Lesson 2: Jesus Calls Matthew

Lesson 2
Jesus Calls Matthew
Matthew 9:9-13
 
*  Review and Report on last week’s Walking Points questions and next steps. Thoughts? How did you do? Share any victories and/or struggles you may have had following through with your plan.
 
 
 
1.       Read Matthew 9:9-13 twice. (Also read Mark 2:13-17 and Luke 5:27-32) Write down any key ideas or phrases that catch your attention. What are the key principles you believe we ought to draw from this text? Why did you choose those principles?
 
 
 
2.       Describe what happened in this text.
 
 
 
3.       Why would Jesus calling for Matthew (Levi) to follow him, be a big deal (v. 9)?
 
 
 
Reflect on our last lesson. What does it mean to follow Jesus? How does Luke 5:28 describe Matthew’s response to the call of Jesus?
 
 
 
 
4.       Read John 6. Jesus had a large crowd following him. Why were they following him?
 
 
 
What happened to the large crowd of “followers” by the end of the chapter? Why?
 
 
 
 
We can’t read people’s minds nor are we to judge the motivation of people’s hearts, but what might John 6 teach us about why some people follow Jesus today? How is that different than what Jesus means when he commands us to follow him?
 
 
 
 
Do you ever find yourself resembling those who made up the large crowd of followers, in John 6? Explain.
 
 
 
 
5.       Matthew 9:10 says many tax collectors and sinners were at the table with Jesus. The Bible teaches us that we are all sinners. Matthew, however, had something different in mind in his use of the word, “sinners.” What would the Pharisees have meant by their use of the word, “sinners” (v. 11)?
 
 
 
 
6.       Skim through the four Gospels and find three examples of Jesus “hanging out” with tax collectors and/or sinners. Write down who they were. Describe the interaction.
 
 
 
 
List three things you learned from each encounter.
 
 
 
7.       How did Jesus respond when he heard the Pharisees’ question (v. 12-13)?
 
 
 
What did he mean?
 
 
 
 
Was Jesus teaching that some people are not in need of his mercy and grace? Explain.
 
 
 
 
8.       In Luke 5:32, Luke added that what Jesus calls sinners to is, “repentance.” Read the following verses and describe what they say about repentance – what it is and why it’s needed.
 
·         2 Chronicles 7:14 –
 
 
·         Matthew 3:1-2 –
 
 
·         Acts 2:37-38 –
 
 
·         Acts 3:19 –
 
 
 
·         Romans 2:4 –
 
 
·         2 Corinthians 7:8-11 –


9.       Based on the Scripture in the previous question, how would you define “repentance” to a friend? And, how would you describe to him his need for repentance?
 
 
 
 
Do you think it is possible to faithfully communicate the Gospel of Jesus Christ without a call to repentance? Why or why not?
 
 
 
Walking Points

10.    Why do you think repentance is so important? What does our need for it teach us about…
 
·         God –
 
 
·         The work of Christ –
 
 
·         Ourselves –
 
 
11.    What is the hardest thing about repentance for you?
 
 
 
 
 
In what area(s) of your life do you find it most difficult to repent?
 
 
 
Why is repentance so hard for people to practice on a regular basis?


 
12.    What are three key principles you learned about following Jesus in this lesson?
 
 
 
 
Write your plan for putting each principle into practice this coming week. Be ready to share your plan at the beginning of the next lesson.