Christ washing the Disciples' FeetThis morning’s quiet time was Matthew 20:1-16, the parable about the laborers all paid equally. I enjoyed it so much that I decided to try the chapter summary method for bible study this week.

The chapter summary involves reading it at least five times, asking questions and summarizing the central themes.

Chapter Summary Form from Rick Warren’s Bible Study Methods:

CHAPTER Matthew 20
1. CAPTION (TITLE) “Who will be first?”
2. CONTENTS This chapter contains four sections.

  1. Verses 1-16: Parable on the laborers paid equally
  2. Verses 17-19: Jesus predicts His death
  3. Verses 20-28: Jesus teaches on serving others
  4. Verses 29-35: Miracle of Jesus healing two blind men
3. CHIEF PEOPLE

Jesus Christ
Landowner
The First Laborers
The Rest of the Laborers
Disciples
The two blind men
4. CHOICE VERSE

Matthew 20:27-28 - “And whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slave just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”
5. CRUCIAL WORDS

First (v. 8, 10, 16, 27)
Serve (v. 28)
6. CHALLENGES (Difficulties I need to study)

v. 16 - “For many are called, but few chosen.”
v. 23 - “but to sit on My right hand and on My left is not Mine to give, but it is for those for whom it is prepared by My Father.”
7. CROSS-REFERENCES

Verse References
1 Song of Solomon 1:6, 8:11-12
8 Leviticus 19:13
15 Romans 9:21
16 Matthew 19:30
17 Mark 10:32-34, Luke 18:31-33
19 Matthew 16:21, 27:2, John 18:28, Acts 2:23, 3:13
20 Mark 10:35-45, 15:40
21 James 4:3
22 Mark 14:36, John 18:11
23 Acts 12:2, Romans 8:17, Revelation 1:9
24 Luke 22:24
26 Mark 9:35, 1 Peter 5:3
28 Philippians 2:7, 1 Peter 1:19
29 Mark 10:46-52, Luke 18:35-43

8. CHRIST SEEN

1st Section - God’s gift of salvation is not given to those who “deserve” it but by His grace He generously gives eternal life to those who turn to Him early or later in life.
2nd Section - Christ predicts his death and resurrection.
3rd Section - Christ the Lord and ultimate example of a servant teaches that a real leader has a servant’s heart.
4th Section - Christ lived out the example he just taught about service buy stopping on His way out of Jericho to heal the blind men.
9. CENTRAL LESSON(S)

Insights
  • The first laborers agreed on a price with the landowner (v. 2) while the rest of the laborers trusted the landowner (v. 4, 7).
  • The disciples didn’t catch on to what Jesus meant regarding His death and resurrection (v. 17-19) and continued to think about themselves.
  • Christ emphasizes twice that the last will be first, and the first last (v.16, 26-28).

Characteristics of the selfish/proud brother

  • Grumbling - v. 11
  • Jealousy - v. 12
  • Seeking position - v. 21
10. CONCLUSION (Personal Application)

Many times I seek what is fair or what I feel I deserve and when I don’t get it, I question God. In this chapter Christ makes it clear that we don’t deserve anything but rather he gives out of His generosity. If I want to be first, I should follow the example of Christ and really become a servant to all. Christ, while on the way to His crucifixion stopped to heal two blind men, if He could make time to do that, can’t I stop to help when I am in a hurry? Christ set the example that to lead is to serve, I will begin to budget time in my schedule so that I can spend more time directly serving others.