Read Luke 7.

Why were the religious leaders condemning John the Baptist? (Verse 33) Why were they condemning Jesus in verse 34? Is it possible that they were just trying to use the Law to justify whatever they wanted to say?

Even though they condemned John the Baptist, what does Jesus say about him in verse 28? Even more importantly, what does Jesus say about believers in verse 28?

Do you ever feel “great” because you’re a Christian? Have you ever felt not-so-great because you are a Christian? Why?

Read Matthew 12.

Three times in this chapter Jesus states that “something greater is here.” What three things is He talking about? (Verses 6, 41, and 42.)

Why do you think He picked the temple, Jonah, and Solomon?

How might Jesus complete this statement to the world today: Something greater than ______________ is here. (If He were only talking to Christians, what would He say?)

As you read today’s scripture, try to think like a first century Jew:

• your religious leaders are the most important people,
• the Temple is the most important place,
• following the rules (the law) is the most important thing that you can do, etc.

Get a jumpstart on tomorrow’s message by reading Matthew 12.

What does Jesus mean when He tells the Pharisees that “something greater than the temple is here”?

How would you feel if someone tried to replace, or add to, everything that you believed to be absolute? What kind of ‘proof’ would you need?

Tomorrow’s message - Stretch out your hand

Read Nahum 1:2-13.

What are the two different sides of God that Nahum is describing here?

How does God act towards His enemies?

How does God act towards those that love Him? (Verse 13)

If you can, listen to Michael W. Smith’s “Let it rain” before/while you pray. The young man that speaks in the middle of this song quotes much of this passage to a live audience in a very powerful way!

Read Micah 6.

What does verse 8 tell us that God wants?

What kind of justice does God want His people to be doing?

What does it mean to “love kindness?” What do we have to do?

What does a Christian “walking humbly” look like? Can you think of any people like that?

Let’s spend a few days reading about what God expects from us when we accept His yoke.  Read Luke 10.

What “burdens” (requirements) does Jesus place on us in this passage?

When Jesus says that His yoke is easy compared to the other things in our lives, He’s not just talking about the world; He’s also talking about “religion”! Read Galatians 5.

Can you think of any modern “yokes” that religion may have added to the message of Jesus? What should we do about those man-made yokes?

Read Matthew 11.

This passage starts out talking about people who are

wondering if Jesus is the Christ. How did Jesus respond to them?

What is wrong with the cities in verses 20-24? Are  they “yoked” to the world?

How does Jesus finish out this chapter? Can you see how He is offering them a better way? Who is His message for?

Get a jumpstart on tomorrow’s message by reading the 11^th chapter of Matthew.

How will taking Jesus’ yoke upon yourself lead to rest? Isn’t that just going to be more work?

How have you found peace and rest through your relationship with Christ?

Your mission field may not be somewhere far, far away (Thank God for those that are called and willing to go far away!), and it may not be at some future date. Read John 4.

Jesus was just passing through and getting a drink of water when He had a mission field experience that changes the lives of the Samaritan woman and many of her townspeople! Do you think Jesus was always looking for an opportunity to be a witness for the Father? Should we always be looking?

Verse 35 contains a powerful message. Where is the harvest? When is the harvest?