“Unit 3, Day 2: Matthew 8–10,” New Testament Study Guide for Home-Study Seminary Students (2016)
“Unit 3, Day 2,” New Testament Study Guide
Unit 3: Day 2
Matthew 8–10
Introduction
As Jesus Christ traveled through Galilee, He performed many miracles. He also called the Twelve Apostles, empowered and instructed them, and then sent them out to minister to the people.
Matthew 8:1–9:34
Jesus performs many miracles
If you knew that the Savior was coming to visit your city or town today, whom would you bring to Him to be healed? Why?
Read three of the following scripture blocks, looking for the various kinds and types of miracles Jesus performed: Matthew 8:1–4; Matthew 8:5–13; Matthew 8:14–15; Matthew 8:28–32; Matthew 9:1–8; Matthew 9:18–19, 23–26; Matthew 9:20–22; Matthew 9:27–31; Matthew 9:32–33.
Did you notice the vast power that Jesus has? He has power over the elements of the earth, to heal the sick, and to cast out devils.
From these accounts we learn that Jesus can heal us of our infirmities and sicknesses.
An infirmity is an illness, frailty, or weakness. Ponder how the Savior can heal us or strengthen our weaknesses without walking physically among us today.
Matthew 9:35–10:8
Jesus calls twelve Apostles
If available, visit LDS.org and look for pictures of the current Apostles of the Church, including the First Presidency (or locate their pictures in a conference edition of the Ensign or Liahona).
What makes these individuals unique among all the people on the earth?
As you study Matthew 9:35–10:8, look for truths about the role of Apostles and the blessings they can bring into your life.
Read Matthew 9:35, looking for what Jesus did in addition to healing people. You may want to mark what you find.
As Jesus preached the gospel and performed miracles throughout Judea, the number of people who followed and sought after Him increased.
Read Matthew 9:36–38, looking for whom the Savior said He needed to help Him minister to all those who followed Him.
Read Matthew 10:1–4, looking for what Jesus did to help meet the people’s needs. You may want to mark what you find. From this account we learn that Jesus Christ calls Apostles and confers His authority upon them as one way He ministers to the people of the earth. You may want to write this doctrine in the margin next to Matthew 10:1–4.
Note that the events in the Gospel of Matthew are not always given in chronological order. Jesus Christ first called Apostles, and then He trained them in His Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5–7; see Harmony of the Gospels).
Read Matthew 10:5–8, looking for what Jesus Christ commanded His Apostles to do.
In Greek the word apostle means “one sent forth.” At first the Apostles were sent only among those of the house of Israel (see Matthew 10:5–6). Later, the resurrected Savior commanded that the gospel also be preached among the Gentiles, or those who are not of the house of Israel (see Matthew 28:19; Acts 1:8). Latter-day Apostles are also commanded to preach the gospel and be witnesses of Jesus Christ to all the world (see D&C 107:23).
What similarities do you notice between the works Jesus did and the works He commanded His Apostles to do? From Matthew 10:5–8 we learn that the Lord calls Apostles to preach His gospel and do His works.
What are some examples of how the current Apostles preach and minister as Jesus Christ would if He were here?
If available, visit LDS.org and watch or read a recent general conference address given by a modern Apostle (or read one in a general conference edition of the Ensign or Liahona).
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Answer the following questions in your scripture study journal:
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How can understanding that Apostles are called by Jesus Christ to do His work affect how we respond to what they teach and counsel us to do?
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In what ways have the ministries and messages of modern Apostles affected your life?
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Ponder how you can faithfully seek opportunities to listen to, study, and apply the words of the Lord’s chosen Apostles.
Matthew 10:9–42
Jesus instructs the Twelve Apostles before they go forth to preach and minister
In Matthew 10:9–18 we read that the Lord instructed the Apostles to trust in Heavenly Father to provide for their needs as they traveled to preach the gospel. The Savior also taught them to bless the people who received and housed them.
Jesus instructs His Apostles
Think of a time when someone of another faith asked you a difficult question about the gospel or about something controversial regarding the Church. How confident were you in knowing what you should say in that situation?
As you continue your study of Matthew 10, look for a principle in Jesus’s teachings to His Apostles that can help us when we need to explain the gospel or share our testimony.
Read Matthew 10:16–20, looking for the kinds of challenges Jesus said the Apostles would face as they traveled and preached.
According to verses 19–20, how were the Apostles to know what to say in these challenging situations? (The phrase “take no thought” means to “not be anxiously concerned” [see Matthew 10:19, footnote a].)
From what you learn in Matthew 10:19–20, complete the following principle about speaking to others: When we are in the service of the Lord, He will .
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How could the principle you identified above help you when someone asks you a challenging question about the Church?
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When have you felt the Lord inspire you to know what to say to another person?
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Matthew 10:21–42 records that Jesus Christ continued to give His Apostles instructions, warnings, and comfort about the challenges they would face.
Read Matthew 10:37–38, looking for the sacrifices the Savior said we must be willing to make as His disciples. The phrase “worthy of me” in these verses means to be a worthy representative of the Lord and worthy of His blessings.
Ponder why it is necessary for disciples of Jesus Christ to love Him above all others—including their own family members.
The cross mentioned in Matthew 10:38 refers to the physical cross Jesus Christ carried to fulfill Heavenly Father’s will and bring salvation to others.
What do you think it means for us to take up our cross and follow Him?
Read Matthew 10:39, looking for principles the Savior taught about sacrifice. The Joseph Smith Translation clarifies the beginning of this verse to read, “He who seeketh to save his life …” (Joseph Smith Translation, Matthew 10:39 [in Matthew 10:39, footnote a]). In this context, the phrase “save his life” means to live selfishly rather than seeking to serve God and His children.
In what ways do you think people who focus on their own will and selfish desires will eventually “lose” their life? Complete the following principle using your own words: If we seek to save our life, then .
Consider marking the promise in verse 39 that the Savior made to those who lose their lives for His sake. To lose our lives for His sake is more than being willing to die for Him. It means being willing to give of ourselves each day to serve Him and the people around us.
What do you think it means that we will find our life as we lose it for His sake?
Complete the following principle using your own words: If we lose our life for the sake of Jesus Christ, then .
Read the following statement by President Thomas S. Monson: “I believe the Savior is telling us that unless we lose ourselves in service to others, there is little purpose to our own lives. Those who live only for themselves eventually shrivel up and figuratively lose their lives, while those who lose themselves in service to others grow and flourish—and in effect save their lives” (“What Have I Done for Someone Today?” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2009, 85).
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Who do you know who has chosen to lose his or her life for the sake of Jesus Christ? How is this person doing that?
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What effect has this decision had on this person?
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What are some things you can do today or in the near future to lose your life in the service of Jesus Christ and others?
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I have studied Matthew 8–10 and completed this lesson on (date).
Additional questions, thoughts, and insights I would like to share with my teacher: