Bible

In the Bible room today, we have arrived at the New Testament, and we will read the 28 chapters of Matthew in four sessions. Here is Session 1, the summaries of chapters 1 through 7.

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Matthew

Session 1 of 4

Introduction to Matthew:

Writer: Matthew. (Some scholars think that parts of this book could possibly have been written by the disciple, Mark.)

Scope: Matthew left his occupation as tax collector to join with Jesus as an early follower/disciple/apostle. The book was probably penned over a period of time, completed about twenty years after the death of Jesus.

Chapter 1. Genealogy

The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, son of David and Abraham:

• Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Judah, . . . . . Boaz, Obed, Jesse,
• David the king, Solomon, . . . . . Jeconiah(Jehoiachin);
• This is when the captivity to Babylon occurred;
• In Babylon, Jehoiachin fathers Shealtiel;
• Then Zerubbabel . . . . . . Joseph;
• Joseph and Mary were the parents of Jesus called Christ;
• Fourteen generations from Abraham to David;
• Fourteen generations from David to the captivity;
• Fourteen generations from the captivity to the Christ;
• Here is the story of the birth of Jesus Christ:
• Joseph and Mary were pledged to each other;
• The Holy Spirit caused Mary to conceive a child;
• Mary and Joseph named their first son Jesus.

Chapter 2. Gifts

Jesus was born in Bethlehem when Herod was king:

• Wise men visit Jerusalem to worship the newborn King;
• Herod sends them to find this new Child;
• They bring Jesus gifts of gold, frankincense, myrrh;
• Joseph takes his family down to Egypt for their safety;
• After two years the Lord tells him to go to Nazareth;
• The prophets had said Jesus would be called a Nazarene.

Chapter 3. Baptized

Sometime after Jesus was back in Israel there was a man named John:

• He was preaching throughout the region of Judea;
• People confessed their sins and John baptized them;
• Then one day Jesus showed up at the Jordon River;
• He told John he wanted to be baptized: John protested;
• Jesus told John that it was the right thing for him to do;
• So, John baptized Jesus in the Jordon;
• Then, like a dove, the Spirit of God descended on Jesus;
• And a voice from heaven said “This is My beloved Son
• In whom I am well pleased.”

Chapter 4. Disciples

Jesus is led to go into the wilderness where He is tempted by Satan:

• In preparation for that, Jesus fasts forty days and nights;
• Then, Satan tempts Jesus to turn stones into bread;
• But Jesus says ‘Man should live by the words of God;’
• Satan tempts Jesus to make Himself king of the world;
• And to worship Satan; but Jesus rejects the devil;
• Leaving Nazareth, Jesus begins His preaching ministry:
• His message: ‘Repent for the kingdom of God is coming.’
• At Galilee, He calls Peter and Andrew to be His disciples;
• Then He calls two other brothers, James and John;
• Jesus preaches, heals the sick throughout the region;
• Multitudes follow Jesus everywhere.

Chapter 5. Teaching

One day Jesus was looking around at the large crowd following Him:

• He and His disciples went up on a hill and sat down;
• Jesus began teaching by describing certain kinds of people:
• These people are the ‘blessed’: the poor, the mourning,
• The meek, the righteous, the merciful, the pure of heart;
• The peacemakers, and the persecuted for the Lord’s sake;
• He said His followers are the salt of the earth;
• They are the light of the world which will glorify God;
• He said He came not to destroy the Law, but to fulfill it;
• He said if you hate in your heart, it’s the same as murder;
• If you have lust in your heart, it’s the same as adultery;
• Do not return evil for evil, but do good for evil;
• Love your enemies, bless them, and pray for them;
• You are to be perfect, just like your Father in heaven.

Chapter 6. Secret

Jesus tells us to do good deeds in secret, pray in our secret place:

• Then, our Father who sees in secret, will reward us openly;
• He tells us not to pray just repeating useless words;
• He says the Lord already knows our needs;
• We are to pray honoring our Father in heaven;
• Asking for His forgiveness as we forgive others;
• When we fast, we should keep that secret also;
• Then, our Father who sees in secret will reward us openly;
• He says treasures we send to heaven will never decay;
• If we seek the things of God, He will supply all our needs.

Chapter 7. Authority

Jesus spoke to the multitude as One having authority:

• He tells us to judge people as we would judge ourselves;
• To receive good things from our Father in heaven,
• We need only to ask, to seek, and to knock on the door;
• Jesus says the way to life is narrow and few will find it;
• He tells the crowd to not listen to false prophets;
• We can know who they are by their fruits;
• He says He will reject them, will not accept them;
• People who fail to obey the words of Jesus are foolish;
• They are like those who build a house on the sand;
• Those who obey are like building their house on the rock;
• The people were astonished at all these teachings of Jesus.

End of Session 1 of 4 of the book of Matthew.