Family Bible Study 12 . |
Matthew Chapter 21 Map Work Jesus and His disciples are drawing near to Jerusalem. They come to Bethphage at the Mt. of Olives, which is just outside of Jerusalem. Bethphage is near Bethany on the Mt. of Olives. The Mt. of Olives is one mile in distance and has 4 slopes. It is to the east of Jerusalem with the Kidron Valley at its base. This is also where the Garden of Gethsemane is located and in which olive trees that are over 2000 years old still grow. We will see Jesus travel back and forth to Jerusalem from these two areas several times. So make your Mt. of Olives (also named Mt. Olivet) with its towns and garden. Leave room for the Kidron Valley when you make Jerusalem. They say that when the sun hits the city the buildings looks like gold, so you can make your buildings white or gold colored. In Jerusalem, you will need a Temple, Upper Room, Caiphas house, a judgement hall, etc.. for the upcoming chapters. (You can do this a little along, not all at once) You will also need a colt for Jesus and perhaps find some palms so the children can greet Jesus too. Part I In this chapter Jesus tells two parables. (A parable is a short story that teaches a lesson) I though it would be fun to read verses 1 through 17 together, than have each person write it in story form using their own words. ( Example: Once upon a time there was a man named Jesus. One day he decided to go to ) Or they may write their story leaving blanks for the rest of the family to fill in the blanks. Part II Verses 18-22: I love this story about Jesus because it really shows His human side. Here is where we can see that Jesus can really relate with us in that He felt the same everyday frustrations that we feel today. Lets see how he handles it: Jesus had a triumphal entry into Jerusalem, but, when He came to the Temple and saw the money changers, He got extremely upset and started turning over tables, why? Then the priests and scribes gave Him a hard time, why? Afterwards He left and went to Bethany on the Mt. of Olives. In the morning He heads out for Jerusalem again. I imagine the trip brought back the memories of the day before, Why? Because when Jesus was hungry and the fig tree didn't have any figs He caused it to wither and die. Now the Gospel of Mark tells us that it was not the season for the figs to grow; so it was not the trees fault, it was doing what is was suppose to. I think the tree was to Jesus what a kick to a door, or pounding on a wall in frustration is to us. You know your so mad you just want to hit something so you take it ous on the nearest fixture to you. When your children ask why you did that, you don't want to burden them with your worries so you make a lesson out of it. "Well dear, this is a really good way to see if a wall it sturdy." When the disciples became amazed at how quickly the tree withered, Jesus realized it's a good time to make a lesson out of it How? Matthew doesn't tell us where the fig tree was, but Bethphage means "House of unripe figs". Verses 23-27: Having taken out His frustrations out on the fig tree Jesus is ready once again to take on the priests and the temple. What does He tell them? Verses 28-46: Read these two parables together then separate and each person write what they think each parable means in their own words. Set a time limit. When time is up, everyone come back and takes turns reading their story from verses 1-17 and there meaning of the parables. |
Dome of the Rock - Jerusalem |
Matthew Chapter 22 Mapwork None. Jesus is still in the Jerusalem area. Part 1 Jesus begins this chapter with a parable. Read versus 1-14. 1. Who were the characters of Jesus parable? 2. Did Jesus place His story in a present, past or future time frame? 3. What was the plot of Jesus' story? (What lesson was He trying to teach?) 4. All stories have to have a good ending. An ending can be long or short, but must bring the point you are trying to make to a close...With what verse did Jesus begin His ending? NOW, write your own parable: 1. Who will be your characters people, animals, insects, angels, etc? 2. The parable is a story that teaches a lesson. What lesson do you want to teach? (example: "Love one another", "You shall not steal", You shall not lie", "Do unto others as you want them to do to you" this is you plot. 3. When will your story take place: past, present or in the future? 4. Where will your story take place: farm, city, mountains? 5. Always know what your ending will be before you start. 6. Have fun! Part II Fill in the blanks with one of the words below: Living - God Caesar's dead I Issac true Jacob Sadduccees Pharisees Abraham living 1. The ____plotted how they might entangle Jesus in His talk. 2. "Teacher, we know you are _____, and teach the way of God in _____. 3. "Render, therefore, to Caesar, the things that are ____, and to ____ the things that are God's. 4. The____ say there is no resurrection. 5. "___ am the God of ____, the God of ____ and the God of ____." 6. "God is not the God of the ____ but of the ____." *For 2 pts: What scripture verse does Jesus quote in verse 44? *For 2 pts: What is the "Great Commandment"? Write it. Essay: When Jesus said " on these two commandments hang all the law and the Prophets", what did He mean? ANSWERS: Part I 1. The characters include: a King, servants, invited guest and strangers. 2. Present (not what time He foretold) 3. Jesus story reflects how God sent the prophets to Israel to draw them close to Him, but the killed the prophet. After several invitations being rejected, God sent out the invitation to the whole world, whoever would accept it, despite race, color or position in life. Jesus provides our wedding garment by taking our sins and making us clean. Without Jesus we cannot enter heaven . (John 14:6, Revelation 6:11, 7:9) 4. Verse 10 Part II 1. Pharisees 2. True, truth 3. Caesar's, God 4. Saduccees 5. I, Abraham, Issac, Jacob 6. Dead, living For 2 pts: Psalm 110:1 For 2 pts: "You shall love the Lord you God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind." And "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." Essay The answer should consist of the fact that in obeying these two commandments we are obeying all the commandments and what the prophets preached. |
