New Testament in a Year – Matthew 9

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"?