Advanced Bible Studies require the use of a Bible Dictionary: This advanced online Bible study on the Gospel of Matthew includes over 100 questions which requires reference to a Bible dictionary. Online Bible dictionaries can be accessed at www.biblegateway.com and other internet sites. The author of this study based the Bible dictionary questions on the low cost Nelson's New Illustrated Bible Dictionary by Ronald F. Youngblood, 1995, Thomas Nelson Publishers, ISBN #0785212175. (References to this dictionary, for applicable questions, will simply refer you to "Nelson" and page #)

47 Advanced Study Lessons Online.................Matthew Advanced Study Fee: $24.00

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Gospel of Matthew Online Study Themes:

Disciple, discipleship: Matthew shows Jesus as setting high standards for those who want to follow him and even gives people opportunity to reject him. Matthew also records several instances of Jesus teaching his disciples about forgiveness and serving others.

Faith: In Matthew, Jesus points out situations with the disciples of “little faith” but also identifies “great faith” in two unexpected gentiles, a man and a woman. Many lessons will include questions related to understanding Jesus’ teachings on faith.

Hypocrites and hypocrisy: The Gospel of Matthew provides several instances of Jesus condemning hypocrisy and confronting people who acted religious but were deemed hypocrites.

Lifestyle: In Matthew, Jesus is clearly shown to live a frugal lifestyle and calls those who follow Him to do the same. Study questions will include thoughts regarding the issue of resource control and the problem of trying to have things both ways.

Miracles: As in the other Gospels, Jesus performs many miracles. Certain lessons take note of Jesus’ refusal to perform miracles. Also, the study will identify the connection between Jesus acting supernaturally but at the same time requiring others to participate in achieving his goal.

Parables: Matthew includes many parables which give insight into what the kingdom of heaven is like, the timing of the coming of the Son of Man, and Judgment. Study questions draw out application for us to consider today.

Priorities: The Matthew inductive study draws out the challenge Jesus gives in valuing Him and His kingdom over anything else, whether it be Money, family, relationships or our very life.

Tradition or Practice: Several times in Matthew, Jesus confronts religious people who put their religious tradition or practice above that of being merciful. Various lessons touch on these examples and draw out possible application for us today.

Two greatest commandments: In Matthew we find that Jesus gives two answers to the question of which was the greatest commandment.

Women: Matthew highlights women throughout its gospel and therefore questions regarding women will be found throughout the study. Questions will draw out application from the genealogy and their presence with Jesus at critical times when the disciples deserted him.

Bible Translation Version: The NIV Bible translation is recommended since the low cost Advanced online study references the NIV. Other Bible translations may be used although some wording variations will occur.

Textbook recommendations: For more insight into biblical interpretation, or better understanding of what we read in the Bible, I highly recommend all of the following: How to Study Your Bible, by Kay Arthur or How to READ the BIBLE for All Its WORTH, by Gordon D. Fee and Douglas Stuart or Grasping God's Word, by J. Scott Duvall and J. Daniel Hays.

Parables: A parable uses figurative language to tell a short story which is used to illustrate truth, principles, or moral lessons. The Gospel of Matthew contains between 15-21 parables depending upon the exact criteria used to define a parable.

Hyperbole: Some examples in Matthew of Jesus using hyperbole or exaggeration to make a point are: "if your right hand causes you to sin cut it off and throw it away", "do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing", or "there is a plank in your own eye". Regarding hyperbole Craig S. Keener in A Commentary on the Gospel of Matthew, 1999 Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., notes on page 55: " Jewish teachers typically employed the rhetorical techniques of hyperbole and rhetorical overstatement”...“Jesus employed the same method, in each teaching seeking to evoke specific responses rather than provide direct proof-texts for subsequent theological systems”...“It is particularly important for modern [readers] to remember this characteristic of Jesus’ teachings, or we will find contradictions among his teachings precisely because we have not read his teachings carefully enough to learn to understand them as catchy figures of Jewish speech rather than developed doctrinal pronouncements.”...“Like other sages, Jesus employed riddles, parables, and other figures of speech as evocative language forcing the hearer to contemplate his message”.

Repetition: Ancient writers used repetition to communicate their main points whereas today we often state explicitly the main points or use a a bulleted outline format. This study of the Gospel of Matthew will identify and apply its repeated themes.