New Testament · 28 chapters

Matthew

6 sessions, each with its notes, questions, and the full World English Bible text.

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Matthew traces the King from Abraham through David and the exile to Jesus, conceived by the Holy Spirit and named Immanuel, God with us.
Magi worship the child, Herod murders the infants of Bethlehem, and Joseph takes the holy family to Egypt and home to Nazareth so the Scriptures are fulfilled.
John calls Israel to fruit that matches repentance, Jesus is baptized to fulfill all righteousness, and the Father names Him the beloved Son as the Spirit rests on Him.
The Son refuses the tempter with the written word, announces that the kingdom of heaven is at hand, and calls fishermen to leave their nets and follow.
On the mountain the King blesses the poor in spirit, fulfills the Law rather than canceling it, and requires a righteousness that reaches anger, desire, oaths, and enemies.

Jesus teaches hidden giving, the prayer of children who know their Father, and a trust that seeks the kingdom before it seeks tomorrow's bread.
He forbids hypocritical judgment, points to the narrow gate, and says the house that stands is the house that hears His words and does them.
A leper is touched, a centurion's faith startles the King, the storm obeys, and demons in the Gadarenes confess Him as Son of God before they are sent out.
Jesus forgives a paralytic, calls Matthew from the tax booth, raises a ruler's daughter, and looks with compassion on crowds who have no shepherd.
He sends the Twelve with His own authority, telling them to expect rejection, to fear God rather than persecutors, and to lose their life for His sake.

From prison John asks whether Jesus is the Coming One, Jesus rebukes cities that saw His works and did not repent, and He calls the weary to take His yoke.
Sabbath disputes expose hearts that will not show mercy, Isaiah's servant heals without shouting, and Jesus warns that a divided house and an empty heart cannot stand.
By the sea He tells parables of soils, weeds, mustard, leaven, treasure, pearl, and a net, explaining the secrets of the kingdom to disciples and not to the crowds.
Herod beheads John, Jesus feeds five thousand from five loaves, and Peter walks on the water until fear sinks him and the Lord takes his hand.
Jesus says defilement comes from the heart rather than unwashed hands, He answers a Canaanite mother's faith, and He feeds four thousand where the crowds remain with Him.

Peter confesses Jesus as the Christ, the Son of the living God, and Jesus begins to show that He must suffer, die, and on the third day be raised.
On the mountain the Father commands the disciples to listen to the transfigured Son, and below it Jesus frees a boy His disciples could not help.
The greatest in the kingdom becomes like a child, the church is told how to pursue a sinning brother, and a forgiven servant is condemned for refusing to forgive.
Jesus restores marriage to the Creator's will, blesses the children the disciples tried to turn away, and tells a rich man that eternal life means following Him.
The vineyard owner pays the last as the first, Jesus predicts His death a third time, and He defines greatness as serving and giving His life as a ransom.

The King enters on a donkey, cleanses the temple, withers a fruitless fig tree, and tells parables that indict leaders who will not do the Father's will.
A wedding feast is filled with unlikely guests, Caesar's coin is given back to Caesar, and the greatest commandment joins love of God with love of neighbor.
Jesus pronounces woes on scribes and Pharisees who shut the kingdom, strain out gnats, and adorn the tombs of prophets their fathers killed.
On the Mount of Olives He foretells the temple's fall, tribulation, and the coming of the Son of Man, and He commands servants to watch.
Ten virgins, three servants with talents, and the separation of sheep from goats show that waiting for the King is proved by readiness, faithfulness, and mercy.

At Passover Jesus gives His body and blood of the covenant, prays in agony until He yields to the Father, and is betrayed, tried, and denied.
Judas despairs, Pilate condemns the innocent King, Jesus is crucified and truly dies, and a rich disciple lays Him in a new tomb under a guard.
The women find the tomb empty, the risen Lord meets them, and He commands baptism and teaching in the triune name, promising to be with His church to the end of the age.