Sunday: Teaching in Parables — Matthew 13:1-3, 10-17; Mark 4:1-2, 10-13; Luke 8:4, 9-10
In this week’s lesson, the Scripture emphasis is on the portion of Matthew 13 in which Jesus is teaching the multitudes. (In the following portion, He is teaching just to His disciples.) The word “parable” comes from the Greek word parabole (Hebrew, mashal) and covers a wide variety of literature that uses figurative language: proverbs, axioms, allegories, metaphors. They are illustrative truths comparing the spiritual to everyday Christian life. Their figurative nature is meant to sharpen the hearing of the listener, provoke reflection, and rouse curiosity.

Primary Text: Matthew 13:1-35

Memory Verse: Another parable He put forth to them, saying: “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and sowed in his field, which indeed is the least of all the seeds; but when it is grown it is greater than the herbs and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and nest in its branches.” Matthew 13:31-32

Introduction:

A large focus of Jesus’ earthly ministry was preparing His disciples to take over the helm once His time on earth was complete. The disciples came from a

Sunday: Ministering in Galilee — Mark 3:20-21; Luke 8:1-3
The Lord’s personal entourage must have looked odd. Some were poor; some were rich; many had previously led terrible lives; others had been simple tradesmen. Where were the influential scholars who could lend some balance to Christ’s ministry? Some must have thought that Jesus was leading a spiritual circus, for His friends saw His odd life and came to “help” Him. God’s ways and callings don’t make sense to the naturally-minded person. Later, even Jesus’ family would want to bring Him home for rest (Mark 6:3). Jesus would not be averted

Primary Text: Matthew 12:22-50

Memory Verse: “A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good things, and an evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth evil things. But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment. For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.”  Matthew 12:35-37

Introduction:
We expounded on the section of the scriptures found in Matthew 12:1-21 in the thirteenth lesson of the last quarterly. That important

Sunday: A Centurion’s Faith — Matthew 8:1, 5-13; Luke 7:1-10
The centurion was a real contrast to Jesus Christ. He was a soldier, while Jesus was a man of peace. Jesus was a Jew; he was a Gentile. Despite these differences, the centurion was a man of great faith. He was a man under authority, and who exercised authority over 100 soldiers. Only two miracles for the Gentiles were recorded by Matthew, and this is one. The other was the healing of the Syrophoenician woman’s daughter (Matthew 15:21-28). Both miracles reveal that Jesus was impressed with their great faith. And,

Primary Text: Luke 7:1-50

Memory Verse: And behold, a woman in the city who was a sinner, when she knew that Jesus sat at the table in the Pharisee’s house, brought an alabaster flask of fragrant oil, and stood at His feet behind Him weeping; and she began to wash His feet with her tears, and wiped them with the hair of her head; and she kissed His feet and anointed them with the fragrant oil. Luke 7:37-38

Introduction:
Faith is the only effective approach to God, but we must understand the depth of our need as we approach Him.

Sunday: The Hypocrisy of Condemning Judgment — Matthew 7:1-5; Luke 6:37-42
Every Christian must exercise “sound judgment” about others. How else could we refrain from “cast[ing] our pearls before swine,” or reject false prophets? (Matthew 7:6, 15-23). This warning is against the spirit of condemnation, shown by: (1) judging in situations that are not our concern; (2) judging by prejudice, not principle; (3) judging by personality, not principle; (4) judging without knowing all the facts; (5) judging without trying to understand; and (6) an unwillingness to forgive. Final judgment belongs to God.

Monday: Pearls before Swine? — Matthew 7:6

Primary Text: Matthew 7:1-27

Memory Verse: “Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.” Matthew 7:13-14

Introduction:
The uniting theme of Matthew 7 is to remind the Christian that God sees all that we do, and we will one day be judged for the manner in which we lived. The particular subjects Jesus chose to teach on pertain mainly

Sunday: Treasures in Heaven — Matthew 6:19-21
The Christian must consider both the negative and positive aspects of this teaching. The danger Jesus spoke of is as much for the poor as for the rich, for it is our attitude toward possessions that is the real problem. It isn’t wrong to have things, but things must never have us. Treasures can be anything: money, positions, friends, family, hobbies, careers, businesses, etc. Paul teaches in 1 Timothy 6:17-19 about the right attitude a Christian should have toward wealth and possessions, and how we (as good stewards), should use these as a blessing

Primary Text: Matthew 6:19-34

Memory Verse: “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Matthew 6:19-21

Introduction:
While the last lesson focused on living the righteous life filled with the essential sacred elements of charity, prayer, and fasting, the focus now is upon living life righteously: how we are to live the reality