Week of February 25, 2007

• ** TLC Questions From Matthew 8:1-15**
  
  “His Power–His Kingdom Revealed”
  
  The purpose of Matthew’s gospel is to portray Jesus Christ as King. Jesus had just finished teaching what we refer to as The Sermon on the Mount (chapters 5-6-7) in which He proclaimed the principles of His Kingdom. The question is, If Jesus Christ is King, does He have the power to carry out His Kingdom Principles or is He all talk and no ability? Matthew 8:1-15 tells us of three powerful and unique miracles proving that Jesus Christ is King. He is not just a speech maker, but a miracle worker.
  
  1. (verse 2) The leper approached Jesus not doubting that He was capable
  of making him clean, but asked if is He was willing?
• Why do you believe he asked if Jesus was willing to make him clean?
  
  2. There were hundreds of lepers in that area that didn’t come to Jesus asking
  for a healing.
• Do you believe Jesus would have healed them if they would have asked?
  ·
• Do you believe that people can miss out on lots of blessings because they doubt the willingness of the Lord and don’t ask Him?
  ·
• Why do you believe we can doubt the Lord’s willingness to help us in our times of difficulties?
  
  3. (verse 3) “Jesus reached out His hand and touched the man… immediately
  he was cured.”
• · Did Jesus have to touch the man in order to cure him?
• Leprosy was highly contagious, yet Jesus touch him. Why did He touch him?
  
  4. (verses 5-6) Rome conquered and ruled over Israel.
• Why do you believe this Centurion, a Roman officer asked Jesus for help?
• Two times (vs 6&8) he addressed Jesus as “Lord”? What made him do this?
  
  5. (verse 6) For the most part, servants were treated like used cars. When they got
  sick the Roman officers bought one that was healthy.
• What does this tell you about the character of this soldier?
  
  6. (verse 8) Notice two key words.. ‘deserve’ and ’word’.
• What two qualities do these words reveal in this Roman officer?
  
  7. (verse 9) The Centurion speaks of his authority
• By whose authority did he recognize in Jesus?
  
  8. (verse 10) Jesus was 'astonished"
• What does this tell you about the 'spiritual condition' of Israel at that time

9. (verse 15) Jesus touched Peter’s mother-in-law and two things took place.

• What two important things take place when Jesus touches a person?
  

TLC Questions for Week of February 18th

- TLC Questions From Luke 13:11-17

“Liberation”

In this story we are told of a woman who had been crippled by a spirit. For eighteen years she was stricken with this illness that caused her to be bent over and unable to straighten up, and yet this woman was faithful in attending the synagogue and give worship to God. Jesus, being sensitive to her needs, touched this woman, set her free, and she responded by gaving praises to God.

1. For 18 years this crippled, bent over woman was in the synagogue week after week
faithfully worshiping God.

What brings about this kind of faithfulness?

2. Surely this woman had prayed and asked God to help her.
Do you think God heard her prayers?

Why so long before she was set free from this evil spirit?

Do you think she was bitter towards God? Why or Why not?

3. (vs 11) She was crippled by a spirit.

· Do you believe this spirit possessed her or oppressed her?

What is the difference between possessed & oppressed?

Do you believe Satan was in that synagogue?

4. (vs 12) Jesus comes on the scene.

Could Jesus have healed her where she was sitting?

Why do you believe Jesus called her forward where everyone could observe?

5. (vs 14) Jesus was the one who set this woman free.

Why did the synagogue ruler rebuke the people instead of Jesus?

Do you believe that many received healing in that synagogue?

What bondage do you think the synagogue ruler was under?

What was his main concern?

6. (vs 16) Jesus referred to this woman as a ‘daughter of Abraham’.

What did Jesus mean by this statement? (re. Galatians 3:7)

What does this tell us about her spiritual condition?

Can Satan possess a Christian? Why or Why not?

7. (vs 17) We see two different responses to the miracle and teaching Jesus did.

Why were some ‘humiliated’ and others ‘delighted’?

What was the main issue Jesus was teaching against?

How can ‘religion’ turn us away from the spiritual?

8. If you were to describe Christianity in the shortest term, how would you express it?

TLC Questions for Week of February 11th

Week of February 18

- TLC Questions From Luke 19:1-10 -

“How Big is God’s Kingdom?”

On His way to Jerusalem Jesus had an encounter with a tax collector named Zaccheus. The name Zaccheus means ‘righteous one,’ but for the most part tax collectors were known to be anything but righteous. Tax collectors worked for the Roman government and the Jews considered them unclean Gentiles and traitors to Israel. Tax collectors also enjoyed great wealth because they collected more taxes than required from their fellow countrymen, the Jews. In the eyes of the Jew Zaccheus was hopelessly lost, but Jesus looked at Zaccheus as a precious lost sinner. In this story the Lord shows us that His Kingdom is much Bigger and much Greater than anyone can ever imagine.

1. Zaccheus was given the name ‘righteous one’ by his mother and father who
had great hopes for their son to grow up and be a man devoted to God, but
instead, he turned away from God to wealth and riches.

• Do you believe his parents ever lost hope that their son’s salvation?
• What do you believe their daily prayer must have been?
• Do you believe God heard their prayers?
• What does this tell us about our lost family and friends?

2. Jesus was in the area of Samaria heading for Jerusalem, but went out of His
way to go through Jericho where He had an encounter with at least two lost
sinners.

• Do you believe the Lord knew that the blind beggar (18:35) and Zaccheus, would be there?
• Do you believe these men woke up that morning knowing this would be a day of salvation?
• How does that line up with that day you were saved?

3. (vs 3-4) Being a short man, Zaccheus put in a lot of sweat and effort to
climb that sycamore tree because the first limb is long way up from the ground.

• Why do you believe this rich and wealthy man put away his dignity to climb a tree as a child just to look at someone passing through town?
• Do you believe Zaccheus was seeking Jesus or was Jesus seeking him?
• Who do you believe instigated this whole encounter? (see John 15:16;16:5-9)
• (Read Genesis 3:6-9) Who sought out our first parents when they sinned?
• How does this line up with verse 10?

4. (vs 7) Those who criticized Jesus also needed to be saved.

• Why didn’t Jesus invite Himself to their house?
• Will Jesus force Himself into someone’s life? Why or why not?

5. (vs 8) Something happened to Zaccheus in his encounter with Jesus.

• What do you believe changed this man’s life?
• Do you believe that Jesus told Zaccheus what to do and what to say?
• What is Zaccheus doing?
  
• What one action gives proof of a true salvation expeience?

TLC Questions for Week of February 4th

Week of February 4, 2007

** TLC Questions From John 8**

“Drop The Rocks”

Jesus had finished another great teaching inviting all who are thirsty to come and drink the living water He offers, a picture of the Holy Spirit (7:37-39). He then acted on His invitation by giving grace and forgiveness to a woman caught in the act of adultery. The religious leaders had in mind to trap and convict the Lord, but instead He put them on the witness stand as we will see in this story.

1. (vs 2) Catch this whole scene. The Lord is at the temple teaching the people and here comes the religious leaders dragging a half dressed woman through the crowd, making her stand in midst of the people.
·What does this tell you about the hearts and minds of the religious?
· Were they using the law to accomplish their own agenda?
· What was their agenda?
· Can Christians use the principles of their belief system to accomplish their own agenda? How?

2. Read Liviticus 20:10 and Deuteronomy 22:22.

• (vs 3-4) What seems to be missing from this story?
• In accusing this woman were they breaking the law? How?

3. Read Jeremiah 17:13 and Psalm 90:8.

• What do you think Jesus may have been writing in the dust?

4. In verse 7 Jesus gives the requirements for being a judge.

• What are the requirements?
• Do you meet these requirements?
• Who met the requirements to throw a stone?

5. Instead of passing judgment on the woman, who was being judged?

• What caused the accusers to drop their rocks?
• What should cause you and me to always put down our rocks?
• How does this line up with Romans 3:23 and Matthew 7:3-6?

6. According to the Law of Moses this woman was guilty.

• Was Jesus compromising the Law and being easy on sin?
• · Read Romans 3:20. Why was the Law given?
• · What did He do in order to forgive this woman’s sin?

• His forgiveness to the woman was free, but what did it cost Him?

7. (vs 11) Do you believe this woman ever committed another sin?

• What is Jesus telling her?

• What does God's grace accomplish in a person who is truly repentent?