In the Old Testament, what made Israel distinct from all other nations was that it was a theocracy. In other words, it was ruled directly by God (Is. 43:15). Later in Israel’s history, they wanted to be like the other nations of the world, to be ruled by an earthly king (1 Sam. 8:5-19). So God granted their request and chose for them a king named Saul (1 Sam. 10:24-25). Later, because of Saul’s disobedience, God raised up David to be king, a man after His own heart (Acts 13:21-22 and 1 Kin. 15:3).
The king was to be the visible representative of the invisible God (Deut. 17:14-20). When the king followed the Lord, he and his kingdom would prosper. When the king failed to follow the Lord, he and his kingdom would go into captivity and ruin (1 Sam. 15:22-23).
When God chose a king, He would send a prophet to anoint that one with oil. This typified the Holy Spirit coming upon this one to empower and anoint him to rule. At this time, the Spirit of God would come upon him and change his heart to rule in righteousness, for God was with him (1 Sam.10:1, 6-7, and 9). This anointing to rule (or to be king) is where the idea of the Messiah comes from. The word “anointed” in Hebrew is mashiac (Messiah) and translated christos (Christ) in Greek. The Old Testament prophets prophesied that in the future, the Messiah (or Anointed One) would come, and the God of heaven would set up a kingdom which would never be destroyed (Dan. 2:44, 7:14, and 27). In the Scriptures, if you notice, Jesus never explained to the Jews what He meant when speaking about the kingdom. It was an Old Testament concept that they were already looking for (Is. 9:6-7, 11:1-6; Dan. 2:44, 7:13-14, 18, and 27).
It is impossible to understand the message of Jesus without a basic understanding of the kingdom. The kingdom was the message that Jesus spoke and the only one He instructed His disciples to preach (Mark 1:14-15, Luke 9:1-2, Acts 28:23-31, Luke 16:16, and Matt. 24:14). This message was also referred to as “salvation” or the offer of “eternal life” (Heb. 2:3; Matt. 19:16 compare with 19:23; Acts 28:23-24, Acts 28:28, and Acts 28:30-31). Within the phrase “the kingdom of God” is the idea of a group of people that would be ruled by God. In order to enter God’s kingdom, conditions had to be met. A change of heart was required. This change of heart is what the Bible calls repentance. It was a change of heart toward God; that is, it was a turning away from Satan, sin and its ways, unto God, Christ and His ways. As one turns, God offers (as a gift through Jesus’ shed blood) the forgiveness of sins and everlasting life (Rom. 6:23). This “good news” is referred to as the “Gospel of grace” or the preaching of the “kingdom of God” (Acts 20:24-25). The kingdom of God is characterized by grace (Matt. 20:1-16) and has come quietly and secretly in the ministry of Jesus (Matt. 13:33). It will one day in the future come to a glorious and visible consummation (Matt. 13:36-43).
Discipleship Questions
All scripture taken from King James Version (KJV). Tap on verse reference (e.g. John 3:16) for New King James Version (NKJV).
Question 1
Read Daniel 2:44.
DANIEL 2:44 – And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever.
The Old Testament prophets prophesied that in the future, the Messiah (or Anointed One) would come, and the God of heaven would set up a kingdom which: A. Would last for 1,000 years B. Would never be destroyed C. Would be temporal
ANSWER
B. Would never be destroyed
Question 2
Read Matthew 4:17, 23.
MATTHEW 4:17 – From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
MATTHEW 4:23 – And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people.
What did Jesus’ miracle in Mark 2:10-12 demonstrate that He had power to do?
ANSWER
Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand
Question 3
Read Mark 1:14-15.
MARK 1:14-15 – Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, [15] And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.
Jesus preached the Gospel of ______________________________________________.
ANSWER
The kingdom of God
Question 4
Read Luke 4:43.
LUKE 4:43 – And he said unto them, I must preach the kingdom of God to other cities also: for therefore am I sent.
The reason that Jesus was sent from God was to _________________________________________.
ANSWER
Preach the kingdom of God
Question 5
Read John 4:25.
JOHN 4:25 – The woman saith unto him, I know that Messias cometh, which is called Christ: when he is come, he will tell us all things.
In the Scriptures, Jesus never explained to the Jews what He meant when speaking about the kingdom. It was an Old Testament concept that they: A. Knew little about B. Thought would never come C. Were already looking for
ANSWER
C. Were already looking for
Question 6
Read Luke 9:1-2.
LUKE 9:1-2 – Then he called his twelve disciples together, and gave them power and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases. [2] And he sent them to preach the kingdom of God, and to heal the sick.
What three things did the twelve disciples do?
ANSWER
Cast out demons, cure diseases, and preach the kingdom of God
Question 7
Read Luke 10:1-2, 8-9.
LUKE 10:1-2 – After these things the Lord appointed other seventy also, and sent them two and two before his face into every city and place, whither he himself would come. [2] Therefore said he unto them, The harvest truly is great, but the labourers are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth labourers into his harvest.
LUKE 10:8-9 – And into whatsoever city ye enter, and they receive you, eat such things as are set before you: [9] And heal the sick that are therein, and say unto them, The kingdom of God is come nigh unto you.
What message did Jesus tell the seventy to proclaim?
ANSWER
The kingdom of God
Question 8
Read Luke 23:2.
LUKE 23:2 – And they began to accuse him, saying, We found this fellow perverting the nation, and forbidding to give tribute to Caesar, saying that he himself is Christ a King.
According to the Jews’ own definition, the word “Christ” means one that is a ___________________ .
ANSWER
King
Question 9
Read Acts 17:7.
ACTS 17:7 – Whom Jason hath received: and these all do contrary to the decrees of Caesar, saying that there is another king, one Jesus.
Contrary to Roman law, the Jews said that the Apostle Paul taught that there was another __________, one ___________ .
ANSWER
King / Jesus
Question 10
Read Acts 19:8-10.
ACTS 19:8-10 – And he went into the synagogue, and spake boldly for the space of three months, disputing and persuading the things concerning the kingdom of God. [9] But when divers were hardened, and believed not, but spake evil of that way before the multitude, he departed from them, and separated the disciples, disputing daily in the school of one Tyrannus. [10] And this continued by the space of two years; so that all they which dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus, both Jews and Greeks.
Paul spoke boldly in Ephesus disputing and persuading others concerning ________________________________________.
ANSWER
The kingdom of God
Question 11
Read Acts 28:23-31.
ACTS 28:23-31 – And when they had appointed him a day, there came many to him into his lodging; to whom he expounded and testified the kingdom of God, persuading them concerning Jesus, both out of the law of Moses, and out of the prophets, from morning till evening. [24] And some believed the things which were spoken, and some believed not. [25] And when they agreed not among themselves, they departed, after that Paul had spoken one word, Well spake the Holy Ghost by Esaias the prophet unto our fathers, [26] Saying, Go unto this people, and say, Hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and not perceive: [27] For the heart of this people is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes have they closed; lest they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them. [28] Be it known therefore unto you, that the salvation of God is sent unto the Gentiles, and that they will hear it. [29] And when he had said these words, the Jews departed, and had great reasoning among themselves. [30] And Paul dwelt two whole years in his own hired house, and received all that came in unto him, [31] Preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ, with all confidence, no man forbidding him.
In verse 31, what was it that the Apostle Paul was preaching?
ANSWER
The kingdom of God and teaching those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ
Question 12
Read Matthew 24:14.
MATTHEW 24:14 – And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.
What is the message that is to be preached in all the world?
ANSWER
The Gospel of the kingdom
Question 13
Read Acts 20:24-25.
ACTS 20:24-25 – But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God. [25] And now, behold, I know that ye all, among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God, shall see my face no more.
Sometimes the Gospel of the kingdom is referred to as the Gospel of ________________.
ANSWER
The grace of God
Question 14
Read Luke 16:16.
LUKE 16:16 – The law and the prophets were until John: since that time the kingdom of God is preached, and every man presseth into it.
It is impossible to understand the message of Jesus without a basic understanding of the kingdom. The kingdom was the message that Jesus spoke and the only one He instructed His disciples to: A. Preach B. Disregard C. Ponder
ANSWER
A. Preach
Question 15
Read Matthew 6:10.
MATTHEW 6:10 – Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
Basically, the kingdom of God is the rule of God. How is this expressed in this verse?
ANSWER
God’s will being done in earth like His will is done in heaven
Question 16
Read Colossians 1:13-14 and Romans 14:9.
COLOSSIANS 1:13-14 – Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: [14] In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins.
ROMANS 14:9 – For to this end Christ both died, and rose, and revived, that he might be Lord both of the dead and living.
Within the phrase “the kingdom of God” is the idea of a group of people that would: A. Ask Jesus into their hearts B. Accept God’s rule (and reject Satan’s) and receive His forgiveness C. Join the church
ANSWER
B. Accept God’s rule (and reject Satan’s) and receive His forgiveness
Question 17
Read Matthew 4:17.
MATTHEW 4:17 – From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
In order to enter God’s kingdom, a change of heart is required. This change of heart is what the Bible calls: A. Penance B. Works of the Law C. Repentance
ANSWER
C. Repentance
Question 18
Read Acts 26:18.
ACTS 26:18 – To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.
Have you turned from ______ to light, from the ______ (authority or rule) of Satan unto ______ to receive the forgiveness of your sins?
ANSWER
Darkness / Power / God
Question 19
Read Ezekiel 36:26-27 and Acts 11:15-18.
EZEKIEL 36:26-27 – A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. [27] And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them.
ACTS 11:15-18 – And as I began to speak, the Holy Ghost fell on them, as on us at the beginning. [16] Then remembered I the word of the Lord, how that he said, John indeed baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost. [17] Forasmuch then as God gave them the like gift as he did unto us, who believed on the Lord Jesus Christ; what was I, that I could withstand God? [18] When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life.
Have you been given a new heart and a new spirit that causes you to walk in God’s ways?
Question 20
Read Luke 18:13-14.
LUKE 18:13-14 – And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. [14] I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.
Have you called upon God for the forgiveness of your sins?
Credit to Andrew Wommack and Don W. Krow. Full PDF in English can be downloaded. For other languages, click here.
And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. – II Timothy 2:2
