Key Thought: Matthew presents repentance, victorious living, and discipleship as essential features of the kingdom of God.

The Ministry Begins April 2-8, 2016

1. Have a volunteer read Matthew 3:7-12.

Jesus Begins His Ministry

a. Ask class members to share a thought on what the most important point in this text is.
b. What message did John have for the leaders in Israel?
c. Personal Application : Did you ever tell someone off in righteous indignation? Did it help draw them to the gospel or just build a wall between you? Share your thoughts.
d. Case Study : One of your relatives states: “Why was John so hard on the religious leaders? Is that a Christlike method of reaching people with the gospel?” How would you respond to your relative?

2. Have a volunteer read Matthew 4:1-11.

a. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the most important point is in this passage.
b. What is the significance of fasting? Why did Jesus fast for so long?
c. Personal Application : Why is the sin of pride so great in humankind? How can we avoid self-righteousness? Share your thoughts.
d. Case Study : One of your friends states, “Why would the devil ask Jesus to worship him? Did he appear as the devil, or as an angel from heaven? Was Jesus really tempted by these things?” How would you respond to your neighbor?

3. Have a volunteer read Matthew 4:17-22.

a. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the main idea of this text is.
b. Why did Jesus have to go through the temptations, and what did it have to do with salvation?
c. Personal Application: Did you ever have an experience where you were sure of God’s guidance, and then you were afraid of or experienced Satan’s attacks? Share your thoughts.
Case Study : One of your neighbors states, “If the angels ministered to Jesus, won’t they do the same for us? But why did they wait until the temptation was over? Why didn’t they step in and help while He was going through the trials or protect Him from them?” How would you respond to your neighbor?

4. Have a volunteer read Matthew 4:18-22.

a. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the main idea of this text is.
b. What does it mean to be fishers of men in responsibilities and in inner experience?
c. Personal Application: What are we supposed to leave to follow Christ? Share your thoughts.
d. Case Study : Think of one person who needs to hear a message from this week’s lesson. Tell the class what you plan to do this week to share with them.

(Truth that is not lived, that is not imparted, loses its life-giving power, its healing virtue. Its blessings can be retained only as it is shared.”Ministry of Healing, p. 148). MH p. 149.

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