We learned in the weekend sermon that between the Old and New Testaments were 400 years of silence. God was not speaking to His people through prophets, and no angels were visiting God's people with messages from Him. Finally, after hundreds of years of waiting, Jesus, the long-awaited Messiah, was born in the humblest of circumstances. The Gospels, the books of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, record the story of Jesus, His ministry on earth, and His death and resurrection.
The word Gospel means “good news.” What good news have you received recently?
1. Read Galatians 4:4-5. How were the circumstances surrounding Jesus’ birth and the timing of His birth just the right time?
Galatians 4:4-5
But when the right time came, God sent his Son, born of a woman, subject to the law. 5 God sent him to buy freedom for us who were slaves to the law, so that he could adopt us as his very own children.
2. Read Matthew 4:18-22. What does this verse teach about the type of people Jesus called to follow Him and how we are to respond to Christ’s call to follow Him?
Matthew 4:18-22
18 One day as Jesus was walking along the shore of the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers—Simon, also called Peter, and Andrew—throwing a net into the water, for they fished for a living. 19 Jesus called out to them, “Come, follow me, and I will show you how to fish for people!” 20 And they left their nets at once and followed him. 21 A little farther up the shore he saw two other brothers, James and John, sitting in a boat with their father, Zebedee, repairing their nets. And he called them to come, too. 22 They immediately followed him, leaving the boat and their father behind.
18 One day as Jesus was walking along the shore of the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers—Simon, also called Peter, and Andrew—throwing a net into the water, for they fished for a living. 19 Jesus called out to them, “Come, follow me, and I will show you how to fish for people!” 20 And they left their nets at once and followed him.
21 A little farther up the shore he saw two other brothers, James and John, sitting in a boat with their father, Zebedee, repairing their nets. And he called them to come, too. 22 They immediately followed him, leaving the boat and their father behind.
3. Read Matthew 5:43-48. How did this teaching from Jesus challenge the common way of thinking regarding how to treat others?
Matthew 5:43-48
43 “You have heard the law that says, ‘Love your neighbor’ and hate your enemy. 44 But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! 45 In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven. For he gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good, and he sends rain on the just and the unjust alike. 46 If you love only those who love you, what reward is there for that? Even corrupt tax collectors do that much. 47 If you are kind only to your friends, how are you different from anyone else? Even pagans do that. 48 But you are to be perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect.
4. Read John 3:16-17. Why did Jesus come, according to this passage of Scripture and what was Jesus' purpose?
John 3:16-17
16 “For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. 17 God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him.
Application
5. Jesus came at just the right time. What area of your life do you need to trust His timing, and how does the reminder that He came at just the right time give you hope?
6. When it comes to following Jesus, is there anything keeping you from being fully devoted? If so, what is it?
7. Who do you need to know who needs to know the hope of Christ?
The word gospel means “Good news.” Our world today desperately needs the good news that Jesus has to offer. Spend the next few minutes praying specifically by name for the people who are in your lives who do not know Christ. This week, look for opportunities to reach out to them and share the good news that Jesus saves.
Jesus taught many things throughout His ministry on earth. He was, in fact, the master teacher. He used a variety of teaching methods to help His listeners understand important truths about God and the Kingdom of God. He asked questions, told stories, and lectured, among many other things. Let's take a look at three different teaching methods Jesus utilized.
Jesus' most common teaching method was storytelling. He told many stories, also known as parables, to the crowds he taught. These relatable stories taught listeners something about God and His kingdom. Take a look at one of Jesus' parables now.
1. Read Luke 15:1-7.
Luke 15:1-7
Tax collectors and other notorious sinners often came to listen to Jesus teach. 2 This made the Pharisees and teachers of religious law complain that he was associating with such sinful people—even eating with them! 3 So Jesus told them this story: 4 “If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them gets lost, what will he do? Won’t he leave the ninety-nine others in the wilderness and go to search for the one that is lost until he finds it? 5 And when he has found it, he will joyfully carry it home on his shoulders. 6 When he arrives, he will call together his friends and neighbors, saying, ‘Rejoice with me because I have found my lost sheep.’ 7 In the same way, there is more joy in heaven over one lost sinner who repents and returns to God than over ninety-nine others who are righteous and haven’t strayed away!
2. Why did Jesus tell this parable?
3. Summarize Jesus' message in this passage of Scripture.
4. How are you currently seeking out those who are lost and need the hope of Christ?
Questions are powerful teaching tools. Being the master teacher, Jesus asked great questions when He taught. In fact, His questions created some of His most impactful teaching moments on earth. Take a look at the questions Jesus asked during His famous teaching message, also known as “The Sermon on the Mount.”
1. Read Matthew 6:25-34.
Matthew 6:25-34
25 “That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn’t life more than food, and your body more than clothing? 26 Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are? 27 Can all your worries add a single moment to your life? 28 “And why worry about your clothing? Look at the lilies of the field and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, 29 yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. 30 And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith? 31 “So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ 32 These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. 33 Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. 34 “So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.
2. Look at the different questions Jesus asked in this passage of Scripture. Which stands out to you?
3. How are these questions powerful teaching tools?
4. What was Jesus teaching His listeners by asking these questions?
Jesus also taught by giving lectures, which are among the most common teaching tools in our world today. Lectures include straightforward teaching. Lectures take place when the teacher tells their students exactly what they want them to know and do. Take a look at one of Jesus' lectures now.
1. Matthew 5:13-16.
Matthew 5:13-16
13 “You are the salt of the earth. But what good is salt if it has lost its flavor? Can you make it salty again? It will be thrown out and trampled underfoot as worthless. 14 “You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. 15 No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.
2. What teaching tools did Jesus use in this lecture?
3. Summarize Jesus' message to His listeners in this passage of Scripture.
4. What does it look like today as “salt” and “light?”
Jesus said as He was teaching in Matthew 7:24-25, “Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock. Though the rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters rise and the winds beat against that house, it won’t collapse because it is built on bedrock.” Look back at Jesus’ teachings that you read today. What command do you need to obey today? Share it with your group now. When everyone has finished, pray together. Pray for the courage to take the steps of obedience that you all shared today.
MONTHLY MEMORY VERSE (Available for download on Sagebrush App)
He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever. Revelation 21:4
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