New Testament in a Year – Matthew 18

By Ron

January 24, 2024

Matthew, New Testament

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

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)

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?

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)

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?

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)

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?

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)

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?