Jesus Heals a Paralytic - Matthew 9:1-8
Understand It
- What means of transportation did Jesus use to get to His own town? (9:1)
- What was Jesus’ destination? (9:1)
- Upon His arrival, whom did Jesus encounter? (9:2)
- What attribute did the men exhibit in coming to Christ? (9:2)
- What unexpected comment did Jesus make to the disabled person among them? (9:2)
- Who observed the exchange between the paralytic and Jesus? (9:3)
- What did the teachers of the law think about Jesus’ declaration? (9:3)
- What supernatural ability did Jesus use? (9:4)
- What did Jesus say about the teachers’ opinions? (9:4-6)
- What was Jesus’ argument for His authority to forgive sins? (9:5-6)
- What did Jesus do to prove His authority to forgive sins? (9:6)
- What happened to the paralytic? (9:7)
- What did the paralytic do? (9:7)
- What was the crowd’s reaction to this event? (9:8)
Apply It
- What can you do for a hurting friend this week?
- How can you show your appreciation to God today for His saving work in your life?
The Calling of Matthew - Matthew 9:9-13
Understand It
- Who did Jesus see sitting at a tax collector’s booth? (9:9)
- What was Matthew’s job? (9:9)
- What did Jesus tell Matthew to do? (9:9)
- How did Matthew respond to Jesus’ statement? (9:9)
- Where did Jesus and Matthew go? Why? (9:10)
- What kind of people joined Jesus and His new follower for dinner? (9:10)
- What did the Pharisees think of Jesus’ attendance at Matthew’s social function? (9:11)
- Who reported the Pharisees’ comments to Jesus? (9:12)
- What was Jesus’ response to the Pharisees? (9:12)
- What did Jesus tell His listeners they needed to learn? (9:13)
- What did Jesus say He had come to earth to do? (9:13)
Apply It
- How can you cultivate a relationship with a non-Christian friend this week?
- What can you do to remind yourself to view others as they can be, instead of seeing only their faults?
Jesus Questioned About Fasting - Matthew 9:14-17
Understand It
- Who approached Jesus after the dinner party at Matthew’s house? (9:14)
- What topic were John’s disciples interested in discussing with Christ? (9:14)
- What did John’s disciples want to know? (9:14)
- How did Jesus explain the fact that His disciples did not fast? (9:15)
- What imagery did Jesus use as an illustration? (9:15)
- To what did Jesus compare Himself? (9:15)
- What did Jesus suggest would happen? (9:15)
- What sewing illustration did Jesus use? (9:16)
- Using an illustration from the world of wine making, Jesus talked about the need to do what? (9:17)
- What did Jesus say would happen if new wine was poured into old wineskins? (9:17)
Apply It
- Throughout this week, how can you embrace God’s grace and acceptance in Christ?
- What specific steps can you take today to experience the joy that comes from appreciating Christ’s saving work?
A Dead Girl and a Sick Woman - Matthew 9:18-26
Understand It
- Who approached Jesus? (9:18)
- What did the man do? (9:18)
- With what startling situation and request did the man present Jesus? (9:18)
- How did Jesus react? (9:19)
- Who accompanied Jesus? (9:19)
- While Jesus and the others made their way to the man’s house, who touched Jesus’ cloak? (9:20)
- From what kind of ailment did the woman suffer? (9:20)
- What was the woman’s reasoning for touching Jesus’ cloak? (9:21)
- What happened as the woman made contact with Jesus? (9:22)
- What did Jesus do for the woman? (9:22)
- Why was the woman healed? (9:22)
- Upon arriving at the ruler’s house, what did Jesus say to the crowd? (9:24)
- What was the crowd’s response to Jesus’ unexpected statement? (9:24)
- What did Christ do after He put the crowd outside? (9:25)
- What happened after Christ left? (9:26)
Apply It
- How can you trust God today to work in the impossible situation you are facing?
- What act of kindness can you show this week to someone who is ill or grieving?
Jesus Heals the Blind and Mute - Matthew 9:27-34
Understand It
- Who was following Jesus? (9:27)
- What were the men calling Jesus? (9:27)
- What were the men asking Christ to do? (9:27)
- What question did Jesus ask the men who were following Him? (9:28)
- How did the men respond to Jesus’ question? (9:28)
- What did Jesus do to grant the men’s request? (9:29)
- What did Jesus say to the men? (9:30)
- What was the effect of Jesus’ actions on the men? (9:30)
- What stern warning did Jesus give the men? (9:30)
- How well did the men heed Jesus’ command? (9:31)
- Who was brought to Jesus for healing after the two blind men were healed? (9:32)
- What happened to the demon-possessed man? (9:33)
- What was the reaction of the onlookers when the demon was driven out? (9:33)
- How did the Pharisees explain what happened? (9:34)
Apply It
- What is the first step you need to take in obeying one command that you have found difficult to obey?
- How might you demonstrate the love of Christ this week to someone who is disabled?
The Workers Are Few - Matthew 9:35-38
Understand It
- Where did Jesus go? To do what? (9:35)
- Where did Jesus teach? (9:35)
- What did Jesus preach about? (9:35)
- What kinds of disease and sickness did Jesus heal? (9:35)
- What emotion did Jesus feel when He saw the crowds of people around Him? (9:36)
- Why did Jesus feel as He did? (9:36)
- What helpless animals were the people compared to? (9:36)
- In what terms did Jesus describe the situation He and His disciples were observing? (9:37)
- How did Jesus describe the number of people helping others come to Him? (9:37)
- Who did Jesus tell His disciples to discuss the lack of workers with? (9:37)
- *For whom did Jesus tell His disciples to pray? (9:37)
Apply It
- For what non-Christians will you pray regularly from now on?
- What missionaries can you pray for this week?
- How can you make a difference today in the life of someone who is "harassed and helpless"?
