Reaching the Masses
1. How did Jesus express His compassion to the people?
Matt. 9:36 But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd. Matt. 9:37 Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; Matt. 9:38 Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.
Matt. 14:14 And Jesus went forth, and saw a great multitude, and was moved with compassion toward them, and he healed their sick.
Matt. 15:32 Then Jesus called his disciples unto him, and said, I have compassion on the multitude, because they continue with me now three days, and have nothing to eat: and I will not send them away fasting, lest they faint in the way.
Matt. 18:27 Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt.
Matt. 20:34 So Jesus had compassion on them, and touched their eyes: and immediately their eyes received sight, and they followed him.
Mark 6:34 And Jesus, when he came out, saw much people, and was moved with compassion toward them, because they were as sheep not having a shepherd: and he began to teach them many things.
Mark 1:41 And Jesus, moved with compassion, put forth his hand, and touched him, and saith unto him, I will; be thou clean.
Mark 5:18 And when he was come into the ship, he that had been possessed with the devil prayed him that he might be with him. Mark 5:19 Howbeit Jesus suffered him not, but saith unto him, Go home to thy friends, and tell them how great things the Lord hath done for thee, and hath had compassion on thee.
Luke 7:13 And when the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her, and said unto her, Weep not.Luke 7:14 And he came and touched the bier: and they that bare him stood still. And he said, Young man, I say unto thee, Arise.
Luke 10:33 But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him, Luke 10:34 And went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him.
Luke 15:20 And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.
ANSWER:
- Being a Shepherd to the scattered
- Healing the sick
- Providing food to the hungry
- Forgiving the debtors’ “debts”
- Giving sight to the blind
- Teaching the ignorant
- Cleansing the lepers
- Delivering the demon-possessed
- Resurrecting the dead
- Taking care of the wounded
- Embracing the lost
2. How will God’s people be judged, according to the parable of the sheep and the goats?
Matt. 25:31 When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory: Matt. 25:32 And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats: Matt. 25:33 And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left. Matt. 25:34 Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: Matt. 25:35 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: Matt. 25:36 Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.
Before you answer, combine the answer to the question number one and the answer to the question number two.
ANSWER: God’s people will be judged based upon whether or not they have expressed the “compassion” to the world in the similar way that Jesus did while He was on the earth.
APPLICATION QUESTIONS:
How do we need to express our compassion to the world?
How should the churches start a ministry of compassion?
Why is a preaching ministry alone insufficient?
3. How did Jesus draw the great multitude to hear His teaching?
Mark 3:7 But Jesus withdrew himself with his disciples to the sea: and a great multitude from Galilee followed him, and from Judaea, Mark 3:8 And from Jerusalem, and from Idumaea, and from beyond Jordan; and they about Tyre and Sidon, a great multitude, when they had heard what great things he did, came unto him.
Luke 6:17 And he came down with them, and stood in the plain, and the company of his disciples, and a great multitude of people out of all Judaea and Jerusalem, and from the sea coast of Tyre and Sidon, which came to hear him, and to be healed of their diseases
Luke 8:38 Now the man out of whom the devils were departed besought him that he might be with him: but Jesus sent him away, saying, Luke 8:39 Return to thine own house, and shew how great things God hath done unto thee. And he went his way, and published throughout the whole city how great things Jesus had done unto him. Luke 8:40 And it came to pass, that, when Jesus was returned, the people gladly received him: for they were all waiting for him.
John 6:2 And a great multitude followed him, because they saw his miracles which he did on them that were diseased.
ANSWER: A great multitude came to Jesus because He healed the people.
APPLICATION QUESTIONS:
What should the churches do in order to reach the masses?
Why don’t the churches use more of medical missionary work?
MONDAY
The Personal Touch
1. Observe the first words of Christ to different individuals.
Nicodemus-John 3:3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
The woman at the well-John 4:7 There cometh a woman of Samaria to draw water: Jesus saith unto her, Give me to drink.
The impotent man-John 5:6 When Jesus saw him lie, and knew that he had been now a long time in that case, he saith unto him, Wilt thou be made whole?
The woman in adultery-John 8:10 When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee?
The blind man-John 9:6 When he had thus spoken, he spat on the ground, and made clay of the spittle, and he anointed the eyes of the blind man with the clay, John 9:7 And said unto him, Go, wash in the pool of Siloam, (which is by interpretation, Sent.) He went his way therefore, and washed, and came seeing.
2. After observing the above list of people, describe how Jesus worked with different minds and hearts. Make some applications as well. Here are some examples:
Nicodemus- Jesus went straight to the point, because Nicodemus was already convicted but blinded to the true condition of his own heart. To certain people, we just need to speak straight and get to the bottom of things.
The woman at the well- Jesus went indirectly, by asking for water, because she was not ready for straight-to-the-point approach. To certain people, we need to build a bridge first before we can show them the straight answer.
The impotent man- Jesus asked him an obvious question, because Jesus wanted to take away his vain hope of healing. To certain people, we need to figure out what they are thinking the most, and then speak to them about the subject that matters the most to them.
The woman in adultery-Jesus asked her a question that was not focused on her guilt, because she was already feeling guilty. To certain people, we do not need to point out their sins because they already feel guilty and ashamed. We need to spark the hope and love to these people.
The blind man- Jesus showed the action first, then spoke to him. Sometimes we need to act first, and then we can teach the people. To certain people, words are cheap unless we do something for them first.
APPLICATION QUESTIONS:
How versatile do we need to be in order to work with different minds?
What is the best way to understand people?
How should we develop the skill of sensibility in order to be more effective gospel workers?
Forgiveness
1. Observe how Jesus expressed His compassion through forgiveness.
Matt. 9:2 And, behold, they brought to him a man sick of the palsy, lying on a bed: and Jesus seeing their faith said unto the sick of the palsy; Son, be of good cheer; thy sins be forgiven thee.
Luke 7:47 Wherefore I say unto thee, Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little. Luke 7:48 And he said unto her, Thy sins are forgiven.
Luke 23:34 Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.
John 8:11 She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.
2. What can we learn about forgiveness based upon the way Jesus forgave those sinners?
ANSWER:
Matt. 9:2 Faith is required in order to be forgiven.
Luke 7:47 The degree of love is connected to the degree of forgiveness.
Luke 23:34 God is willing to forgive our ignorance.
John 8:11 Jesus does not want to condemn the sinners.
APPLICATION QUESTIONS:
Why is faith required in order to experience forgiveness?
How much do you love God? Is the answer related to how much you have been forgiven?
How should we win those who are ignorant and sinful?
3. What did Jesus say about forgiveness repeatedly?
Matt. 6:12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. Matt. 6:14 For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: Matt. 6:15 But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
Matt. 12:31 Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men. Matt. 12:32 And whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the world to come.
Matt. 18:21 Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? Matt. 18:22 Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.
Luke 6:37 Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven
ANSWER: You must forgive others in order to receive forgiveness.
APPLICATION QUESTIONS:
Why is it so hard to forgive others?
Why does God ask us to forgive others in order to receive forgiveness?
When we are ministering to others, how important is it to teach them how to forgive?
Why don’t more evangelists teach this during their series?
Speaking in Parables
1. What method did Jesus use to teach the masses? And why did He use that method?
Mark 4:1 And he began again to teach by the sea side: and there was gathered unto him a great multitude, so that he entered into a ship, and sat in the sea; and the whole multitude was by the sea on the land. Mark 4:2 And he taught them many things by parables, and said unto them in his doctrine
Luke 8:4 And when much people were gathered together, and were come to him out of every city, he spake by a parable
Matt. 13:2 And great multitudes were gathered together unto him, so that he went into a ship, and sat; and the whole multitude stood on the shore. Matt. 13:3 And he spake many things unto them in parables, saying, Behold, a sower went forth to sow;
ANSWER: Jesus used parables to reach to the masses. Parables are simple, direct and it is hard to miss the main point. No one can theologically argue against the parables, so it is easier to avoid distractions from the skeptics.
2. Let’s outline the parables in Matthew 13.
The Sower-Matt. 13:3-9, 18-23
The Wheat and the Tares-Matt. 13:24-30, 36-43
A Grain of Mustard Seed-Matt. 13:31-32
Leaven-Matt. 13:33
The Treasure-Matt. 13:44
The Merchant-Matt. 13:45-46
The Net-Matt. 13:47-50
APPLICATION QUESTIONS:
What doctrinal teachings could we learn from the parables in Matthew chapter 13?
Write down the doctrinal teachings next to the parables.
Based upon what Jesus taught in Matthew chapter 13, what should be shared with the people today?
Which parable did the disciples ask for more information about and why? And what was the answer that Jesus gave?
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