Primary Text: Luke 18:1 -14; Matthew 19:1-30
Memory Verse: Then little children were brought to Him that He might put His hands on them and pray, but the disciples rebuked them. But Jesus said, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 19:13-14
Introduction:
Perhaps the most difficult truth Jesus needed to convey to His followers was that genuine, persevering love was the central theme of the Kingdom of God. While the orthodox Jews zealously pursued their beliefs, their religious commitments were based more upon intellectual understanding than upon a personal relationship with the One True God. This showed not only in the way they related to God, but in the way they treated others. Jesus worked constantly to teach them a better way to live than by their heartless legalism.
The Master did this in several ways, all of them working together toward the same end: to bring men into a personal, trusting, love relationship with the Eternal Father: (1) He demonstrated it by illustrative parables; (2) He used direct teaching on daily life; (3) He modeled these living principles in the way He treated others.
Assuredly, love is found at the core of all genuine spirituality. Without it, there is no grace, no mercy, and no true fulfillment. God is a divine being of pure and infinite love, and we were created to be like Him! Love has everything to do with it!
Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. He who does not love does not know God, for God is love. In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has seen God at any time. If we love one another, God abides in us, and His love has been perfected in us. (1 John 4:7-12)
Studying the Word
Lesson Study
- Why did the widow in Jesus’ parable of Luke 18:1-8 end up with a judgment in her favor? Luke 18:2-5
- What advantages does a child of God have over the widow in this parable? Luke 18:7-8
- Discuss the ways in which the Pharisee in Jesus’ parable of Luke 18:9-14 was in error in his thinking. Luke 18:11-12 How easy is it for us to fall into this same snare?
- In contrast, what was the attitude of the publican? Luke 18:13 What was the primary point of this parable? Luke 18:14
- What were the pertinent truths behind Jesus’ response to the Pharisees’ question about divorce? Matthew 19:1-9; Mark 10:1-12
- What is the importance of Jesus’ teaching on celibacy? Matthew 19:10-12 How does this compare to Paul’s teaching on celibacy in 1 Corinthians 7:7-8, 32-35?
- What vital kingdom truth did Jesus teach through the little children? Matthew 19:13-15; Mark 10:13-16; Luke 18:15-17
- What did Jesus teach to His disciples about riches through the wealthy young man who turned away from following Him? Matthew 19:16-24; Mark 10:17-25; Luke 18:18-25
- Can you imagine why Peter wondered what personal gain there was to following Jesus Christ? Matthew 19:25-30; Mark 10:26-31; Luke 18:26-30 How can we be assured that serving God is worth all the effort?