(See also Matthew 12:15–21; 10:2–4; Luke 6:12–19)
DISCOVERY OF THE FACTS
1. “Thou Art the Son of God,” vv. 7–12
In the verses that immediately precede this lesson, what had our Lord done? How would we naturally expect that this miracle would affect those who saw it? What was the effect upon some (v. 6)? To what did this miracle give rise (v. 6)? Was this the only conspiracy that was ever formed against our Lord (John 11:53; Luke 6:11)? Who are parties to this conspiracy? To what extent did they purpose to go in their intense hatred (v. 6)?
What did our Lord do (v. 7)? Why did He not stay and face His enemies in their plots? (Matt. 12:15.) Was it not cowardly on His part? Did the time ever come when He did face His enemies and let them do their worst? Did He escape the multitude by going to the sea? What two multitudes were there at the sea? Were these people attracted by His wonderful teaching? Which attracts the average man most today, the wonderful teaching of our Lord or His wonderful deeds? What kind of things had He done? Does He do great things today? What are the greatest things that He does? How far did these multitudes go? How did they know of the great things which He did? From whom did they hear? Of what then have we an illustration here? If we wish to get men to come to our Lord, what should we do? Was He pleased with the notoriety He was getting? (Matt. 12:16–21.) Was this crowd in earnest? How did they show their earnestness (v. 10, R. V. margin)? Who was it pressed upon Him? Who is always most eager to get to Him? Are men usually as concerned about their spiritual plagues as they are about their physical plagues? Why not? How many of those who had plagues pressed upon Him? What led them to press upon Him? How can we touch Him? What did the greatness and eagerness of the throng necessitate His doing (v. 9)?
Who else besides the crowd recognized Christ’s power (v. 11)? What did these unclean spirits do? Why did they do that? What drew them to Him? Who did they say that He was? Were they right? How did they know it? Did their knowledge do them any good? Why not? Of what is their falling down a sort of anticipation? (Phil. 2:10.) What did our Lord say to these unclean spirits? Why did He say that? (Acts 16:17, 18.) Did He charge any besides the unclean spirits not to make Him known? Why? (Matt. 12:15–20.) Did Christ regard the great crowd as a help or hindrance to His work? Are popularity and crowds ever a hindrance?
2. The Appointment of the Twelve, vv. 13–19
In the 13th verse what do we see our Lord doing? What mountain was it? Why did He go to the mountain? (Luke 6:12.) Why did He wish to get away from the crowd? When on the mountain, what did He do? Were there only twelve that He called unto Him in the mountain? Whom did He call? Who were those whom He willed to call? How did those whom He called show their fitness for the call (v. 13)? Was this wise on their part? What is the wisest thing that any man can do when our Lord calls? Was this a call to salvation or to service? Was there any inner circle among those He called? Of how many was the inner circle composed? Why twelve? Was there any inner circle in the Twelve?
What did He do with these twelve? What does “ordain” mean (R. V.)? To what did He appoint them first of all? Why were they “to be with Him”? Must one “be with Him” before he can be wisely sent forth to preach? (Acts 4:13.) How can we be with Him today? (1 John 1:3.) Were these apostles whom He sent forth uneducated men? Did our Lord wish them with Him for His own sake? (Luke 22:28, 29; Matt. 26:40; John 14:3; 17:24.) Why did He choose the Twelve at just this time? What did He send them forth to do (R. V.)? (Matt. 10:5–15.) Who was to be first called? Why? By whom were these men sent? By whom must any true preacher be sent? By whom are many preachers sent forth? What preparation had our Lord made for the selection and sending forth of the Twelve? (Luke 6:12, 13.) How many lists of the apostles have we? Do they agree? Is the order the same? Why are there changes in the order? What new name did our Lord give Simon? How did Simon become Peter? (Matt. 16:16–18.)
CLASSIFICATION OF TEACHINGS
1. Our Lord
His deity, 10, 11, 15;
His power: over disease, 10; over unclean spirits, 11; to give power to others, to heal sickness and to cast out devils, 15.
His compassion: on the multitudes, 7, 8, 20; on the sick, 10; on the demon-possessed, 11; on the ignorant, 14;
A Man of prayer, 13 (Luke 6:12).
What He did: drew crowds, 7, 8; great things, 8; healed, 10; cast out demons, 11; ordained others to be with Him and carry on His work, 14–18; read the hearts of men, 16, 17; avoided notoriety, 12, 13.
How He was treated: misunderstood; even by His friends, slandered, regarded as insane, 21.
2. Workers in God’s Harvest
Qualifications: must be chosen by Christ Himself, 13; must be ordained by Him, must be with Him before they can tell others about Him, 14; must have power for their work from Him, 15.
Their work: preach, 14; heal sicknesses, cast out devils, 15.
3. The Multitude
Their crying need, 8, 9 (Matt. 9:36); awakened Christ’s compassion, 10, 14, 15; all their needs met by Christ, eager for the help of Christ, 8–10.
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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.