SOURCE FOR QUESTIONS
Matthew 11:2 through 20:34

‍KEY VERSE FOR MEMORIZATION
“And when he was come into his own country, he taught them in their synagogue, insomuch that they were astonished, and said, Whence hath this man this wisdom, and these mighty works?” (Matthew 13:54)

BACKGROUND

Chapter 11 begins with John the Baptist seeking to have his belief in Christ confirmed. As he was languishing in prison, John was evidently tempted to be discouraged and disillusioned. He sent two of his disciples to ask Jesus if He was really the Messiah or if they should look for another. Instead of giving a direct answer, Jesus told the disciples to go back to John and report what they had seen and heard. His healing of the blind and lame, and the preaching of the Gospel to the poor were a fulfillment of the Messianic role that was prophesied in Isaiah 35:5-6 and 61:1.

Chapters 12 through 20 center on Jesus’ ministry and teachings. Despite growing antagonism from the Pharisees and others in the religious world, Jesus continued to teach concerning the Kingdom of Heaven, and explained the consequences of rejecting Him.

Jesus was the Master Teacher, instructing His hearers with authority and reaching people at their point of need. He taught the people through parables, sermons, picture illustrations, and personal examples. Through these teachings, Jesus revealed the true ingredients of faith, how to be fruitful, how to guard against hypocrisy, and how to prepare for Heaven.

The authority with which He taught was validated by the miracles that He performed: He fed the multitude with a few loaves and fishes, walked on water, cast out demons, and healed all who came to Him. He sent out his disciples to present His claims — they had gone into the highways and byways until they covered all the cities of Israel.

During this period, Jesus for the first time spoke with His disciples about His coming death and resurrection. He was transfigured on the mountain before Peter, James, and John, and continued His instructions to His followers, even though public animosity against Him was increasing.

QUESTIONS

1. What invitation is given to sinners in Matthew 11:28-30? What good can come from accepting this invitation?
   
2. In Matthew 12:31, Jesus stated that all manner of sin and blasphemy would be forgiven, except blasphemy against the Holy Ghost. Sometimes, such blasphemy is referred to as “the unpardonable sin.” Because a person can only be saved through the Holy Spirit’s work, the person who rejects the Holy Spirit removes himself from the only One who can lead him to repentance. Who was Jesus talking to in this passage, and why do you suppose He addressed this subject with them? Matthew 12:24-25
   
3. The parable of the fishing net has the same meaning as the parable of the wheat and the tares. In Matthew 13:47-49, explain the meaning of the following elements of this parable.
   
   The sea
   
   The fishes of the sea
   
   Casting the net into the sea 
   
   The fishermen 
   
4. Review Matthew 14:22-33. Christ told His disciples to get into the ship and go to the other side. While He went to pray, a storm arose, and the disciples were alone in the ship. Compare the disciples’ experience to your own experience when facing a trial. What should we do when going through storms in our own lives?
   
5. It is not clean hands but a clean heart that matters to God (Matthew 15:18-20). What does “defile” mean, and what things defile a man?
   
6. The Pharisees and Sadducees demanded a sign from Heaven (16:1-4). They tried to explain away Jesus’ other miracles as coincidence or a use of evil power, as they believed only God could put a sign in the sky. This, they were sure, would be a feat beyond Jesus’ power. Why did Jesus refuse to show them such a sign?
   
7. When Jesus’ disciples failed to cure the boy who was a lunatic, Jesus informed them that it was because of their unbelief. (Matthew 17:20) Why is it so important to have faith, even though it may be as small as a mustard seed?
   
8. In Matthew 18:21, Peter questioned Jesus regarding how often a person was required to forgive. Peter took for granted that he must forgive, and since the rabbis taught that people should forgive three times, he probably thought he was being especially generous by suggesting that perhaps seven times was enough. What response did Jesus give, and what was the significance of His response?
   
9. A rich young man asked Jesus how he might gain eternal life. Jesus told him to keep the Ten Commandments, and listed six of them, which related to relationships with others. When the young man replied that he had kept all of them, Jesus told him that he needed to do one more thing. What was that final requirement, and why did Jesus ask it of the man? Matthew 19:16-22
   
10. In the parable of the laborers in the vineyard, recorded in Matthew 20:1-16, the householder is God, the vineyard is the kingdom of Christ, and the laborers are His followers. What lesson for our day can we find in this parable?

CONCLUSION

We can know the way God wants us to live by carefully heeding what Jesus taught. His teachings show us how to live for Him in our day, and how to prepare for life eternal.