Teaching resource for Lifeway’s Explore the Bible lesson for May 3

Ideas to help you teach Matthew 22:15–22 and 22:34–40 for May 3:

First, use this icebreaker idea:

1. Divide the group into pairs.
2. Part of our lesson for today is about loving God and loving others.
   According to Gary Chapman, there are five ways most of us express love: words of affirmation, quality time, gifts, acts of service, and physical touch.   Which of these bests describe how you show love to others when it is appropriate?

Second, go back to the big group to go through the verses for the lesson, using any of the following questions that are most helpful.

Matthew 22:15–22

1. What two words in 22:15 tell us the Pharisees were up to no good? Plotted and trap
2. Was it unusual for the Pharisees and Herodians to partner together in their attack on Jesus?
   Very much so. They hated each other, but their hatred for Jesus drew them together.
3. Even though the words they spoke to Jesus were flattery, were they true?
   What were the things they said about Jesus?
   A. That he was truthful
   B. Truthfully taught the way of God
   C. He didn’t defer to anyone.
   D. He did not show partiality
4. Do we find an example to follow in the description given of Jesus in 22:16?
   Most definitely. Which should we emulate? A, B, C, D
5. What is the way of God?
   See Acts 20:27 for more insight.
6. On more than one occasion, Jesus was asked to interpret the law, as he is here. Which tax were they referring to?
   While there were several different taxes required by the Romans, the one they were referring to here is the poll or head tax.
7. If Jesus had said yes, which group would he have upset and why?
   The Pharisees because they despised paying taxes to the Romans as they had invaded or taken over Palestine. They felt the only tax they had to pay was that which was required by the Old Testament.
8. What about if he had said no?
   The Herodians were a political party in a sense, loyal to Herod. They could have reported Jesus if he said not to pay the tax.
9. What else do we learn about Jesus in 22:18?
   He was able to perceive their malicious intent.
   Do we as believers have that ability?
   Certainly not to the degree Jesus had, but we should be able to perceive to some degree the malicious intent of others.

• Why did Jesus refer to them as hypocrites?
  He knew they were not asking him for information but were trying to trap him.
• Why did Jesus ask them to bring him the coin used to pay the poll tax?
  By showing them an actual coin rather than describing it, he could better drive home his point.
• Why did Jesus ask them about the likeness and inscription on the coin?
  As we have observed before, having them to answer the question would have more of an impact on them than if he had told them. Asking questions is a powerful teaching tool.
• What was the image and inscription on the denarius?
  If the coin was from the reign of Tiberius, it would have had an image of his head and the reverse side an image of him seated on a throne and clothed as a high priest. The Latin inscription translated on obverse side was “Tiberius Caesar Augustus, Son of the Divine Augustus. On the reverse side: “Highest Priest.”
• By his answer, did Jesus say it was lawful to pay the tax to the Roman government?
  What additional insight did Paul give in Romans 13:1ff about the role of government?
  That the government is established by God as an authority over us.
• When Jesus said to give to God the things that are God’s, what was he referring to?
  Since it is in the context of paying taxes, my first thought was giving our tithe to God. By giving our tithe, we acknowledge that all belongs to God. What additional things are God’s that we should give him?
• As citizens of two kingdoms, is there sometimes a conflict in what the government would ask of us that violates God’s will?
  Most certainly. Acts 5:29 tells us what to do when that happens.

Matthew 22:34–40

1. Why did this expert in the law ask the question about which was the greatest commandment?
   First, it was to test Jesus.
   Second, there was debate among the rabbis of that day as to which was the greatest commandment.
2. What was Jesus’ answer?
   He quoted the Shema found in Deuteronomy 6:4–5.
3. What is the soul?
   That word is often nebulous to many. The word for soul is psuche, which literally means life or breath. It came to mean a person’s identity or personality. It is the real you that animates the body.
4. What does it really mean to love God?
   See John 14:21 for one possible answer.
5. Who did the Jews believe was their neighbor?
   Fellow Jews.
   What story did Jesus tell that clarified that any human being was their neighbor?
   The Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25–37).
6. How can we today love our neighbor as ourselves?
   According to the late Oscar Thompson, who wrote Concentric Circles of Concern, love flows on the tracks of relationships. We love our neighbor as we cultivate relationships with them, intercede for them, meet their needs and share the gospel with them. Refer back to the icebreaker and ask what some of the pairs answered about their love language.
7. What is the meaning of 22:40?
   Jesus said they summarize God’s expectations of his people.

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EDITOR’S NOTE — Chip Warren has worked in church ministry and assisted Sunday School teachers in various forms for 40 years. He’s a graduate of Southwestern Seminary and lives in Albertville, Alabama. Warren provides teaching resources such as these questions related to specific passages of Scripture at chipwarren.org.