The Parable of the Wedding Banquet - Matthew 22:1-14
Understand It
- What preparations were being made in this parable? (22:2)
- What did the king send his servants to do? (22:3)
- How did people respond to the king’s invitation? (22:3)
- Upon hearing that no one would come to the wedding, what did the king do? (22:4)
- How did the invited guests react to the king’s second appeal? (22:5)
- To what shocking acts did some of the people who were invited resort? (22:6)
- How did the king deal with the lawbreakers? (22:7)
- The king went to a "Plan B" that included what changes? (22:8-9)
- How did the king’s alternative plan work out? (22:10)
- What did the king say when he spotted an improperly dressed wedding guest? (22:11)
- What did the king order his servants to do with the man who was improperly dressed? (22:11-13)
- Why did the king throw out the unwelcome wedding guest? (22:13-14)
Apply It
- What response should you give to God this week?
- To what individuals this week can you extend Jesus’ offer of forgiveness and eternal life?
Paying Taxes to Caesar - Matthew 22:15-22
Understand It
- What group sought to trap Jesus? How? (22:15)
- What two groups were sent to Jesus? Why? (22:16)
- How did the Pharisees address Jesus? (22:16)
- How did the Pharisees describe Jesus’ character? (22:16)
- How did the Pharisees describe Jesus’ manner of teaching? (22:16)
- After all the flattery, what question did the Pharisees’ disciples and the Herodians finally ask Jesus? (22:17)
- How did Jesus respond to all the false adulation He received in this incident? (22:18)
- What did Jesus say to the men who questioned Him? (22:18)
- What object did Jesus use to illustrate His answer? How? (22:19-20)
- How did Jesus answer the question without getting Himself in political hot water? (22:21)
- How did Jesus’ opponents respond to Jesus’ words? (22:22)
Apply It
- What neglected civic responsibilities do you need to begin fulfilling today?
- What might be the first step in better living up to your obligations as a citizen of God’s kingdom?
Marriage at the Resurrection - Matthew 22:23-33
Understand It
- What group confronted or opposed Jesus? How? (22:23)
- What distinctive belief did the Sadducees hold? (22:23)
- To what authority did the Sadducees appeal in asking their question? (22:24)
- To what kind of law did the Sadducees defer? (22:24)
- What rare, unlikely scenario did the Sadducees describe for Jesus? (22:25-27)
- What question did the Sadducees finally put to Jesus? (22:28)
- What two important facts did Jesus charge the Sadducees with not knowing? (22:29)
- What did Jesus say about the institution of marriage in eternity? (22:30)
- What did Jesus say about angels and marriage? (22:30)
- How did Jesus prove that people will be raised from the dead? (22:31-32)
- How did the crowd react to this exchange? (22:33)
Apply It
- What area of Bible doctrine will you read about and study this week?
- To whom do you need to apologize for arguing about your faith or for browbeating with the Bible?
- What needs to change in your life today to reflect the fact that you serve a living God?
The Greatest Commandment - Matthew 22:34-40
Understand It
- Who heard that the Sadducees had been embarrassed by Jesus? How did they respond? (22:34)
- What did the Pharisees do? Why? (22:34)
- What sort of person was selected to address Jesus? (22:35)
- What was the Pharisee’s purpose in asking Jesus a question? (22:35)
- What specific question did the man ask Jesus? (22:36)
- How did Jesus answer the Pharisee’s question? (22:37)
- What kind of love did Jesus describe? (22:37)
- What important footnote did Jesus add to His answer? (22:39)
- What kind of love for one’s neighbor did Jesus require? (22:39)
- How important did Jesus say these two principles were? (22:40)
Apply It
- What can you do today to love Christ with all your heart, soul, and mind?
- What loving act will you plan to do soon for a neighbor in need?
Whose Son Is the Christ? - Matthew 22:41-46
Understand It
- In what setting did this conversation take place? (22:41)
- What religious group had gathered? Why? (22:41)
- Who did the interrogation of Jesus? When? (22:41)
- What questions did Jesus ask? (22:42)
- What important fact did the Pharisees admit about Christ? (22:42)
- How did Jesus enlighten the Pharisees? (22:43-44)
- According to Jesus, under what special condition did David write? (22:43)
- What was important about the way David referred to Christ? (22:43-44)
- What final question did Jesus use to make His point? (22:45)
- What happened after Jesus silenced the Pharisees? (22:46)
Apply It
- What area(s) of your life do you need to surrender to the lordship of Christ today?
- What can you do (or stop doing) this week to become more effective in introducing your non-Christian friends to Christ?
