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 did Jesus say one had to be like in order to enter the kingdom of heaven? (18:3)
- How did Jesus finally answer the question that had been put to Him? (18:4)
- What quality makes for true greatness? (18:4)
- Why did Jesus say a person’s treatment of children was significant? (18:5)
- What advice did Jesus give to those who would cause a young follower of Christ to sin? (18:6)
- What "woes" did Jesus pronounce in this situation? (18:7)
- What comment did Jesus make that suggests the inevitability of sin in this world? (18:7)
- What radical figures of speech did Christ use to show the severity of sin? How? (18:8-9)
- What are the consequences of sin? (18:8-9)
Apply It
- What can you do today to humble yourself?
- To what children in your life will you demonstrate the love and acceptance of Christ this week?
- What habits or actions do you need to abolish this week because of their negative influence on children?
The Parable of the Lost Sheep - Matthew 18:10-14
Understand It
- How does God protect children? (18:10)
- Who is especially important to God? Why? (18:10)
- What command about children did Jesus give the disciples? (18:10)
- What kind of guardians did Jesus suggest children have? (18:10)
- To whom do angels have constant access? (18:10)
- What kind of pastoral imagery did Jesus use to illustrate His point about the value of a soul? (18:12)
- 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)
- How did Jesus describe God? Why? (18:14)
Apply It
- What "lost sheep" can you search for and try to round up this week by demonstrating the love and acceptance of Christ?
- To whom do you need to show more sensitivity and attentiveness this week?
- 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 situation was Jesus addressing in this context? (18:15)
- What did Jesus set forth as the first step in resolving conflict? (18:15)
- What positive consequences can result from 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 Old Testament principle is in view here? (18:16)
- What did Jesus say to do if a person doing wrong won’t listen to correction? (18:17)
- What extreme measures should be used if a wrongdoer turns a deaf ear to all pleas to reconcile? (18:17)
- How can Christians and/or churches be certain they have authority to exercise discipline? (18:18)
- What assurance did Jesus give His disciples about answered prayer? (18:19)
- What special promise did Jesus make to groups that gather in His name? (18:20)
Apply It
- What biblical principles can you practice today so as to avoid conflicts with others?
- To what relationships or in what specific ways do you need to apply today’s passage?
- What seemingly hopeless situation will you begin praying for today?
The Parable of the Unmerciful Servant - Matthew 18:21-35
Understand It
- What question did Peter ask Jesus? (18:21)
- What surprising answer did Jesus give Peter? (18:22)
- How did Jesus illustrate His answer to Peter’s question? (18:23)
- To what did Jesus compare the kingdom of heaven? (18:23)
- In the Parable of the Unmerciful Servant, what did the king want to do? (18:23)
- How was the king prepared to get the large amount of money owed him by a particular servant? (18:24-25)
- What did the indebted servant do? (18:26)
- How did the king graciously respond to the indebted servant’s desperate plea? (18:27)
- What did the servant go do after his debt was cancelled? (18:28)
- How did the second servant respond to the demand for payment? (18:29)
- What effect did the second servant’s pleas have on the first servant? (18:30)
- Who watched with dismay as the first servant refused to have mercy on the second? Why? (18:31)
- How did the onlookers respond when they saw the first servant throw the second in jail? (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 individual(s) do you need to "release from their debts" today?
- What are some practical ways you can show mercy today to someone who has wronged you?
