11/2/22 7th/8th grade: Matthew

 

7^th+8^th grade Axis Guide Sheet: The Gospel of Matthew                 11/2

o   Highs & Lows

o   Recap last week

Takeaway – Matthew writes for a largely Jewish audience & uses their scriptures (The Old Testament & more) to proclaim that Jesus is the Messiah. For the “evidence based” minded, Matthew builds a strong case that Jesus is who He says He is.

§  Key verse: Matthew 1:22-23. Highlight/underline!

Discussion starters:

 

-If you had to prove your identity (that you are who you say you are), what kinds of things would you do or say to make your case?

 

-If you could meet anyone in the world who would it be, & how long would you be willing to wait for them?

 

-What’s something in life that you’re waiting for?  What are you doing while you wait?

 

-Do you remember when you first began to hear about Jesus? Who talked about him & what were you told?

 

-Would you consider yourself a trusting person, or do you take a lot of convincing?

 

-What kinds of things do you have a hard time believing? 

 

-How can you tell when someone is being truthful or just pretending?

 

-Is having scripture that teaches you about Jesus helpful to you, why or why not? If not, what would have more of an impact for you?

 

-What if suddenly there was no church building, no central place to come together for worship & to learn about God? That’s sort of like what Matthew’s audience faced with the loss of their temple. What would your group do if that was suddenly our reality (having no church/place to gather at)?

 

Further readings to check out: (Have different volunteers read the passages)

-          Things to think/talk about as you read: What does this say to me personally? What questions come to mind? What does this tell me about who God is?

o   The introduction to Matthew in their Bibles.

o   Matthew 1:18-25

§  Why do you think it’s important to Matthew to point out that Jesus’ birth coincides with the Old Testament prophecies about the Messiah?

§  Remember that Emmanuel means “God is with us.” What does that mean to you today?

o   Matthew 5:1-12

§  What does it mean to be “blessed”?

§  Do these sayings seem backward top you? Have you seen evidence of these sayings in your own life?

§  If you had to choose to live out one of the Beatitudes (these “blesses are the…” statements) which would you choose & why?

Activity Ideas:

 

Collect the Evidence: A good case requires a lot of solid evidence. What evidence is there around church that says we trust in Jesus? Go on a search for signs/indications of our belief & faith in Jesus.

Bonus – What about outside of church? What are things/places in your daily life that show a belief in God/Jesus?

 

Introducing! – Warm up your announcer’s voice & take turns delivering an introduction speech about Jesus.  What kinds of things would you say about Him?  What attributes would be important to include?

  

Speed Scripture: Have a contest to see who can find the most Old Testament quotes/references in Matthew. If you’re short on time, see who can find one the fastest. (Keys to look for “this took place to fulfill” “this is what the prophet has written” “and so was fulfilled…”)

 

First Church: As a group, go back & read Matthew 28:16-20.What would you need to know to have meaningful conversations about Jesus? What do you think are best practices when it comes to living out/sharing your faith? In your opinion, how do people sometimes get it wrong?

 

New attitudes: Write your own set of beatitudes, using Matthew 5 as a template. What needs do you see in your own community? How is God meeting those needs? How are you/could you be involeved?

 

Don’t forget Highs & Lows & to pray!

 

Gracious God, thank you for sending Jesus to be our Messiah.  Strengthen our faith & continue to reveal yourself to us in our lives. (Insert prayers about highs & lows if desired). – In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen!