Day 3: Matthew 7-9

Judging Others - Matthew 7:1-6

Understand It

• By what measure will we be judged? (7:2)
• What did Jesus call those who ignore their own imperfections and focus on the flaws of others? Why? (7:5)
• Why is it necessary to deal with one’s own sins first? (7:5)

Apply It

• How can you begin this week to get in the habit of examining your own life before you start criticizing others?

Ask, Seek, Knock - Matthew 7:7-12

Understand It

• According to Jesus, what is the result for those who "knock" on God’s door? (7:7)
• What is true about the character of even the best human parent? (7:11)
• How can we be encouraged by the sight of godless parents doing good things for their children? (7:11)

Apply It

• What request will you bring to God every day this week?

The Narrow and Wide Gates - Matthew 7:13-14

Understand It

• What command did Jesus give His followers in this passage? (7:13)
• In what way did Jesus describe the gate that leads to destruction? (7:13)
• How many people find and follow the narrow road? Why? (7:14)

Apply It

• What action can you take this week to help you stay on the narrow path?

A Tree and Its Fruit - Matthew 7:15-23

Understand It

• What does nature reveal about a tree and its fruit? (7:16)
• What happens to trees that fail to produce good fruit? (7:18)
• Who will enter the kingdom of heaven? (7:21)

Apply It

• In what area of your life can you place more emphasis on doing good works each day this week?

The Wise and Foolish Builders - Matthew 7:24-29

Understand It

• What sets fools apart from wise people? (7:24, 26)
• What kind of people did Jesus talk about in contrast to the wise person? (7:26)
• What individuals are like a man who builds a house on sand? (7:26)

Apply It

• What neglected command of Christ will you begin obeying this week?

The Man with Leprosy - Matthew 8:1-4

Understand It

• What happened when Jesus came down from the mountain? (8:1)
• What daring deed did Christ do for the man with leprosy? (8:3)
• For what reasons did Jesus want the man to show his healed body to the priests? (8:4)

Apply It

• What sick or suffering person can you visit or talk to this week?

The Faith of the Centurion - Matthew 8:5-13

Understand It

• Who approached Jesus and asked for help? (8:5)
• What instructions did Jesus give the centurion? (8:13)
• What happened to the centurion’s servant? (8:13)

Apply It

• For what person who is sick or in trouble can you intercede today?

Jesus Heals Many - Matthew 8:14-17

Understand It

• What kinds of people were brought to Jesus that evening? (8:16)
• What did Jesus do for the people who were brought to Him? (8:16)
• What procedure or technique did Jesus use to help the people who were brought to Him? (8:16)

Apply It

• What will you do for someone who is sick or hurting this month?

The Cost of Following Jesus - Matthew 8:18-22

Understand It

• Who approached Jesus? (8:19-20)
• What animals did Jesus say were more secure than He? Why? (8:20)
• What command did Jesus give to the disciple that offered to follow Him under certain conditions? (8:22)

Apply It

• What can you do this week to encourage a Christian who has made sacrifices to follow Christ?

Jesus Calms the Storm - Matthew 8:23-27

Understand It

• What surprise did the boaters encounter in this scene? (8:24)
• How did Jesus reply to the disciples’ expression of fear? (8:26)
• How did the disciples react to this astonishing sequence of events? (8:27)

Apply It

• This week, what specific ways can you demonstrate your belief that Jesus will see you through the storms in your life?

The Healing of Two Demon-possessed Men - Matthew 8:28-34

Understand It

• What did the two Gadarene men shout at Jesus? (8:29)
• What happened as soon as Jesus spoke? (8:32)
• How did the townspeople react to what happened? (8:34)

Apply It

• What individuals in your town are in the grip of Satan and need your prayers today and every day this week?

Jesus Heals a Paralytic - Matthew 9:1-8

Understand It

• Upon His arrival, whom did Jesus encounter? (9:2)
• What did the teachers of the law think about Jesus’ declaration? (9:3)
• What did Jesus say about the teachers’ opinions? (9:4-6)

Apply It

• How can you show your appreciation to God today for His saving work in your life?

The Calling of Matthew - Matthew 9:9-13

Understand It

• What kind of people joined Jesus and His new follower for dinner? (9:10)
• What did Jesus tell His listeners they needed to learn? (9:13)
• What did Jesus say He had come to earth to do? (9:13)

Apply It

• How can you cultivate a relationship with a non-Christian friend this week?

Jesus Questioned About Fasting - Matthew 9:14-17

Understand It

• What did John’s disciples want to know? (9:14)
• How did Jesus explain the fact that His disciples did not fast? (9:15)
• Using an illustration from the world of wine making, Jesus talked about the need to do what? (9:17)

Apply It

• Throughout this week, how can you embrace God’s grace and acceptance in Christ?

A Dead Girl and a Sick Woman - Matthew 9:18-26

Understand It

• While Jesus and the others made their way to the man’s house, who touched Jesus’ cloak? (9:20)
• What was the woman’s reasoning for touching Jesus’ cloak? (9:21)
• Why was the woman healed? (9:22)

Apply It

• How can you trust God today to work in the impossible situation you are facing?

Jesus Heals the Blind and Mute - Matthew 9:27-34

Understand It

• What question did Jesus ask the men who were following Him? (9:28)
• How did the men respond to Jesus’ question? (9:28)
• What did Jesus do to grant the men’s request? (9:29)

Apply It

• What is the first step you need to take in obeying one command that you have found difficult to obey?

The Workers Are Few - Matthew 9:35-38

Understand It

• What emotion did Jesus feel when He saw the crowds of people around Him? (9:36)
• What helpless animals were the people compared to? (9:36)
• For whom did Jesus tell His disciples to pray? (9:37)

Apply It

• For what non-Christians will you pray regularly from now on?

Tomorrow: Day 4 Matthew 10-12