Lesson 21, Q11~Q13

FIFTH DAY: Read Matthew 21:1-17; Luke 19:28-44; John 12:12-19.

Q11.

a. What might show you that Jesus possibly already knew the owner of the colt?

Jesus sent two disciples to find a donkey and her colt which no one has ever ridden. And the owner who knew the Lord let them took away the animals. However, those information could be revealed from God to Jesus. I cannot find additional clue shows me that Jesus might know the owner.

b. Who praised Jesus when He entered Jerusalem? Give verses.

A very large crowd.

c. Which groups objected when people praised Jesus? Give verses.

The chief priests and the teachers of the law (Matt 21:15); the Pharisees (Luke 19:39 & John12:19)

d. What words from this passage will you use to praise Jesus today?

Matthew 21:9

“Hosanna to the Son of David!”

“Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”

“Hosanna in the highest heaven!”

Luke 19:38

“Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!”

“Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!”

John 12:13

“Hosanna!”

“Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”

“Blessed is the king of Israel!”

Q12. (Challenge) Give at least two prophecies that Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem fulfilled. For help, refer to verses listed in the margin of your Bible.

Zechariah 9:9, Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion! Shout, Daughter Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous and victorious, lowly and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.

Psalm 118:26, Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the LORD; We have blessed you from the house of the LORD.

Isaiah 56:7, those I will bring to My holy mountain And make them joyful in My house of prayer.

Jeremiah 7:11, Has this house, which bears my Name, become a den of robbers to you? But I have been watching!

Psalm 8:2 Through the praise of children and infants
you have established a stronghold against your enemies, to silence the foe and the avenger.

Q13.

a. What did Jesus say was a main purpose of the temple? (See Matthew 21:13.)

My house will be called a house of prayer.

b. How is the word “temple” used in the following verses?

John 2:18-22 The Jews then responded to him, “What sign can you show us to prove your authority to do all this?” ¹⁹ Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and I will raise it again in three days.”

²⁰ They replied, “It has taken forty-six 46 years to build this temple, and you are going to raise it in three days?” ²¹ But the temple he had spoken of was his body. ²² After he was raised from the dead, his disciples recalled what he had said. Then they believed the scripture and the words that Jesus had spoken.

The temple is Jesus’ body.

1 Corinthians 6:19 Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own;

Our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit.

Ephesians 2:21–22 In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. 22 And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.

In Jesus the temples of our bodies joined together and rises to become a holy temple in which God lives by His Spirit.

c. (Challenge) Read Titus 3:5 and 1 John 1:7-9; 3:24. How does Christ cleanse the “temple of our body” in which the Holy Spirit lives today?

Titus 3:5

5 he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit,

1 John 1:7-9

7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.

8 If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.

1 John 3:24

24 The one who keeps God’s commands lives in him, and he in them. And this is how we know that he lives in us: We know it by the Spirit he gave us.

1. The Holy Spirit cleanses the temple of our bodies through the washing of rebirth and renewal.

2. We should walk in the light and have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus purifies us from all sin.

3. We should confess our sins and Jesus will forgive us and purify us from all unrighteousness.

4. The Spirit will let us know that Jesus lives in us if we live in Him.

Lesson 21, Q8~Q10

FOURTH DAY: Read Matthew 20:17-34.

Q8.

a. What did Jesus tell His disciples would happen when they went to Jerusalem?

The Son of Man will be delivered over to the chief priests and the teachers of the law. They will condemn him to death and will hand him over to the Gentiles to be mocked and flogged and crucified. On the third day he will be raised to life!”

b. Read Mark 10:35-45; Luke 18:34. How did the disciples’ desire for greatness show that they did not under­stand what the cross would mean for Jesus and His followers?

They desired to sit at the second seat beside Jesus when Jesus receives His glory. Then Jesus asked them. “Can you drink the cup I am going to drink?” they answered “We can” show that they did not understand any of this.

c. How did Jesus point to Himself as the example of true greatness?

Jesus knows He will be delivered over to the chief priests and the teachers of the law. He will be condemned to death, be mocked and flogged and crucified; it is the cup from God. And Jesus is the true greatness because the cup only He could take.

Q9.

a. (Challenge) Read Psalm 75:7-8; Isaiah 51:17. Explain what it means to drink God’s cup.

Psalm 75:7-8  It is God who judges: He brings one down, he exalts another. In the hand of the Lord is a cup full of foaming wine mixed with spices; he pours it out, and all the wicked of the earth drink it down to its very dregs.

Isaiah 51:17 The Cup of the Lord’s Wrath

Awake, awake! Rise up, Jerusalem, you who have drunk from the hand of the Lord the cup of his wrath, you who have drained to its dregs the goblet that makes people stagger

The cup filled with the wine of God’s wrath. To drink God’s cup means to take the punishment for our sins.

Jeremiah 25:15

This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, said to me: "Take from my hand this cup filled with the wine of my wrath and make all the nations to whom I send you drink it.

Isaiah 63:6

I trampled the nations in my anger; in my wrath I made them drunk and poured their blood on the ground."

b. Read Matthew 20:28; John 18:11; 1 Peter 2:24. Why did Jesus drink this cup?

Just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.

Jesus commanded Peter, “Put your sword away! Shall I not drink the cup the Father has given me?

“He himself bore our sins” in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; “by his wounds you have been healed.”

Jesus drank the cup from the Father that given his life as a ransom to bear our sins.

c. Read Acts 12:1-2; Revelation 1:9. How did the sons of Zebedee share Jesus’ cup?

James was persecuted and killed by King Herod because he belonged to the church. John was banished on the island of Patmos for his testimony of Jesus and the word of God.

d. Read Matthew 26:27-29. Because Jesus fully atoned for our sin, from what cup may believers drink?

We are drinking the blood of Jesus who paid the Atonement for our sins.

Q10. What truth from the story of the two blind men will you apply to your life this week? (See also Mark 10:46-52.)

Bravely tell Jesus what we want Him to do for us in or prayers.

Lesson 21, Q7

THIRD DAY: Read Matthew 20:1-16.

Q7.

a. How is Matthew 19:28-30 connected to this parable?

In the kingdom of heaven the first will be last, and the last will be first. The reward is not from our work but from God’s grace only.

b. How is the landowner a picture of the sovereignty and fairness of God?

The landowner has dealt with different workers in various timings, but same fair wage reflects that God has dealt with us individually in different situations and fairly provides the salvation to who has repented.

c. Read Luke 15:11-32. How are the men who worked all day like the older brother in the Luke passage?

The men who worked all day like the older brother that followed the Father for a long time. They think they are better than others for God, so they deserve more payment. They are not focus on God’s grace, but being proud of their own achievement and jealous of others.

d. What truth could help you if you have the same attitude as the early workers?

They don’t know the wage is the salvation from the blood of Jesus that is way too precious than any human effort should earn.

e. How does the grace of God amaze you?

He showed His grace by calling the people, early in the morning, 9 in the morning, at noon, and also 5 in the afternoon. Even when we have forsaken Him He will still welcome us if we repent.

Lesson 21, Q3~Q6

Lesson 21

SECOND DAY: Read Matthew 19:23-30.

Q3.

a. How do you see the truth of verses 23-26, regarding wealth and success, in your culture?

The truth is as what Jesus said, it is hard for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of heaven. In our culture some poor people said that their lives are not worth to live (爛命一條); that they rather die than to live a awful life. In contrast, the rich people are afraid of dying; they enjoy and love the world too much. They won’t let go the world, but miss the chance for eternal life.

b. How does verse 26 encourage you to pray for those who do not yet trust in Jesus?

"With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible"

I always remind myself when everything went wrong in my sight, everything looked impossible for us to turn the situation differently; there are always good purposes from God that He places me in such a circumstance. It may be hard to understand but I will trust Him continually.

Q4. To all who give up something or someone for His sake, what does Christ promise:

a. In this life?

“And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or fields for my sake will receive a hundred times as much…”

b. In the future?

“and will inherit eternal life. At the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man sits on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.”

Q5.

a.  Read Mark 10:29-30. What additional promise do you find in these verses?

We will receive a hundred times as much in this present age: homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children and fields—along with persecutions—and in the age to come eternal life.

b. Give other aspects of this truth from the following verses:

Romans 8:17-18 

If we are heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ we share in Jesus’ sufferings in present we may share His glory in future.

2 Timothy 3:12

We must be persecuted if we want to live a godly life in Christ Jesus.

1 Peter 2:19-21 

We should be suffered for God’s kingdom like Jesus suffered for us.

1 Peter 4:12-13

Be a Christian will be tested by fiery ordeal, but rejoice when his glory is revealed because we participate in the suffering of Christ.

Q6. How does God bring joy and reward to Christ’s followers today?

1. Jesus will be the judge for us, whatever we loss or give up for the kingdom of heaven in our homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children and jobs will gain a hundred times as much in our homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children and jobs in the present age and in eternal life.

2. The Holy Spirit is being with us providing protection and guidance. When we don’t know how to pray the Holy Spirit will pray for us with a sweet whisper.

3. When we feel sad, weak or sick we can dependent on Jesus because God always listens to our prayers and bring comfort to us. The angels of Christians see God’s face everyday.

4. God forgives us for the things we did wrong whenever we repent to Jesus.

Lesson 20, Q11~Q13

Fifth day: Read Matthew 19:16-22.

Q11

a. (Challenge) How was the attitude of this man the opposite of the childlike humility Jesus talked about in verse 14?

He wanted to inherit eternal life and he thought himself was a good man who followed the commandments: not murder, not commit adultery, not steal, not give false testimony, not defraud, and honor his father and mother.

And also his wealth makes him proud that he’s better than other people to inherit eternal life.

Said in 1 Corinthians 1:29, so that no one may boast before him.

Said in Titus 3:5, He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of His mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit,

Said in Ephesians 2:9, not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.

b. How did Jesus reveal the man’s wrong thinking about eternal life?

Jesus said to his disciples, “Truly I tell you, it is hard for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of heaven. ²⁴ Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.”

For in Matthew 6:19: Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieved break in and steal. The man thought he had everything to earn the ticket for eternal life. And he’s not willing to put down for God.

Q12, Read Matthew 22:37-40.

a. What two great commandments did this man not realize he had neglected?

Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.

Love your neighbor as yourself.

b. What did the man love more than he loved God and his neighbor?

Money; the world.

Q13, Read Mark 10:17-31.

a. What was Jesus’ attitude toward the man?

Jesus first asked the man ¹⁸ “Why do you call me good?” Jesus answered. “No one is good—except God alone. Jesus already knew the man’s attitude.

The man declared, “All these I have kept since I was a boy.” ²¹ Jesus looked at him and loved him. Even the man was proud and selfish Jesus still loved him.

b. What do you learn from Jesus about weakening the gospel to try to make it acceptable to people?

People might be attracted by the weakened gospel, however, if they were not from God’s calling, nor truly love God. They won’t be able to follow the law for eternal life.

Sixth day: Review Matthew 19:1-22.

Q14, What did you learn from Matthew 19:1-22 about whom or what you love most, and how may your group pray for you? Stop to love this world. Put Jesus as the first priority.

People who may have church life or even study bible diligently, but if they are not able to put down the world they are from the flesh but not from the calling of God.

Lesson 20, Q8~Q10

Fourth day: Read Matthew 19:10-15.

Q8,

a. How did Jesus imply that God’s purposes for some people’s lives are best accomplished through not marrying?

Jesus said that only to those God called to be eunuch. The one who can accept not to marry should accept the gift from God for the sake of the kingdom of heaven.   

b. Read 1 Corinthians 7:1-9; 26-28; 32-35; 39-40. What did Paul teach about the same truth? List reasons God might ask someone not to marry.

For those who marry will face many troubles in this life. An unmarried man or woman is concerned about the Lord’s affairs. Their aims are to be devoted to the Lord in both body and spirit. Therefore, God asks someone not to marry. And the calling to be single is a gift from God. Paul also said, the widow would be happier if she stays as she is and having the Spirit of God with her just liked Paul.

Q9

a. (Challenge) How are Christians pressured to drift away from the biblical view of both marriage and a single life?

Said in 1 John 2:15-16, if anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world. Also said in James 4:4 anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God. Christians are pressured to drift away from the biblical view for both in marriage and single life because who he loves the world too much.

The world includes our family and friends who told us to get marry before too late, to have baby before too old, to get educated and to be rich, also to get the equal rights between men and women. So the relationship between husband and wife drift away from the biblical view.

b. How could you strengthen yourself and influence others to follow God’s will in these matters?

I read Bible and pray to God to strengthen myself not to follow the world.

I try not to judge others but to love them like Jesus love me and to apply the principles I learned from Bible to influence others to follow God’s will.

Q10,

a. Why did people bring children to Jesus? (See also Mark 10:13-16.)

They brought children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them and bless them.

b. What are possible reasons the disciples did not want children brought to Jesus?

The young children cannot fully comprehend. Or even worse that those kids were crying or making noises. Therefore, the disciples may think they are not spiritual so why waste the time.

c. How do Christians fail to help children come to Jesus?

Despise the little child.

d. When children come to your home, how could you bring them to Jesus?

Tell them the story about the baby Jesus in a manger.