Following Jesus: Focus On The Message – Matthew 18

Last Updated on January 20, 2025 by Rocklyn Clarke

Description

Welcome to Focus On The Message – the first component of our Following Jesus discipleship program. This web page contains the lessons for:

Matthew 18

Purpose

Follow this link for information about these key aspects of our training: Purpose, Goals, Habits, Ministries, and Assignments.

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Matthew 18

This chapter has 5 lessons. You should ideally cover one chapter (with all of its lessons) in a week, but please don’t let a week go by without completing at least one lesson.

Lesson 1: The Greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven

Main text and related passages:

• Matthew 18:1-5 – Bible Gateway
  • Matthew 18:1-5; Mark 9:33-37; Luke 9:46-48

Checkout the following:

• • Watch: Son of Man Biblical Theme Video | BibleProject™ (00:05:50)
  • Watch: Gospel of the Kingdom Biblical Theme Video | BibleProject™ (00:04:50)

Topics to explore:

• • What attitudes towards authority are compatible with the non-coercive Kingdom God is establishing?

Additional resources to check out:

• •  

Training assignment (do this yourself, and use it to help train someone else):

• • ?

Lesson 2: Causing To Stumble

Main text and related passages:

• Matthew 18:6-9 – Bible Gateway
  • Matthew 18:6-9; Mark 9:42; Luke 17:1-10

Checkout the following:

• • Life Church Discipleship Resources – YouTube
    • Check out videos of mill stones and grinding flour.
    • Check out videos on Gehenna.
  • Life Church – Hell / Gehinnom – YouTube

Topics to explore:

• • ?

Additional resources to check out:

• • 26. Of Millstones and Guardian Angels [Matthew] – Tim Mackie (The Bible Project) – YouTube (00:41:34)

Training assignment (do this yourself, and use it to help train someone else):

• • ?

Lesson 3: Parable of the Wandering Sheep

Main text and related passages:

• Matthew 18:10-14 – Bible Gateway
  • Matthew 18:10-14; Luke 15:4-7

Checkout the following:

• • Watch: Son of Man Biblical Theme Video | BibleProject™ (00:05:50)
  • Watch: How to Read the Parables of Jesus Video | BibleProject™ (00:05:42)

Topics to explore:

• • ?

Additional resources to check out:

• • Jesus and His Explosive Parables | The Teaching Series – Walking The Text

Training assignment (do this yourself, and use it to help train someone else):

• •  

Lesson 4: Dealing With Sin in the Church

Main text and related passages:

• Matthew 18:15-20 – Bible Gateway
  • Luke 17:1-10

Checkout the following:

• • ?

Topics to explore:

• • Life Church Counseling Page: Restoration

Additional resources to check out:

• • ?

Training assignment (do this yourself, and use it to help train someone else):

• •  

Lesson 5: The Parable of the Unmerciful Servant

Main text and related passages:

• Matthew 18:21-35 – Bible Gateway
  • Matthew 18:21-35; Luke 17:1-10

Checkout the following:

• • Watch: How to Read the Parables of Jesus Video | BibleProject™ (00:05:42)
  •  

Topics to explore:

• • What’s the difference between forgiveness and reconciliation?
  • Does forgiving someone always mean reconciling with them?
  • What about abusers?
  • Should I always ask someone to forgive me when I repent?

Additional resources to check out:

• • 27. Forgiveness [Matthew] – Tim Mackie (The Bible Project) – YouTube (00:54:26)
  • Jesus and His Explosive Parables | The Teaching Series – Walking The Text

Training assignment (do this yourself, and use it to help train someone else):

• •  

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Advance to Matthew 19