Daily Devotional: Matthew - Week 8

Daily Study Guide To Help You Grow In The Lord

Gospel of Matthew                       Week 8 – 1/16/11

Monday – Read Matthew 6:25-34

Prayer: Ask God to open your heart so that you can learn what He has prepared for you during your study.

1. What do you understand to be the meaning of the word “anxious”? The meaning of the word is “worry, anxiety” and from its use in context, it seems to imply “worrying to the point of not paying attention to other things.” We have to give thought to these things, but if the thoughts we are having are distracting us from doing other things, the more important things, it becomes wrong.

2. In the context of these verses, what is the general topic of things that we are told not to be anxious about? Our daily needs, food and clothing.

3. What are the two reasons the author says we should not be anxious? Being anxious does not change anything and God promise to take care of His children.

4. What statement does the author say anxiety makes about you, verse 30? You are not keeping your thoughts on the important things of life.

5. Verse 34 adds something else to the list of things we should not be anxious about. What is verse 34 talking about? The things that are going to happen tomorrow.

6. Thought Question – In context, what does being anxious cause us not to do, verse 33? Seek God’s kingdom and righteousness first.

Prayer:  Ask God to help you keep your focus on the things of the kingdom.

Daily Devotional: Matthew - Week 6

Daily Study Guide To Help You Grow In The Lord

Gospel of Matthew                                    Week 6 – 1/2/11

Monday – Read Matthew 5:21-36

Prayer: Ask God to open your heart so that you can learn what He has prepared for you during your study.

1. What do you think Jesus was referring to when He said, “You have heard that it was said...” verse 21? What the people would have been taught by the scribes and teachers of the Law concerning the teachings of the Law.

2. In the time of Jesus, where would you find it written “You shall not murder,” and “whoever murders shall be liable to judgment,” verse 21? In the Law of Moses, the Ten Commandments.

3. What do you think the statement “...shall be liable to judgment...” was referring to? In the context, it was talking about the punishment prescribed by the Law; the punishment a person would receive for breaking the Law.

4. What do you think Jesus was saying in verse 22? God’s intent in giving the Law that said “You shall not murder” was more than just keeping people from killing one another.

5. In verses 23 thru 25 Jesus gives two reasons you should make peace with your brother. What are those two reasons? To make your offerings acceptable to God and to escape being brought before the courts and charged with wrong actions.

6. Thought Question – What do you think is the primary message of Jesus in verses 21-26?  God had a higher purpose in giving the Law than just keeping people from taking wrong actions against one another. He was giving a standard of punishment from wrong actions, but His desire was for people to love other people.

Prayer:  Pray for a heart that sees people through the eyes of Jesus so you will always treat them like Jesus.