MERCY EXTENDEDAPPLY THE TEXTWe can trust that Jesus came to offer salvation to sinners.We can rejoice in the truth that salvation is not based on religious works or ritual.We can know that Jesus cares and will respond to our needs.We can trust that Jesus has the power to transform lives.With your Bible study group, list the different types of needs of which you are aware in the lives of people aro...  Read More

What would you say is your greatest “need”? How has/is Jesus able to meet that need? If He has met that need, how can telling others about it help them recognize their need before God? If He hasn’t met that “need,” why might He be waiting or choosing to not meet that need? Jesus didn’t heal every needy person –why not? Why would Jesus stop on the way to a LIFE AND DEATH situation to point out the ...  Read More

Matthew 9:35-38  (HCSB)The Lord of the Harvest35 Then Jesus went to all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and every sickness. 36 When He saw the crowds, He felt compassion for them, because they were weary and worn out, like sheep without a shepherd. 37 Then He said to His disciples, “The harvest is abundant, but...  Read More

Matthew 9:18-26  (HCSB)A Girl Restored and a Woman Healed18 As He was telling them these things, suddenly one of the leaders came and knelt down before Him, saying, “My daughter is near death, but come and lay Your hand on her, and she will live.” 19 So Jesus and His disciples got up and followed him.20 Just then, a woman who had suffered from bleeding for 12 years approached from behind and touch...  Read More

Matthew 9:14-17 (HCSB)A Question about Fasting14 Then John’s disciples came to Him, saying, “Why do we and the Pharisees fast often, but Your disciples do not fast?” 15 Jesus said to them, “Can the wedding guests be sad while the groom is with them? The time will come when the groom will be taken away from them, and then they will fast. 16 No one patches an old garment with unshrunk cloth, because...  Read More

Matthew 9:9-13  (HCSB)The Call of Matthew9 As Jesus went on from there, He saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax office, and He said to him, “Follow Me!” So he got up and followed Him.10 While He was reclining at the table in the house, many tax collectors and sinners came as guests to eat with Jesus and His disciples. 11 When the Pharisees saw this, they asked His disciples, “Why does your T...  Read More

JESUS SHOWS MERCY TO ALL WHO COME TO HIM IN FAITHMatthew 9:1-8  (HCSB)The Son of Man Forgives and Heals9 So He got into a boat, crossed over, and came to His own town. 2 Just then some men brought to Him a paralytic lying on a mat. Seeing their faith, Jesus told the paralytic, “Have courage, son, your sins are forgiven.”3 At this, some of the scribes said among themselves, “He’s blaspheming!”4 But...  Read More

EVERY LIFE VALUEDAPPLY THE TEXTWe should value those whom some consider to be outcasts.We should value people at all stages in life.We should care for and value persons with physical handicaps.As a group, create a list of those in your community who might be considered outcasts or of lesser value than others in your area. Plan a group project to minister to them in a tangible way.Consider your att...  Read More

This week we read a lot about faith. What role did faith play in the miracles of Jesus? Does our lack of faith equate with our lack of miracles in our life? Do we still see Jesus performing miracles today?Why is it a big deal that Jesus had authority over nature, disease, and demons? Does He still have that authority today? In what ways have you experienced that personally?Being a follower of Jesu...  Read More

Matthew 8:28-34  (HCSB)Demons Driven Out by the Master28 When He had come to the other side, to the region of the Gadarenes, two demon-possessed men met Him as they came out of the tombs. They were so violent that no one could pass that way. 29 Suddenly they shouted, “What do You have to do with us, Son of God? Have You come here to torment us before the time?” 30 Now a long way off from them, a l...  Read More

Matthew 8:18-27  (HCSB)Following Jesus18 When Jesus saw large crowds around Him, He gave the order to go to the other side of the sea. 19 A scribe approached Him and said,“Teacher, I will follow You wherever You go!” 20 Jesus told him, “Foxes have dens and birds of the sky have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay His head.” 21 “Lord,” another of His disciples said, “first let me go bury ...  Read More

Matthew 8:14-17 (HCSB)Healings at Capernaum14 When Jesus went into Peter’s house, He saw his mother-in-law lying in bed with a fever. 15 So He touched her hand, and the fever left her. Then she got up and began to serve Him. 16 When evening came, they brought to Him many who were demon-possessed. He drove out the spirits with a word and healed all who were sick, 17 so that what was spoken through ...  Read More