8/4-8/10 Matthew’s Gospel Reading Plan

Introduction

As Jesus’ ministry began he proclaimed, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near” (Matthew 4:17 NRSV). In the next chapter of Matthew’s Gospel Jesus went up on a mountain, sat with his followers, and began teaching them (Matthew 5:1-2). The sermon Christ spoke to the disciples on the mountain in Galilee shortly after his ministry began is often referred to as the Sermon on the Mount. According to author and professor Amy-Jill Levine,

the Sermon on the Mount provides us with a guide for understanding the kingdom of heaven that Jesus proclaimed. Levine also believes that the sermon contains some of Jesus’ greatest teachings. During August and September the AUMC Sunday morning worship services, as well as small group discussions, will be based upon Levine’s book and Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount.

 

This Living Faith Devotional will guide us to read Matthew’s Gospel during August and September, including slowly going through the Sermon on the Mount verses, as we seek to learn, live, and embody what Jesus taught.

 

Matthew’s Gospel is one of four gospels within the New Testament of the Bible. Before you begin the Matthew reading plan you are encouraged to watch a brief video on Youtube that was created by the Bible Project which is about the Gospels:

The Gospel by the Bible Project:

 

Below are some suggestions and questions to help you as you read scripture this week:

1. Approach scripture with humility. Seek to receive what the Bible reveals without trying to make it say what you want it to say.

2. Invite the Holy Spirit to speak a message to you through the verses you read.

3. What do these verses reveal about God, Jesus, or the Holy Spirit?

4. What do these verses reveal about humanity?

5. What do these verses teach me about myself?

6. How do you see yourself in the story when reading biblical narratives?

Which of these characters would I be?

In what ways is their story similar to my story?

7. Read, study, and discuss the verses with another person or small group.

8. Use a Study Bible. The NIV, NRSV, ESV, and NLT Study Bibles are worth considering if you do not own one. There are a few available from the AUMC Library in the back of the chapel.

You can also purchase a Study Bible from ChristianBook.com, Cokesbury.com, or Amazon.com.

 

*If you do not have a Bible, consider downloading the YouVersion Bible App or Bible Gateway App for free from the Apple App Store or Google Play for your smartphone or tablet. You can also use www.Bible.com or www.BibleGateway.com to look up and read various translations of Bible verses online.

 

 

WATCH: You are encouraged to watch the following Bible Project video about the first thirteen chapters of Matthew before you begin the reading plan. The video is available on YouTube:

Overview Matthew: 1-13 by the Bible Project:

 

 

PRAY the following words as an invitation for God to speak to you during your daily devotional

time before you read and try to memorize the Memory Verse:

 

“Speak, LORD, your servant is listening.” -1 Samuel 3:9 NLT

 

 

READ the Memory Verse for the Week each day as you seek to memorize it:

Matthew 4:17 (Jesus’ Message)

 

 

SILENCE and SOLITUDE. You are encouraged to spend at least a few minutes or more alone with Jesus seeking to rest in the peace that can only be found in and from the Lord. If you struggle to stop and be silent with God, consider laying down, kneeling, sitting on a very comfortable chair or seat, or going for a walk.

 

 

DAILY BIBLE VERSES TO READ:

Sunday – Matthew 4:23-5:2 (Kingdom of Heaven)

PRAY praising the Lord and remembering the people of Jesus’ church, including people of Avon UMC, churches throughout greater Hendricks County, and Christians throughout the world. Then conclude with this portion of the Lord’s Prayer:

“Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name.”

 

 

Monday – Matthew 1 and 2

PRAY through your day, including for the people you will be, or have already been with, as well as for what you will do, or what you have already done. Then conclude with this portion of the Lord’s Prayer:

“Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.”

 

 

Tuesday – Matthew 3:1-12

PRAY letting the worlds of the verses guide you. You may also want to pray for the people who are closest to you, including family members, friends, neighbors, and co-workers, as well as for those who point others towards God, locally and globally leader, people in need, and yourself. Then conclude with this portion of the Lord’s Prayer:

“Give us this day our daily bread.”

 

 

Wednesday – Matthew 3:13-17

PRAY letting the words of the verses guide you, then offer your concerns for family members, friends, people our community, the nation, and world to the God of mercy and grace. Conclude with this portion of the Lord’s Prayer:

“Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.”

 

 

Thursday – Matthew 4:1-11

PRAY letting the words of the verses guide you, offer thanks to God for the many blessing you have received and continue receiving, then conclude with this portion of the Lord’s Prayer:

“Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.”

 

 

 

Friday – Matthew 4:12-22

PRAY letting the words of the verses guide you, and asking the Holy Spirit to help the people of AUMC to live the virtues of Christ that include humility, compassion, forgiveness, and love.

Conclude with this portion of the Lord’s Prayer:

“For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.”

 

 

Saturday AM Verses: Genesis 1:1-2:3

Pray: Let the Bible verses guide you.

PM Verses: Psalm 46:10 and Psalm 37:7

Pray: Let the Bible verses guide you.

*Sabbath them: STOP

 

How are you going to remember and observe the Sabbath this weekend? The Sabbath is a day each week that is set apart from the others to stop, rest, worship, and delight in the Lord and what he has given us. You may need to incrementally observe the Sabbath by setting aside an increasing portion of a day each week beginning with an hour, then increasing it to multiple hours or part of a day the next weekend, and eventually designating an entire day for remembering and observing the Sabbath.