Day 6: Matthew 16-18

The Demand for a Sign - Matthew 16:1-4

Understand It

• Who approached Jesus? (16:1)
• What request did the people make of Jesus? (16:1)
• Why did Jesus chastise the Pharisees and Sadducees? (16:3-4)

Apply It

• What are some ways you could use nature or the Bible to share the truth of Christ with a friend?

The Yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees - Matthew 16:5-12

Understand It

• Whom did Jesus mention in His warning? (16:6)
• How did the disciples misunderstand Jesus’ comments? (16:7)
• What was Jesus encouraging His disciples to avoid? Why? (16:11-12)

Apply It

• What can you do today to become more sensitive to what God is trying to teach you through His Word?

Peter's Confession of Christ - Matthew 16:13-20

Understand It

• What pointed personal question did Christ ask His followers? (16:15)
• What answer did Peter give? (16:16)
• In what way is coming to faith and understanding the gospel a supernatural event? (16:17)

Apply It

• What can you do or say to help a friend overcome an erroneous idea about Jesus this week?

Jesus Predicts His Death - Matthew 16:21-28

Understand It

• What is required of the one who would follow Jesus? (16:24)
• What two ways can a person lose his or her life? (16:25)
• A person’s soul is more valuable than what? How? (16:26)

Apply It

• What change in your weekly schedule could you make to better reflect what God considers important?

The Transfiguration - Matthew 17:1-13

Understand It

• Where did Christ and his three disciples go? (17:1)
• What happened to Christ on the mountain? (17:2)
• How did the disciples react when God spoke out of the cloud? (17:6)

Apply It

• What could you do over the next three months to become more adept and more faithful in worshiping God?

The Healing of a Boy With a Demon - Matthew 17:14-23

Understand It

• How did the man describe his child’s situation? (17:15)
• Who had already been unable to help the man’s son? (17:16)
• What reply did Jesus give when the man said Jesus’ disciples had been unable to help? (17:17)

Apply It

• What impossible task can you assault with your faith this week?

The Temple Tax - Matthew 17:24-27

Understand It

• How did Peter respond to the tax collectors’ questions? (17:25)
• What did Jesus say about the obligation to pay taxes? (17:26)
• Why did Jesus agree to pay the temple tax? (17:27)

Apply It

• What changes do you need to make the next time you do your taxes to make sure you pay all that you owe?

The Greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven - Matthew 18:1-9

Understand It

• What question did the disciples ask Jesus? (18:1)
• What did Christ do to illustrate His answer to the disciples’ question? (18:2)
• What quality makes for true greatness? (18:4)

Apply It

• What can you do today to humble yourself?

The Parable of the Lost Sheep - Matthew 18:10-14

Understand It

• How did Jesus say the owner of one hundred sheep would react if just one of his sheep wandered off? (18:12)
• According to Jesus, how would the owner of a lost sheep react upon finding his lost sheep? (18:13)
• How did Jesus compare sheep to the way God views lost children? (18:14)

Apply It

• How can you become a better role model for a young person today?

A Brother Who Sins Against You - Matthew 18:15-20

Understand It

• What did Jesus set forth as the first step in resolving conflict? (18:15)
• What should we do if a person will not listen to correction and does not want to work things out? (18:16)
• What extreme measures should be used if a wrongdoer turns a deaf ear to all pleas to reconcile? (18:17)

Apply It

• To what relationships or in what specific ways do you need to apply today’s passage?

The Parable of the Unmerciful Servant - Matthew 18:21-35

Understand It

• Who watched with dismay as the first servant refused to have mercy on the second? Why? (18:31)
• How did the king react to the news he heard? (18:32-34)
• How did Jesus apply this parable to His followers? (18:35)

Apply It

• What are some practical ways you can show mercy today to someone who has wronged you?

Tomorrow: Matthew 19-21