Encountering the New Testament, 4th Edition
A Historical and Theological Survey
series: Encountering Biblical Studies
Materials available for professors by request only
Chapter
4. The Gospel of Matthew
Discussion Questions
- How would you respond to the charges by modern critics who suggest that Matthew was not the author of the Gospel of Matthew?
- What seems to be the most reasonable purpose for the Gospel of Matthew? Why?
- Was the coming of Jesus meant more for the Jews or the gentiles?
- How can Jesus’s supreme authority be reconciled with his compassion for human needs?
- How can the preaching of a contemporary preacher such as Billy Graham be compared with the preaching of Jesus?
- Is it necessary today to preach about the second coming of Christ?
- What can our churches today learn from Matthew 18:15–17 about settling disputes?
Assignment Ideas / Class Activities
- Present a panel discussion that shows how Matthew emphasized Jesus’s supreme authority and power, and make applications to contemporary life in which that authority is also demonstrated.
- Make a chart with five sections that classify Jesus’s instructions to his followers and present this in class.
- Make a chart showing God’s constant involvement in the events of the life of Jesus including the event and its reference in Matthew.
- Present an overview of the context of the book, assigning students to read a verse or group of verses that covers each part of the life of Jesus.
- Design a banner for one of the titles used by Jesus that demonstrated his supreme authority.
- Select one of Jesus’s healings and compare it to a contemporary healing that has been reported; have students write a one-page essay.
