John the Baptist Beheaded - Matthew 14:1-12
Understand It
- What powerful political figure heard about all the things Christ was doing? (14:1)
- What explanation did Herod have for the miracles Christ was doing? (14:2)
- What had Herod done to John the Baptist? (14:3)
- Why did Herod put John in prison? (14:3)
- For what reason had John been rebuking Herod? (14:4)
- How did Herod react to John’s reprimand? (14:5)
- Why didn’t Herod act on his wishes? (14:5)
- What happened on Herod’s birthday? (14:6-7)
- What promise did Herod make to the daughter of Herodias? (14:7)
- Who was behind the plot to murder John? (14:8)
- How did Herod feel when he realized he’d been tricked? (14:9)
- Why did Herod carry out the execution of John? (14:9)
- What happened in the aftermath of John’s execution? (14:12)
Apply It
- What can you do to strengthen yourself against peer pressure this week?
- What reminder can help you refrain from making foolish promises in coming weeks?
- What can you do this week to respond to some correction you recently received?
Jesus Feeds the Five Thousand - Matthew 14:13-21
Understand It
- How did Jesus respond to the death of John the Baptist? (14:13)
- Who came looking for Jesus? Why? (14:13)
- Who met Jesus at the shore? (14:14)
- What did Jesus do for the people that came to see Him? (14:14)
- What happened when it started getting dark? (14:15)
- What did the disciples want Jesus to tell the crowds? Why? (14:15)
- How did Jesus respond to the disciples’ suggestion? (14:16)
- What did Jesus tell the disciples to do for the crowds? (14:16)
- How did the disciples react to Jesus’ unusual request? (14:17)
- After having the crowd sit on the grass, what did Jesus do? (14:19)
- How much food did Jesus begin with? (14:19)
- How was the food distributed? (14:19)
- How much food was available to each person? (14:20)
- How much food was left over? (14:20)
- How large a crowd was fed? (14:21)
Apply It
- What gift, ability, or resource (no matter how insignificant) will you give to God today so that he can bless it and multiply it?
- To what quiet place will you go this week for a couple of hours to get away from your busyness, review your priorities, and let God renew your spirit?
- How can you minister to someone in need today?
Jesus Walks on the Water - Matthew 14:22-36
Understand It
- After feeding the crowd of five thousand people, what instructions did Jesus give His disciples? (14:22)
- Where did Jesus go after He dismissed the crowd? Why? (14:23)
- What did Jesus do on the mountain? (14:23)
- Where were the disciples when evening came? (14:24)
- What conditions were the disciples encountering? (14:24)
- What miracle did Christ perform? (14:25)
- How did the disciples react to what they saw? (14:26)
- How did Jesus try to calm the disciples’ fears? (14:27)
- What did Peter ask Jesus to do? (14:28)
- How did Jesus respond to Peter’s request? (14:29)
- What happened to Peter as he made his way toward Jesus? (14:29-30)
- What did Jesus do and say when Peter got in trouble? (14:31)
- What was the consensus reaction to this amazing sequence of events? (14:33)
- What happened when Jesus and His disciples arrived at their destination? (14:35-36)
Apply It
- What specific step could you take this week to improve your devotional life?
- In what practical way can you demonstrate faith as you go through the coming week?
- What step of trust do you need to take today?
- What will help you remember to keep your eyes on Jesus and off your fears?
