Following Jesus: Focus On The Message – Matthew 19

Last Updated on April 30, 2023 by Rocklyn Clarke

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Description

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

Matthew 19

Purpose

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

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Matthew 19

This chapter has 3 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: Divorce

Main text and related passages:

• Divorce – Matthew 19:1-12 – Bible Gateway
  • Matthew 19:1-12; Mark 10:1-12; Luke 16:16-18
  • Matthew 5:31-32; Matthew 19:1-12; Exodus 21:1-11; Deuteronomy 24:1-4; Malachi 2:13-16; 1 Corinthians 7 NIV
  • In this passage, Jesus is actually addressing the practice of “any cause” divorce. See link to the Interview with Dr. Instone-Brewer below for more information.
  • The Bible has a lot to say about divorce, so we shouldn’t base our understanding of this difficult topic on this portion of Matthew alone. Additional scriptures are provided above.  The book list also includes two excellent references on the subject: “Divorce and Remarriage in the Bible” and “Divorce and Remarriage in the Church” both by David Instone-Brewer.
  • Make sure you review all of the suggested links, books, and videos before forming your conclusions about this passage!

Checkout the following:

• • Divorce and Remarriage in the Bible and in the Church
    • An interview with Dr. Instone-Brewer on Divorce in Cases of Abuse and Neglect in the Old Testament.
  • The Four Causes of Biblical Divorce by Dr David Instone-Brewer in Playmobil – YouTube (00:06:55)
  • Homosexuality & Scripture (Ben Witherington III) – YouTube (00:07:20)
  • Posture Shift

Topics to explore:

• • Does this passage make you uncomfortable?
  • Are you divorced, or in the process of divorcing? If not, in what other ways, if any, have you been affected by divorce?
    • Is there anything for which you need to repent with regard to a divorce?
    • Is there anyone that you have yet to forgive with regard to a divorce.
  • Are you married, or preparing to get married?
    • How is your relationship?
    • What is your view of marriage?
    • How do you deal with marriage issues?
      • Ignore them.
      • Pretend that there are no issues in order to maintain a “good confession”.
      • Talk to Jesus honestly about marriage issues and take the time the explore with him their root causes.
    • Is God saying anything to you about your marriage right now?
  • Are there any marriages that you need to pray for? Are there any marriages for which God wants you to do more than just pray?
  • Do you know someone who has been affected by divorce?

Additional resources to check out:

• • Matthew for Everyone, Part 2 (The New Testament for Everyone) by Tom Wright – Amazon.com
  • 28. Jesus, Marriage, and Sex [Matthew] – Tim Mackie – YouTube (00:58:37)
  • Divorce and Remarriage – Dr David Instone–Brewer – YouTube (01:10:09)
  • “Divorce and Remarriage in the Bible” from the Life Church Discipleship Resources Amazon.com List
  • “Divorce and Remarriage in the Church” from the Life Church Discipleship Resources Amazon.com List
  • “Love Is An Orientation” from the Life Church Discipleship Resources Amazon.com List

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

• • Read the main passage and related passages above.

Lesson 2: The Little Children and Jesus

Main text and related passages:

• The Little Children and Jesus – Matthew 19:13-14 – Bible Gateway
  • Matthew 19:13-14; Mark 10:13-16; Luke 18:15-17

Checkout the following:

• • ?

Topics to explore:

• • ?

Additional resources to check out:

• • Matthew for Everyone, Part 2 (The New Testament for Everyone) by Tom Wright – Amazon.com

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

• • Read the main passage and related passages above.

Lesson 3: The Rich and the Kingdom of God

Main text and related passages:

• The Rich and the Kingdom of God – Matthew 19:16-30 – Bible Gateway
  • Matthew 19:16-30; Mark 10:17-30; Luke 18:18-30
  • Selected passages dealing with the Rich (click here for a more complete list):

Matthew 6:19-34; 1 Corinthians 1:18-31; 2 Corinthians 8:1-15; 2 Corinthians 11:16 – 12:10; 1 Timothy 6:1-10; 1 Timothy 6:17-19; James 2:1-26; James 5:1-6; 1 John 3:16-18; Revelation 2:8-11; Revelation 3:14-22; Revelation 6:12-17; Revelation 18

• • Selected passages dealing with the Poor (click here for a more complete list):

Exodus 23:10-12; Leviticus 19:9-10; Leviticus 23:22; Leviticus 25; Deuteronomy 15:1-11; Deuteronomy 24; Isaiah 3:14-26; Isaiah 10:1-4; Isaiah 58; Isaiah 61; Ezekiel 16:44-52; Amos 2:6-8; Amos 4; Amos 5; Amos 8; Zechariah 7

• • Jubilee: Deuteronomy 25; Isaiah 61; Luke 4:14-30

Checkout the following:

• • Watch: Generosity Biblical Theme Video | BibleProject™ (00:05:11)
  • Watch: Gospel of the Kingdom Biblical Theme Video | BibleProject™ (00:04:50)
  • Watch: Love (Ahavah) Shema Word Study Video | BibleProject™ (00:03:53)
  • Watch: Love (Agape) Advent Word Study Video | BibleProject™ (00:04:29)

Topics to explore:

• • ?

Additional resources to check out:

• • Matthew for Everyone, Part 2 (The New Testament for Everyone) by Tom Wright – Amazon.com

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

• • Read the main passage and related passages above.

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Advance to Matthew 20