New Testament in a Year – Matthew 8

The Man with Leprosy - Matthew 8:1-4

Understand It

• Where did Jesus go after He finished the Sermon on the Mount? (8:1)
• What happened when Jesus came down from the mountain? (8:1)
• What was Jesus’ audience like? (8:1)
• What was distinctive about the man who came and blocked Jesus’ path? (8:2)
• What did the kneeling man say to Christ? (8:2)
• What daring deed did Christ do for the man with leprosy? (8:3)
• What compassionate words did Christ say? (8:3)
• What happened when Christ finished speaking? (8:3)
• How long did this healing process take? (8:3)
• What strange instructions did Jesus give the man whom He healed? (8:4)
• For what reasons did Jesus want the man to show his healed body to the priests? (8:4)

Apply It

• What sick or suffering person can you visit or talk to this week?
• Whom could you encourage this week with a testimony of something God has done for you?

The Faith of the Centurion - Matthew 8:5-13

Understand It

• Where did the incident described in this passage take place? (8:5)
• Who approached Jesus and asked for help? (8:5)
• What did the centurion tell Jesus? (8:6)
• What did Jesus promise the soldier? (8:7)
• What humble, surprising suggestion did the man make? (8:8)
• What rationale did the centurion have for making his request? (8:9)
• What effect did the soldier’s words have on Jesus? (8:10)
• According to Jesus, how many Israelites had as much faith as the centurion? (8:10)
• What insight did Jesus give about the guest list of the kingdom of heaven? (8:11)
• What eternal destiny did Jesus suggest awaited many in His audience? (8:12)
• What instructions did Jesus give the centurion? (8:13)
• What happened to the centurion’s servant? (8:13)

·         Apply It

• For what person who is sick or in trouble can you intercede today?
• What can you do every day this week to build your faith in God?
• For what promise of Jesus will you trust God and expect Him to work this week?

Jesus Heals Many - Matthew 8:14-17

Understand It

• What kind of building was Jesus in when the incidents of this passage took place? (8:14)
• Who owned the building? (8:14)
• Who was bedridden and sick with a fever? (8:14)
• What does the identity of the sick woman reveal about Peter’s personal life? (8:14)
• What did Jesus do to the sick woman? (8:15)
• What happened when Jesus touched the woman’s hand? (8:15)
• What did the woman immediately begin to do? (8:15)
• What kinds of people were brought to Jesus that evening? (8:16)
• What did Jesus do for the people who were brought to Him? (8:16)
• What procedure or technique did Jesus use to help the people who were brought to Him? (8:16)
• How were these events significant in Jewish history? (8:17)

Apply It

• What will you do for someone who is sick or hurting this month?
• Who in your family can you touch today with the love of Christ?
• In what ways can you help a hurting family member this week?

The Cost of Following Jesus - Matthew 8:18-22

Understand It

• What observation prompted Jesus to cross to the other side of the lake? (8:18)
• What orders did Jesus give? (8:18)
• What did the teacher of the law call Jesus? (8:19)
• What did the teacher of the law claim he would do? (8:19)
• Who approached Jesus? (8:19-20)
• What did Jesus tell the teacher of the law he would have to do without? (8:20)
• What animals did Jesus say were more secure than He? Why? (8:20)
• Who offered to follow Jesus? (8:21)
• What did one of Jesus’ disciples request? (8:21)
• What command did Jesus give to the disciple that offered to follow Him under certain conditions? (8:22)
• How did Jesus handle the disciple’s request? (8:22)

Apply It

• How can you model commitment to Christ for your children this week?
• What can you do this week to encourage a Christian who has made sacrifices to follow Christ?

Jesus Calms the Storm - Matthew 8:23-27

Understand It

• What did Jesus do with His disciples? (8:23)
• Who accompanied Jesus in the boat? (8:23)
• What surprise did the boaters encounter in this scene? (8:24)
• How severe was the weather? (8:24)
• What was Jesus doing during the storm? (8:24)
• What did the disciples do? (8:25)
• What did the disciples say? (8:25)
• How did Jesus reply to the disciples’ expression of fear? (8:26)
• What did Jesus do when the disciples expressed fear? (8:26)
• What was nature’s response to the command of Jesus? (8:26)
• How did the disciples react to this astonishing sequence of events? (8:27)
• What excellent question did the disciples raise? (8:27)

Apply It

• How can you strengthen your faith in God today?
• This week, what specific ways can you demonstrate your belief that Jesus will see you through the storms in your life?
• For what amazing acts do you need to thank God today?

The Healing of Two Demon-possessed Men - Matthew 8:28-34

Understand It

• Where did Jesus and the disciples come ashore? (8:28)
• Who met Christ and his men? (8:28)
• What was the spiritual state of the two individuals Jesus met? (8:28)
• Where did the strangers live? (8:28)
• What kind of behavior did the Gadarene men exhibit? (8:28)
• What did the two Gadarene men shout at Jesus? (8:29)
• What was nearby? (8:30)
• Who spoke to Jesus about the nearby herd of pigs? Why? (8:30)
• What request was made of Jesus? Why? (8:31)
• How did Jesus respond to the request that he cast the demons into the herd of pigs? (8:32)
• What happened as soon as Jesus spoke? (8:32)
• How did news of this event reach town? (8:33)
• How did the townspeople react to what happened? (8:34)

Apply It

• What individuals in your town are in the grip of Satan and need your prayers today and every day this week?
• Into what specific area(s) of your life do you need to invite Jesus to work today?