Sunday School Material for Adults 1
L ESSO N 3
MATTHEW BECOMES A DISCIPLE
Scripture Text: Luke 5:27-39
We can all relate to one word in our lesson today. That word is taxes.
We would like to get rid of taxes, and thus remove tax collectors. But
taxes and tax collectors are here to stay, so we must get along with
them. Jesus converted the tax collector to solve the problem. Christ
knew that taxes were necessary to support the government, so He
instructed men to give to the government that which belongs to it and to
give to God that which belongs to God. He recognized Matthew's life as
belonging to God. He called him to Christian service. Christ extends to
all men a threefold call.
MEMORY VERSE: ". . . They that are whole need not a physician; but they that, are sick."
Luke 5:31
Christ Calls Men to Be Something
For this reason Christ calls men to repentance. Men cannot be what they ought to be without genuine
repentance. Matthew's call to be something involved at least two things: transformation of character and
reformation of conduct. Christ saw him as he was, and He saw him as he could become. By changing his
character, or giving him a new Spirit, He reformed his conduct. Christ deals with all men in this manner.
Each of us is two persons: the person we now are and the person we could be.
Christ Calls Men to Do Something
Matthew's first job was to arrange for his friends to meet Christ. He prepared a feast in his home,
invited his friends; and brought Jesus to them. They saw and heard Him for themselves. The larger one's
circle of society, the greater is one's opportunity and responsibility to introduce others to Christ. Compare
the personal approach of Andrew to the mass evangelism of Matthew. Matthew lived and worked in a
much larger social circle and had a feast for that purpose. Both methods are effective in helping others
to find Christ. Everyone does not have to work in the same way. Why?
Christ Calls Men to Suffer for His Cause
Matthew had to pay a price to have the relationship of Christ. What he did brought to both him
and Christ the ridicule and criticism of the scribes and Pharisees, who were the religious sects of that
day. It must have been extremely embarrassing and trying to Matthew to have these folks enter his
home and criticize his Guest. Christ is always more than a match for His critics, and can handle every
situation as He did here, if we will only allow Him to. It is always much easier to face persecution when
Christ is near. Are we willing to answer Christ's call today to be something, to do something, to suffer
something for His cause?
Copyright © 2014 The Church of God Matthew Becomes a Disciple – Lesson 3 [Link]
Sunday School Material for Adults 2
Just a Thought
"The most important thing a father can do for his
children is to love their mother."
This lesson is adapted from a lesson by Mary Lehmann.
It is revised and posted here with written permission from
(c) Bible Paths Publication, PO Box 299, Keithville, LA 71047
Copyright © 2014 The Church of God Matthew Becomes a Disciple – Lesson 3 [Link]