8/11-8/17 Matthew’s Gospel Reading Plan

Introduction

If you compiled a greatest hits version of Jesus’ teachings, what would you include? For Matthew, the gospel writer, he includes all that is in the Sermon on the Mount. According to author and professor Dr. Amy-Jill Levine, the Sermon on the Mount provides us with a guide for understanding the kingdom of heaven. Jesus began his ministry by proclaiming that “the kingdom of heaven has come near” (Matthew 4:17). He taught his disciples to pray about God’s kingdom “on earth as it is in heaven” (Matthew 6:10-11 NRSV). He embodied the kingdom of heaven through his life, ministry, death and resurrection. This week this Living Faith Devotional will guide us to read Jesus’ entire sermon from Matthew 5-7, which is the basis for the Avon UMC worship and small group series during August and September.

 

 

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: If you did not watch it last week, you are invited to watch the Bible Project video about the first thirteen chapters of Matthew before you read the verses for this week. Because the verses and chapters we will read and study this week through this daily devotional are the entire Sermon on the Mount text, you are invited to watch a few Bible Project videos about Jesus’ Sermon before you read:

 

The videos are available on YouTube and the Bible Project website:

Overview Matthew: 1-13 by the Bible Project:

 

Jesus Said 2,000 Words That Changed Human History by the Bible Project:

 

“Blessed Are the Poor in Spirit”: Explore the Meaning of the Beatitudes 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:

 

“Yes, LORD, I’m listening.” -1 Samuel 3:9 TLB

 

 

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

Matthew 5:13-14:

 

“You are the salt of the earth…You are the light of the world…” -Matthew 5:13-14 NRSV

 

 

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.

 

 

Sunday – Matthew 4:23-5:12 (The Beatitudes)

PRAY letting the words of the verses guide you. Consider using your time of prayer to praise the Lord and remember the people of Jesus’ church, including Avon UMC, churches throughout greater Hendricks County, and Christians throughout the world. Conclude with the Lord’s Prayer as you have memorized it, or as it is written in Luke 11:2-4.

 

 

Monday – Matthew 5:13-16

PRAY letting the words of the verses guide you. You may also want to pray through your day, including praying 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. Conclude with the Lord’s Prayer as you have memorized it, or as it is written in Luke 11:2-4.

 

 

Tuesday – Matthew 5:17-20

PRAY letting the words 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. If you have time, pray for those who point others towards God, as well as local and global leaders. If the Holy Spirit prompts you, confess your sins and tell God your desires and/or concerns. Conclude with the Lord’s Prayer as you have memorized it, or as it is written in Luke 11:2-4.

 

 

Wednesday – Matthew 5:21-48

PRAY letting the words of the verses guide you, then offer up your concerns for family members, friends, people in our community, nation, and throughout the world, as well as for yourself. Then conclude with the Lord’s Prayer as you have memorized it, or as it is written in Luke 11:2-4.

 

 

Thursday – Matthew 6:1-43

PRAY letting the words of the verses guide you, while also offering thanks to God for the many blessings you have received and continue receiving. Then conclude with the Lord’s Prayer as you have memorized it, or as it is written in Matthew 6:9-13.

 

 

Friday – Matthew 7:1-29

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. Then conclude with the Lord’s Prayer as you have memorized it, or as it is written in Matthew 6:9-13.

 

 

Saturday AM Verses: Exodus 16

Pray: Let the Bible verses guide you.

PM Verses: Leviticus 23:3

Pray: Let the Bible verse guide you.

*Sabbath theme: REST

 

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.