Friday, September 30, 2022

September 30 = Life of Christ #195 (Matthew 22:34-40; Mark 12:28-34) Religious Leaders Question Jesus About The Greatest Commandment

Religious Leaders Question Jesus About The Greatest Commandment
Matthew 22:34-40
Mark 12:28-34

Intro Questions



Jesus Discusses the Greatest Commandment

Matthew 22:34–40; Mark 12:28–34

Mt 22:34When the Pharisees heard that He had silenced the Sadducees, they came together in the same place. Mk 12:28One of the scribes approached. When he heard them debating and saw that Jesus answered them well, he asked Him, “Which commandment is the most important of all? [Mt 22:36Which commandment in the law is the greatest?]”

29“This is the most important [Mt 22:38greatest and most important commandment],” Jesus answered: “ ‘Hear, O Israel! The Lord our God is one Lord. 30And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ 31The second is: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these. Mt 22:39bAll the Law and the Prophets depend on these two commandments.”

Mk 12:32–33Then the scribe said to Him, “Well said, Teacher! You have spoken in truth that He is one, and there is no one else except Him. 33And to love Him with all the heart, with all the understanding, and with all the strength, and to love one’s neighbor as oneself, is far more important than all the burnt offerings and sacrifices.”

34When Jesus saw that he answered intelligently, He said to him, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.” And no one dared to question Him any longer.[1]



[1] Knight, G. W. (2001). A simplified harmony of the Gospels (pp. 194–195). Holman Bible Publishers.


  • God is ... What do we learn about God in this passage?
  • We are ... What do we learn about people in this passage?

  • I will ... What has the Holy Spirit revealed to us in this passage? How can I apply it to my life this week?

  • You can ... Who do you know who needs to hear this? Feel free to share with others by social media links at the bottom of this.
https://youtu.be/OWXSgz52KLA



Immigration and Ordering Love for Neighbors with Marco Arroyo
Apr 30, 2025  Radically Christian Podcast = This episode of the Radically Christian Bible Study Podcast tackles the emotionally charged issue of immigration from a Christian perspective. Wes McAdams is joined by Marco Arroyo, who shares deeply personal stories from his family’s immigration background. They discuss how complicated immigration really is, emphasizing that it’s not just a policy issue but a deeply human one involving real people and real suffering.
They explore the idea of "ordered love" (ordo amoris), a theological concept popularized by Augustine. They push back against how some Christians misuse it to justify prioritizing loyalty to country over love for neighbor. Instead, they stress that Christians must love those whom God places in their path—including immigrants—out of a primary love for God. They argue that loving one's family or nation should never become an excuse for ignoring the suffering of others right in front of us. 
Marco Arroyo is the preaching minister at the Seagoville Church of Christ in southeast Dallas County and the host of the In Between Sundays YouTube channel and podcast. His work focuses on cultural commentary, theological discussion, and engaging dialogues with other believers about modern faith challenges.



More Resources:

Mark 12:28-34 — Kingdom Priorities
http://johnmarkhicks.com/2012/05/14/mark-1228-34-kingdom-priorities/



https://www.youtube.com/c/edmondchurchofchrist

Notes:


#Sadducees

Although they were not as numerous as the Pharisees, the Sadducees were a powerful and influential group in Jesus’ day. They were from the upper echelon of Jewish society. Many of them were prosperous merchants and businessmen. Their ranks also included the high priests and the most influential members of the priesthood (Acts 5:17).

The Sadducees accepted only the first five books of the Old Testament as authoritative. They did not believe in the resurrection because it was not supported, so they claimed, by these five books. As antisupernaturalists, they also denied the existence of angels and spirits (Mark 12:18–27). These beliefs may have been motivated by their power and status in Jewish society. Since they did not believe in the resurrection and life after death, they did not have to worry about rewards or punishments in the afterlife.

The Sadducees probably argued with the leaders of other Jewish groups and condemned their beliefs. In this situation, they hoped to undermine Jesus by making Him look ridiculous.




Document for DBS

Series: The Generous Life “Open Heart & Hands”

Title: When Giving Hurts

Bookmark: Click Here

Opening Thoughts: Most of us have a "generosity threshold." Our giving rarely exceeds our comfort level. But what would happen if we gave until it hurt? Sacrificial giving forces us to give up control and rely on God.

v  Imagine dating question. How much effort do I need to give to be okay with you?

o   Where is your “Generosity Threshold”?

 

===============================================================

Text: Mark 12:38-44

Warning Against the Teachers of the Law

38 As he taught, Jesus said, “Watch out for the teachers of the law. They like to walk around in flowing robes and be greeted with respect in the marketplaces, 39 and have the most important seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at banquets. 40 They devour widows’ houses and for a show make lengthy prayers. These men will be punished most severely.”

The Widow’s Offering

41 Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. 42 But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a few cents.

43 Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others44 They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everythingall she had to live on.”

===============================================================

Summarize the main story: Describe the events of the story in your own words.

v  Review and retell the story.

Reflections for applications:

v  They are calling attention to themselves (vs. 38-40)

v  The widow gives attention to God. (vs. 41-44)

o   Many Christians have one issue that haunts them and never falls silent. The issue that haunts me is money. It hangs over me. It keeps me off balance, restless, uncomfortable, nervous. I feel pulled in opposite directions over the money issue. Sometimes I want to sell all that I own and join a Christian commune and live out my days in intentional poverty. At other times I want to rid myself of the guilt and enjoy the fruit of our nation's prosperity. –Philip Yancey

o   Does Jesus expect us to give everything?

o   Luke 18:22 When Jesus heard this, he said to him, “You still lack one thing. Sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”

v  What are some handles for this?

o   Consider stretching your threshold of generosity.

o   Are you giving until it hurts?

 

Digging Questions:

·         How will you respond in generosity?

·         What do these biblical texts tell you about God and His nature?

·         What is God calling us to do?

Take Away Challenges

·         What has the Holy Spirit revealed to you in this passage? How will you apply it to your life this week?

·         Whom do you know who needs to hear this?

·         What is God bringing to your attention in this discussion? What beliefs, thoughts or actions need to be addressed or changed?

Hash tags #Give #Generosity

Sunday sermon link          https://youtu.be/OWXSgz52KLA

Kevin’s Blog Link to more resources: Click here for Kevin’s Blog Notes

Comments and resources with some more resources:

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mark+12%3A38-44&version=NIV


Thursday, September 29, 2022

September 29 = Life of Christ #194 (Matthew 22:23-33; Mark 12:18-27; Luke 20:27-40) Religious Leaders Question Jesus About the Resurrection

Religious Leaders Question Jesus About the Resurrection
Matthew 22:23-33
Mark 12:18-27
Luke 20:27-40

What was the last big exam you had to really prepare for? How did you do?
In heaven, who or what on earth would you miss most?


The Sadducees Question Jesus about the Resurrection

Matthew 22:23–33; Mark 12:18–27; Luke 20:27–40

Mt 22:23–28The same day some Sadducees, who say there is no resurrection, came up to Him and questioned Him: 24“Teacher, Moses said, ‘if a man dies, having no children, his brother is to marry his wife and raise up offspring for his brother.’ 25Now there were seven brothers among us. The first got married and died. Having no offspring, he left his wife to his brother. 26The same happened to the second also, and the third, and so to all seven. 27Then last of all the woman died. 28Therefore, in the resurrection, whose wife will she be of the seven? For they all had married her.”

29Jesus answered them, “You are deceived, because you don’t know the Scriptures or the power of God. Lk 20:34b–38 The children of this age marry and are given in marriage. 35But those who are counted worthy to take part in that age, and the resurrection from the dead, neither marry nor are given in marriage. 36For they cannot die any more, because they are like angels and are children of God, since they are children of the resurrection. 37But even Moses indicated in the passage about the burning bush that the dead are raised, where he calls the Lord ‘the God of Abraham and the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob.’ 38He is not God of the dead but of the living, because all are living to Him.”

39Some of the scribes answered, “Teacher, You have spoken well.” 40And they no longer dared to ask Him anything. Mt 22:33And when the crowds heard this, they were astonished at His teaching.[1]



[1] Knight, G. W. (2001). A simplified harmony of the Gospels (pp. 193–194). Holman Bible Publishers.



  • God is ... What do we learn about God in this passage?
  • We are ... What do we learn about people in this passage?
  • What was odd about the Sadducees’ question? Why ask it?
  • Why would the Sadducees, an elite religious and political group, pose a question like this to Jesus? What do they believe? How does their question appear: Mocking? Serious? Scriptural? (Deuteronomy 25:5-10) A trick?
  • What aspects of their question does Jesus answer? How seriously does Jesus treat this absurd question? What if he had ridiculed it?
  • What does Jesus teach about life after death in Luke 20:34-36? Why is there no marriage in heaven?
  • How does he then "prove" the resurrection? (Note verb tense in this Exodus 3:6 quote and recall when this burning bush incident took place.)
  • How do the teachers of the law differ in their response? Why?
  • I will ... What has the Holy Spirit revealed to us in this passage? How can I apply it to my life this week?
  • What hope does the resurrection give you? What one question would you like to ask Jesus about life after death?
  • Which do you know more about – the Scriptures or the power of God? What are your hopes for growing in the other area?
  • You can ... Who do you know who needs to hear this? Feel free to share with others by social media links at the bottom of this.








#Intent = Closely directed; strictly attentive; bent; -- said of the mind, thoughts, etc.; as, a mind intent on self-improvement.



Wednesday, September 28, 2022

September 28 = Life of Christ #193 (Matthew 22:15-22; Mark 12:13-17; Luke 20:20-26) Religious Leaders Question Jesus About Paying Taxes

Religious Leaders Question Jesus About Paying Taxes
Matthew 22:15-22; Mark 12:13-17; Luke 20:20-26


When do you pay your taxes: Early, late, or never? Why?
Who can guess how many times the word or numeral “one” is printed on a one-dollar bill?
Which taxes do you hate paying the most? Which ones are you less bothered by paying?
We don’t know totally what heaven is like, but what would make heaven especially “heavenly” for you?



Jesus Questioned about Paying Taxes to Caesar

Matthew 22:15–22; Mark 12:13–17; Luke 20:20–26

Lk 20:20They [Mt 22:15the Pharisees] watched closely and sent spies who pretended to be righteous, so they could catch Him in what He said, to hand Him over to the governor’s rule and authority. Mt 22:16–17They sent their disciples to Him, with the Herodians. “Teacher,” they said, “we know that You are truthful and teach the way of God in truth. You defer to no one, for You don’t show partiality. 17Tell us, therefore, what You think. Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar or not?”

18But perceiving their malice [Mk 12:15hyposcrisy] [Lk 20:23craftiness], Jesus said, “Why are you testing Me, hypocrites? 19Show Me the coin used for the tax [Mk 12:15bBring Me a denarius to look at].” So they brought Him a denarius. 20“Whose image and inscription is this?” He asked them.

21a“Caesar’s,” they said to Him.

21bThen He said to them, “Therefore, give back to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.”

Lk 20:26aThey were not able to catch Him in what He said in public, and Mt 22:22bthey left Him and went away, Lk 20:26b[and] became silent.[1]



[1] Knight, G. W. (2001). A simplified harmony of the Gospels (pp. 192–193). Holman Bible Publishers.



Watch Paying Taxes to Caesar on @YouVersion.: The religious leaders send spies to catch Jesus saying something wrong. They want to hand him over to the Roman government. Asked about whether people should pay taxes to Emperor Caesar, Jesus sees through their trick & his answer amazes everyone.
  • God is ... What do we learn about God in this passage?
  • We are ... What do we learn about people in this passage?
  • Why ask the question in Luke 20:22? 
  • What's the trap here: If Jesus said, "Pay Caesar," what would have happened to his crowd support? If Jesus had said, "Don't pay," how would the rulers have responded? What would the social or political consequences have been if Jesus simply said “Pay Caesar”? “Don’t pay”?
  • What's so insightful about Jesus' response?
  • What does Jesus mean by his answer in Luke 20:21? What should we give to God? What is he teaching about the relationship of church and state? Which obligation is primary? Why?
  • I will ... What has the Holy Spirit revealed to us in this passage? How can I apply it to my life this week?
  • In your life, what belongs to Caesar? To God? How well are you giving to each?
  • In giving yourself to God, are you in the 15, 28, 45, or 100 percent "tax bracket"? Why?
  • How do you deal with someone who wants to argue a point in the Bible? What if the person has honest questions and you don't have the answer?
  • You can ... Who do you know who needs to hear this? Feel free to share with others by social media links at the bottom of this.




More Resources:
Mark 12:13-17 – To Whom Does It Belong? Taxes and Such
http://johnmarkhicks.com/2012/05/07/mark-1213-17-to-whom-does-it-belong-taxes-and-such/

Mark 12:18-27: Who is Your God?
http://johnmarkhicks.com/2012/05/10/mark-1218-27-who-is-your-god/




Tuesday, September 27, 2022

September 27 = Life of Christ #192 (Matthew 22:1-14) Jesus tells the parable of the wedding dinner

Jesus tells the parable of the wedding dinner

Matthew 22:1-14

Intro Questions

The Parable of the Wedding Banquet

Matthew 22:1–14

1Once more Jesus spoke to them in parables: 2“The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who gave a wedding banquet for his son. 3He sent out his slaves to summon those invited to the banquet, but they didn’t want to come. 4Again, he sent out other slaves, and said, ‘Tell those who are invited, “Look, I’ve prepared my dinner; my oxen and fatted cattle have been slaughtered, and everything is ready. Come to the wedding banquet.” ’

5“But they paid no attention and went away, one to his own farm, another to his business. 6And the others seized his slaves and killed them. 7The king was enraged, so he sent out his troops, destroyed those murderers, and burned down their city.

8“Then he told his slaves, ‘The banquet is ready, but those who were invited were not worthy. 9Therefore, go to where the roads exit the city and invite everyone you find to the banquet.’ 10So those slaves went out on the roads and gathered everyone they found, both evil and good. The wedding banquet was filled with guests. 11But when the king came in to view the guests, he saw a man there who was not dressed for a wedding. 12So he said to him, ‘Friend, how did you get in here without wedding clothes?’ The man was speechless.

13“Then the king told the attendants, ‘Tie him up hand and foot, and throw him into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’

14“For many are invited, but few are chosen.”[1]



[1] Knight, G. W. (2001). A simplified harmony of the Gospels (p. 192). Holman Bible Publishers.


Text Graphic
  • God is ... What do we learn about God in this passage?
  • We are ... What do we learn about people in this passage?

  • I will ... What has the Holy Spirit revealed to us in this passage? How can I apply it to my life this week?

  • You can ... Who do you know who needs to hear this? Feel free to share with others by social media links at the bottom of this.











Monday, September 26, 2022

September 26 = Life of Christ #191 (Matthew 21:33-46; Mark 12:1-12; Luke 20:9-19) Jesus Tells the Parable of the Evil Farmers

Jesus Tells the Parable of the Evil Farmers
Matthew 21:33-46
Mark 12:1-12
Luke 20:9-19

If you could travel anywhere in the world (money being no problem), where would you go?
If you were an absentee landlord and had to find trustworthy tenants, what would you seek?
If you owned a garden or an orchard, what would you grow?
If you had to entrust your business or belongings to someone outside your family, whom would you choose? Why?
When have you recently experienced "three-strikes-and-you're-out": Employment? Dating? School? Family? How do you handle rejection?




The Parable of the Vineyard Owner

Matthew 21:33–46; Mark 12:1–12; Luke 20:9–19

Lk 20:9aThen He began to tell the people this parable: Mt 21:33bThere was a man, a landowner, who planted a vineyard, put a fence around it, dug a winepress in it, and built a watchtower. He leased it to tenant farmers and went away Lk 20:9bfor a long time.

Mt 21:34aWhen the grape harvest drew near, Mk 12:2b–5he sent a slave to the farmers so that he might collect some of the fruit of the vineyard from the farmers. 3But they took him, beat him, and sent him away empty-handed. 4And again he sent another slave to them, and they hit him on the head and treated him shamefully. 5Then he sent another, and that one they killed. He also sent many others; they beat some and they killed some.

Lk 20:13“Then the owner of the vineyard said, ‘What should I do? I will send my beloved son. Perhaps they will respect him.’

Mt 21:38“But when the tenant farmers saw the son, they said among themselves, ‘This is the heir. Come, let’s kill him and seize his inheritance Lk 20:14bso that the inheritance may be ours.’ Mt 21:39–40So they seized him and threw him out of the vineyard, and killed him. 40Therefore, when the owner of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those farmers?”

41“He will destroy those terrible men in a terrible way,” they told Him, “and lease his vineyard to other farmers who will give him his produce at the harvest.”

42Jesus said to them, “Have you never read in the Scriptures: ‘The stone that the builders rejected, this has become the cornerstone. This cornerstone came from the Lord and is wonderful in our eyes’? 43Therefore I tell you, the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a nation producing its fruit. 44Whoever falls on this stone will be broken to pieces; but on whomever it falls, it will grind him to powder!”

45When the chief priests and the Pharisees heard His parables, they knew He was speaking about them. 46Although they were looking for a way to arrest Him, they feared the crowds, because they regarded Him as a prophet. Mk 12:12bSo they left Him and went away.[1]



[1] Knight, G. W. (2001). A simplified harmony of the Gospels (pp. 190–192). Holman Bible Publishers.




  • God is ... What do we learn about God in this passage?
  • We are ... What do we learn about people in this passage?
  • How does this parable relate to the question of authority raised in Luke 20:1-8?
  • In this parable, who is represented as the landowner? The vineyard? Tenants? Servants? Son?
  • What does the landowner do? How do the tenants respond? What was Jesus prophesying by telling this story?
  • What corresponds to the son's death? To the removal of the wretched tenants?
  • How does the quoted Scripture Jesus quoted relate to the parable?
  • How does the parable and the quote affect the religious leaders? Why don't they act? Why choose this time to tell such a parable?
  • How does this parable answer the question they just asked about Jesus authority?
  • What is ironic about Matthew 21:42-44? Who will be given the kingdom of God?
  • At whom does Jesus direct the parable? Why don't they arrest him? Why don't they repent and follow Jesus?
  • I will ... What has the Holy Spirit revealed to us in this passage? How can I apply it to my life this week?
  • At different times in your life, how have you received Jesus? How do you receive him now?
  • How do you make Jesus feel welcome in your life each day? What actions of yours might make him feel unwelcome?
  • Is Jesus more like a millstone (weight that drags you down) or a capstone (one that holds everything together and the highest point in your building) in your life? Why?
  • Have you ever felt as though you deserved God's kingdom? 
  • With whom do you identify in this story? Why?
  • You can ... Who do you know who needs to hear this? Feel free to share with others by social media links at the bottom of this.










Friday, September 23, 2022

September 23 = Life of Christ #190 (Matthew 21:28-32) Jesus Tells the Parable of the Two Sons

Jesus Tells the Parable of the Two Sons
Matthew 21:28-32

Intro Questions



The Parable of the Two Vineyard Workers

Matthew 21:28–32

28“But what do you think? A man had two sons. He went to the first and said, ‘My son, go, work in the vineyard today.’

29“He answered, ‘I don’t want to!’ Yet later he changed his mind and went. 30aThen the man went to the other and said the same thing.

30b“ ‘I will, sir,’ he answered. But he didn’t go.

31a“Which of the two did his father’s will?”

31b“The first,” they said.

31cJesus said to them, “I assure you: Tax collectors and prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God before you! 32For John came to you in the way of righteousness, and you didn’t believe him. Tax collectors and prostitutes did believe him, but you, when you saw it, didn’t change your mind later to believe him.[1]



[1] Knight, G. W. (2001). A simplified harmony of the Gospels (p. 190). Holman Bible Publishers.


Text Graphic
  • God is ... What do we learn about God in this passage?
  • We are ... What do we learn about people in this passage?

  • I will ... What has the Holy Spirit revealed to us in this passage? How can I apply it to my life this week?

  • You can ... Who do you know who needs to hear this? Feel free to share with others by social media links at the bottom of this.

Parables -
Two Sons
Matthew 21:28-32
———————————————

Change and choice are great blessings which allow for better opportunities. God has great power to change our lives in a positive way if we allow Him to be the Lord of our life. Practically speaking, too many people fight against change, especially when it affects them personally...
As novelist Leo Tolstoy said, "Everyone thinks of changing the world, but no one thinks of changing himself."  The ironic thing is that change is inevitable.  Everybody has to deal with it.  On the other hand, growth is optional.  You can choose to grow or fight it.  But know this: People unwilling to grow will never reach their greatest potential.
In one of his books, Howard Hendricks asks the question, "How have you changed...lately?  In the last week, let's say?  Or the last month?  The last year?  Can you be very specific?"  He knows how people tend to get into a rut when it comes to growth and change.  Growth is a choice, a decision that can really make a difference in a person's life.
John Maxwell says, “Most people don't realize that successful and unsuccessful people do not differ substantially in their abilities.  They vary in their desires to reach their potential.  And nothing is more effective when it comes reaching potential than commitment to personal growth. “
God says, "But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  To Him be the glory both now and forever."  2 Peter 3:18


Questions to Get Us Thinking:
As a child, what kind of worker were you? How often did your parents have to yell to get you to work?

Text
The Parable of the Two Sons — Matthew 21:28-32
28“What do you think? There was a man who had two sons. He went to the first and said, ‘Son, go and work today in the vineyard.’
29“ ‘I will not,’ he answered, but later he changed his mind and went.
30“Then the father went to the other son and said the same thing. He answered, ‘I will, sir,’ but he did not go.
31“Which of the two did what his father wanted?”
“The first,” they answered.
Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, the tax collectors and the prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God ahead of you. 32For John came to you to show you the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes did. And even after you saw this, you did not repent and believe him.


Questions to help us “dig deeper” to find the treasure.
Which Son said, “No”? Which Son Said, “Yes”?
Due to varying textual evidence for Matthew 21:28-32, the versions offer these two different accounts of Jesus’ parable of the two sons:
1. The older son says no, but repents and goes; the second son says yes, but does nothing.
2. The older son says yes, but does nothing; the second son says no, but repents and goes.
Option one has stronger textual evidence. It is followed by KJV, RSV, NIV, Amplified, LB TEV, JB, and New Century Version.
Option two has been chosen by NASB, NEB, Phillips. In this argument, the older son represents the Pharisees, who openly and loudly proclaimed their intent to obey God, but did not follow through (23:3). The second son represents the tax collectors and other overt sinners who had refused to obey God, but were repenting (21:32).
Although option two does not have the strong textual backing of option one, it does fit the historical context of Jesus’ day better.


1. What is the most important point in this parable?
2. Typically and more commonly, we are blind to our on sins, we have a heart mask. In order to remove your heart mask, what core thought should rule our thoughts?
3. What is the context of this parable, especially following Matthew 21:23-27?
4. What group is like which son? How?
5. How do you suppose the religious leaders felt about this story?
6. What makes repentance difficult for us today?
7. What are some of the joys that are ours when we unmask our hearts with repentance?
8. To really remove the heart mask and know the joy of true repentance, everyone needs a prodigal experience.

Questions to help us live it today for The King
1. Taking this parable with the Prodigal Son, they both hold out to us many messages which can help us repent of our sins and know true joy. What messages do you hear?
2. Which son’s story is most like your own? Why?
3. This week, how can you translate your repentance into actions that really show your heart mask is being removed?