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Terminology: In order to emphasize the Jewish nature of the apostolic writings and message I use the terms Yeshua (Jesus), Messiah (Christ), Tanakh (Old Testament), and Besekh (New Testament).
The questions below may be used by small group leaders or anyone who may elect to complete the study privately. Basic questions for interpreting a passage: What does it say? What does it not say? What is its straightforward meaning? What does the passage actually assert vs. what may be inferred? What message does the passage have for me to apply to my life?
Matthew 24:1-5 ● What hopes and expectations did the Jews have for their nation? ● What specific promises had God made to Israel? What promises were fulfilled? ● What did the disciples expect of their Messiah? ● Why did the disciples ask about a sign? Matthew 24:6-14 ● How is the end time like a woman giving birth? ● What events or catastrophes function as portents of the end? ● How should disciples view these events and respond to them? ● What is the good news of the kingdom? Is the kingdom of the Messiah present or future? ● What conditions today suggest that we’re in the very last days? Matthew 24:15-22 ● Why has the Antichrist yet to appear? ● How is it possible for him to take over the world? ● What activities does the Antichrist engage in? ● What changes does the Antichrist make in the world? ● What do the terms “tribulation” and “great tribulation” mean? ● What promises does Scripture give for times of tribulation? What challenges? ● Who causes the great tribulation? How long does it last? ● What happens during the great tribulation? Who is affected? ● What is the difference between tribulation and wrath? Matthew 24:23-28 ● What forms of deception are the disciples warned against? ● What is the difference between a false Messiah and a false prophet? ● Why is this warning given in the context of the great tribulation? ● What forms of Satanic deception do disciples face today? Matthew 24:29-31 ● What must Israel do in order for Yeshua to return? ● What stellar events precede the Second Coming? ● What is the sign of the Son of Man that Jews should be looking for? ● What effect will seeing the sign have on Jews? ● How important is repentance in your own life? ● How does the Second Coming of Yeshua differ from the birth of Yeshua? ● What happens at the Second Coming? ● What benefits will the saints receive at the Second Coming? ● Can Yeshua come any time or is it scheduled? ● What should we be doing while we await His coming? ● Who will be gathered? Who does the gathering? ● When and where does the gathering take place? Matthew 24:32-41 ● What is the point of the parable of the fig tree? ● What does Yeshua mean by "this generation"? ● What happens on "that day," the Day of the Lord? ● What is the point of the analogies to Noah and Lot? ● What warning or encouragement is found in these verses? ● What is the significance of the “taking” and “leaving” sayings? Matthew 24:42-51 ● What does being on the alert mean? ● How is the metaphor “thief in the night” used? ● Is the thief dreaded or welcomed? Does he come to do good or to harm? ● If Yeshua is the thief who is the "head of the house"? ● What warning is found in these verses? What promise? Matthew 25:1-13 ● How is the relationship between God and His people like a marriage? ● What does this parable reveal about the nature of God? ● What is the marriage feast of the Lamb? Who is invited? ● When and where does the marriage feast take place? ● Who are the ten virgins? What is their relationship to the bridegroom? ● Why did the virgins need oil? ● Why were the foolish virgins not accepted by the bridegroom? ● What makes this parable a shocking story? ● What is the point of the parable of the ten virgins? Matthew 25:14-30 NOTE: The talent was not a coin, but a weight of precious metal, whether of copper, gold or silver, about 125 pounds. In this case it was silver, v. 18. The talent was equal to 3000 shekels or about fifteen years’ wages for a day laborer. ● Why does the master not entrust all his wealth to one servant? ● What is the significance of entrusting so much wealth to the individual servants? ● How does the master determine the amount to leave with each servant? ● How did the servants view their master? ● What distinguishes the good servants? the bad servant? ● How did the master reward his servants? ● What does this parable reveal about the nature of God? ● What has Yeshua entrusted to His disciples? ● What are the principles of stewardship? ● What sort of accountability will God expect from His disciples? ● What rewards will Yeshua offer for faithful service? Matthew 25:31-46 ● What does this parable teach about the Second Coming? ● What does this parable reveal about the nature of God? ● What will Yeshua do to accomplish justice when He returns? ● Who is being judged? Contrast this judgment with the one described in Revelation 20. ● What characterizes the sheep? What characterizes the goats? ● Who are "these brothers of mine?" Who would be the "least" of "my brethren?" ● What rewards and punishment are decreed? ● What warning and encouragement are found in these passages? ● What challenge for discipleship do these parables offer?
Copyright © 2011 Blaine Robison. All rights reserved. |
