Study 8: The Two Sons

Matthew 21:12-32

Monday 21^st to Sunday 27^th March, 2011

Introduction

What are some of the lessons you have learnt so far from Matthew’s Gospel? What have you been challenged by? Share your answers with the group.

Studying the passage - Read Matthew 21:12-17

1) In this passage, who seems to recognise who Jesus is? Who doesn’t? What significance do these two groups of people have in Matthew’s Gospel? (Hint: Matt. 16:21; 18:3, and 19:14).

2) In verse 16, Jesus quotes from Psalm 8:2. Who is David talking about in this verse? Who are the children praising in Matthew 21? What then is Jesus saying?

Read Matthew 21:18-32

3) “He changed his mind and went” (v. 29). How does the first son (v. 29) represent the tax collectors and the prostitutes? Where do they go and how do they get there? How can we be sure that they make it there? (Hint: verse 22).

4) How is an unrepentant Jew (e.g. the chief priests and elders in this passage) like the second son in the parable? In the wider context of Matthew’s Gospel, how are the crowds who shouted, “Hosanna in the highest” (v. 9), like the second son?

5) If the chief priests and elders did not believe John (v. 32), how should they have answered Jesus’ question in verse 25? Why then did they answer the way they did?

6) What are the right answers to questions in verse 23? How might they have known this if they listened to John the Baptist? (Hint: Matt. 3:1-3)

Response

This passage deals with the authority of Jesus. Do you feel challenged by Jesus’ authority? Should you be? Explain. In what area of your life are you challenged the most?

If we asked God to help us submit to His authority, would He help us (v.22)? How often do you ask Him? Why?

Spend some thanking God for his mercy and praying for His help in areas of your life which are not bearing fruit.