphat
-> Joram -> Uzziah -> Jotham -> Ahaz -> Hezekiah -> Manasseh -> Amos -> Josiah (deportation)
• 1:12-16 14 generations from the deportation to Babylon to the Christ:
Jechoniah (also known as Jehoiachin) and his brothers -> Shealtiel -> Zerubbabel -> Abiud
-> Eliakim -> Azor -> Zadok -> Achim -> Eliud -> Eleazar -> Matthan -> Jacob
-> Joseph & Mary -> Jesus
3. What does Jesus’ genealogy tell us about him? What does it show about God?
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4. How is this important to Matthew’s original readers, both
Jews and Gentiles? How should it be important to us who
are mostly Gentiles?
Summary:
Write out in your own words
what God has taught you from
today’s study.
B. The birth of Jesus Christ (Matthew 1:18-25; 30 min)
The birth account of Jesus in Matthew is one of two in
the Gospels. Following on from Jesus’ genealogy, it continues
to paint an intriguing picture of God’s sovereign plan unfolding
in spite of perils from human fears and failures.
1. What were some human factors that threatened the birth
of Jesus? How were these resolved?
2. What are the meanings and implications of Jesus’ names in
verses 21 and 23? How did Jesus fulfil these later in the
Gospel (read Matthew 27:39-44; 28:18-20)?
3. How are Jesus’ supernatural birth and his given names
significant for us personally?
Application
1. Reflect on God’s faithfulness and sovereignty to fulfil his
covenantal promises to his people in history. Think about
Jesus’ warped family line. What are the implications for his
people who are in Christ today?
Read and Memorise:
Matthew 1:22-23
22
All this took place to fulfil what
the Lord had said through the
prophet: 23 “The virgin will be
with child and will give birth to a
son, and they will call him
Immanuel”—which means, “God
with us.”
Prayer (30 min):
1. Pray in pairs or triplets.
2. Pray to glorify God from
what you have just learned.
Pray for one another’s
needs.
3. Use the monthly Prayer
Newsletter (Church Prayer
Fellowship) to pray for
church, our nation and the
world.
Personal Quiet Time this week
Revise. Recall, give thanks for
and apply what you learn.
Memory Verse. Matt 1:22-23
Ask God to show you what this
means, and come ready to share
next week!
2. Reflect on the names of the Lord: Jesus, Christ and Immanuel. How should they inform and
impact how you respond to him and live life? Which of Jesus’ names do you find yourself most
lacking in appreciation and/or obedience?
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STUDY 2: Jesus Meets Hatred (Matthew 2)
Week of Feb 21-27
Some Guidelines for Our DGs
Introduction:
Having introduced Jesus’ genealogical origins, Matthew
now goes on to trace for us Jesus’ geographical origins. Ultimately,
through all these, we shall see that Jesus’ true origin is not only
earthly, but from God above.
A. The quest for the Christ (Matthew 2:1-12; 30 min)
By this time the wise men (magoi, pagan astrologers or
diviners) arrived in Jerusalem, Jesus was probably no longer an
infant but a toddler. News of the birth of the “king of the Jews”
reached Herod through these “wise men from the east”.
1. What are some warning signs in Matt 2:1-8 that Herod is not
so pleased with the news of Jesus’ birth? Why do you think
Herod responded this way? (Note the titles used for Jesus.)
1. Welcome, Singing &
Prayer (10 min)
Always welcome one another
with God’s peace! Spend
some time singing and
praying to God. Try recalling
and rehearsing our memory
verse from last week with
one another. Always begin
your times with humble
prayer asking God to help us
obey his Word.
2. Length of Study
Each meeting is designed to
take 1.5 hour. The first hour
is spent on the study. The
final 1/2 hr is focussed on
application and prayer.
3. Preparation
2. Why do you think “all Jerusalem” (referring to the Jewish
leaders: “the chief priests and scribes of the people”) were
troubled along with Herod?
Prepare each study in
advance as part of your
responsibility as an active
learner of God’s Word. Come
with a prayerful heart to
give, not simply to gain! Read
the relevant passages and
notes (if any).
3. Why might this positive account of the wise men be included The goal of Bible study is not
here, but not in the other Gospels? Think of the original readers, who
were Jews
information
butand Gentiles.
transformation!
4. What lessons and warnings may this hold for us today?
B. The flight of the Christ (Matthew 2:13-18; 20 min)
Having fulfilled the prophecy of Micah 5:2 about the birthplace of God’s King, God now
acts to fulfil other prophecies that are now interpreted in light of the Messiah. These are part of
10 specific Old Testament prophecies that are fulfilled in the Gospel.
6
1. How does God fulfil his word spoken by the prophets in Christ? See Hosea 11:1 and Jeremiah
31:15.
2. What does Herod’s response to Jesus tell us about our natural response to God’s rule?
3. What might this be important for you personally?
Summary:
Write out in your own words
what God has taught you from
today’s study.
C. The return of the Christ (Matthew 2:19-23; 10 min)
The death of Herod and the succession by Archelaus
eventually resulted in Jesus’ resettlement in his childhood
hometown, Nazareth. How this fulfils prophecy is unclear, in
spite of some clever but unlikely suggestions like wordplays on
the Nazarite vows (Numbers 6), or a pun on the Davidic branch
of Isaiah 11:1 (based on the Hebrew word for “branch”, nazir).
Perhaps the best explanation is that Jesus’ despised identity as
a Nazarene alludes to Isaiah’s despised suffering Servant (Isaiah
53:3, cf. John 1:46).
1. How did God fulfil his prophecy about Jesus’ identity as a
Nazarene?
2. What does this tell us about how God fulfils his word?
Application
1. What are God’s warnings to you about your hatred towards
his Kingship? In what areas of your life are you resisting,
stifling or usurping Jesus’ reign?
2. Reflect on how God fulfils his salvation promises. How might
he be doing that to you or through you?
Read and Memorise:
Matthew 2:6
6
“ ‘And you, O Bethlehem, in
the land of Judah,
are by no means least among
the rulers of Judah;
for from you shall come a ruler
who will shepherd my people
Israel.’ ”
Prayer (30 min):
1. Pray in pairs or triplets.
2. Pray to glorify God from
what you have just learned.
Pray for one another’s
needs.
3. Use the monthly Prayer
Newsletter (Church Prayer
Fellowship) to pray for
church, our nation and the
world.
Personal Quiet Time this week
Revise. Recall, give thanks for
and apply what you learn.
Memory Verse. Matt 2:6
Ask God to show you what this
means, and come ready to share
next week!
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STUDY 3: God Endorses Jesus (Matthew 3)
Week of Feb 28 - Mar 5
Introduction:
This chapter starts “In those days…”, around 30 years after
the events of Matthew 2. Having established Jesus’ genealogical
and geographical origins, Matthew now shows that his origin and
endorsement are ultimately from God. This chapter introduces
John the Baptist, who points people to Jesus.
A. The forerunner of the Christ (Matthew 3:1-12; 35 min)
Without the lengthy introduction of either Luke 1 or John 1,
John the Baptist suddenly comes on the scene as the forerunner of
the Christ. The effect is a dramatic demonstration that God has
broken his silence after four hundred years.
1. What do John’s location and message of his ministry, as well as
his attire and diet, tell us about his role? See Isaiah 40:3, which
is quoted in Matt 3:3, and Matt 17:12-13. Optional: Also see 1
Kings 17:1-6; 2 Kings 1:8; Malachi 4:5-6.
Some Guidelines for Our
DGs
1. Welcome, Singing &
Prayer (10 min)
Always welcome one another
with God’s peace! Spend
some time singing and
praying to God. Try recalling
and rehearsing our memory
verse from last week with
one another. Always begin
your times with humble
prayer asking God to help us
obey his Word.
2. Length of Study
Each meeting is designed to
take 1.5 hour. The first hour
is spent on the study. The
final 1/2 hr is focussed on
application and prayer.
3. Preparation
2. What was John’s message and what was the result of his
ministry among the Jews?
3. What lessons and warnings does John’s rebuke hold for us
today?
Prepare each study in
advance as part of your
responsibility as an active
learner of God’s Word. Come
with a prayerful heart to
give, not simply to gain! Read
the relevant passages and
notes (if any).
The goal of Bible study is not
information but
transformation!
4. What does John say about Jesus’ identity and work? See Ezekiel 36:25-27. How is this
important for us?
B. The obedience of the Christ (Matthew 3:13-17; 25 min)
Given what John had said about Jesus, it is remarkable what Jesus did as he came out from
his home region of Galilee to Judea.
1. How did Jesus reply to John’s refusal to baptise him? What did Jesus mean?
8
Summary:
Write out in your own words
what God has taught you from
today’s study.
Read and Memorise:
Matthew 3:11
11
“I baptise you with water for
repentance, but he who is
coming after me is mightier
than I, whose sandals I am not
worthy to carry. He will baptise
you with the Holy Spirit and
fire.”
Prayer (30 min):
1. Pray in pairs or triplets.
2. Pray to glorify God from
what you have just learned.
Pray for one another’s
needs.
3. Use the monthly Prayer
Newsletter (Church Prayer
Fellowship) to pray for
church, our nation and the
world.
2. What was the relationship between John and Jesus? What
was the significance of Jesus’ baptism?
3. What did God declare about Jesus? Recalling Matt 1:1 and
with the Old Testament as backdrop, what is he saying?
Personal Quiet Time this week
Revise. Recall, give thanks for
and apply what you learn.
Memory Verse. Matt 3:11
Ask God to show you what this
means, and come ready to share
next week!
Application
1. How is this portrayal of Jesus as God’s obedient and beloved Son important to us?
9
STUDY 4: Jesus’ Temptation (Matthew 4)
Week of Mar 6-12
Introduction:
Matthew’s introduction of Jesus in chapters 1 to 4, through
his genealogical, geographical and God-endorsed origins, ends with
this chapter on the origin of Jesus’ ministry.
John the Baptist fades into the background just as quickly
as he came onto the scene, and the spotlight now falls upon Jesus.
Jesus’ temptation in the wilderness recapitulates Israel’s
experience after the Exodus, but also sets the tone as Jesus begins
his ministry.
A. The temptation of the Christ (Matthew 4:1-11; 30 min)
Straight after Jesus came out of the waters, having being
revealed as God’s beloved Son, he was led up by the Spirit into the
wilderness to be tempted or tested by the devil (diabolos:
“slanderer, false accuser”), who is also called the tempter in 4:3.
1. In each of his three temptations, what was the devil playing
on? Notice twice the devil challenged Jesus (“If you are the Son
of God…”), and that he even cited scripture (4:6, cf. Psalm
91:11-12)!
2. How did Jesus respond to the devil each time, and what do
these show about Jesus and his relationship with God?
Some Guidelines for Our
DGs
1. Welcome, Singing &
Prayer (10 min)
Always welcome one another
with God’s peace! Spend
some time singing and
praying to God. Try recalling
and rehearsing our memory
verse from last week with
one another. Always begin
your times with humble
prayer asking God to help us
obey his Word.
2. Length of Study
Each meeting is designed to
take 1.5 hour. The first hour
is spent on the study. The
final 1/2 hr is focussed on
application and prayer.
3. Preparation
Prepare each study in
advance as part of your
responsibility as an active
learner of God’s Word. Come
with a prayerful heart to
give, not simply to gain! Read
the relevant passages and
notes (if any).
The goal of Bible study is not
3. Recall the temptation of Adam and Eve (Genesis 3) and of Israel
information but
in the wilderness for forty years (Deuteronomy 8:2, cf. Exodus 16; 17:1-7;
Numbers 11). Given
transformation!
that Jesus thrice replied the devil from Deuteronomy (8:3; 6:16; 6:13), what does it tell about
the theological point of Jesus’ temptation?
4. How may Jesus’ response to the devil instruct us today?
Having failed to cause Jesus to mistrust the Father and fall, the devil left Jesus and the
angels came to minister to him. However, the tempter will continue to wreck havoc in Jesus’
ministry, mainly through the Pharisees and Sadducees. The verb peirazō (translated “tempt” or
“test”) occurs again in 16:1; 19:3; 22:18; 22:35, with the leaders of the Jews as subject.
10
B. The ministry of the Christ (Matthew 4:12-25; 30 min)
The arrest of John the Baptist (by Herod Philip, son of the King Herod who tried to kill the
infant Jesus) led Jesus to retreat to Galilee for safety. He also moved from his childhood town of
Nazareth to the sea-side town of Capernaum, thus fulfilling another prophecy (Isaiah 9:1-2).
1. Notice the descriptions for Capernaum in 4:15-16. What is Matthew’s point in quoting Isaiah
9:1-2?
2. Compare Jesus’ and John the Baptist’s introductions to their
ministries? See Matt 3:2, 5.
Summary:
Write out in your own words
what God has taught you from
today’s study.
Jesus’ message and miracles did not simply attract great
crowds(4:25), but also resulted in some men (and women)
following him as close disciples.
3. Why do you think Jesus’ call was so irresistible to his first
disciples, Simon, Andrew, James and John?
4. Reflect on the disciples’ response to Jesus in 4:20, 22, and
Jesus’ demand for all disciples in 10:37-39. How completely
have you responded to Jesus’ call to follow him?
Application
1. As disciples of Jesus, what can we learn from Jesus in his
response to the devil’s temptation? If we should fail in our
obedience, how does Jesus help us?
Read and Memorise:
Matthew 4:10
10
Then Jesus said to him, “Be
gone, Satan! For it is written,
“ ‘You shall worship the Lord
your God and him only shall
you serve.’ ”
Prayer (30 min):
1. Pray in pairs or triplets.
2. Pray to glorify God from
what you have just learned.
Pray for one another’s
needs.
3. Use the monthly Prayer
Newsletter (Church Prayer
Fellowship) to pray for
church, our nation and the
world.
Personal Quiet Time this week
Revise. Recall, give thanks for
and apply what you learn.
Memory Verse. Matt 4:10
Ask God to show you what this
means, and come ready to share
next week!
11
STUDY 5: Jesus’ Beatitudes (Matthew 5:1-16)
Week of Mar 13-19
Introduction:
The “Sermon on the Mount” (Matthew 5-7) is one of Jesus’
most famous teaching, and the first and longest of his five
discourses in the Gospel (5:1-7:29; 10:5-11:1; 13:1-53; 18:1-19:2;
24:1-25:46). Structurally, it may be broadly summarised as:
1. 5:1-16
The Mark and Mission of a Disciple
2. 5:17-7:12 The Righteousness of a Disciple
a. 5:17-48 Role of the Law
b. 6:1-18
Religion
c. 6:19-7:12 Right Relationships
3. 7:13-27
Two Deadly Dangers
A. The mark of a disciple (Matthew 5:1-12; 45 min)
Having gathered his disciples, Jesus begins his instruction to
them by revealing the path to blessedness, with a series of what is
called “beatitudes” (from the Latin beatus, translating the Greek
makarios, meaning “blessed”).
1. Can you discern any helpful pattern in the beatitudes? Looking
at 5:12, what is your definition of blessedness?
2. What do you think each characteristic of those who are blessed
means? Who would embody these characteristics?
•
the poor in spirit:
•
those mourn:
•
the meek:
•
those who hunger and thirst for righteousness:
•
the merciful:
•
the pure in heart:
•
the peacemakers:
Some Guidelines for Our
DGs
1. Welcome, Singing &
Prayer (10 min)
Always welcome one another
with God’s peace! Spend
some time singing and
praying to God. Try recalling
and rehearsing our memory
verse from last week with
one another. Always begin
your times with humble
prayer asking God to help us
obey his Word.
2. Length of Study
Each meeting is designed to
take 1.5 hour. The first hour
is spent on the study. The
final 1/2 hr is focussed on
application and prayer.
3. Preparation
Prepare each study in
advance as part of your
responsibility as an active
learner of God’s Word. Come
with a prayerful heart to
give, not simply to gain! Read
the relevant passages and
notes (if any).
The goal of Bible study is not
information but
transformation!
12
•
those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake:
3. What is the meaning of each blessing of the blessed? Compare these with their corresponding
characteristics.
•
theirs is the kingdom of heaven:
•
they shall be comforted:
•
they shall inherit the earth:
•
they shall be satisfied:
13
•
they shall receive mercy:
•
they shall see God:
•
they shall be called sons of God:
4. Why would disciples be persecuted, and how should they
respond?
B. The mission of a disciple (Matthew 5:13-16; 15 min)
In this section, Jesus exhorts his disciples not to lose their
saltiness or hide their light.
1. What roles did Jesus have in view for his disciples by calling
them “salt of the earth” and “light of the world”? How does
this fulfil God’s promise to Abraham in Gen 12:1-3?
2. How might a disciple lose his saltiness or hide his light?
Application
1. Which characteristic of the blessed do you need God to help
you grow? Share and pray for this.
Summary:
Write out in your own words
what God has taught you from
today’s study.
Read and Memorise:
Matthew 5:16
16
In the same way, let your light
shine before others, so that
they may see your good works
and give glory to your Father
who is in heaven.
Prayer (30 min):
1. Pray in pairs or triplets.
2. Pray to glorify God from
what you have just learned.
Pray for one another’s
needs.
3. Use the monthly Prayer
Newsletter (Church Prayer
Fellowship) to pray for
church, our nation and the
world.
Personal Quiet Time this week
Revise. Recall, give thanks for
and apply what you learn.
Memory Verse. Matt 5:16
Ask God to show you what this
means, and come ready to share
next week!
14
STUDY 6: Jesus and the Law (Matthew 5:17-48)
Week of Mar 20-26
Some Guidelines for Our
DGs
Introduction:
The Law takes centre-stage in this section. In verses 17-20,
Jesus establishes the place of the Law. In verses 21-48, he proceeds
to illumine the role of the Law through 6 examples and 2
challenges.
A. The place of the Law (Matthew 5:17-20; 15 min)
1. What does Jesus reveal about his relationship to the Law?
2. How should Jesus’ disciples relate to the Law?
3. How do you think Jesus’ hearers would have reacted to his
words in verse 20? What do you think Jesus intended when he
said this?
B. The role of the Law (Matthew 5:21-48; 45 min)
The 6 examples given here contrast the righteousness of
the Pharisees with that required by the Law. The contrast is
highlighted by the phrase, “You have heard that it was said…. but I
tell you…”.
1. Contrast what the religious leaders taught with Jesus’ teaching:
The Law
1. Welcome, Singing &
Prayer (10 min)
Always welcome one another
with God’s peace! Spend
some time singing and
praying to God. Try recalling
and rehearsing our memory
verse from last week with
one another. Always begin
your times with humble
prayer asking God to help us
obey his Word.
2. Length of Study
Each meeting is designed to
take 1.5 hour. The first hour
is spent on the study. The
final 1/2 hr is focussed on
application and prayer.
3. Preparation
Prepare each study in
advance as part of your
responsibility as an active
learner of God’s Word. Come
with a prayerful heart to
give, not simply to gain! Read
the relevant passages and
notes (if any).
The goal of Bible study is not
information but
transformation!
What the religious leaders taught What Jesus taught
Murder
Adultery
15
The Law
What the religious leaders taught What Jesus taught
Divorce
Oaths
Retaliation
Love
2. What was wrong with the Pharisees’ interpretation and
application of the Law?
3. In revealing the full extent of the Law, what was Jesus
saying about its true intent?
Application
1. Is there any aspect of what Jesus taught on the Law that we
need to be corrected about?
2. How should we respond to Jesus’ challenge in verse 48?
Summary:
Write out in your own words what God
has taught you from today’s study.
Read and Memorise:
Matthew 5:19
19
Therefore whoever relaxes one of the
least of these commandments and
teaches others to do the same will be
called least in the kingdom of heaven, but
whoever does them and teaches them
will be called great in the kingdom of
heaven.
Prayer (30 min):
1. Pray in pairs or triplets.
2. Pray to glorify God from what you
have just learned. Pray for one
another’s needs.
3. Use the monthly Prayer Newsletter
(Church Prayer Fellowship) to pray for
church, our nation and the world.
Personal Quiet Time this week
Revise. Recall, give thanks for and apply
what you learn.
Memory Verse. Matt 5:19
Ask God to show you what this means, and
come ready to share next week!
16
STUDY 7: Jesus and Spiritual Disciplines (Matthew 6:118)
Week of Mar 27 - Apr 2
Some Guidelines for Our
DGs
Introduction:
1. Welcome, Singing &
Prayer (10 min)
In this section, Jesus highlights the hypocritical religion of
the Pharisees through three examples of religious practices. These
would be considered as basic religious duties for Jews - giving,
praying and fasting.
A. The practice of giving and fasting (Matthew 6:1-4 and 16-18; 20
min)
1. What was wrong with the Pharisees’ practice of giving and
fasting?
2. What should be the disciples’ practice be like?
Always welcome one another
with God’s peace! Spend
some time singing and
praying to God. Try recalling
and rehearsing our memory
verse from last week with
one another. Always begin
your times with humble
prayer asking God to help us
obey his Word.
2. Length of Study
Each meeting is designed to
take 1.5 hour. The first hour
is spent on the study. The
final 1/2 hr is focussed on
application and prayer.
3. Preparation
3. What are some religious duties or activities that we may be
practising today for people to see and for self glory?
B. The practice of praying (Matthew 6:5-15; 40 min)
Prepare each study in
advance as part of your
responsibility as an active
learner of God’s Word. Come
with a prayerful heart to
give, not simply to gain! Read
the relevant passages and
notes (if any).
The goal of Bible study is not
information but
transformation!
Jesus’ teaching on prayer is the centrepiece of 6:1-18. It begins with two prohibitions on
prayer (verses 5-8), and is followed by a model of prayer for disciples (verses 9-15).
1. Why did Jesus prohibit publicity and many words when praying?
In his teaching on prayer (the “Disciples’ Prayer”), Jesus places 3 petitions for the Father’s
will before 3 petitions for the disciple’s needs.
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2. In petitioning for the Father’s glory,
• Who will hallow God’s name?
• How will God’s name be hallowed?
3. In petitioning for the disciples’ needs,
• What physical need is the disciple petitioning for?
• What spiritual need is the disciple petitioning for?
4. In what ways are our prayers aligned or misaligned with
Jesus’ model prayer?
Application
1. What heart changes do we need to undertake with regards to
the practice of religious duties?
Summary:
Write out in your own words
what God has taught you from
today’s study.
Read and Memorise:
Matthew 6:1
1
Beware of practicing your
righteousness before other
people in order to be seen by
them, for then you will have
no reward from your Father
who is in heaven.
Prayer (30 min):
1. Pray in pairs or triplets.
2. Pray to glorify God from
what you have just learned.
Pray for one another’s
needs.
3. Use the monthly Prayer
Newsletter (Church Prayer
Fellowship) to pray for
church, our nation and the
world.
Personal Quiet Time this week
Revise. Recall, give thanks for
and apply what you learn.
Memory Verse. Matt 6:1
Ask God to show you what this
means, and come ready to
share next week!
18
STUDY 8: Jesus and Our Treasures (Matthew 6:19-34)
Week of Apr 3-9
Introduction:
In the first part (verses 19-24) of this section, Jesus deals with the
essential and fundamental matter of the consecration of the
disciple’s heart. He then proceeds in verses 25-34 to give disciples,
those who have fully committed themselves to God, the assurance
of God’s promise of provision.
A. The disciples’ consecration (Matthew 6:19-24; 20 min)
In the previous section (6:1-18), Jesus addressed the false acts of
righteousness of the Pharisees, which flow from a heart that is
wrongly orientated from God. By contrast, the disciples’ prayer in
6:7-15 displays concerns from a heart that is rightly orientated
towards God by putting God’s concerns before one’s needs).
Here in verses 19-24, Jesus deals with the orientation and
consecration of a person’s heart. A rightly committed heart will
issue in righteous character and conduct in life, and whole-hearted
service to God.
1. According to Jesus, why should people rightly orientate their
hearts to one kind of treasure instead of the other?
2. Having committed ourselves to serve God, Jesus says that we
cannot serve money: “You cannot serve God and money.”
What does Jesus mean by this?
Some Guidelines for Our
DGs
1. Welcome, Singing &
Prayer (10 min)
Always welcome one another
with God’s peace! Spend
some time singing and
praying to God. Try recalling
and rehearsing our memory
verse from last week with
one another. Always begin
your times with humble
prayer asking God to help us
obey his Word.
2. Length of Study
Each meeting is designed to
take 1.5 hour. The first hour
is spent on the study. The
final 1/2 hr is focussed on
application and prayer.
3. Preparation
Prepare each study in
advance as part of your
responsibility as an active
learner of God’s Word. Come
with a prayerful heart to
give, not simply to gain! Read
the relevant passages and
notes (if any).
The goal of Bible study is not
information but
transformation!
B. The disciples’ assurance (Matthew 6:25-34; 40 min)
The repeated word “worry” highlights the focus of this section.
1. Why is Jesus addressing this area of discipleship here?
2. In teaching his disciples about food and clothing, Jesus uses two examples, observing the birds
of the air and lilies of the field. What technique was Jesus employing, and what was his
message?
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3. In his summary statement in verse 33, what did Jesus mean by “all these things”?
4. In the spectrum of concern, excessive concern (or worry) sits at the opposite extreme of no
concern (carelessness). What should be a disciple’s right
concern?
Summary:
Write out in your own words
what God has taught you from
today’s study.
Application
1. Evaluate your treasure and heart based on your spending and
giving pattern. What might this reveal about who your
master is?
Read and Memorise:
Matthew 6:33-34
“33 But seek first the kingdom of
God and his righteousness, and
all these things will be added to
you. 34 Therefore do not be
anxious about tomorrow, for
tomorrow will be anxious for
itself. Sufficient for the day is its
own trouble.”
Prayer (30 min):
1. Pray in pairs or triplets.
2. Pray to glorify God from
what you have just learned.
Pray for one another’s
needs.
3. Use the monthly Prayer
Newsletter (Church Prayer
Fellowship) to pray for
church, our nation and the
world.
Personal Quiet Time this week
Revise. Recall, give thanks for
and apply what you learn.
Memory Verse. Matt 5:19
Ask God to show you what this
means, and come ready to
share next week!
20
STUDY 9: Jesus and Two Ways to Live (Matthew 7)
Week of Apr 10-16
Introduction:
Having established the right relationship between his disciples and
God in the previous passage, Jesus now goes on to teach them how
they ought to rightly relate to their fellow men. In verses 1-6, Jesus
teaches them how to rightly judge others; then in verses 7-12,
Jesus assures them that God will enable them to rightly love others.
A. The righteousness of a disciple (Matthew 7:1-12; 20 min)
In their relationship with others, Jesus’ disciples are to exercise
right judgement. Two kinds of judgement are in view here - one
negative and one positive.
1. What type of judgement is Jesus prohibiting in verses 1-2?
2. What is the hypocrisy that Jesus condemns in verses 3-5?
Some Guidelines for Our
DGs
1. Welcome, Singing &
Prayer (10 min)
Always welcome one another
with God’s peace! Spend
some time singing and
praying to God. Try recalling
and rehearsing our memory
verse from last week with
one another. Always begin
your times with humble
prayer asking God to help us
obey his Word.
2. Length of Study
Each meeting is designed to
take 1.5 hour. The first hour
is spent on the study. The
final 1/2 hr is focussed on
application and prayer.
3. Preparation
3. What does Jesus teach his disciples in verse 6?
In verses 7-12, Jesus argues from the lesser case of a human father
to the greater heavenly Father, assuring his disciples that God will
“give good gifts to those who ask him”.
Prepare each study in
advance as part of your
responsibility as an active
learner of God’s Word. Come
with a prayerful heart to
give, not simply to gain! Read
the relevant passages and
notes (if any).
The goal of Bible study is not
information but
transformation!
4. What are the good gifts in view here?
B. Two deadly dangers (Matthew 7:13-29; 40 min)
In this final section of the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus cautions his disciples against deception.
This section may be divided into:
• a general warning (7:13-14)
• 2 specific dangers:
i. deception by false prophets (7:15-20)
ii. deception by self (7:24-27)
21
• the rejection of “many” by Jesus (7:21-23), which serves as a bridge for i. and ii.
1. In contrast to the false prophets, who is the true prophet in view here?
2. How can true and false prophets be recognised?
3. In verses 24-27, what is the foolish and fatal error that Jesus
warns his disciples against?
Summary:
Write out in your own words
what God has taught you from
today’s study.
4. Who are the “many” who will be rejected by Jesus “on that
day”?
5. What does Jesus mean by “the one who does the will of my
Father who is in heaven” (v.21)?
Application
In verses 13-14, Jesus warns his disciples about the wide
gate and easy way that leads to destruction. Many enter through
it. Instead, he commands them to enter through the small gate
and journey on the narrow way that leads to life, although few
will take it.
1. How do you know that you are on the right path?
2. Are you exercising right judgment of others? Of yourself?
Read and Memorise:
Matthew 7:24-25
24
“Everyone then who hears
these words of mine and does
them will be like a wise man
who built his house on the
rock. 25 And the rain fell, and
the floods came, and the winds
blew and beat on that house,
but it did not fall, because it
had been founded on the rock.
Prayer (30 min):
1. Pray in pairs or triplets.
2. Pray to glorify God from
what you have just learned.
Pray for one another’s
needs.
3. Use the monthly Prayer
Newsletter (Church Prayer
Fellowship) to pray for
church, our nation and the
world.
Personal Quiet Time this week
Revise. Recall, give thanks for
and apply what you learn.
Memory Verse. Matt 7:24-25
Ask God to show you what this
means, and come ready to
share next week!
22
STUDY 10: Jesus the Miracle Man (Matthew 8:1-17)
Week of Apr 17-23
Introduction:
Jesus’ first of 5 discourses in this Gospel (the Sermon on the
Mount) comes to an end. The effect on the crowds was amazement
at Jesus’ teaching with authority (7:28-29), with the result that
many followed Jesus as he descended from the mountain (8:1).
Here in Matthew 8 (to 9), Jesus’ action resumes with a
series of healings, before he gives his next discourse in Matthew
10, what is often known as his “mission discourse”. This pattern of
healing people (4:23-24), drawing crowds (4:25), and teaching
them (Matthew 5-7), drawing more crowds (7:28-8:1) will repeat
itself over and over in Matthew’s Gospel.
Some Guidelines for Our
DGs
1. Welcome, Singing &
Prayer (10 min)
Always welcome one another
with God’s peace! Spend
some time singing and
praying to God. Try recalling
and rehearsing our memory
verse from last week with
one another. Always begin
your times with humble
prayer asking God to help us
obey his Word.
2. Length of Study
A. The cleansing healing (Matthew 8:1-4; 20 min)
The first specific healing recorded by Matthew is that of a
leper. This leprosy is not necessarily actual leprosy or Hansen’s
disease, but may be a broader skin disease. It is viewed as God’s
curse (Numbers 12). Its cure is as unlikely as raising someone from
the dead, but possible by God alone (2 Kings 5:1-14).
1. What did the leper ask of Jesus? Why did he ask this way?
Browse through Leviticus 13.
2. Why was Jesus’ response surprising?
3. Why did Jesus command the man to do what he said in verse
4?
Each meeting is designed to
take 1.5 hour. The first hour
is spent on the study. The
final 1/2 hr is focussed on
application and prayer.
3. Preparation
Prepare each study in
advance as part of your
responsibility as an active
learner of God’s Word. Come
with a prayerful heart to
give, not simply to gain! Read
the relevant passages and
notes (if any).
The goal of Bible study is not
information but
transformation!
B. The paralysis healing (Matthew 8:5-13; 25 min)
Jesus returned to Capernaum, where he had made his home (4:13). This next healing is of
a centurion’s servant, who was paralysed. Jesus did the healing from afar, showing his authority
transcends distance. But what is more surprising is Jesus’ words about the centurion.
23
1. How are Jesus’ responses to the leper and the centurion similar? What does it show of him?
2. Why did Jesus “marvel” at the centurion?
3. What do Jesus’ words in verses 11-12 hint at? How is this
fulfilled today?
Summary:
Write out in your own words
what God has taught you from
today’s study.
C. The fever healing (Matthew 8:14-17; 15 min)
The last specific healing before Jesus resumes his public ministry
was for Peter’s mother-in-law, who had a fever. In those days, a
fever is not viewed so much as a symptom of a disease, but a
disease in itself. Without modern medical knowledge and
medicine, a fever could easily lead to death.
1. How is Jesus’ healing of Peter’s mother-in-law similar or
different to the two earlier cases of healing?
2. Jesus resumed his public ministry by casting out demonic
spirits and healing the sick. Why is this said to fulfil Isa 53:4,
that is part of the fourth “Servant Song” (Isa 52:13-53:12)?
Application
1. What implications do Jesus’ works in Matt 8:1-17 and his words
in 8:11-12 have for us? How can we be part of this feast in
the kingdom of heaven?
Read and Memorise:
Matthew 8:11-12
11
I tell you, many will come
from east and west and recline
at table with Abraham, Isaac,
and Jacob in the kingdom of
heaven, 12 while the sons of the
kingdom will be thrown into
the outer darkness. In that
place there will be weeping
and gnashing of teeth.”
Prayer (30 min):
1. Pray in pairs or triplets.
2. Pray to glorify God from
what you have just learned.
Pray for one another’s
needs.
3. Use the monthly Prayer
Newsletter (Church Prayer
Fellowship) to pray for
church, our nation and the
world.
Personal Quiet Time this week
Revise. Recall, give thanks for
and apply what you learn.
Memory Verse. Matt 8:11-12
Ask God to show you what this
means, and come ready to
share next week!
24
STUDY 11: Why Follow Jesus? (Matthew 8:18-34)
Week of Apr 24-30
Introduction:
The next part of Jesus’ ministry took place from the time he gave
orders to go from Capernaum to the other side of the Sea of Galilee
(8:18), to the time they got to Gadara (8:28) - see map on page 9.
It contains three accounts about:
• Jesus’ demands for discipleship (8:18-22),
• the disciples almost perishing in the sea (8:23-27),
• and the demons perishing in the sea (8:28-34).
A. Jesus’ demands for discipleship (Matthew 8:18-22; 15 min)
Seeing a crowd gathering around him, probably trying to get or
witness a miracle from him, Jesus ordered his disciples to go over
to the other side of the Sea of Galilee. This is perhaps so that he
can preach about the kingdom, and not be overwhelmed by
requests for healing and exorcisms (8:18, cf. Mark 1:38).
1. What is the meaning of Jesus’ reply to the scribe (or teacher of
the law)?
2. What can we learn about discipleship from Jesus’ demand on
the second man?
3. How do Jesus’ demands for his disciples apply to us today?
Some Guidelines for Our
DGs
1. Welcome, Singing &
Prayer (10 min)
Always welcome one another
with God’s peace! Spend
some time singing and
praying to God. Try recalling
and rehearsing our memory
verse from last week with
one another. Always begin
your times with humble
prayer asking God to help us
obey his Word.
2. Length of Study
Each meeting is designed to
take 1.5 hour. The first hour
is spent on the study. The
final 1/2 hr is focussed on
application and prayer.
3. Preparation
Prepare each study in
advance as part of your
responsibility as an active
learner of God’s Word. Come
with a prayerful heart to
give, not simply to gain! Read
the relevant passages and
notes (if any).
The goal of Bible study is not
information but
transformation!
Matt 8:20 was the first of 30 times in Matthew’s Gospel that Jesus spoke of himself as the
“Son of Man”, the apocalyptic divine-human figure of Daniel 7:13-14.
B. The disciples almost perished in the sea (Matthew 8:23-27; 25 min)
Listening to Jesus, his disciples followed him into the boat in order to cross the Sea of
Galilee. Then a fierce storm threatened to flood and sink the boat they were in. Here we see Jesus
and his disciples being confronted by the sea, a symbol of chaos and death in the Bible.
1. How did Jesus deal with the disciples’ problem?
2. Note the similarities with the story of Jonah. What may be Jesus’ intention?
25
3. In what way may we be Jesus’ disciples, yet fail the same way these early disciples did?
4. What is your answer to the disciples’ question in verse 27: “What sort of man is this?”
C. The demons perished in the sea (Matthew 8:28-34; 20 min)
Of the many demon exorcisms Jesus performed (cf. Matt
4:24; 8:16), this one must count as one of the more spectacular.
It happened as they reached the other side of the Sea of Galilee,
in Gadara, “the country of the Gadarenes”, a predominantly
Gentile territory.
1. What were the two demon-possessed men referring to as
“the time”?
2. What is the significance of Jesus driving the demons into the
herd of pigs, which drowned in the sea?
3. Why do you think the response of the herdsmen and the city
folks to Jesus reveal of them?
4. How might we respond to Jesus the same way that they did?
Application
1. As Christians, we are disciples of Jesus. Have you considered
the demands that Jesus makes of us, and paid the price?
2. What do we value more than the Lord? What must we do about
it before “the time”?
Summary:
Write out in your own words
what God has taught you from
today’s study.
Read and Memorise:
Matthew 8:26-27
26
And he said to them, “Why
are you afraid, O you of little
faith?” Then he rose and
rebuked the winds and the
sea, and there was a great
calm. 27 And the men
marveled, saying, “What sort
of man is this, that even winds
and sea obey him?”
Prayer (30 min):
1. Pray in pairs or triplets.
2. Pray to glorify God from
what you have just learned.
Pray for one another’s
needs.
3. Use the monthly Prayer
Newsletter (Church Prayer
Fellowship) to pray for
church, our nation and the
world.
Personal Quiet Time this week
Revise. Recall, give thanks for
and apply what you learn.
Memory Verse. Matt 8:26-27
Ask God to show you what this
means, and come ready to
share next week!
26
Suggested Further Reading:
Bolt, Peter G. Matthew: A Great Light Dawns, Reading the Bible Today Series. Sydney South, NSW:
Aquila Press, 2014.
Carson, Donald A. Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount and His Confrontation With the World: An
Exposition of Matthew 5-10. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, 1999.
Carson, Donald A. “Matthew,” in Matthew, Mark, Luke, The Expositor’s Bible Commentary. ed.
Frank E. Gaebelein. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House, 1984.
Green, Joel B., Jeannine K. Brown, and Nicholas Perrin, ed. Dictionary of Jesus and the Gospels,
Second Edition. Downers Grove, IL; Nottingham, England: IVP Academic; IVP, 2013.
Jackman, David and William Philip, Teaching Matthew: Unlocking the Gospel of Matthew for the
Expositor, Teach the Bible. Fearn, UK: Christian Focus Publications, 2003.
Morris, Leon. The Gospel According to Matthew, The Pillar New Testament Commentary. Grand
Rapids, MI; Leicester, England: W.B. Eerdmans; Inter-Varsity Press, 1992.
Praise God and thank you for learning and growing together as fellow disciples.
In knowing better what it means for us to Be a Disciple who follows King Jesus,
let us go forth to Make a Disciple who will follow the King too!
Let us look forward to our next study on the book of Ruth!
27