Mark 10

Passage: Divorce, The Little Children and Jesus, The Rich Young Man, Jesus Again Predicts His Death, The Request of James and John, Blind Bartimaeus Receives His Sight

Memory Verse: "I can do everything in Him who gives me strength" -Philippians 4:13

Notes: (v.1-11) The Pharisees came to Jesus and asked him if it was lawful for a man to diorce his wife. Jesus asked them about Moses, and they replied that Moses permitted a man to divorce his wife and send her away.

Jesus said that Moses created this law because of their hardened hearts. In the beginning, God made a male and female so that a man would leave his parents and be united to his wife so that the two will become one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate.

Anyone who divorces his wife and marries another woman commits adultery against her.

-(v.13-16) People brought little children to Jesus, but the disciples rebuked them. Jesus was indignant at this and said, "I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it." Then he blessed the children.

-(v.17-31) A rich young man came to Jesus and asked what needed to be done to inherit eternal life. Jesus told him to obey the commandments, but the man has kept these commandments already.

(v.21)"Jesus looked at him and love him." The one thing the man needed to do was to sell all his possessions and give to the poor so that he will store treasures in heaven. The man went away sad, because he had great wealth.

Jesus said, "It it easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God." As the disciples realized that this was impossible, Jesus responded, "With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God."

-The first will be last, and the last first.

-(v.32-34) On his way to Jerusalem, Jesus tells his disciples that the Son of Man will be betrayed by the teachers of the law. He will be condemned to death and be killed by the Gentiles. But he will rise three days later.

-(v.35-45) James and John asked Jesus to place one at his right and the other at his left in heaven. Jesus told them that this is not for him to grant, and that these places belong to those for whom they have been prepared.

"Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."

-(v.46-52) A blind man, Bartimaeus, was sitting by the roadside when he heard Jesus. He begged Jesus to have mercy on him, so Jesus responded. Because of his faith, the man received sight and followed Jesus.

Mark 9

Passage: The Transfiguration, The Healing of a Boy With an Evil Spirit, Who is the Greatest? Whoever is Not Against Us Is for Us, Causing to Sin

Notes: (v.1-12) Jesus went to a high mountain with Peter, James and John, and transfigured before them. His clothes became dazzling white, and Moses and Elijah appeared before them.

Peter suggested that they put up three shelters for the three of them--he was so frightened that he did not know what to say. Then a cloud came and a voice said, "This is my Son, whom I love. Listen to him!"

When they looked around, there was no one else but Jesus.

-(v.14-32) The other disciples were surrounded by a large crowd and were arguing with the teachers of the law. Jesus asked them what they were arguing about; a man replied that he brought his possessed and mute son. He asked the disciples to drive out the spirit, but they could not.

Jesus replied by calling them an 'unbelieving generation.' Jesus then told them to bring the boy to him: when the spirit saw Jesus, it threw the boy into a convulsion. Jesus was told that the boy had been like this since childhood. The father begged Jesus to heal him if he could.

"If you can?" said Jesus. "Everything is possible for him who believes." Jesus then saw the crowd running towards the scene, and rebuked the evil spirit. The spirit shrieked and came out violently--the boy looked like a corpse. But Jesus took his hand and lifted him up.

Later, the disciples asked Jesus why they couldnt drive the spirit out.

"This kind can come out only by prayer."

Jesus then predicted his betrayal and murder, but his disciples did not understand.

-(v.33-37) "Whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me does not welcome me but the one who sent me."

-(v.38-41) "For whoever is not against us is for us. I tell you the truth, anyone who gives you a cup of water in my name because you belong to Christ will certainly not lose his reward."

-(v.42-50) "And if anyone causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to be thrown into the sea with a large millstone tied around his neck."

"Salt is good, but if it loses its saltiness, how can you make it salty again? Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with each other."

Mark 8

Passage: Jesus Feeds the Four Thousand, The Yeast of the Pharisees and Herod, The Healing of a Blind Man at Bethsaida, Peter's Confession of Christ, Jesus Predicts His Death

Memory Verse: "Again Jesus called the crowd to him and said, 'Listen to me, everyone, and understand this. 15Nothing outside a man can make him 'unclean' by going into him. Rather, it is what comes out of a man that makes him 'unclean''" -Mark 7:14-15

Notes:-(v.1-13) A crowd gathered around Jesus, but they had nothing to eat. Jesus called his disciples and told them to feed these people because some of them have come a long distance. The disciples questioned Jesus where they would get the food in the remote place that they were in.

Jesus asked them how many loaves they had: seven loaves total. Jesus then sat the crowd down, took the loaves and gave thanks. He broke him and gave them to his disciples to give to the people.

Jesus then took a few small fish, gave thanks, and gave it to the disciples to distribute. The people ate and were satisfied, and there was seven-basketfuls leftover.There were four-thousand man total.

The Pharisees then came to test Jesus, and asked him for a miraculous sign. Jesus sighed and refused them their request.

-(v.14-21) Jesus warned his disciples to be careful and to "watch out for the yeast of the Pharisees and that of Herod." Initially, the disciples thought that Jesus was talking about the bread that they forgot, but Jesus rebuked them and reminded them of when he fed the five thousand.

-(v.22-26) In Bethsaida, some people brought a blind man to Jesus and begged him to heal him. Jesus spit on the man's eyes and asked if he saw anything. The blind man replied, "I see people; they look like trees walking around."

Once more, Jesus put his hands on the man's eyes. The man's eyes were opened, and he could see everything clearly. Jesus ordered him to not go into the village.

-(v.27-30) Jesus asked his disciples what people say he was.

The disciples replied, "Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, one of the prophets."
Jesus then asked who the disciples thought he was. Peter answered, "You are the Christ"

-(v.31-38) Jesus began to preach about the many sufferings that the Son of Man will encounter, and predicted that he will be killed, having been rejected by the elders and chief priests. But he will rise again after three days. Peter began to rebuke Jesus, but Jesus rebuked Peter's rebuttal by saying, "Get behind me, Satan! You do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men."

-(v.34-36) [past-verse review] Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said, "if anyone would come after me he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me and for the gospel will save it. What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet lose or forfeit his very self?"

Mark 7

[gah..it's been a few days. sorry!]

Passage: Clean and Unclean, The Faith of a Syrophoenician Woman, The Healing of a Deaf and Mute Man

Notes: (v.1-13) The Pharisees came and saw that Jesus' disciples eating with "unclean" hands, and questioned Jesus about it. Jesus responded by calling them hypocrites, and verifying the words of Isaiah (ref. Isaiah 29:13) when he said that people honor Jesus with their lips, but worship him in vain as their hearts are from from Him.

They have nullified the word of God by their tradition

-(v.15) "Nothing outside a man came make him 'unclean' by going into him. Rather, it is what comes out of a man that makes him unclean"

-(v.20-23) "He went on: 'What comes out of a man is what makes him 'unclean.' For from within, out of men's hearts, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance, and folly. All these evils come from inside and make a man 'unclean.'"

-(v.24-30) A woman who had a daughter possessed by an evil spirit came to Jesus and begged him to drive out the demon. Jesus told her that "It is not right to take the children's bread and toss it to their dogs" (referring to her background?)

The woman replied that even dogs under the table eat the children's crumbs. At this, Jesus healed her daughter because of her faith.

-(v.31-37) When Jesus went through Sidon and down to the Sea of Galilee, some people brought him a deaf and mate man. Jesus took him aside and put his fingers into the man's ears. Then he spit and touched the man's tongue. Jesus looked to heaven and said, "Be opened!" The man's tongue was loosened and was able to speak, and his ears were opened. When the people heard of this, they were amazed.

Mark 6

Passage: A Prophet Without Honor, Jesus Sends Out the Twelve, John the Baptist Beheaded, Jesus Feeds the Five Thousand, Jesus Walks on Water

Notes: -(v.1-6) When Jesus went to his hometown, people questioned where Jesus get his wisdom and power, and were offended by him. Jesus, amazed at their lack of faith, sad, "Only in his hometown, among his relatives and in his own house is a prophet without honor." He did not do any miracles except healing a few sick because of their lack of faith.

-(v.7-12) Jesus called the Twelve and gave them authority over evil spirits. He instructed them to take nothing except a staff, to wear sandals but not an extra tunic, and to stay at a house until they leave that town. If any place is unwelcome to them, they were to shake the dust off their feet when they leave.

-(v.14-29) Some had claimed that Jesus was John the Baptist raised from the dead, or Elijah, or a prophet. Herod, who had given orders to have John arrested and beheaded, thought that John has been raised from the dead. Herod beheaded John from the orders of Herodias, Herod's brother Philip's wife. Herodias' daughter pleased the king and was offered anything she asked--she wanted the head of John the Baptist. John's head was brought on a platter

-(v.30-44) Jesus went to a solitary place, but was followed by a crowd. He had compassion on them because they were like a sheep without a shepherd, so he began to to teach. When it was late, he told his disciples to give them something to eat. He took five loaves of bread and two fish, gave thanks, and fed five thousand men. There were twelve basketfulls leftover.

-(v.45-56) At evening, Jesus started walking to his disciples in the middle of the late. When they saw him, they were terrified. Jesus told them to take courage, and then climbed into the boat with them.

Mark 5

Passage: The Healing of a Demon-possessed Man, A Dead Girl and a Sick Woman

Memory Verse: "From inside the fish Jonah prayed to the Lord his God. He said: 'In my distress I called to the Lord, and he answered me. From the depths of the grave I called for help, and you listened to my cry." -Jonah 2:1-2

Notes: -(v.1-5) In the region of Gerasenes there was a man with an evil spirit who came out to meet Jesus. He lived in tombs, as no one was strong enough to subdue him. He had been chained, but tore the chains apart and would cut himself with stones.

-(v.6-8) When he saw Jesus, he fell on his knees and shouted, "What do you want with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? Swear to God that you won't torture me!" Jesus had said to him, "Come out of this man, you evil spirit!"

-(v.9-13) Then Jesus asked for his name, and he replied, "My name is Legion, for we are many." The demons then begged Jesus to send them among the pigs, and with Jesus' permission, went into the pigs. The herd-- about two-thousand pigs--rushed into the lake and were drowned

-(v.14-17) Those near the pigs ran off and told the town what had just happened, and they were afraid. They begged Jesus to leave their region

-(v.18-20) The man who had been demon-possessed asked to go with Jesus, but Jesus did not let him. Instead, he told the man to tell of the Lord's mercy.

-(v. 21-29) A synagogue ruler named Jairus came to Jesus and pleaded with him to save her, for she was dying. As they were walking, a woman who had been bleeding for twelve years saw Jesus and touched his cloaked, believing that she would be healed if she just touched his clothes. She was immediately healed and freed from suffering

-(v.30-34) Jesus felt that power had gone out from him, and asked the crowd who touched his clothes. The woman, knowing what had happened to her, fell at his feet and told the truth. Jesus said to her, "Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be freed from your sufferings"

-(v.35-43) Some men from the house of Jairus came and told them that the daughter had already died. Ignoring what they had said, Jesus told him to not be afraid, and to just believe. Jesus then went with Peter, James and John, and arrived at the house which was filled with people crying and wailing. He said to them, "Why all this commotion and wailing? The child is not dead but asleep" but they laughed at him

He then took the father and mother and the disciples and went to the child. He took her hand, and commanded her to get up. Immediately, the girl stood up and walked around. She was twelve years old. Jesus gave them orders to not let anyone know about this.

Mark 4

Passage: The Parable of the Sower, A Lamp on a Stand, The Parable of the Growing Seed, The Parable of the Mustard Seed, Jesus Calms the Storm

Memory Verse: "Hear my prayer, O Lord; listen to my cry for mercy. In the day of my trouble I will call to you, for you will answer me" -Psalm 86:6-7

Notes: -(v.1-8) Jesus began to preach the parable of the sower:

1st Seed: Fell along the path, which were eaten by the birds

Seeds: people who hears the word, but the word is taken away by Satan as soon as it is sown

2nd Seed: Fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, but were scorched and withered because the soil was shallow and the seeds had no root

Seeds: People who hear the word and receive it with joy, but last only a short time because it has no root. It falls away when persecution comes

3rd Seed: Fell among thorns, which choked the plants. It could not bear grain

Seeds: People who hear the word, but is suffocated by the worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth, and the desires for other things, making the seed unfruitful

4th Seed: Fell on good soil, which grew and produced a crop

Seeds: Those who hear the word, accept it, and produce a crop--thirty, sixty, or even a hundred times what was sown.

"He who has ears to hear, let him hear"

-(v.21-25) "whatever is hidden is meant to be disclosed, and whatever is concealed is meant to be brought out into the open."

You put a lamp on its stand, not under a bowl or a bed.

"With the measure you use, it will be measured to you--and even more. Whoever has will be given more; whoever does not have, even what he was will be taken from him"

-(v.26-29) The kingdom of God is like a growing seed, which sprouts and grows, and produced grain all by itself

-(v.30-34) The kingdom of God is like a mustard seed, which is the smallest seed you plant. Yet when planted, it grows and becomes the largest of all garden plants

-(v.35-41) When Jesus and his disciples were in a boat, a furious squall came up, but Jesus was sleeping. His disciples woke him and said, "Teacher, don't you care if we drown?" Jesus rebuked the wind and waves, and asked why his disciples why they were afraid.

"Do you still have no faith?"

Mark 3

Passage: Crowds Follow Jesus, The Appointing of the Twelve Apostles, Jesus and Beelzebub, Jesus' Mother and Brothers

Notes: (v.1-6) On a Sabbath, Jesus went out to the synagogue and saw a man with a shriveled hand. The Pharisees went ready see if Jesus would heal on the Sabbath, and accuse him. Jesus responded, "Which is lawful on the Sabbath: to do good or to do evil, to save life or to kill?" Because they remained silent, Jesus was distressed by their stubborn hearts and healed the man.

-(v.7-12) Many crowds followed Jesus, coming from Judea, Jerusalem, Idumea, and regions across the Jordan. He healed many, and when the evil spirits saw him, they fell down before him and cried, "You are the Son of God"

-(v.13-19) Jesus appointed twelve apostles that might be sent out to preach and be with Jesus and have the authority to drive out demons. They twelve were: Simon (later changed to Peter), James son of Zebedee, his brother John, Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James son of Alphaeus, Thaddaeus, Simon the Zealot and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him.

-(v.20-29) Jesus entered a house and the crowd was so large that he and his disciples could not eat. When the teachers of the law came, they claimed that he was possessed by Beelzebub, the prince of demons.

Jesus responded: "How can Satan drive out Satan? If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand."

-(v.30-35) When his mother and brothers arrived, Jesus was notified that his mother and brothers were looking for him. He asked, "Who are my mother and my brothers?"

He then looked at those seated around him and said, "Here are my mother and brothers! Whoever does God's will is my brother and sister and mother"

Mark 2

Passage: Jesus Heals a Paralytic, The Calling of Levi, Jesus Questioned About Fasting, Lord of the Sabbath

Memory Verse: review

Notes: (v.1-5) When Jesus went to Capernaum, people gathered to hear him. Since there was no room, some men came in carrying a paralytic for Jesus to heal. They opened up the roof above Jesus and lowered the paralyzed man on a mat to Jesus. When Jesus saw their faith, he forgave his sin

-(v.6-12) Some teachers of the law felt that Jesus was blasphemous, and that God alone could forgive sins. When Jesus knew what they were thinking, he rebuked them and healed the paralytic

-(v.13-17) Jesus had dinner with many tax collectors and "sinners."

"It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners"

-(v.18-22) Jesus was asked why the Pharisees' disciples were fasting, but not his own. He answered that "the time will come when the bridegroom will be taken from them, and on that day they will fast."

Old garment analogy: "No one sews a patch of unshrunk cloth on an old garment. If he does, the new piece will pull away from the old, making the tear worse"

Wineskin analogy: "No one pours new wine into old wineskins. If he does, the wine will burst the skins, and both the wine and the wineskins will be ruined. No, he pours new wine into new wineskins"

Mark 1

Passage: John the Baptist Prepares the Way, The Baptism and Temptation of Jesus, The Calling for the First Disciples, Jesus Drives Out an Evil Spirit, Jesus Heals Many, Jesus Prays in a Solitary Place, A Man With Leprosy

Memory Verse: "Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. " -Hebrews 12:1

Notes: (v.1-3) Jesus Christ, the Son of God, was written in Isaiah (ref. Isaiah 40:3)

-(v.4-8) John the baptist came to preach repentance for the forgiveness of sins. His message was, "After me will come one more powerful than I, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit"

-(v.9-13) Jesus, coming from Nazareth in Galilee, was baptized by John in the Jordan river. When he was coming out of the water, a voice from heaven came and said, "You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased" Immediately after he was sent to the desert for forty days, being tempted by Satan. (temptation of Jesus: Matthew 4)

-(v.14-20) After John was imprisoned, Jesus went to Galilee to proclaim the good news. He called his disciples to be "fishers of men"

-(v.21-28) Jesus went to the synagogue in Capernaum and began to preach when a possessed man cried out. Jesus drove the evil spirit out and it came out with a shriek. The people were amazed

-(v.29-34) Jesus healed many of their sick and demon-possessed

-(v.35-39) Jesus got up very early in the morning to a solitary place to pray

-(v.40-45) A man with leprosy came to Jesus and asked him to make him clean. Jesus was filled with compassion and healed the man immediately. He told the man to not tell anyone, but to show himself to the priest as a testimony. Instead, the man began to spread the news.

Matthew 28

Last chapter of Matthew! Wooh!

Passage: The Resurrection, The Guard's Report, The Great Commission

Memory Verse: "Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth" -2 Timothy 2:15

Notes: (v.1-4) When Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb after the Sabbath, a violent earthquake came and the angel of the Lord came down and rolled back the stone. The guards shook and became like dead mean in their fear

-(v.5-9) The angel said to the women to not be afraid for Jesus has risen. The angel said to go quickly and tell his disciples that he has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee.

-(v.9-10) The women met Jesus on their way, and they fell at his feet and worshipped him.

-(v.11-15) The guards went into the city and told the chief priests what has happened. The elders gave the guards money and bribed them to say that the disciples came and stole Jesus at night.

-(v.16-20) The eleven disciples went to Galilee and saw Jesus. Some worshipped Him, but others doubted. Then Jesus said to them, "All authority in heaven has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of age."

Matthew 27

Passage: Judas Hangs Himself, Jesus Before Pilate, The Soldiers Mock Jesus, The Crucifixion, The Death of Jesus, The Burial of Jesus, The Guard at the Tomb

Memory Verse: "Go and inquire of the Lord for me and for the people and for all Judah about what is written in this book that has been found. Great is the Lord's anger that burns against us because our fathers have not obeyed the words of this book; they have not acted in accordance with all that is written here concerning us" -2 Kings 22:13

Notes: (v.1-10) When the guards came and took Jesus away to be killed, Jesus returned the 30 silver coins in his remorse. They would not accept it, so he threw the money into the temple and left. Then he went and hanged himself. The chief priests used the money to buy a burial place for foreigners.

The words of the prophet Jeremiah were fulfilled (ref. Zechariah 11:12)

-(v.11-26) When Jesus was taken before Pilate, he confirmed that he was King of the Jews, and did not answer the accusations against him. It was custom to release a prisoner chosen by the crowd, and the crowd could choose between Barabbas, a notorious prisoner, or Jesus. Out of envy, the crowd chose Barrabas to be saved and Jesus to be crucified. Pilate's wife did not want anything to be done to Jesus, but as the crowd got louder, he handed Jesus over to the people. They had him flogged.

-(v.27-31) The soldiers stripped Jesus of his clothes and put a scarlet robe around him. They then twisted a crown of thorns and set it on his head, and mocked him by putting a staff in his right hand. They spit at him and struck him with the staff, and then put his own clothes back on him

-(v.32-44) As they were going out, they offered Jesus wine mixed with gall, but he refused to drink it. Then they placed "This is Jesus, the King of the Jews" above his head. Two robbers were crucified with him, one on each side of him.

Passersby mocked and insulted him, telling him to save himself with angels to prove that he is Son of God. The robbers who were crucified with him also heaped insults at him

-(v.45-55) At the ninth hour, Jesus cried out to God, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" When he cried out again, he gave up his spirit.

At that moment, the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom, the earth shook, and the rocks split. Tombs broke open and the bodies of many holy people who had died there were raised to life. They came out of the tombs and reappeared to many people

When the centurion saw all that had happened, they were terrified and exclaimed, "Surely he was the Son of God!"

-(v.57-61) Joseph, who had been a disciple of Jesus, asked for Jesus' body and wrapped it in a clean linen cloth. He placed the body in a new tomb and rolled a big rock in front of it.

-(v.62-66) The Pharisees ordered a guard to be at the tomb, for they remembered that Jesus claimed that He will rise again after three days

Matthew 26

Memory Verse: "I life my eyes to the hills--where does my help come from? 2My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth." -Psalm 121:1-2

Notes: (v.1-5) Jesus told his disciples that he will be handed over to be crucified, as the Passover is two days away. The chief priests and elders assembled and plotted the arrest and crucifixion of Jesus

-(v.6-13) When Jesus was in Bethany, a woman came to him and poured an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume on his head. The disciples thought that the perfume was going to waste, but Jesus says that she has done a beautiful thing.

"When she poured this perfume on my body, she did it to prepare me for burial. I tell you the truth, wherever this gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her"

-(v.14-16) Judas Iscariot agrees to betray Jesus for thirty silver coins from the chief priests

-(v.17-30) When Jesus was eating the Passover meal with his disciples, he said that one of them will betray him. All the disciples began to deny his unfaithfulness when Jesus said that the one who has dipped his hand into the bowl with him will betray him. Jesus then took bread, gave thanks, and told his disciples to take and eat it, for it is his body. Then he took the cup, gave thanks, and told them to drink from it, for it is his blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.

-(v.31-35) Jesus predicts that Peter will deny him three times before the rooster crows, even though Peter denies it.

-(v.36-46) At Gethsemane, Jesus went alone to pray with his disciples standing watch. He was sorrowful and asked God to take this cup from him, if possible. However, he ultimately sought God's will. When Jesus found the disciples sleeping multiple times, he told them to "watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak"

-(v.47-56) Judas came with an armed crowd and betrayed Jesus. The men stepped forward and seized Jesus, causing one of his companions to cut off the servant's year. Jesus told him to put the sword back in place, for all who draw the sword will die by the sword.

-(v.57-67) Jesus was taken to Caiaphas, and the chief priests looked for false evidence against Jesus, but could not find any. Finally, they charged him for claiming that he is the Christ, the Son of God. The people spit in his face and mocked him, demanding his death.

-(v.69-75) Peter's 1st Denial: A servant girl came to him and recognized him as being with Jesus of Galilee, but Peter denied it

Peter's 2nd Denial: At the gateway, another girl saw him and told the people that he was with Jesus of Nazareth. Again he denied knowing Jesus

Peter's 3rd Denial: Those that were standing there said that he was, for his accent gave it away. Once again Peter swore that he doesn't know Jesus. Immediately after, a rooster crowed, and Peter remembered Jesus' words. He went off and wept bitterly.

Matthew 25

Passage: The Parable of the Ten Virgins, The Parable of the Talents, The Sheep and the Goats

Memory Verse: "Am I now trying to win the approval of men, or of God? Or am I trying to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ" -Galatians 1:10

Notes:

-(v.1-13) The Kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took out their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom

(v.2-5) Five were foolish, and did not take any oil with them. The five wise took oil in jars with their lamps. Soon they all fell asleep

(v.6-9) At midnight, it was announced that the bridegroom was coming. They all woke up and went out to meet him, but the foolish ones asked the wise for oil, for they were going to run out. But there was not enough for both, so the wise told the foolish buy from those who sell oil

(v.10-13) When they were on their way to buy oil, the bridegroom arrived and the wise virgins went to the wedding banquet. When the foolish arrived, they were rejected and was not given entrance into the banquet.

-(v. 14-30) The kingdom of heaven will be like a man who entrusted his servants property

(v.15-18) To one he gave five talents, the other two, and another one, each according to his ability. Then he went on a journey. The one with five talents went to work and gained five more. The one with two talents worked and gained two more. But the man with one talent dug a hole and buried the money

(v.19-24) When the master came back and saw what his servants had done, he put the man with five talents in charge of many things, as did the man with two talents.

(v.25-30) But when the master saw what the man with one talent had done, he took the talent from him and gave it to the man who has ten talents. "For everyone who has will be given more, and he will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken from him"

-(v.31-46) When the Son of Man comes, he will separate people as a shepherd separates sheep from the goats; the sheep on the right, the goats on the left

(v.34-36) To those on his right the King will bless them with inheritance, for they fed him when He was hungry, gave him something to drink when he was thirsty, clothed him when he needed clothes, looked after him when he was sick, and visited him when he was in prison

(v.37-40) The righteous will ask, "Lord, when did we do these things for you?" And the King will reply, "I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers you did for me"

(v.41-43) Then he will tell those on his left to depart from him, for they did none of what the righteous did.

(v.44-46) They will ask when did they see the Lord in need? and He will reply, "I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me."

Postponed Posts

I know I haven't updated this blog today or yesterday, but know that the QTs are being done! I'm just way too tired to post them online right now, so I will eventually (when I'm not as sick/tired/congested/sore)!

-Eleanor

Matthew 24

Passage: Signs at the End of Age, The Day and Hour Unknown

Memory Verse: "4Through these he has given us his great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires" -1 Peter 1:4

Notes: Signs at the end of age-

-Birth Pains: (v.4-8) Many will come in Jesus' name, claiming, 'I am Christ' and deceive many

You will hear of wars; nation will rise against nation

There will be famines and earthquakes in various places

-(v.9-14) "Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me"

Many will turn away from the faith and betray each other, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved

The gospel will be preached to the whole world

-(v.15-21) "Let no one on the roof of his house go down to take anything out of the house. Let no one in the field go back to get his cloak"

What does Jesus mean by this?

-(v.24-25) False Christs and False Prophets will appear and perform great signs and miracles to deceive. Don't believe them

-(v.29) After the "distress of those days," Isaiah 13:10 will be fulfilled

-(v.30-31) The Son of Man will appear in the sky with power and glory

-(v.32-35) "When you see all these tings, you know that it is near, right at the door. I tell you the truth, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away"

-(v.36-41) No one knows the day or the hour; not even the angels in heaven or the Son, but only the Father

It will be like the days of Noah: they knew nothing about what would happen until it happened. The people were eating and drinking and marrying in those days

-(v.42-44): Keep watch, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him

-(v.45-51): Be like the faithful and wise servant, whom the master has put in charge of the servants in his household

"It will be good for that servant whose master finds him doing so when he returns"

-What signs have appeared already?

-Am I living like the faithful and wise servant?

-Am I ready for Christ to return?

Matthew 23

Passage: Seven Woes

Memory Verse: "Do not let this Book of Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night so that you may be careful to do everything in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful"-Joshua 1:8 [also an addition to/reminder of previously done verse Joshua 1:9]

Notes: (v.1-4) Jesus tells the crowd not to do what the Phraisees to" they do not practice what they preach"

-(v.5-11) Everything the Pharisees do is done for men; men call them "rabbi." However, we have only one Master and one Father and one Teacher" Christ. Therefore the greatest among you will be your servant. For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.

-(v.13-15) Woe to the hypocritical teachers, for they travel worldwide for a single convert, but make him "twice as much the son of hell"

-(v.16-22) The teachers do not swear by the altar or the temple, which make the gold and the gift sacred

-(v.23-24) The Pharisees give their spices, but neglect what is important: justice, mercy, and faithfulness.

-(v.25-28) They are beautiful on the outside but dirty on the inside:

"You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. Blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and dish, ad then the outside also will be clean"

"You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of dead men's bones and everything unclean. In the same way, you appear to people as righteous but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness."

-(v.33-36) Jesus will send prophets and wise men and teachers, some of whom the Pharisees will kill and crucify and flog. Therefore the blood of the righteous will be upon them.

Matthew 22

Passage: The Parable of the Wedding Banquet, Paying Taxes to Caesar, Marriage at the Resurrection, The Greatest Commandment, Who Son Is the Christ?

Memory Verse: "But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect" -1 Peter 3:15

Notes: (v.1-14) The Parable of the Wedding Banquet:

-(v.1-3) The kingdom of heaven is like a king who prepared a wedding banquet for his son. He sent servants to those who had been invited, but they refused to come

-(v.4-7) The king then sent more servants and told them to tell his guests that his oxen and fattened cattle have been butchered. Still they did not come, and some seized and killed the king's servants. Angered, the king sent his army to destroy the murderers and burn their city

-(v.8-10) The king them invited anyone he found on the street, both good and bad

-(v.11-13) But there was one man who was not in wedding clothes. When questioned about his clothes, the man could not answer and was thrown outside into the darkness

-(v.14) "For many are invited, but few are chosen"

-(v.15-17) The Pharisees tried to trap Jesus by asking him if it was right to pay taxes to Caesar

-(v.18-22) Jesus asked them whose face was on the denarius. They answered, "Caesar." Jesus then said, "Give to Caesar what is Caesar's, and to God what is God's."

-(v.23-27) Then the Sadducees, who did not believe in the resurrection, tried to trap Jesus by asking him about marriage (and widowed wives) in heaven.

-(v.29-33) Jesus answered, "At the resurrection people will neither marry nor be given in marriage; they will be like the angels in heaven."

-(v.34-40) The Greatest Commandment:

1. Love the lord your God will all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind

2. The second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself

-(v.41-45) Jesus asked the Pharisees, "Whose son is the Christ?"

They replied, "David." Jesus answered, "How is it then that David, speaking by the Spirit, calls him Lord?" (ref. Psalm 110:1). No one could answer him, and they were afraid to ask him any more questions.

3 Week Challenge, Day 21

3 WEEK CHALLENGE COMPLETED! :)

Now, unto the Forever Challenge!

Passage: Matthew 21 (The Triumphal Entry, Jesus at the Temple, The Fig Tree Withers, The Authority of Jesus Questioned, The Parable of the Two Sons, The Parable of the Tenants)

Memory Verse: 1Praise the Lord. Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His love endures forever. 2Who can proclaim the mighty acts of the Lord or fully declare his praise? 3Blessed are they who maintain justice, who constantly do what is right."-Psalm 106:1-3

Notes: (v.1-3) Jesus told two of his disciples to find a donkey from the village and bring it to him

-(v.5) the words of the prophet were fulfilled when Jesus rose on the donkey (ref. Zechariah 9:9)

-(v.7-11) A large crowd came and spread their cloaks/tree branches on the road and shouted, "Hosanna in the highest!" The entire city was stirred

NOTE: 'Hosanna' meant 'slave in Hebrew, but later became an exclamation of praise!!

-(v.12-13) Jesus entered the temple area and overturned tables of money sellers, accusing the of making the house of prayer into a 'den of robbers' (ref. Jeremiah 7:11)

-(v.14-17) The teachers of the law became indignant of the children who were shouting 'Hosanna' in the temple, but Jesus rebuked them by referencing Psalm 8:2, which states that "From the lips of children and infants you have ordained praise"

-(v.18-22) The Fig Tree Withers: Jesus causes a fig tree to wither.

"If you have faith and do not doubt, not only can you do what was done to the fig tree, but also you can say to this mountain, 'Go and throw yourself into the sea,' and it will be done. 22If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer"

-(v.23-27) The chief priests came and questioned Jesus' authority, but he responded by asking where John's baptism came from. As they could not answer, he did not tell them where his authority came from

-(v.28-32) The Parable of the Two Sons: "For John came to you to show the way of the righteous, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes did. And even after you say this, you did not repent and believe him."

-(v.33-46) The Parable of the Tenants: The kingdom of heaven is like the landowner who sent his tenants to take care of the vineyard. Instead, the tenants beat and killed the servants that had been given to them, and eventually killed the landowner's son. When the owner comes, he will bring those 'wretches to a wretched end.'

(ref. Psalm 118:22-23)

The chief priests realized that Jesus was talking about them, and wanted to try to arrest him. But they were afraid of the crowd as they considered him a prophet.

3 Week Challenge, Day 20

Passage: Matthew 20 (The Parable of the Workers in the Vineyard, Jesus Again Predicts His Death, A Mother's Request, Two Blind Men Receive Sight)

Memory Verse: "3Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, 4who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort others in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God" -2 Corinthians 1:3-4

Notes: (v.1-16) The Parable of the Workers in a Vineyard:

-The kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire men to work in his vineyard

-he went the third, sixth, ninth, and eleventh our, each time agreeing to pay the workers one denarii

-at the end of the day, he paid the workers hired at the eleventh our first, and gave them one denarii: the same amount as those who worked from the first hour

-when the others saw this, they grumbled and complain about being equal to those who have only worked one hour

-The landowner answered, "Friend, I am not being unfair to you. Didn't you agree to work for a denarius? 14Take your pay and go. I want to give the man who was hired last the same as I gave you. 15Don't I have the right to do what I want with my own money? Or are you envious because I am generous?"

-(v.16) So the last will be first, and the first will be last

-[Wow, that's a humbling story!]

-(v.17-19) Jesus predicts that the Son of Man will be betrayed and condemned to death. The Gentiles will flog and crucify him, but he will be raised to life on the third day.

-(v.20-21) The mother of Zebedee's sons asked Jesus that one of her sons sit at Jesus' right hand and the other at his left in the kingdom

-(v.22-23) Jesus rebukes her and says that those places "belong to those for whom they have been prepared by my Father'

-(v.26-28) Jesus called them together and said, "You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. 26Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, 27and whoever wants to be first must be your slave--28just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many"

3 Week Challenge, Day 19

Passage: Matthew 19 (Divorce, The Little Children and Jesus, The Rich Young Man)

Memory Verse: "And you have forgotten that word of encouragement that addresses you as sons: 'My son, do not make light of the Lord's discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, 6because the Lord disciplines those he loves, and punishes everyone he accepts as a son" -Hebrews 12:5-6 [an addition to and reminder of previously done verse Hebrews 12:7-8]

Notes: (v.1-3) The Pharisees came to Jesus and asked about divorce

-(v.4-6) Jesus said: a man will leave his parents and become one flesh with his wife. What God has joined together, let man not separate.

-(v.7) The Pharisees then asked Jesus of Moses and his command that a man give his wife a certificate of divorce

-(v.8-9) Jesus replied, "Moses permitted you to divorce your wifes because your hearts were hard. But it was not that way from the beginning. 9I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for marital unfaithfulness and marries another woman commits adultery"

-(v.10-12) Not everyone was born to marry; "the one who can accept this should accept it"

-(v.14) Jesus said, "let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these"

-(v.16-22) A rich, young man came to Jesus and asked him how to gain eternal life.

Jesus said to obey his commands. Having kept those commands, the man asked Jesus what he lacked. Jesus told him to sell all his possessions and give to the poor, and follow him. The man left because he was very wealthy.

-Am I able to "sell all my possessions" for Jesus? Or am I holding onto any worldy desires/possessions/fears?

-(v.23-29) Jesus said, "With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible."

-(v.29-30)Memory verse review: "And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or fields for my sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and many who are last will be first"

3 Week Challenge, Day 18

[SIDENOTE: even though this technically was done on Saturday, I still consider it Friday night(:]

Passage: Matthew 18 (The Greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven, The Parable of the Lost Sheep, A Brother Who Sins Against You, The Parable of the Unmerciful Servant)

Memory Verse: review day

Notes: (v.1-4) When asked who the greatest in the kingdom of heaven is, Jesus replied: "I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven"

-(v5-9) Whoever welcomes a little child welcomes Jesus. But to he who causes the little one to sin, it would be better for him to have a large stone HUNG AROUND his neck and to be drowned (!!)

-(v.7) Woe to things that cause people to sin! "if your foot causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life maimed and crippled than to have two hands or two feet and be thrown in eternal fire

Is there anything in my life that is causing me to sin? What do I need to cut off?

-(10-15) referring to rescuing one lost sheep in the midst of hundreds: "in the same way your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should be lost."

-(v.20) "For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them"

-(v.21-35) the parable of the unmerciful servant: Jesus said that you shall forgive your brother "seventy-seven times;" unceasingly, unconditionally (referring to one of Greg's messages)

What we owe to Jesus is like the 10,000 talents (approx $3,840,000,000) that the servant owed to the king. What others have wronged us for is like the 100 denarii (approx. $6400) that they owe to us. Forgive as Jesus does

-The unmerciful servant was tortured until he payed what he owed

"This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother from your heart"

-Am I forgiving as Jesus forgives me?

3 Week Challenge, Day 17

Passage: Matthew 17 (The Transfiguration, The Healing of a Boy with a Demon, The Temple Tax)

Memory Verse: "23This is what the Lord says: 'Let not the wise boast of his wisdom or the strong man boast of his strength or the rich man boast of his riches, 24but let him who boasts boast about this: that he knows and understands me, that I am the Lord, exercises kindness and justice and righteousness on the earth, for in these I delight,' declares the Lord"-Jeremiah 9:23-24

Notes: (v.1-3) Jesus took Peter, James, and John on a mountain and transfigured himself so that his "face shone like the sun and his clothes became white as light." Then Moses and Elijah appeared beside him

-(v.4-8) Peter was telling Jesus about putting three shelters, one for Jesus and the prophets when he was interrupted by an enveloping cloud that commanded them to listen to Jesus. They were afraid, but Jesus told them not to fear

-(v.11-13) The disciples asked Jesus of Elijah, and he states that Elijah has already come. The people did not recognize him, and all that they had done to him will be done to the Son of Man. Then they understood that Jesus was talking about John the Baptist

Why did Jesus specifically choose Peter, James, and John to go with him on the mountain?

Why was Peter interrupted by the cloud

What does Jesus mean when he is talking about Elijah and John the Baptist?

-(v.14-18) Jesus rebuked a demon that was in a boy after the disciples could not heal him

-(v.20-22) The disciples asked Jesus why they couldnt drive out the demon

Jesus answered that they lacked faith and needed faith "as small as a mustard seed"

(ref. Matthew 13:31-32--Jesus compares the kingdom of heaven to a mustard seed as well)

-(v.25) referring to paying tax, Jesus says to peter, "From whom do the kings of the earth collect duty and taxes--from their own sons or from others?"

"From others," Peter answered

"Then the sons are exempt," Jesus said to him. "But so that we may not offend them, go to the lake and throw out your line. Take the first fish you catch; open its mouth and you will find a four-drachma coin. Take it and give it to them for my tax and yours"

What is this entire conversation about?

What does Jesus mean by this?

3 Week Challenge, Day 16

Passage: Matthew 16 (The Demand for a Sign, The Yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees, Peter's Confession of Christ, Jesus Predicts His Death)

Memory Verse:"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight." -Proverbs 3:5-6

Notes: (v.1) The Pharisees and Sadducees asked Jesus for a sign

-(v.2-4) Jesus replied that they knew how to interpret weather signs, but not the signs of the times. A wicked and adulterous generation asks for a sign, but only the sign of Jonah will be given to them

Who are the Sadducees?

Sign of Jonah? Does Jesus mean that their own moral decay is a sign of the times?

-(v.5-12) Jesus warned the disciples against the "yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees," but initially the disciples thought Jesus was talking about not bringing enough bread. Jesus rebuked them by reminding them of His feeding of the 5,000 and 4,000 with just a few pieces of bread. Then they understood what Jesus was talking about

-(v.13-16) Jesus asks the disciples who people say the son of Man is, and who the they think Jesus is

(v.16-20) Simon Peter answered, "You are Christ, the Son of the living God." Jesus says that Simon will be blessed and that the keys of the kingdom will be given to him

-(v.21-22) Jesus predicts his upcoming sufferings and his crucifixion, but Peter denies it

(v.23) Jesus answers him by telling Satan to "get behind him"

Why?

-(v.24028) to come after Jesus:

-Denying yourself and taking up your cross

-Losing your life for Christ so that you may save it

-What good is it to gain the whole world, yet lose your very soul? (ref. Luke 9:23-25)

Am I coming after Jesus?

3 Week Challenge, Day 15

Passage: Matthew 15 (Clean and Unclean, The Faith of the Canaanite Woman, Jesus Feeds the Four Thousand)

Memory Verse: "14They will make war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will overcome them because He is Lord of lords and King of kings--and with him will be his called, chosen and faithful followers" -Revelation 17:14

Notes: (v.1-2) The Pharisees condemned the disciples for not washing their hands before they ate

-(v.3-9) Jesus responded by calling the Pharisees on their hypocrisy: they nullified the word of God with their tradition. He mentions prophet Isaiah (ref. Isaiah 29:13); they worshipped God in vain as their hearts were far from Him

-(v.10) Jesus says, "what goes into a man's mouth does not make him 'unclean,' but what comes out of his mouth, that is what makes him 'unclean'"

(v.17-19) Whatever enters the mouth goes into the stomach and then out of the body, but out of the heart come evil thoughts

Such things that make a man unclean are: evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander

-(v.21-25) A Canaanite woman came to Jesus, begging him to heal her demon-possessed daughter

-(v.26) Jesus says, "it is not right to take the children's bread and toss it to their dogs"

Why does Jesus say this?

-(v.27) the woman replied that even dogs eat crumbs that fall from their master's table

-(v.28) Jesus heals her daughter because of her faith

-(v.29-37) Jesus had compassion on the people whom he performed miracles for (along the Sea of Galilee), and wanted to feed them

(v.34-39) Jesus took 7 loaves of bread and a few small fish and fed 4,000, besides women and children. All were satisfied, and there were seven basketfuls leftover

3 Week Challenge, Day 14

Two weeks! YAY!

Passage: Matthew 14 (John the Baptist Beheaded, Jesus Feeds the Five Thousand, Jesus Walks on Water)

Memory Verse: "15Be very careful, then, how you live--not as unwise but as wise, 16making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. 17Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is" -Ephesians 5:15-17

Notes: (v.1-5)King Herod arrested John and put him in prison because of Herodias (his brother Philip's wife), but did not kill John because the people considered him a prophet

-(v.6-12) On Herod's birthday Herodias' daughter pleased Herod with her dance, so he promised to grant her anything she asked. Her mother prompted her to ask for John the Baptist's head on platter

-(v.13-20) Jesus heard what had happened, and withdrew privately. However, the crowds followed him, and Jesus had compassion on them. He healed their sick

-(v.15-17) As it was getting late, the disciples urged Jesus to send the crowds away, but Jesus told the disciples to provide food for them.

-(v.18-21) Jesus took five loads of bread and two fish, gave thanks and broke the loaves. There was enough for 5 thousand men, besides women and children, and twelve BASKETFULS (!) of leftover bread

Jesus had compassion on the people, and gave thanks

-(v.22) After he fed the people, Jesus went to the mountainside to pray while his disciples went into the boat

-(v.23-27) When it was getting late and the boat was already a considerable distance from land, Jesus went out to the disciples, walking on the lake. They initially feared that it was a ghost, but Jesus told them "Take courage! It is I. Don't be afraid"

-(v.27-31) Peter said to Jesus, "Lord, if it's you, tell me to come to you on the water." Jesus called out to him, and Peter began to walk on water. But when he saw the wind, he began to sink in his fear and called to Jesus

Jesus immediately saved him and rebuked Peter for having little faith