New Testament in a Year – Matthew 13

The Parable of the Sower - Matthew 13:1-23

Understand It

• Where was Jesus when the crowds came? (13:1-2)
• Why did Jesus get on a boat to speak? (13:2)
• What kind of stories did Jesus use to teach the crowds? (13:3)
• The first story that Jesus told His audience was about what? (13:3)
• Into what various places did the seed fall? (13:4-5)
• Which seed ended up sprouting and bearing fruit? Why? (13:8)
• To whom did Jesus direct His story about the four soils? (13:9)
• How did the disciples respond to the Parable of the Four Soils? (13:10)
• How did Jesus defend His use of parables? (13:11-13)
• Why was the majority’s inability or unwillingness to understand Christ’s message significant? (13:14-15)
• Why did Jesus say the disciples were blessed? (13:16-17)
• Whom did Jesus liken to seed along the path? Why? (13:19)
• According to Christ, who is like the seed sown on rocky soil? Why? (13:20-21)
• What kind of people were compared to seed sown among the thorns? Why? (13:22)
• Of whom is the fruitful seed a picture? How? (13:23)

Apply It

• What one action could you do this week to improve the way you listen to God’s Word?
• How could you become a more effective sower of God’s Word over the next month?
• How can you show gratitude to God today for opening your eyes to the truth of the gospel?

The Parable of the Weeds - Matthew 13:24-30

Understand It

• What did Jesus use to communicate His point? (13:24)
• What was Jesus talking about in this passage? (13:24)
• To what did Jesus compare His topic? (13:24)
• In the Parable of the Weeds, what happened while the farmer slept? (13:25)
• What appeared in the farmer’s field besides the wheat he had planted? (13:26)
• How did the owner’s servants react when they found weeds in the field? (13:27)
• How did the owner reply to his servants? (13:28)
• What did the servants volunteer to do for the owner of the field? (13:28)
• On what grounds did the owner turn down the servant’s suggestion? (13:29)
• What plan of action did the owner choose? (13:30)

Apply It

• In what ways do you need to alter your life-style (either attitude or action) today in order to be more like wheat and less like a weed?
• Whom do you need to judge and label less today?
• For what non-Christian coworkers, neighbors, and friends will you pray this week?

The Parables of the Mustard Seed and the Yeast - Matthew 13:31-35

Understand It

• What did Jesus tell the crowd? (13:31)
• In the Parable of the Mustard Seed, what did the man do with the seed? (13:31)
• To what kind of seed did Christ compare the kingdom of heaven? Why? (13:31-32)
• How does the mustard seed compare to others in size? (13:32)
• What is a mustard seed like when it is fully grown? (13:32)
• Besides bearing fruit, how is a mustard plant useful? (13:32)
• In the Parable of the Yeast, to what did Christ liken the kingdom of heaven? (13:33)
• How does yeast work? (13:33)
• In addition to parables, how else did Jesus get His point across to the crowd? (13:34)
• Why was Jesus’ use of parables significant? (13:35)

Apply It

• What is one way you could quietly help the gospel permeate your family, workplace, or circle of friends?
• What illustrations, examples, or stories can you share with someone today to help him or her understand your faith in Christ?
• What prayer can you begin praying this week to cause the gospel to spread?

The Parable of the Weeds Explained - Matthew 13:36-43

Understand It

• Where did Jesus go upon leaving His audience? (13:36)
• Who came to Jesus for further discussion? Why? (13:36)
• What specific story did Jesus’ audience want explained to them? (13:36)
• In the Parable of the Weeds, whom did the sower represent? How? (13:37)
• What did the field represent? In what way? (13:38)
• What groups of people are illustrated by good seed and weeds? (13:38)
• Whom does the enemy who sowed the bad seed represent? (13:39)
• What future event is symbolized by the harvest? (13:39)
• Whom do the harvesters represent? (13:39)
• The burning of the weeds symbolizes what future event? (13:40-42)
• What will happen to those who are thrown "into the fiery furnace"? (13:42)
• What is the future for the righteous? (13:43)

Apply It

• In what ways can you "shine like the sun" in your contacts with unbelievers?
• What passage of Scripture do you need to ask God about and study this week?
• How could you minister to someone today with a quote or insight from the Bible?

The Parables of the Hidden Treasure and the Pearl - Matthew 13:44-46

Understand It

• What is like treasure hidden in a field? How? (13:44)
• What is the kingdom of heaven like? Why? (13:44)
• Where was treasure hidden? (13:44)
• What happened when the man uncovered the hidden treasure? (13:44)
• How did the man feel when he discovered the treasure? (13:44)
• How badly did the man want the treasure? (13:44)
• To what did Christ compare the kingdom of heaven? Why? (13:45)
• What did the man in the parable find? (13:46)
• How valuable was the pearl? (13:47)
• How did the man who found the pearl react to its discovery? (13:47)

Apply It

• What items do you need to "sell off" this week in order to follow Christ and His kingdom?
• With what person will you try to share the wealth you have in Christ today or tomorrow?
• What first step will you take today to recover the joy of knowing Christ?

The Parable of the Net - Matthew 13:47-52

Understand It

• To what did Jesus compare the kingdom of heaven? (13:47)
• How was the net used, and what was the result? (13:47)
• In the Parable of the Net, what did the fishermen do with the full net? (13:48)
• What happened to the good fish? (13:48)
• What happened to the bad fish? (13:48)
• Why did Jesus use this analogy? (13:49)
• What group did the fishermen in the story represent? (13:49)
• Jesus interpreted His parable to say that wicked people can expect what kind of eternal destiny? (13:50)
• What question did Jesus ask His disciples when He finished teaching? (13:51)
• How did the disciples answer Jesus’ question? (13:51)
• To what did Jesus compare those in His audience who knew about the Old Testament law and the kingdom of heaven to come? (13:52)

Apply It

• What reminders can you use today to help you pray for non-Christian friends and relatives?
• In what way can you remind yourself of heaven this week?
• How can you show your gratitude to God today for making you a "good fish"?

A Prophet Without Honor - Matthew 13:53-58

Understand It

• What did Jesus do when He finished telling His parables? (13:53)
• Where did Jesus go? (13:54)
• What did Jesus do in His hometown? (13:54)
• Where exactly did Jesus preach? (13:54)
• What was the public response to Jesus’ message? (13:54)
• What kinds of questions were the folks in Nazareth asking? (13:55)
• What family ties did the townspeople of Nazareth recognize Jesus as having? (13:55)
• How did the people feel about "one of their own" saying wise things and doing amazing miracles? (13:57)
• How did Jesus explain their reaction to Him? (13:57)
• What did Jesus not do in Nazareth—at least in any great amount? Why? (13:58)
• What caused Jesus to refrain from doing miracles in Nazareth? (13:58)

Apply It

• What are three things you need to trust Christ for in the coming week?
• How can you strengthen your faith in Jesus during this time so that He can work in and through you?
• What family members or old friends will you commit to visit or call in the next month to tell them about the change Christ is making in you?