Bible Reading
Matthew 12:22-32 “Then a demon-oppressed man who was blind and mute was brought to him, and he healed him, so that the man spoke and saw. And all the people were amazed, and said, “Can this be the Son of David?” But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, “It is only by Beelzebul, the prince of demons, that this man casts out demons.” Knowing their thoughts, he said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself is laid waste, and no city or house divided against itself will stand. And if Satan casts out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then will his kingdom stand? And if I cast out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your sons cast them out? Therefore they will be your judges. But if it is by the Spirit of God that I cast out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you. Or how can someone enter a strong man's house and plunder his goods, unless he first binds the strong man? Then indeed he may plunder his house. Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters. Therefore I tell you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven people, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven. And whoever speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come.”
[06:28]Matthew 12:38-42 “Then some of the scribes and Pharisees answered him, saying, “Teacher, we wish to see a sign from you.” But he answered them, “An evil and adulterous generation seeks for a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. For just as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. The men of Nineveh will rise up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it, for they repented at the preaching of Jonah, and behold, something greater than Jonah is here. The queen of the South will rise up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it, for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and behold, something greater than Solomon is here.”
[24:19]Matthew 12:46-50 “While he was still speaking to the people, behold, his mother and his brothers stood outside, asking to speak to him. But he replied to the man who told him, “Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?” And stretching out his hand toward his disciples, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers! For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.”
[35:30]Observation questions
- What different conclusions do the crowds and the Pharisees draw after Jesus heals the man who was blind, unable to speak, and demon-possessed? [10:46]
- What reasons does Jesus give for rejecting the Pharisees’ claim that He drives out demons by Satan’s power? [11:39]
- In Jesus’ picture of the strong man’s house, who do the strong man, the possessions, and the stronger One represent? [17:39]
- What two Old Testament examples does Jesus use when responding to those who demand another sign, and how did those outsiders respond differently from the religious leaders? [28:54]
Interpretation questions
- Jesus says that the kingdom of God has come when He drives out demons by the Spirit of God. What does this show about the kind of kingdom Jesus brings, and what might its presence look like in a broken world? [12:45]
- Why is ongoing rejection of the Holy Spirit’s clear witness to Jesus so serious? How does this differ from seasons of confusion, doubt, or past sin? [20:37]
- Why does Jesus point to His death, burial, and resurrection as the final and greatest sign rather than giving people every miracle or circumstance they request? [30:55]
- Jesus calls those who do the Father’s will His family. How do grace, faith, and obedience fit together without treating good works as a way to earn salvation? [38:18]
Application questions
- Where have you recently seen signs of God’s kingdom breaking into ordinary life—through repentance, mercy, healing, justice, provision, or freedom from sin? How could you join God’s work in one of those places this week? [13:34]
- Is there someone you love who seems trapped in hopelessness, addiction, despair, sin, or spiritual darkness? How can Jesus being stronger than the strong man reshape the way you pray for and care for that person? [18:35]
- Have you ever feared that a past failure, harsh word, or season of doubt placed you beyond God’s forgiveness? What does it mean to receive the assurance that Christ’s mercy remains open to those who turn to Him? [22:01]
- What circumstance are you most tempted to make into a condition for trusting God—health, family, work, finances, relationships, or something else? How does the cross and resurrection give a steadier foundation for faith in that situation? [34:02]
- What is one area of obedience that you may be delaying, excusing, or holding back from Jesus? What would a concrete step of repentance and obedience look like this week? [38:34]
- Who in your neighborhood, workplace, school, or community might feel poor, lonely, forgotten, excluded, or far from God’s family? What practical act of care could help reflect the love of Christ to them? [42:43]
