Matthew & I, Steffie Gray [best classic novels txt] 📗

 

And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me. Matthew 10:38 KJV

 

Doing God’s work is called Christian ministry. What do all Christian ministers need (vs. 1)? Who should ministers of Christ obey (vs. 5)? Who provides for these ministers (vs. 8-10)? What should be done if the minister id not welcomed (vs. 14)?

 

What are some of the dangers ministers face (vs. 16-26)? Who should they learn to fear (vs. 26,28, 32-33)? What are ministers to say (vs. 27)? How are ministers to treat their families (vs. 34-40; 1 Timothy 5:4,8)? What is the smallest gift a minister can receive (vs. 42)?

Chapter 11

 

To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice. John 18:37 KJV

 

What did Jesus do when He sent His disciples off to do ministry (vs. 1)? How did the people of John’s time reject God’s message to them? How did the people of Jesus’ time reject God’s Word?

 

Who does God take delight in (vs. 25,26)? Who are the people Jesus called out to (vs. 28-30)? Who are the people who benefitted from His help (vs. 5)? What response did Jesus expect from those who saw His work (vs. 20,21)? What response did He get (vs. 16,17)?

Chapter 12

 

Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. Matthew 11:29 KJV

 

What is the Sabbath? Where did it originate (Genesis 2:3)? What were Jewish people told about the Sabbath (Exodus 20:8-11)? Instead of a rigid rule what was God expecting of Jewish Sabbath keepers (vs. 6,12)? Does Jesus expect Christians to observe the Sabbath (Exodus 31:15,17; Colossians 2:16,17)?

 

In the description of Jesus in vs. 18-21 do you get the impression that He is a person of violence? Is He a loud, rowdy person? Is He likely to protest and march in the streets? Is He likely to discourage those who are trying to serve Him?

 

How did the demon affect the man (vs. 22)? Why did the demon enter the man (vs. 29)? Why could a demon re-enter a person (vs. 43-45; John 5:14; 1 John 5:18)? Who does Jesus consider to be a part of His family (vs. 50)?

Chapter 13

 

Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. John 3:3 KJV

 

Why are some people never healed (vs. 14,15)? Why does Jesus speak to them in parables (vs. 11,13)? Why does He not use parables to teach His disciples (vs. 10-24)?

 

In the first parable, the type of heart a person has is represented with soil type. The Word of God is the seed. What is necessary for the seed to grow in soils 1 & 4 (vs. 19,23)? Why did the seed in soil 2 fail (vs. 21)? Why did the seed in soil 3 fail (vs. 22)?

 

Who sows good seeds (vs. 37)? Who sows evil seeds or weeds (vs. 37)? In church groups we will find true Christians and evil people (weeds) trying to look good (vs. 47-50). Who is never fooled (Matthew 7:21-23)? Why does Jesus allow good and evil people to exist together in the church (vs.29,30,39-43)? What test does He use to separate good from evil people (Matthew 12:33-37)? If a person hears and obeys God’s Word, what effect will this have (vs. 31-33)?

 

The truth the God gives is like treasure. How are we to treat Go’s truth (vs. 44-46; Proverbs 23:23)? Those who store God’s treasure in their hearts always have something fresh and new to share (vs. 52). Why did the people reject what Jesus was saying (vs. 53-58)?

Chapter 14

 

Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me,) to do thy will, O God. Hebrews 10:7 KJV

 

From everything you now of John the Baptist, did you expect him to die in this way? How did the news of his death affect Jesus (vs. 13)? But grief did not stop Jesus from being compassionate to others (vs. 13-14). When people grieve they tend to have little time and patience for the needs of others. How did Moses behave when he grieved (Numbers 20:1-12)? Was God impressed with Moses’ behaviour? Would He be pleased with Jesus’ behaviour?

 

In what way does Jesus expect his ministers to care for others (vs. 16)? Even with a rough day He still found time for _______ (vs. 22,23)? Even when we grieve we should not neglect what is essential. At 4 o’clock in the morning, during a storm, what did the disciples lack (vs. 27)? What did Peter lack (vs. 31)? In treating His disciples this way how did Jesus make them better disciples?

Chapter 15

 

Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life. Proverbs 4:23 KJV

 

Religious people put their effort into impressing others. What does Jesus expect His disciples to put their effort into (vs. 8,9)? The heart is a storage room for good or evil treasure. When the mouth speaks it brings its treasure from the __________ (vs. 13-20)?

 

Washing hands prevents germs from going into the stomach. Controlling your emotions prevents evil from being stored in your heart (Proverbs 4:23). Failure to protect the heart from unruly emotions leads to internal contamination. What are some of the sins of a contaminated heart (vs. 19)? What is more important to Jesus, washed hands or a washed heart? How does a heart get washed (1 John 1:7,9)?

Chapter 16

 

Signs are everywhere. There are traffic signs, weather signs, and even spiritual world signs. If you can read everyday signs you must learn to read the signs of the times. Greater than a sign is a teaching. Teachings have three sources. The faulty teaching of man is like yeast (vs. 5-12). Once exposed to it, it works its way through your life contaminating it.

 

God the Father can also reveal truth in the form of a teaching (vs. 16,17). Satan, the enemy of all humans, can also provide his own evil teaching (vs. 22,23). This kind of teaching creates an obstruction for what God has chosen to do.

 

Jesus taught us the teaching of our Heavenly Father. What did He teach His disciples would do? What did He teach preserves life (vs. 24)? What did He teach about investment (vs. 26)? What did He teach about future reward (vs. 27)?

Chapter 17

 

If Moses and Elijah could speak to Jesus what does this say about life