Jan. 28, 2024

Matthew 18 - Among the separatist community at Qumran – those who kept the Dead Sea Scrolls, later discovered in the 20th Century – there was a “Manual of Discipline” (known as 1QS by scholars). Some people think Matthew 18 is an early church version of a “Manual of Disciple.” Yet there is a great difference between Matthew 18 and what the Essenes of Qumran had. Their Manual of Disciple dealt with many specific rules; here Jesus deals with principles and attitudes that should mark His people as they get along with each other.

Matthew Lesson 31 Study Questions

1.    Who then is greatest: The disciples were often concerned about the question of greatness. They seem to ask this question thinking that Jesus has already _______ one of them as greatest, or as if they wanted Jesus to _______ among them.

2.    Jesus called a little child to Him: Jesus might have answered the question, “who is the greatest?” by pointing to __________. Instead, Jesus drew their attention to His _______ by having them look at a child as an ________.

3.    Whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom: Jesus then addressed the issue of greatness. When we most fulfill the _______ place a child had in that culture, we are then on our way to _________ in His kingdom.

4.    Whoever receives one little child like this in My name receives Me: Since the nature of Jesus is like one of these little children, how we treat those who are ________ like children shows what we think of the ________ of Jesus.

5.    Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin: Jesus takes it seriously when one of His little ones is led into sin. “Little ones” does not only mean children, but those who ________ themselves as ______ in the manner Jesus described.

6.    “woe to that man by whom the offense comes!” The second woe is a warning to the one who brings or introduces _____ to ________.

7.    If I cut off my right hand, I can still sin with my left. If my left eye is gouged out, my right eye can still sin – and if all such members are gone, I can still sin in my ______ and _____. God calls us to a far more radical transformation than any sort of bodily mutilation can address.

8.    Do not despise one of these little ones: Because God’s mind and eye is always on His little ones, we do well to treat them with _____ and ________. God protects the humble.

9.    Does he not leave the ninety-nine and go to the mountains to seek the one that is straying? This story demonstrates the value God places on ___________. Jesus exhorts us to ________ the same care.

10.    If two of you agree on earth: There is real power in __________ in _______ and in the presence of Jesus. This is exactly what the unrepentant ones miss out on.

11.    . It will be done for them by My Father in heaven: We must take advantage of the power of _________, which works on the principle related in Leviticus 26:8, where five set a hundred enemies to flight but a hundred set ten thousand enemies to flight. That’s the difference between one defeating 20 and one defeating 100. There is real power, ___________ power in the prayer of agreement.

12.    Where two or three are gathered: Jesus here indicated that meetings of His people – indeed, meetings full of ______ and __________ connected to heaven – do not need to be _______ gatherings. They can be of two or three of His followers at a time.

13.    I am there in the midst of them: This means that Jesus isn’t up front, closer to the ________ or the leaders. He is in the midst, there to be close to ____.