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Overview
- Cover the book of Matthew in 18 lessons
- Equip yourself to lead a Bible study
- Imagine the Bible’s historical world
- Study word origins and definitions
- Explore thoughtful questions on key themes
- Go deeper with optional projects
- Add your notes with extra space and wide margins
- Find the flexibility to fit the time you have
Product Details
| ISBN-13: | 9780891099963 |
|---|---|
| Publisher: | Tyndale House Publishers |
| Publication date: | 11/06/2018 |
| Series: | LifeChange , #24 |
| Edition description: | Study Guide |
| Pages: | 208 |
| Product dimensions: | 5.40(w) x 8.40(h) x 0.70(d) |
About the Author
The Navigators is an interdenominational, nonprofit organization dedicated to helping people "know Christ and make Him known” as they look to Him and His Word to chart their lives.
Navigators have invested their lives in people for more than seventy-five years, coming alongside them life on life to study the Bible, develop a deepening prayer life, and memorize and apply Scripture, The ultimate goal is to equip Christ followers to fulfill 2 Timothy 2:2—to teach what they have learned to others.
Today, tens of thousands of people worldwide are coming to know and grow in Jesus Christ through the various ministries of The Navigators. Internationally, more than 4,600 Navigator staff of 70 nationalities serve in more than 100 countries.
Read an Excerpt
CHAPTER 1
Lesson One
MATTHEW 1:1–2:23
Overview, Birth, and Infancy
The best way to introduce yourself to Matthew's gospel is to read it through, in one sitting if possible. It should take you a little under two hours if you read quickly for an overall impression. If your Bible includes subtitles for passages, use them as clues to the story's movement.
As you read, jot down answers to questions 1–6. Questions 7–16 relate to the beginning of Matthew's gospel.
First impressions
1. a. Read through Matthew quickly. After your first reading, what are your first impressions of Matthew's book? ________________________________________ ________________________________________
b. What overall impression does it give you of Jesus? ________________________________________ ________________________________________
c. If you had to pick a single term to describe this gospel, what would it be? ________________________________________ ________________________________________
2. Repetition is a clue to the ideas an author wants to stress. What key words or phrases does Matthew (or Jesus) use over and over? ________________________________________ ________________________________________
3. Look for at least one example of each of the following words or phrases found throughout Matthew's gospel:
Fulfill_________________________________ ________________________________________
John the Baptist________________________ ________________________________________
The kingdom of heaven___________________ ________________________________________
The healing of the sick_________________ ________________________________________
Parables________________________________ ________________________________________
Gentiles________________________________ ________________________________________
Future events____________________________ ________________________________________
The Son of David________________________ ________________________________________
Pharisees and Sadducees_________________ ________________________________________
4. The practice of outlining helps us get a good grasp of the flow and general contents of a book. Fill in the following broad outline. A detailed outline (different from the one below) appears in the background section.
1:1–2:23 The Person of the King ________________________________________ ________________________________________
3:1–4:16 The Preparation of the King ________________________________________ ________________________________________
4:17–9:34 The Precepts of the King ________________________________________ ________________________________________
9:35–16:20 The Program of the King ________________________________________ ________________________________________
16:21–27:66 The Passion of the King ________________________________________ ________________________________________
28:1-20 The Power of the King ________________________________________ ________________________________________
5. Note here any incidents, teachings, topics, or impressions of Jesus in Matthew's gospel that you want to think about this week. ________________________________________ ________________________________________
6. In your first reading of Matthew's gospel or in the background section, you may have encountered some concepts you'd like clarified or questions you'd like answered. While your thoughts are still fresh, jot down your questions here. You can look for answers as you study further. ________________________________________ ________________________________________
Jesus' genealogy and birth (1:1-25)
Genealogy (1:1). Genealogies in the ancient Near East were used not only to show family relationships, but also economic, tribal, and political ones. Frequently they included only the most important members in the line, thus skipping over several links in the chain. Matthew does this, for example, in moving from Boaz to David, listing only two generations between them, when in fact several generations had come and gone. This is not an error; Matthew did this deliberately. Perhaps because the numerical equivalent of David's name is fourteen in Hebrew (and Jesus is the "Son of David"), Matthew lists fourteen generations between Abraham and David, David and the exile, and the exile and Jesus.
7. a. What names do you recognize in the genealogy of 1:1-17? ________________________________________ ________________________________________
b. Which names in the list are unfamiliar to you? ________________________________________ ________________________________________
c. What do you think Matthew hoped to accomplish by beginning his gospel with a genealogy? ________________________________________ ________________________________________
8. a. Of the four women Matthew lists in his genealogy, the first three were Gentiles, and the last was married to a Gentile before he was killed. Why do you think Matthew makes special mention of these women? ________________________________________ ________________________________________
b. What is he trying to convey to his readers? ________________________________________ ________________________________________
Expose her to public disgrace ... divorce her quietly (1:19). "Joseph ... could not in conscience marry Mary who was now thought to be unfaithful. And because such a marriage would have been a tacit admission of his own guilt, and also because he was unwilling to expose her to the disgrace of public divorce, Joseph therefore chose a quieter way, permitted by the law itself."
From the Holy Spirit (1:20). The conception of Jesus was a result of the direct activity of God the Holy Spirit.
The name Jesus (1:21). "Jesus" is the Greek form of "Joshua," which in Hebrew means either "Yahweh is salvation" or "Yahweh saves."
9. Why is 1:22-23 so crucial to Matthew's account of Jesus' birth? ________________________________________ ________________________________________
10. a. Controversy has always surrounded the story of "the virgin birth." How does Matthew explain the virgin birth? ________________________________________ ________________________________________
b. Why is the virgin birth so important to Matthew's gospel? ________________________________________ ________________________________________
The visit of the Magi (2:1-12)
King Herod (2:1). Often called "Herod the Great," he ruled from 37–4 BC. He was ruthless in both consolidating and keeping power, even executing his wife Marianne in 29 BC, his mother-inlaw Alexandra in 28 BC, and his brother-in-law Costobarus in 25 BC. He was married ten times and changed his will six times to try to satisfy the desires of each of his wives regarding royal succession.
Magi from the east (2:1). Most likely astrologers, perhaps from Persia or southern Arabia, both of which lie east of Israel.
His star (2:2). The nature of this "star" has been debated for centuries. There are several possibilities: (1) a conjunction of planets, some with messianic significance in ancient astrology; (2) a supernova; (3) a comet; (4) a supernatural occurrence. There is no way to answer the question definitively. Yet its purpose is crystal clear: the "star," whatever it was, heralded the birth of Jesus, the Messiah. Some scholars believe Matthew uses language deliberately alluding to Numbers 24:17, "A star will come out of Jacob; a scepter will rise out of Israel."
Bethlehem in Judea (2:5). The town where David was born and reared; also the place near where Jacob buried Rachel (see Genesis 35:19) and where Ruth met Boaz (see Ruth 1:22–2:6).
Gifts of gold ... frankincense ... myrrh (2:11). The "frankincense" was a "glittering, odorous gum obtained by making incisions in the bark of several trees; myrrh exudes from a tree found in Arabia and a few other places and was a much-valued spice and perfume used in embalming."
11. a. Why did the Magi go to Jerusalem? ________________________________________ ________________________________________
b. How did Herod react to their visit? Why? ________________________________________ ________________________________________
12. a. Why did Herod call the Magi "secretly" (2:7)? ________________________________________ ________________________________________
b. What information did he want from them? ________________________________________ ________________________________________
c. How did he intend to use the information they had (see 2:16)? ________________________________________ ________________________________________
13. a. How did the Magi react when they found Jesus? ________________________________________ ________________________________________
b. Do their actions provide any kind of example for us? Explain. ________________________________________ ________________________________________
Egypt and Nazareth (2:13-23)
Two years old and under (2:16). Herod knew from the information given him by the Magi that the boy Jesus must be between six and twenty months old at this time; hence, the order to kill all boys two years old and under was intended to eradicate any possible threat to his throne.
Herod died (2:19). Traditionally thought to have occurred in 4 BC.
14. a. If Jesus was truly God's Son and the chosen Messiah, why would God instruct His Son's family to flee to Egypt rather than confront the enemy? ________________________________________ ________________________________________
b. What does this early incident teach us about what was to come? ________________________________________ ________________________________________
Study Skill — Themes and Purposes
Before you study a book in detail, it is helpful to make some tentative conclusions about the book's themes and purposes. A theme is a main topic that recurs through the book, such as "the Messiah." A purpose is a reason the author wrote, such as "to teach Jewish readers that Jesus is the Messiah."
One reading of Matthew's gospel may not give you a firm sense of his main themes and purposes, but by now you probably are at least beginning to have some ideas about what they may be. Don't be hesitant to express those ideas; remember, they're tentative!
Archelaus (2:22). The son of Herod the Great and Malthace (Herod's fourth wife). He ruled over Judea and Samaria for ten years, 4 BC to AD 6.
Galilee (2:22). A region north of Jerusalem. After Herod the Great's death, it was governed by Herod Antipas who was given the title tetrarch.
Nazareth (2:23). An obscure town not mentioned in the Old Testament. It served as Jesus' hometown.
Your response
15. a. Dreams occur frequently in Matthew 1–2 as a means of divine guidance (see 1:20; 2:12-13, 19,22). Why do you think Matthew highlights these incidents? ________________________________________ ________________________________________
b. Note that the only other such incident in this gospel is recorded in 27:19, and in no case were the people involved looking for such guidance. Is this significant? If so, how? ________________________________________ ________________________________________
"He shall be called a Nazarene"
Matthew 2:23 seems to be a quotation from the Old Testament: "He would be called a Nazarene." Yet no such reference in the Old Testament exists.
Scholars have puzzled over this problem for centuries. Today most scholars would probably agree that Matthew's words "probably refer to several Old Testament ... predictions that the Messiah would be despised (e.g., Psalm 22:6; Isaiah 53:3), for in Jesus' day 'Nazarene' was virtually a synonym for 'despised' (see John 1:45-46). Some hold that in speaking of Jesus as a 'Nazarene,' Matthew is referring primarily to the word 'Branch' (Hebrew neser) in Isaiah 11:1."6
16. From what you know of Matthew's gospel so far, summarize in your own words what you think is the purpose of this book. ________________________________________ ________________________________________
Study Skill — Outlining the Purpose
An ordinary outline of Matthew's gospel such as the one in the background section can help you find particular passages, but it tells you little of how the parts fit into Matthew's overall message. One way to recall Matthew's message at a glance is to outline the way each passage unfolds that purpose.
For instance, one of Matthew's purposes is to show that Jesus is the Son of David foretold in the Old Testament. A broad outline of the book that takes account of this purpose might begin like this:
1:1-17 Genealogy: Matthew creates a bridge between the Old Testament and his book by showing that Jesus is a direct descendant of both David and Abraham.
1:18–2:23 Infancy: The Savior is born miraculously into our world, announced by angels and prophets, worshiped by Gentile rulers, and preserved by divine intervention. The King of Israel has arrived.
3:1–4:11 Preparation: The Savior's herald introduces the good news about repentance and forgiveness. The Savior is declared Son of God and undergoes baptism and temptation — all in preparation to begin His mission.
Get a sheet of paper and begin your own outline of Matthew's gospel that reflects his purpose and themes. You can make up your own summaries for 1:1–4:11 or copy these and begin your own outline with 4:12-17. Try to add a new entry as you complete each lesson.
17. a. What issues in your own life have been raised by your quick reading of Matthew? ________________________________________ ________________________________________
b. How will you deal with these issues in the coming week? ________________________________________ ________________________________________
Study Skill — Summarizing the Passage
A good way to see whether you have understood a passage of Scripture is to try summarizing it in your own words. When the passage tells a story like Matthew 1:18–2:23, it can be helpful to write not just what happened, but also what the events have to do with the main themes and purposes of the book.
For the group
Warm-up. The genealogy of Jesus is crucial to Matthew's purpose in writing his gospel. Begin this lesson by having group members share something unique or interesting from their own family trees. This will help members get to know each other and begin the discussion of Jesus' genealogy.
Discussion. As you share your responses from this lesson, compare your answers with each other. Be sure to pay special attention to questions 4, 6, and 13 as you discuss your answers. Remember, you're not looking for a "right" answer, since many of these questions ask for your opinion. Sharing answers helps give insight into the passage and often will enlighten a troublesome point.
Wrap-up. Close by thanking God for bringing your group together and for the different strengths you each bring. Thank God too for the gift of His Son and the humble way in which He came to earth.
(Continues…)
Excerpted from "Matthew"
by .
Copyright © 1997 The Navigators.
Excerpted by permission of NavPress.
All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
Excerpts are provided by Dial-A-Book Inc. solely for the personal use of visitors to this web site.
Table of Contents
How to Use This Study, 5,
Background: Matthew and His Gospel, 9,
Outline of the Gospel of Matthew, 13,
Map of Palestine in Jesus' time, 16,
One — Overview, Birth, and Infancy (1:1-2:23), 17,
Two — Baptism and Temptation (3:1-4:25), 33,
Three — The Sermon on the Mount (5:1-7:29), 45,
Four — Jesus at Work (8:1-9:34), 59,
Five — The Mission of the Twelve (9:35-10:42), 71,
Six — The Claims of Christ (11:1-12:21), 83,
Seven — Evidence of Christ's Claims (12:22-50), 93,
Eight — Parables of the Kingdom (13:1-52), 101,
Nine — The Rejection of Christ (13:53-16:12), 111,
Ten — The Transfiguration (16:13-17:23), 123,
Eleven — Life in the Coming Kingdom (17:24-18:35), 131,
Twelve — The Journey to Jerusalem (19:1-20:34), 139,
Thirteen — The Triumphal Entry (21:1-22:46), 147,
Fourteen — Warnings of Judgment (23:1-25:46), 157,
Fifteen — Jesus' Arrest and Trial (26:1-75), 169,
Sixteen — The Crucifixion and Burial (27:1-66), 177,
Seventeen — Resurrection! (28:1-20), 185,
Eighteen — Looking Back, 191,
Study Aids, 197,