Did John the Baptist begin to doubt Jesus while sitting in prison?

Matthew 11 opens with John sending his disciples to ask Jesus, “Are You the Expected One, or shall we look for someone else?” Rather than simply saying yes, Jesus points them to the evidence: the blind see, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor hear the gospel.

Glenn and Steve consider whether John himself was struggling with doubt or whether he may have been intentionally sending his remaining followers to Jesus. They also discuss why John was imprisoned, whether Christians should speak publicly about moral issues, and how Jesus described John as a bold prophet rather than a reed shaken by the wind.

The study then moves into Malachi’s prophecies, John’s connection to Elijah, the deity of Christ, the relationship between the Law and the Prophets and the kingdom, and the meaning of Jesus’ difficult statement that “the kingdom of heaven suffers violence.”

Matthew 11:1–15 | The Book of Matthew — Session 19

  Questions discussed in this session include:

• How do I know whether to keep silent on moral issues or speak out and risk persecution?
• What should we do if we have doubts? 
• Of what value is it being in Christ’s kingdom? 
• Are churches receptive to people asking doubtful questions? 

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What should followers of Jesus expect from the world?

In Matthew 10:24–42, Jesus tells His disciples that they should not expect better treatment than He received. If the world maligned Him, some will malign His followers too. Yet Jesus repeatedly says, “Do not fear.”

Glenn and Steve discuss why false accusations will ultimately be exposed, why believers should fear God rather than men, and how Jesus’ teaching about sparrows and numbered hairs gives comfort during persecution and discouragement.

The discussion also examines Jesus’ difficult statement that He did not come to bring peace, but a sword; why following Christ can divide families; what it really means to take up your cross; why losing your life for Christ leads to true life; and how even simple acts of service will receive eternal reward.

Matthew 10:24–42 | The Book of Matthew — Session 18

 Questions discussed during this session include:

• What should you do if you think God has forgotten about you? 
• What does Jesus mean when He says He came to separate family members? 
• What does it mean for us to carry our cross? 
• What message should we proclaim from the housetops?
• What does it mean to fear God? 

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Why did Jesus tell the Twelve to go only to Israel when He later commanded them to make disciples of all nations?

Matthew 10 contains instructions that apply to more than one setting. Jesus sends the Twelve on an immediate mission to the lost sheep of Israel with the message, “The kingdom of heaven is at hand.” He tells them to travel lightly, depend on God’s provision, and move on when a city rejects their message.

But later in the same chapter, Jesus speaks about persecution, appearing before governors and kings, testimony to Gentiles, and enduring severe opposition. Glenn and Steve discuss how Matthew’s topical structure helps explain why instructions from different time periods can appear together.

The study also examines what it means to be wise as serpents and innocent as doves, why repeated rejection can harden the heart, why believers should prepare themselves in Scripture rather than expect effortless inspiration, and how to understand “he who endures to the end will be saved.”

Matthew 10:5–23 | The Book of Matthew — Session 17

 Questions discussed in this session include: 

• Why would Jesus send out His disciples only to Israel?
• Why were the disciples sent out without money or extra supplies?
• Why would God punish a city more than Sodom for rejecting the message of the kingdom?
• What does Jesus mean when He says “He who endures to the end will be saved?”

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Matthew 10 introduces the Twelve as Jesus prepares to send them throughout Israel. They were not an impressive religious elite. Among them were fishermen, a tax collector associated with Roman rule, a Zealot connected with opposition to Rome, and several men about whom Scripture tells us very little.

Glenn and Steve discuss the difference between a disciple and an apostle, why being well-known does not make someone more important in the work of the church, and why Jesus gave these apostles special miraculous authority.

The session also examines the message Jesus sent them to preach—“The kingdom of heaven is at hand”—and why that message was directed specifically to Israel at this stage of His ministry. The miracles authenticated both the messengers and the Messiah they proclaimed.

Finally, the discussion looks at the growing conflict between Jesus and the religious leadership, particularly over the oral traditions that had accumulated around the Mosaic Law, and considers how God still calls and prepares believers for service today.

Matthew 10:1–8 | The Book of Matthew — Session 16 

Questions discussed in this session include: 

• Did Jesus pick Judas knowing he would be His betrayer? 
• In our day, does God still pick people today for a purpose? 
• Do we have the office of apostle in the church today? 
• What are the proofs that someone is an apostle?
• How were spiritual gifts given to people in the New Testament? 

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Why did Jesus say new wine cannot be put into old wineskins?

In Matthew 9:14–38, Jesus continues challenging religious assumptions while demonstrating His authority through a remarkable series of miracles.

The discussion begins with fasting. Jesus explains that fasting is useful for prayer and spiritual discipline, but it does not make anyone righteous. He then uses the illustrations of an unshrunk patch and new wine in old wineskins to show that He did not come simply to repair an old system of religious works.

The session then turns to several powerful miracles. A woman suffering for twelve years reaches out in faith and touches Jesus’ garment. A ruler comes to Jesus believing He can raise his daughter. Two blind men recognize Him as the Son of David, and a mute demon-possessed man is freed.

Glenn and Steve also discuss why faith does not guarantee physical healing today, how the miracles function as signs of Jesus’ deity, why some Pharisees still rejected Him despite overwhelming evidence, and Jesus’ final call: “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few.”

Matthew 9:14–38 | The Book of Matthew — Session 15

 Questions discussed in this session include:

• What is the purpose of fasting?
• Did Jesus come to patch up an old religious system? 
• Who has power over death? 
• What will happen if we get close to Jesus and touch Him? 

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Who has the authority to forgive sins?

In Matthew 9, friends bring a paralyzed man to Jesus expecting physical healing. Instead, Jesus first tells him, “Take courage, son; your sins are forgiven.” The scribes immediately accuse Him of blasphemy because they understand that only God can forgive sins.

Jesus then heals the man physically to demonstrate that He possesses the authority He claims.

The session also follows Jesus as He calls Matthew from the tax collector’s booth. Matthew leaves a lucrative and socially despised career to follow Christ, then immediately invites fellow tax collectors and sinners to meet Jesus.

When the Pharisees object, Jesus responds that the sick need a physician and quotes Hosea: “I desire compassion, and not sacrifice.”

Glenn and Steve discuss forgiveness, sign miracles, faith and healing, the calling of Matthew, legalism, mercy, and why Jesus came for sinners.

Matthew 9:1–13 | The Book of Matthew - Session 14

  Questions discussed in this session include:

• How does Jesus respond to the faith of a friend? 
• Can our faith cause healing? 
• If Jesus would have healed the body but not the soul, would it have helped?
• When God calls to us, what can happen if we wait? 

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Matthew 8 continues to reveal who Jesus is through a series of attesting miracles.

Jesus heals Peter’s mother-in-law with a touch, casts out demons with a word, and then challenges those who say they want to follow Him by explaining that discipleship carries a real cost. Following Christ is not a path to worldly fame, comfort, or wealth.

Then Jesus and His disciples enter a boat and encounter a violent storm on the Sea of Galilee. While experienced fishermen fear for their lives, Jesus sleeps. When they wake Him, He rebukes the wind and sea and everything becomes perfectly calm. The disciples ask the question that hangs over the entire chapter: “What kind of man is this?”

The session closes in the region of the Gadarenes, where even demons recognize Jesus as the Son of God and must ask His permission before acting.

Matthew 8:14–34 | The Book of Matthew — Session 13

Questions discussed in this session include:  

• Are Christians guaranteed to have health and wealth? 
• Should we wait until we have our life in order before following God?
• How rich was Jesus? 
• What does it mean for us to follow Jesus? 

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Matthew 8 begins a new section in which Jesus’ miracles demonstrate His authority and reveal who He truly is.

The first person who approaches Him is a leper—someone who had been isolated from society, separated from worship, and forced to live apart from family. The man bows before Jesus and says, “Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean.” Jesus responds with compassion: “I am willing.” Then He does something remarkable—He touches him.

Next, a Roman centurion comes seeking healing for his servant. Unlike the leper, this man has worldly power and authority, yet he approaches Jesus with humility and recognizes that Jesus possesses a far greater authority: “Just say the word, and my servant will be healed.”

Glenn and Steve examine how these miracles point to Jesus as Messiah and Lord, how leprosy provides a vivid picture of sin and cleansing, why the centurion’s faith amazed Jesus, and what Jesus meant when He spoke of Gentiles coming from east and west to sit with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom.

Matthew 8:1–13 | The Book of Matthew — Session 12

  Questions discussed during this session include:

• What is leprosy and what does it represent in the Bible?
• What authority does Jesus have?
• Are there similarities between the lowest and highest levels of society? 
• Who are the sons of the kingdom and what does Jesus say about them?

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Jesus closes the Sermon on the Mount with a series of serious warnings and powerful illustrations.

In Matthew 7:13-29, He contrasts the broad road that leads to destruction with the narrow gate that leads to life. The narrow way is not one spiritual option among many--it points to the one way to the Father through Jesus Christ.

Glenn and Steve then examine Jesus’ warning about false prophets who appear in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. How can believers recognize false teachers? Jesus says to look at their fruit, especially their teaching, and compare it carefully with Scripture.

The session also tackles the difficult words, “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven,” and explains why outward religious activity, miracles, or Christian language are not substitutes for a genuine relationship with Christ.

Finally, Jesus closes with the wise man who built his house on the rock and the foolish man who built on sand. Storms come to both--but only one foundation stands.

Matthew 7:13–29 | The Book of Matthew — Session 11

 Questions discussed in this session include:

• Are there many spiritual paths that are all valid?
• Are there people in churches who are not true believers? 
• How do we tell if a person is a true Christian or a wolf in sheep’s clothing?
• What makes a true Christian? 

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What did Jesus really mean when He said, “Do not judge so that you will not be judged”?

In this session, Glenn and Steve finish Matthew 6 and move into Matthew 7. Jesus first addresses worry and anxiety, reminding His followers that the Father already knows what they need. Instead of allowing food, clothing, work, possessions, and tomorrow’s problems to dominate life, believers are called to seek first God’s kingdom and righteousness.

The discussion then turns to one of the most quoted verses in Scripture: “Do not judge.” Jesus is not prohibiting all discernment. He warns against hypocritically condemning others while ignoring our own sins. Christians must examine themselves first and then evaluate truth and error with humility and care.

The session also considers what Jesus meant by “pearls before swine,” how “ask, seek, and knock” should be understood in light of God’s will, why unanswered prayer does not mean God is unloving, and how the Golden Rule summarizes a major principle of biblical relationships.

Matthew 6:25–7:12 | The Book of Matthew — Session 10

 Questions discussed in this session include:

• Does God know about our needs?
• Can we trust God to supply our needs?
• Should we judge other people’s actions and teachings?
• Will we always get what we pray for if we pray in faith? 

Support the show

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May God Bless you!! - Glenn and Steve