Episode 117 – Rabbis and Disciples Pt 2: Jewish Educational Systemi.fb-icon-element.fontawesome-icon.fb-icon-element-42{ color: #515151;}i.fb-icon-element.fontawesome-icon.fb-icon-element-42:hover { color: #e00400;}i.fontawesome-icon.fb-icon-element-42.icon-hover-animation-pulsate:after {-webkit-box-shadow:0 0 0 2px rgba(255,255,255,0.1), 0 0 10px 10px #333333, 0 0 0 10px rgba(255,255,255,0.5);-moz-box-shadow:0 0 0 2px rgba(255,255,255,0.1), 0 0 10px 10px #333333, 0 0 0 10px rgba(255,255,255,0.5);box-shadow: 0 0 0 2px rgba(255,255,255,0.1), 0 0 10px 10px #333333, 0 0 0 10px rgba(255,255,255,0.5);}Key Passage(s): Matthew 4:18-22The Jewish educational system in Jesus’s day was astounding. Growing up in that culture was about total immersion in the Scriptures. It was about learning and memorizing God’s Word so that it shaped everything you did. It was also about learning to ask really great questions and debating with your teachers. But much like professional sports, only the best of the best got to keep going and eventually become disciples. Which raises some fascinating questions: What might the Jewish educational system of Jesus’s day reveal to us about his disciples? What might it teach us about God’s intentions for our discipleship? By the end of this episode, you’ll recognize the subtle hints in the Scriptures you’d missed all along and have a deeper appreciation for Jesus’s explosive words, “Come, follow me.”

Note: This is a jam-packed 25-min episode. There’s a lot of information in this one. With that said, our goal was to provide you with the single, best resource for understanding the Jewish educational system in Jesus’s day in its entirety. We think we did it. Enjoy!

Discussion Questions

What was your biggest takeaway from the teaching?

When was the last time someone spoke into your life in a meaningful way (like the letters written for Brad’s son)?

How would you describe your relationship with the Bible?

How would you describe the difference between devotional Bible reading and digging deep Bible reading?

What are some of the barriers keeping you from discussing God’s Words with others?

What is one way you’d like to grow in becoming more intentional with God’s Word?

How will you begin living out the truths of this teaching this week?

For Further Study

The Jewish People in the First Century edited by Shmuel Safrai and Menahem Stern – Chapter 19

Educational Ideals in the Ancient World by William Barclay – Chapter 1

New Light on the Difficult Words of Jesus by David Bivin – Chapter 1

Our Father Abraham by Marvin Wilson – Chapter 14 

Sitting at the Feet of Rabbi Jesus by Ann Spangler and Lois Tverberg – Chapter 2