This Bible study focuses on passages from the Gospel of Matthew and the Gospel of Luke in the New Testament.

The Sons, Matthew 21:28-32

The Builders, Matthew 7:24-27

The Pharisee and the Tax Collector, Luke 18:9-14

Objective: To understand that God judges us by what we do,

not what we know or what we promise to do; to understand that

the only way we can be made right with God is by trusting in

his mercy, not in our achievements.

Introductory Question: We are going to read three short

stories that Jesus told in our discussion today. One of the

stories is about a father asking his two sons to help him

work in the field. Begin by sharing experiences from

childhood. When you were a child, did your parents assign

you chores (tasks) to do to help around the house or add to

the family income?

Introduction: Jesus taught that there is a choice between

two paths in life - a wide gate and an easy road that leads

directly to hell (eternal punishment and separation from

God), or a narrow gate and a hard road that leads to life

forever with God (Matthew 7:13-14).

In the three short stories that we are going to read tonight,

Jesus talks about choices between two alternatives - a way

that is right and pleasing to God and a way that is not. As

we read and discuss the three stories, look for elements that

are common to all three.

Reading the Passage: Have the group read each story silently

before you discuss it. Then have one group member retell the

story in his own words.

Matthew 21:28-32 - The Sons

This is the story about the father and his two sons. Jesus

compares one of the two sons to the religious leaders of his

time and the other to sinners and tax collectors. The

religious leaders were diligent students of God's laws as

they had been given to the Jews two thousand years earlier.

However, they rejected Jesus' authority as a teacher.

The tax collectors that Jesus mentions in his commentary on

the story were despised outcasts. Tax collectors in Roman-

ruled Palestine were opportunists and collaborators with the

Romans and were classified with the lowest of sinners by

their fellow Jews.

In his commentary Jesus also mentions a man called John the

Baptist. John was a preacher who preceded Jesus who called

on people to turn away from their sins and turn to God.

Describe the two sons in the story - what are they like?

What are the contrasts in this story? What is the main point

Jesus is trying to make? What kinds of people needed to hear

this story?

How do you think the religious leaders might have responded

to this story? How do you think Jesus would like us to

respond?

Matthew 7:24-27 - The Builders

Jesus tells about building two houses. What are the

similarities between the two homes that are built? the

differences? What makes the differences evident?

Jesus compares our lives to building a house. He describes

two ways of living. Look carefully at Jesus' comparison.

How are the two ways of living alike? What is the

difference? Jesus implies that the storms of life will make

it evident whether a person's life is built upon a strong

foundation. What do you think are the storms of life? What

does it mean for a life to come crashing to the ground? for

a life to stand firm on a solid foundation?

What would you say is the main point Jesus was making? What

kind of person needs to hear this story the most?

Luke 18:9-14 - The Pharisee and the Tax Collector

This story contrasts a Pharisee and a tax collector.

Pharisees were strict students and keepers of the many rules

included in Jewish law and traditions. They had a very

legalistic view of a person's relationship with God; that is,

they believed a person pleases God by strict adherence to a

complicated and detailed set of rules on how to live.

What is the Pharisee in the story like? How does he feel

about himself? What is his view of God? How does he think

God feels about him? What is the Pharisee's opinion of the

tax collector?

What is the tax collector like? How does he feel about

himself? What is his view of God?

Jesus says that the tax collector, not the Pharisee, is the

one who was made right, or judged as righteous by God, when

their prayers were completed. What makes a person right with

God, according to Jesus? Why do you think God preferred the

tax collector's prayer?

Why do you think Jesus told this story? What type of person

needs to hear it? How does Jesus want you and me to live?

Closing Questions:

What do these stories have in common? According to Jesus,

what are the characteristics of a life that pleases God?

How do you react to what Jesus has said? Is there any thing

he says you disagree with? How will you put what he talks

about into practice?

Close with a prayer asking for God's forgiveness for our sins

and requesting the courage and faith to put what Jesus

teaches into practice in our lives.

Copyright Information:
Several questions in this study were taken from the Serendipity New Testament for Groups, InterVarsity, 1987.