Let’s Find Out Together

Jesus tells us to be careful how we pray. What? Isn’t all prayer a good thing? Let’s find out together as we read Matthew 6:5-13 and 1 Kings 8:22-53.

Jesus tells us to be careful how we practice charity. What is he concerned about? Isn’t all charity good? Let’s find out together as we read Matthew 6:1-4, Leviticus 19:1-18 and Esther 9:18-23.

Jesus tells us to not only love your neighbors, but to love our enemies as well? Why should we do that? Let’s find out together what the Old Testament says about loving our enemies as we read Matthew 5:43-48 and the book of Obadiah.

Jesus says that “they say” an eye for an eye. Is that really an Old Testament law and if so, isn’t that just open retaliation? Let’s find out together as we read Matthew 5:38-42 and Amos 9:11-15 and Ezekiel 11:14-21.

Jesus tells us not to make vows at all. Were oaths and vows that big of a deal in Israel? Let’s find out together as we read Matthew 5:33-37 and Numbers 30:1-16.

Jesus tells us that adultery starts in the heart when we lust. Is that really true? Let’s find out together as we read Matthew 5:27-32 and 2 Samuel 11:1-12:15.

Jesus goes to the ten commandments to illustrate how he intends to fulfill the law and the prophets. He tells us that murder starts in the heart with anger. What does he mean? Let’s find out together as we read Matthew 5:21-26 and Proverbs 15. 

Jesus says he didn’t come to break the law and the prophets, but to fulfill them. So did Jesus really want us to follow Old Testament laws? Let’s find out together as we read Matthew 5:17-20 and Deuteronomy 11:1-25.

Jesus says we are the light of the world. Just what does that mean? Let’s find out together as we read Matthew 5:14-16 and Isaiah 60.

Jesus says we are the salt of the earth. Just what does that mean? Let’s find out together as we read Matthew 5:13 and 2 Chronicles 13:1-20.

The last three beatitudes are about perseverance in persecution. The prophets were also persecuted. Let’s find out together how Jeremiah was persecuted and what that has to do with us as we read Matthew 5:9-12 and Jeremiah 38.

The next three beatitudes are about our inner search for God. What does Jesus say about that? Let’s find out together as we read Matthew 5:6-8 and Psalms 24 and 25.

Jesus begins his ministry with instruction given on a mountain. It starts with blessings, but they are blessings for the lowly and downtrodden. Why is that? Let’s find out together as we read Matthew 4:13-5:5 and Lamentations 3.

As Jesus begins his ministry, unclean spirits announce that he is God’s son. In fact, 55 times in the gospels Jesus casts out demons. Why so many and what is that all about? Let’s find out together as we read Mark 3:7-19 and 1 Samuel 16.

The Pharisees attack Jesus directly, making sure he sees a man with a deformed hand in the synagogue on Sabbath. When Jesus heals him, they plot against Jesus. So is it wrong to heal on the Sabbath? Let’s find out together as we read Luke 6:6-11; Exodus 20:8-11; 31:12-17 and Leviticus 23:3.

When the Pharisees berate Jesus’ disciples for eating kernels of wheat on Sabbath, Jesus uses two passages from the Old Testament to correct the Pharisees. What do those passages mean? Let’s find out together as we read Mark 2:23-28 and 1 Samuel 20:24-21:9.

When the Pharisees berate Jesus’ disciples for not fasting like their own disciples do, Jesus tells them that new wine won’t last in old wineskins. What does that have to do with fasting? Let’s find out together as we read Luke 5:33-39 and Isaiah 65.

When Pharisees question why Jesus eats with “sinners,” Jesus says it’s because he came to call sinners to repent. Why did he say that? Let’s find out together as we read Luke 5:27-32 and Ezekiel 18.

Four men bring a paralyzed man to Jesus and he heals him, with a controversial statement. What was the statement and why was it controversial? Let’s find out together as we read Mark 2:1-12, Psalm 51 and Jeremiah 33:1-13.

A leper comes to Jesus asking him to heal him. Jesus does, then tells him to present himself to the priests “as Moses commanded.” What exactly did Moses command? Let’s find out together as we read Mark 1:40-45 and Leviticus 14:1-32.

After the third time Jesus called Peter, he left everything. What did that mean and why is it important? Let’s find out together as we read Luke 4:42-5:11 and Ruth 2:1-4:12.

Jesus continues to heal people, including those who were demonized. As he does, the demons call him “Son of God.” Was that title something that the Old Testament uses? Let’s find out together as we read Luke 4:38-41 and Psalm 2. 

As Jesus teaches in the synagogue in Capernaum, demons begin calling him “The Holy One of God.” What did that mean? Let’s find out together as we read Mark 1:21-28 and Isaiah 41.

Jesus calls the first four disciples by a lake. Was calling disciples common in Jesus’ time? Let’s find out together as we read Mark 1:16-20; 1 Kings 19 and 2 Kings 2:1-15.

Jesus reads scripture in the Nazareth synagogue, and when he finishes, they try to throw him off a cliff. Why in the world does that happen? Let’s find out together as we read Luke 4:16-30 and Isaiah 61.