Bible Study Notes 2/17/2026

WORD ALIVE! BIBLE STUDY ^©2026

Journey To Bethlehem and Beyond – Post Advent / Winter Series

Concord Baptist Church of Boston in Milton – Conley Hughes, Jr., Senior Pastor

Quiet Time: Max Lucado, Because of Bethlehem:

Love Is Born, Hope Is Here, 2020

Lesson 9

17  Feb.  2026

Matthew 4:18-24, NLT: As we read how the ministry of Jesus impacted people, we must look at His beginning. The Ministry of Jesus began with a group of men who, outside of their communities, were unknown. Jesus did not seek the super-rich, leaders who wielded great authority, nor intellectual experts, to join Him in His mission. Jesus chose people among the commoners to enlist in discipleship training. The time the disciples spent with Jesus prepared them to be among Christian leaders who “turned the world upside down.” (Acts 17:6, NKJV) Jesus traveled throughout His home region and over 90-100 miles beyond, to share the Good News of salvation, repentance, reconciliation, and eternal life. We must be our Lord’ disciples!

Verses & Explanations for Matthew 4:18-24, NLT:

Observe     Interpret     Apply

(Verse 18): The Lord Seeks Servants to Assist Him.

(Verse 19): The Lord Invites Us to Learn and Serve.

(Verse 20): The Lord Seeks Persons Willing to Come.

(Verses 21-22): The Lord Knows Each of Our Potential.

(Verse 23): The Ministry of Jesus Personal and Powerful

(Verse 24): The Impact of the Kingdom Ministry of Jesus.

(Verse 25): The Ministry of Jesus was Welcoming, Muti-ethnic, and Multi-generational.-

The Key Idea:

What We Believe!    

1.          “Your word is a lamp to my feet  and a light to my path!”—Psalm 119:105

Key Verses:

Matthew 4:18, NLT:

¹⁸ One day as Jesus was walking along the shore of the Sea of Galilee, He saw two brothers – Simon, also called Peter, and Andrew – throwing a net into the water, for they fished for a living.

Matthew 4:19, NLT:

  ¹⁹   Jesus called out to them, “Come, follow me, and I will show you how to fish for people!” ²⁰ And they left their nets at once and followed Him.

Matthew 4:21-22, NLT:

²¹ A little farther up the shore He saw two other brothers, James and John, sitting in a boat with their father, Zebeedee, repairing their nets. And He called them to come too.

²²   They immediately followed Him, leaving the boat and their father behind.

Matthew 4:23, NLT:

²³ Jesus traveled throughout the region of Galilee, teaching in the synagogues and announcing the Good News about the Kingdom.  And He healed every kind of disease and illness. 

Matthew 4:24, NLT:

²⁴ News about Him spread as far as Syria, and people soon began bringing to Him all who were sick. And whatever their sickness or disease; or if they were demon possessed or epileptic or paralyzed – He healed them all.

Matthew 4:25, NLT:

²⁵ Large crowds followed Him wherever He went – people from Galilee – the ten Towns, Jerusalem, from all over Judea, and from east of the Jordan River.