(Compare Mark 9:30–35; Luke 9:43–50)
DISCOVERY OF THE FACTS
1. The Shekel in the Fish’s Mouth, 17:22–27
What does our Lord now announce to His disciples (vv. 22, 23)? What was His purpose in telling them so often in these days of His coming death and resurrection? Did they comprehend what He was talking about? (Mark 9:32; Luke 9:45.)
When they reached their home town, what demand was made upon Him (v. 24)? Why was He under no obligation to pay the temple tax (vv. 25, 26)? Did He pay it? Why (v. 27)? Is there any lesson here for us? How did He know that Peter would find a shekel in the fish’s mouth?
2. How to Enter the Kingdom of Heaven and to Be Great in It, 18:1–4
With what question did the disciples next come to our Lord? What had suggested to them the asking of that question? What did it reveal? Did there ever arise any strife on this point after this? (Matt. 20:20, 21; Luke 22:21–24.) Is it credible that such strife should arise at such times among those who were so near the Lord? What will best help us to understand it?
How did He answer their question? How came there to be a child at hand? How large a child was it? What were His first words as He took the little child? How much deeper than the question does the answer go? What does “be converted” mean (see R. V.)? Why was it necessary that they “be converted”? In what respect must they become as little children to enter into the kingdom at all? In what respects in general ought we all to become childlike? (1 Cor. 14:20; 1 Peter 1:14; 2:2; Matt. 6:31; 11:25; Eph. 5:1) In what respects must we be unlike children? (1 Cor. 14:20; Eph. 4:14.) Are we to understand from this verse that children are by nature in the kingdom or that they are of the spirit that fits them to easily enter? (John 3:6.) How can one who is old become a child? (John 3:3; 1 Peter 2:2.) What are the conditions of an “abundant entrance”? (2 Peter 1:5–11.)
Whom does our Lord say is the greatest in the kingdom? What is meant by “humble himself”? How else is this same principle stated by Him elsewhere? (Luke 14:11; Matt. 20:26, 27; 23:11, 12.) Who is the great illustration of this humbling oneself and the consequent exaltation? (Matt. 20:28; Phil. 2:6–11.) Do men often follow this road to greatness? What is the world’s idea of the path to greatness?
3. How to Treat the Members of the Kingdom, vv. 5–9
How did our Lord seek to emphasize the preciousness of these little ones to Him? Does He mean a literal child or one with the childlike spirit? Who are the ones then especially dear to Christ? (Is. 57:15.) What is meant by “in My name”? What very solemn warning does He give in v. 6? What is meant by “offend”? (See R. V.) What does the warning mean? To whom does it apply? How can we “cause one of these to stumble”? (Gen. 13:7; 2 Sam. 12:14; Ro. 2:23, 24; 14:21; 15:1–3; 1 Cor. 8:9–13.) With what feeling does our Lord regard the occasions of stumbling in the world? What does He say of their necessity? Wherein lies the necessity? (1 Cor. 11:19.) Does it in any wise excuse the one through whom these occasions of stumbling come? (Acts 2:23.) If stumbling blocks are so bad how far ought we to go in avoiding them? (1 Cor. 8:13.) Are we only to give up the things that are in themselves bad? (Luke 14:26, 27, 33.) Why would it pay one to cut off a hand or a foot or pluck out an eye if they led to sin?
4. God’s Unquenchable Love for His Own, vv. 10–14
What warning does our Lord give in regard to the little ones? Is there need of that warning today? What reason does He give for not despising them? What does “behold the face, etc.” indicate? (Esther 1:14; Luke 1:19.) Are we to learn from this that we have guardian angels? Whose angels have the prominent places? Why is v. 11 left out in the R. V.? is there any place where it is found in the R. V.? (Luke 19:10.) If it belongs here just what is its meaning in this connection?
What parable does our Lord utter in vv. 12, 13? Where else found? Is it just the same? How many of us have gone astray? (Is. 53:6.) Who are the sheep that our Lord left? What sheep is God most interested in? How does God feel when He finds one of His lost sheep? How great is this joy? (Zeph. 3:17.) What application does our Lord make of the parable? Is God willing that any one should perish? (2 Peter 3:9.) What is God’s will? (John 6:39, 40; Luke 12:32; 1 Tim. 2:4.) Will one of these little ones perish? (John 10:27–29; 17:12.) If God’s will is that all be saved, why are not all saved? (John 5:40.)
CLASSIFICATION OF TEACHINGS
1. God
The Father of Jesus Christ, 10; the Father of all believers, 14; His dwelling place—heaven, bestows special privilege and honor upon children, 10; takes an especial interest in, seeks the lost, rejoices over the lost one found, 13; not His will that a single little one be lost, 14.
2. Our Lord
His deity, 23, 27; carefulness to avoid causing others to stumble, 27; atoning death, resurrection, 23; love to children, 2; solicitude for children, 10; attractiveness to children, 2; believed on by children, 6; received in little children, when they are received in His name, 5.
3. The Kingdom of Heaven
(1). Conditions of entrance:
Renunciation of self seeking, 1, 3; renunciation of pride, 3, 4.
(2). Condition of greatness in the kingdom:
Humility—taking the lowly place, 4.
4. Occasions of Stumbling
Must needs be, bring woe to the world, bring woe to the man through whom they come, 7; better to perish most miserably than to be an occasion of stumbling to a believing child, 6; better sacrifice the dearest and most indispensable thing than be an occasion of stumbling, 8, 9.
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R.A. Torrey (1856 - 1928)
An American evangelist, pastor, educator, and writer. Called by D. L. Moody to head Bible institute in Chicago (now Moody Bible Institute). Dean of Bible Institute of Los Angeles. Pastorates included Chicago Avenue Church (now Moody Memorial) and Church of the Open Door, Los Angeles. Worldwide evangelistic meetings with Charlie Alexander. Founded Montrose Bible Conference, PA. Wrote more than forty books.Torrey held his last evangelistic meeting in Florida in 1927, additional meetings being canceled because of his failing health. He died at home in Asheville, North Carolina, on October 26, 1928, having preached throughout the world and written more than 40 books. Torrey-Gray Auditorium, the main auditorium at Moody, was named for Torrey and his successor, James M. Gray. At Biola, the Torrey Honors Institute honors him, as does the university's annual Bible conference.
Reuben Archer Torrey was an American evangelist, pastor, educator, and writer. Held evangelistic meetings around the world with song leader Charlie Alexander. Called by D.L. Moody to head the Bible Institute of the Chicago Evangelization Society (now Moody Bible Institute); Dean of Bible Institute of Los Angeles; pastorates included Chicago Avenue Church (now Moody Memorial Church) and Church of the Open Door, Los Angeles.
Besides his obvious gifts in all these areas, he was also a man of prayer, a student of the Bible, and an outstanding personal soul-winner. It is said that he daily read the Bible in four languages, having a good working knowledge of Greek and Hebrew. Some students of church history feel he did more to promote personal evangelism than any other one man since the days of the apostles. His prayer life has seldom been equaled in the annals of Christendom.
Reuben A. Torrey wrote some forty books and his practical writings on the Holy Spirit, prayer, salvation, soul-winning, and evangelism are still favorites of many Christians.