1. Why was the tax rendered to Rome a source of great controversy among the Jews? How do the Pharisees use this controversy/situation to try to trap the Lord in His words? How does the Lord turn the tables on them? Can you think of any modern-day controversies or conflicts that are similar to this scenario? How can we use the Lord’s teaching to help guide us through them? (Matthew 22:15-22)

2. Why don’t the Sadducees accept the resurrection? How do they try to trap the Lord in His words? What was so “astonishing” (Matthew 22:33) about the Lord’s teaching? What do we mean when we talk about the monastic life as being an “angelic” life? How does this relate to Christ’s statement that “At the resurrection people will neither marry nor be given in marriage; they will be like the angels in heaven”? (Matthew 22:23-33)

3. What is the Greatest Commandment? What is the second that is like it? Why do you think these two commandments are so “great”? What are some ways we can practice these two commandments in our daily lives? What are some challenges we face when trying to practice them? (Matthew 22:34-40)

4. What does the Lord want to illustrate by asking the Pharisees “What do you think about the Messiah? Whose son is he?” Why was the Lord’s explanation so profound? (Matthew 22:41-45)

5. What’s a “woe”? What kinds of things does the Lord denounce the Pharisees for? Why did the Jewish leaders want Jesus killed? (Matthew 23)

Bible reading: Matthew 22 and Matthew 23

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