Main Text: Matthew 20:29–34 (ESV) 29 And as they went out of Jericho, a great crowd followed him. 30 And behold, there were two blind men sitting by the roadside, and when they heard that Jesus was passing by, they cried out, “Lord, have mercy on us, Son of David!” 31 The crowd rebuked them, telling them to be silent, but they cried out all the more, “Lord, have mercy on us, Son of David!” 32And stopping, Jesus called them and said, “What do you want me to do for you?” 33 They said to him, “Lord, let our eyes be opened.” 34 And Jesus in pity touched their eyes, and immediately they recovered their sight and followed him.

Preaching Point: Recognizing the compassionate authority of the Son of David should cause us to unashamedly depend on his mercy as we follow him daily.

Teaching Points:

1. Do You: Recognize the Merciful Son of David? (vv. 29-30)
2. Do You: Shamelessly Depend on Jesus? (v. 31)
3. Do You: Faithfully Follow Jesus? (vv. 32-34)

Application Questions:

1. Write down one observation or application you found helpful from this week’s sermon. Why did it stand out to you?
2. Read 2 Samuel 7:12-17, Ezekiel 34:23-24, and Luke 1:30-33. How do these passages deepen your understanding of why the blind men’s recognition of Jesus as the “Son of David” in Matthew 20:29-34 was so significant?
3. What could you miss about the identity of Jesus if you don’t recognize him as the Son of David?
4. How does God’s desire for your shameless dependence on him strengthen your resolve to “cry out all the more” (cf. Matt 20:31) in reliance on him?
5. Read 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 and 1 Corinthians 1:18-25. Why might shameless dependence on Jesus be viewed as weakness in our culture? How can you resist the pressure to project independence when what you truly need is deeper dependence on him?
6. Read Mark 8:34-35 and Galatians 2:20. After encountering Jesus in Matthew 20, the blind men immediately followed him as his disciples. Since encountering the saving work of Christ, how would you characterize your pursuit of following Jesus?
7. In what area of your life have you been slow to follow Jesus, and what necessary change will you make to pursue faithful obedience in that area?