Early Life & Genealogy
When Zechariah was struck silent for doubting Gabriel's message, the people waiting outside the sanctuary realized he had seen something supernatural because he was doing this.
What is making signs to them / remaining speechless? (Luke 1:21, 22)
John the Baptist warned the hypocritical Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism that this judgment tool was already lying at the root of the trees.
What is the ax? (Matthew 3:10; Luke 3:9)
What does the warning about producing "fruit that befits repentance" teach us about true spiritual transformation vs. mere formal religious acts?
Scripture Guidance: Galatians 5:22, 23; James 2:26
In his Sermon on the Mount, Jesus advised settling personal legal conflicts quickly with an accuser while you are still together on the way to this venue.
What is the court (or before the judge)? (Matthew 5:25, 26)
Why does Jehovah prioritize prompt, peacemaking action when personal offenses or disagreements arise between brothers?
Scripture Guidance: Matthew 5:23, 24; Ephesians 4:26
Immediately after leaving the Capernaum synagogue, Jesus entered a home and healed this specific relative of Simon Peter, who was suffering from a high fever.
Who is Peter's mother-in-law? (Luke 4:38, 39; Matthew 8:14, 15)
What fine example did Peter's mother-in-law set immediately after being cured of her fever?
Scripture Guidance: Luke 4:39; Mark 1:31
While locked away in prison, John the Baptist dispatched two of his followers to ask Jesus if he was "the Coming One" or if they should look for this.
What is a different one? (Luke 7:18–20; Matthew 11:2, 3)
Why did John ask this question, and how did Jesus' miraculous works provide the ultimate reassurance?
Scripture Guidance: Isaiah 35:5, 6; Luke 7:22
When learning of Mary's unexpected pregnancy prior to marriage, Joseph initially resolved to?
What is divorcing her secretly? (Matthew 1:19)
What does Joseph’s initial choice teach us? Scripture Guidance: Proverbs 3:5, 6; James 2:13
During his initial post-baptismal visit to Jerusalem for Passover, Jesus made a tool out of ropes to clean out corrupt commercial practices from this sacred location.
What is the temple? (John 2:13–15)
What does Jesus’ zeal in clearing out commercial greed reveal about the standard of clean worship Jehovah expects from us?
Scripture Guidance: 2 Corinthians 7:1; 1 Peter 1:15, 16
When instructing on fasting, Jesus told his disciples not to disfigure their faces like hypocrites, but rather to pour this on their heads and wash their faces.
What is oil? (Matthew 6:16–18)
What danger was Jesus warning against when people perform personal sacrifices or righteous acts to gain recognition from others?
Scripture Guidance: Matthew 6:1; Galatians 1:10
After working all night and catching nothing, Simon Peter obeyed Jesus' command to lower his nets in deep water, resulting in this alarming physical problem for their nets.
What is their nets tearing / breaking? (Luke 5:4–6)
How did Peter's reaction to this miracle reflect his humility and realization of Jesus' divine authority?
Scripture Guidance: Luke 5:8–11; Isaiah 6:5
While Jesus was dining as a guest in a Pharisee's home, a woman known in the city as a sinner washed his feet with her tears and used this to wipe them dry.
What is her hair? (Luke 7:36–38)
What lesson about forgiveness and appreciation did Jesus teach the host through this woman's profound act of devotion?
Scripture Guidance: Luke 7:41–47; 1 John 4:19
Enraged at being outsmarted by the visiting astrologers, the monarch issued a bloody decree targeting young boys up to this specific age limit in Bethlehem.
What is two years old and under? (Matthew 2:16)
Bonus Lesson Question: How does this tragic event demonstrate the contrast between human rulers driven by pride and Jehovah’s ability to protect His purpose?
Scripture Guidance: Proverbs 21:30; Isaiah 55:11
The raising of the copper serpent by Moses was later to whom and in what way?
Who is Nicodemus, and Jesus explained that the Son of man must be lifted up in the same manner as this. (John 3:14, 15)
How does exercising faith in Jesus' sacrifice parallel the obedience required of the ancient Israelites who looked at the copper serpent to stay alive?
Scripture Guidance: Numbers 21:8, 9; John 3:16
In the parable contrasting two home builders, the wise builder dug down deep and established his foundation on this sturdy material.
What is rock / bedrock? (Matthew 7:24, 25; Luke 6:47, 48)
What is the practical difference between merely hearing Christ's teachings and actually putting them into practice when life storms hit?
Scripture Guidance: Luke 6:49; James 1:22–25
In the illustration of the dragnet, fishermen sit down on the beach to sort their catch, placing good fish in vessels and doing this with the unsuitable ones.
What is throwing them away? (Matthew 13:47, 48)
What warning does this separation work give us about the importance of genuine Christian conduct as judgment approaches?
Matthew 13:49, 50; 2 Corinthians 13:5
Opposers accused Jesus of driving out demons by the power of Whom? How did Jesus point out the nonsensical nature of the question?
Who is Beelzebub? What is a house cannot stand while divided?
How does unity within a congregation or family determine whether it can remain strong against attacks?
Scripture Guidance: Psalm 133:1; 1 Corinthians 1:10
Upon regaining his speech after writing down his newborn's name, this priest prophesied under holy spirit about what arising in the royal line?
Who is Zechariah, what is the "horn of salvation"? Who is Zechariah? (Luke 1:67–69)
How does Zechariah’s instant praise upon his speech being restored show the correct attitude to have after receiving Jehovah’s discipline?
Scripture Guidance: Psalm 119:71; Hebrews 12:11
When challenged by opposers to show a sign, Jesus made a statement about rebuilding "this temple" in three days, referring symbolically to this reality.
What is his resurrected body? (John 2:19–21)
What does this exchange teach us about the need of spiritual discernment?
Scripture Guidance: Matthew 13:13–15; 1 Corinthians 2:14
Jesus extended an invitation to those carrying heavy burdens, offering spiritual refreshment if they agreed to place this wooden farm implement on themselves.
What is his yoke? (Matthew 11:28–30)
How does working alongside Jesus under his yoke make spiritual responsibilities feel light rather than crushing?
Scripture Guidance: Philippians 4:13; 1 John 5:3
Because the crowds pressing around him on the shore were so immense, Jesus stepped onto this object to sit down and teach them.
What is a boat? (Matthew 13:1, 2; Mark 4:1, 2)
What does Jesus' resourcefulness in using a boat to teach show about prioritizing spiritual instruction over physical constraints?
Scripture Guidance: Ecclesiastes 11:4; 2 Timothy 4:2
When religious leaders demanded a spectacular sign from heaven, Jesus declared that an evil generation seeks signs, and none would be given except the sign of this prophet.
Who is Jonah? (Matthew 12:38–40)
Why does Jehovah value faith based on solid Scriptural evidence /Faith over demands for miraculous visual signs?
Scripture Guidance: 2 Corinthians 5:7; Hebrews 11:1
Luke wrote his detailed Gospel account specifically addressed to an honored individual so he could know the full certainty of what he had been taught.
Who is Theophilus? (Luke 1:1–4)
Why is thorough, personal research essential for building a rock-solid faith rather than relying on hearsay?
Scripture Guidance: Acts 17:11; Romans 10:17
Upon seeing this man approach, Jesus publicly commended him for possessing a rare character quality completely free of deceit.
Who is Nathanael? (John 1:47)
Why is earnest honesty and sincerity without hypocrisy so valuable to Jehovah?
Scripture Guidance: Psalm 15:1, 2; John 4:24
Jesus explicitly promised that those who are pure in heart would receive this unmatched spiritual reward.
What is seeing God? (Matthew 5:8)
What does it mean in a practical sense to keep our figurative heart "pure" in our thoughts and motives today?
Scripture Guidance: Psalm 24:3, 4; Proverbs 4:23
This person impressed Jesus so deeply with his humility and confidence regarding his sick servant that Jesus stated he hadn’t found faith this great in all Israel.
Who is the army officer / centurion? (Luke 7:1–10; Matthew 8:5–10)
What does the centurion's attitude teach us about combining deep respect for Jesus' authority with genuine humility regarding ourselves?
Scripture Guidance: Proverbs 22:4; Luke 7:6, 7
When told that his birth mother and half-brothers were standing outside wanting to speak with him, Jesus gestured toward his disciples and defined his real family as those who do this.
What is doing the will of his Father? (Matthew 12:46–50; Mark 3:31–35)
How should Jesus' words shape the way we view and treasure our spiritual relationships within the Christian congregation?
Scripture Guidance: Mark 10:29, 30; 1 John 3:14