Matthew 8: 23-9:8

Jesus Calms the Storm

Jesus, being God and also fully human, is sleeping in the midst of a furious storm at the beginning of this section of Matthew's narrative. His disciples were in the same boat, but were not as calm...

 The disciples had been in the company of Jesus while He healed many and cast out demons with a word. However, it appears that during this storm, their faith was shaken. 

(Suggested reading Job 38)

1. Let's discuss the disciple's reaction to this storm...

-As they had personally witnessed the great miracles of Jesus Christ, why did they not turn to Christ first- before worrying?

-Was their lack of faith due to the personal nature of this trial? For instance, they had seen Jesus saving others from death. Would it take a greater level of faith if it involved their own lives?

2. When people are in the midst of a severe thunder storm, what are some theories of how it started or when it will end?

-Is it more likely that they will attribute the control of the weather to "Mother Nature" or some other abstract hollow philosophy before they recognize this as the power of God?

-When YOU think of God, do you believe that He controls the waves of the sea and that He is the father of the rain as spoken of in Job 38?

-Is it hard for you to believe that God can control the direction of a lightning bolt- for it to strike exactly where He meant for it to go?

3. That God, in human form, stood in a boat and rebuked the winds and the waves. By His words, everything became calm. 

-Discuss how the disciples may have reacted when they witnessed this. 

-Why was it a shock to them? Was it because they had never personally witnessed Him controlling the weather? Or, did they believe that this storm was out of His sphere of influence?

4. Recall an emotional storm that you have faced or are facing.

-Did you wonder if Christ would be able to guide you through it?

-Had you seen Christ do radical things in the lives of others and questioned if His range of influence would include the trial in your life?

-After the trial had passed, were you shocked that God was able to do even greater things than you imagined or had previously witnessed?

The Healing of Two Demon-Possessed Men

Jesus arrived in Gadarenes and two demon possessed men approached Him. Immediately, they recognized Him as Son of God.

1. How would they know this information?

(Review James 2:19)

2. What can be said about the reaction of the demon possessed men?

-What is the "appointed time" that they are referring to?

-Why would they be tortured during that time?

As a side note:

The demons are cast out of Jesus and sent into a herd of pigs. Considering that God advised the people of Israel in the time of Moses that the pig is an unclean animal, why is there a thriving pig industry in this area outside Galilee?

Chapter 9

Jesus Heals a Paralytic

Some men brought a man that was paralyzed to Jesus. Their faith led Jesus to forgive the sins of the paralyzed man

1. Was the paralyzed man asking for forgiveness?

-What led him to believe that Jesus could fulfill this request?

2. The teachers of the law immediately responded and criticized Jesus of being a blasphemer. Review Jesus' response in verse 4.

-In your opinion, which is easier to say: "Your sins are forgiven," or "Get up and walk?"

3. The crowd that saw these events were amazed that this "authority had been given to men." 

-Was this authority given specifically to the man known as Jesus or to all of mankind?

Teacher: Paul Sabino

Matthew 8: 23-9:8