The King and His Kingdom
Jesus in the Gospel of Matthew
Who is the King?
Teaching Strategy
The focus of this lesson is on the identity of Jesus as the Son of God and promised Messiah. Of special note in this lesson is Peter’s response to Jesus’ question and its significance for us. Given its content and complexity, teachers should consider breaking this lesson into two sessions.
Student Learning Outcomes
- Know: Comprehend the identity of Jesus as the Son of God and Messiah.
- Feel: Recognize Jesus as the Son of God and Messiah.
- Do: Live as a faithful subject of the King.
Body of the Lesson
Discussion Questions
Below are suggested questions to use during the guided discussion portion of the lesson. There are also suggested responses to questions to help students grasp the various concepts. These are provided to assist the discussion and are not considered as "right or wrong" responses.
Answers will vary but encourage learners to focus on the personal nature Jesus' ministry. The purpose of this is to look at the ministry of Jesus as he dealt with people on a personal level. It is clearly understood that Jesus is the Savior of the world but each of us must establish an individual relationship with Him for our personal salvation.
A Gestalt moment is sometimes used to describe a sudden moment of clarity, also known as an "ah ha" moment. Jesus asked His Apostles who people thought that He was. The apostles answered that there were various opinions about His identity. For example, some saw Him as a reincarnation of John the Baptist or other prophets. When Jesus narrowed the question down to who they thought Jesus was, Peter quickly answered, "The Christ, the Son of the Living God." This question and Peter's brash answer brought clarity and focus to their understanding of who Jesus was.
We see, however, in later passages that Peter and the others did not fully understand the meaning of this or the implications of what would be involved, especially how Jesus would deliver them from sin by His death and resurrection.
Consider also John 1:41 when Jesus called Andrew as a disciple. John records that Andrew told Peter that they had found the Messiah. As events unfolded, Jesus demonstrated this by His miracles and teachings showing how prophesies were fulfilled in Him.
- It revealed to the apostles both who Jesus was and the nature of His mission.
- It represented a new role for the apostles (vs. 19, apostolic authority; see also Matthew 18:19).
- It would be the foundation idea for the "called out" (sanctified/ chosen) for whom Jesus would be savior and Lord.
Jesus began to prepare the apostles for what would soon occur. We see from this time on that Jesus significantly narrowed the scope of His teachings to the apostles as He began to prepare them not only for His death and resurrection, but for their role in taking to gospel to all. It would be further evidence of Jesus as the Messiah through fulfilled prophecy.
As followers of Christ, we must symbolically share in the death and resurrection of Jesus through our baptism. Being a Christian (disciple) of Jesus requires total commitment and a willingness to abandon all in order to follow Him. As we do so, we understand that we will also share in a resurrection at the return of Jesus. Our identity as disciples of Jesus is witnessed by our faith in Him as Savior, Lord and King. In addition to this witness we also set aside our own will for our lives in exchange for His perfect will for our lives as we serve and glorify Him.