Lesson 22, Q3~Q4

Lesson 22

SECOND DAY: Read Matthew 21:18-22.

Q3. Read Mark 11:12-14. On a healthy fig tree in spring, if leaves are present, so is fruit.

Jesus Curses a Fig Tree and Clears the Temple Courts

12 The next day as they were leaving Bethany, Jesus was hungry. 13 Seeing in the distance a fig tree in leaf, he went to find out if it had any fruit. When he reached it, he found nothing but leaves, because it was not the season for figs. 14 Then he said to the tree, “May no one ever eat fruit from you again.” And his disciples heard him say it.

a. What did Jesus say when He found no fruit on the tree?

In Mark, “May no one ever eat fruit from you again.”

In Matthew, “May you never bear fruit again!”

b. What happened to the fig tree? Immediately the tree withered.

c. How was the tree with leaves but no fruit a picture of the religious hypocrites Jesus found at the temple? (See Matthew 21:12-17.) 

 The chief priests and the teachers of the law saw the wonderful things Jesus did and the children shouting, they were indignant. They look faithful just like the fig tree looks healthy, but bear no fruit.

Q4.

a. As Jesus saw the disciples’ amazement when the fig tree withered, what encouragement did He give them? Look also at Matthew 6:5-8 and John 15:7-8.

Matthew 6:5-8 5 “And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. 6 But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. 7 And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. 8 Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.

John 15:7-8 7 If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.

The hypocrites received their reward on earth. But when we pray in secret God sees it will reward us. If we remain in Jesus and follow Jesus’ teaching, ask whatever we wish, it will be done for us. This is to the Father’s glory, that we bear much fruit, showing ourselves to be Jesus’ disciples.

b. Read Mark 11:25. What additional truth did Jesus use the fig tree to teach?

Mark 11:25 And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.

Forgive everyone who sins against us then God will forgive us as well.

c. Can you share with your group a recent time a “mountain” seemed to stand in the way of God’s purpose for you, and He removed it when you prayed and trusted Him?

My morning time management is getting better this week after I put it to prayers.