THE HARVEST IS PLENTIFUL
Matthew 9:35-10:15
Key verse 9:37-38
How is Jesus’ ministry summarized (35; 4:23)? How did Jesus see the crowds (36)? What does his compassion reveal about Jesus? Read verses 37-38. How did Jesus describe people and their need? What urgent prayer topic does he give his disciples and why?
With this prayer topic in mind, what did Jesus do and why (10:1)? What does Matthew tell us about the 12 apostles (2-4)? What does this show about Jesus and his kingdom?
To whom did Jesus send the apostles and why (5-6)? What message were they to proclaim (7; 4:17)? What else were they to do, and how could they (8)? How did this mirror Jesus’ ministry and his plan to expand the kingdom of heaven?
Why were they not to take money or extra clothes (9-10)? What does it mean that “the worker is worth his keep”? What should be a disciple’s attitude toward material things?
What should be their initial strategy in each town (11)? How would this make them a blessing (12-13)? How should they respond to rejection (14)? What warning did Jesus give about those who reject his disciples and their message (15)?
What lessons (principles) should Jesus' apostles learn from this first training mission? How does this sending out compare with Jesus’ Great Commission (Mt 28:18-20)? In view of this passage, how are we to participate in the harvest work today?