Preparing for Sunday - Matthew 9:14-17

May 2, 2013 by Bret Capranica Preparing for Sunday

Read Matthew 9:14-17; Mark 2:18-22; Luke 5:33-39.
Who came to Jesus and what were they wanting to know from him?
What does Jesus' answer teach you about what should motivate fasting?
Read 9:16-17 carefully and think through how these illustrations speak to the issue brought up in vv 14-15 (also keep in mind what Jesus taught in the Sermon on the Mount 5:17-48; 6:1-18).
What is Jesus referring to with the analogies of the "old garment" and "old wineskins" and the "new cloth" and "fresh wineskins"?
What does this teach about what following Jesus looks like?

What motivates your regular religious disciplines (i.e., fasting, prayer, Scripture intake)? How could our practice of these disciplines become problematic like that of the disciples of John the Baptist and the Pharisees?
How is Jesus' message of the kingdom "new" compared to the practices of the Pharisees? Why will this "new" message not correspond with the old practices of the Pharisees?
What practical ways do we see any common religious traditions or convictions becoming standards that are not explicitly tied to the intented point and purpose of Scripture?
What practices would Jesus point to today that do not fit with the "new" message of his kingdom (the Sermon on the Mount)?

Does this passage reveal any areas of sin you need to confess? Does it suggest a different mindset toward any issue you need to adopt?
How could this passage assist you in conversation with someone who is emphasizing a practice as spiritually necessary that the Scripture does not so emphasize?
Pray for our congregation to have Spirit-directed wisdom in applying this week's message.
Pray for those who will be leading the service this Sunday: Dawson Bryant, music; Rob Stouffer, Elders' Prayer and Scripture reading; Bret Capranica, teaching.
Meditate on the lyrics of the songs we will be singing Sunday. Consider how these songs will strengthen your love for Christ and submission to his authority. Prepare yourself to sing with the congregation this Sunday.