Inductive Bible Study

God’s Word is Inspired

Inerrant
Infallible
Authoritative

2 Timothy 3:16 All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for

teaching, (what’s RIGHT)
reproof, (what’s NOT right)
correction , (how to GET right)
training in righteousness, (how to STAY right)
that the man of God may be adequate,
equipped for every good work.

Observation: Reading for information

Author and recipients
Who, what, when, where, how and why
Repeated words and phrases
Key words or pivotal words
Geographical locations
Lists
Contrasts
Comparisons (one thing is like something else)
Metaphors (one thing is something else: I am the light of the world)
Outlines

Interpretation: Greek and Hebrew word definitions

Strong’s Concordance
Strong’s, Vine’s or Zodhiates Word Study Dictionary
Cross references (by word or topic)
Study Helps
The New Unger’s Bible Dictionary
Topical Bible
Unger’s Bible Handbook
Selected commentaries
James Montgomery Boice
R. C. Sproul
Martin Lloyd-Jones
James Piper
John MacArthur
Warren Wiersby

Application: The goal of all Bible Study!!

Knowing God’s character and God’s Word changes my life.
Overview information The Gospel of Matthew

Gospel Not a complete history or biography

A proclamation history
Gospel: Good news

Church age began with Pentecost.

Gospels precede Church age and should be viewed as
a culmination of the O.T. as well as the beginning of the N.T.

Jesus in the Gospels: Matthew Christ as Messiah and King

Perfectly fulfilling prophecy
Mark Christ as Servant
Perfectly meeting the needs of His people
Luke Christ as the perfect man
Perfectly fulfilling the Law for His people
John Christ as God
Perfectly powerful to save His people

Our Redeemer: Prophet Does not just speak for God, but is the voice of God
Predicted the new church age and His return
Priest He is the sacrificer and the sacrifice
King Resurrected to reign and make intercession for His own
___________________________

Matthew (Levi) An apostle Mark 2:14; 9:9

A tax collector, publican

Book written around 55-65 A.D. Before the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 A.D.

Key verse: 16:16-18

Purpose Written to show proof that Jesus is the promised King +65 O.T. references

Recipients Jews, but also to Gentiles. Probably to the church at Antioch of Syria

Matthew is the only gospel to specifically mention the church 16:18; 18:17

Main themes the King and the kingdom

Covenant and redemption
Discipleship—kingdom living
Ethics and morality
Time and eternity

Jesus’ references to Himself as “Son of Man’ and reveals His earthly mission
Question: 2:2 Where is he that is born king of the Jews?
Answer: 27:37 This is Jesus the King of the Jews
Teaching about the kingdom of God (heaven) used over 50 times

Coming in a gradual way—only a few at first; Jesus rules over all the earth in end
Not immediate and manifest, but gradual and in many ways invisible
Initiated by Jesus
Will face many perils
Will include all nations
Will be both visible and invisible

Olivet discourse: Ch. 24-25 most prophetic in N.T. except for Revelation
Interpretation results in divergent understanding of end times prophecies

Teaching discourses (sermons)

End with “when Jesus finished saying these things” 7:28; 11:1; 13:53; 19:1; 26:1

New aspects of Jesus’ ministry begin with “from that time Jesus began to . . . “
4:17; 16:21

Matthew can be divided into 3 major sections:

1. Introduction of the Messiah 1:1—4:16

2. Development of the Messiah’s ministry 4:17—16:20

3. Completion of the Messiah’s mission 16:21—28:20

A brief outline:
Chapters 1-4 The King’s Arrival
5-7 The King’s Message (Sermon on the Mount)
8-10 The King’s Power
11-12 The King from God
13 The King’s Kingdom (Parables)
14-17 The King’s Disciples
18-20 The Kingdom’s Citizens
21-23 The King and the Jews
24-25 The King’s Goodbye Address (Olivet Discourse)
26-28 The King’s Final Work and Victory