8/18-8/24 Matthew’s Gospel Reading Plan

Introduction

In the Gospel According to Matthew, Jesus is portrayed as a new Moses providing clarity about the God-given laws of the Israelites that were being used to form a new people through Jesus’ disciples. Matthew includes this incredibly important statement from Jesus in the gospel account, “Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets,” the Old Testament commandments of the Hebrew Bible, “I have come not to abolish but to fulfill” (Matthew 5:17 NRSV). In Matthew’s Gospel Jesus goes on to teach, “you have heard that it was said to those of ancient times…But I say to you” (Matthew 5:21-22 NRSV). In her book about Jesus’ sermon Dr. Amy-Jill Levine writes, “Jesus is not opposing Torah; he is extending it.” She also explains that “Jesus fulfills Torah…by getting to the core values of the commandments. By following the commandments, as Jesus interprets them, his disciples walk as if they have one foot already in the kingdom of heaven.”

 

This week this Living Faith Devotional will guide us to read and study the extensions of the laws from the Torah that are part of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount. We will have daily opportunities to either learn or be reminded of what Jesus taught as we seek to live according to God’s will. Below are some suggestions and questions to help you as you read scripture each day:

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 earlier this month, 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 part of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount, 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:

 

“How Can You Know What’s Right? Here’s What Jesus Thought” by the Bible Project: www.youtube.com/watch?v=KUil1m3P2iI&t=10s

 

“Why Jesus Connected Anger with Murder and Lust with Adultery” by the Bible Project: www.youtube.com/watch?v=okFibMvn3t0&t=3s

 

 

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; for thy servant heareth.” – 1 Samuel 3:9 KJV

 

 

Each day READ the Memory Verse as you seek to memorize Matthew 5:44-45:

 

“Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be children of your Father in heaven…” – Matthew 5:44-45 NRSV

 

 

SILENCE and SOLITUDE. You are encouraged to spend at least a few minutes or more alone with Jesus letting the memory verses roll around in your mind. 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 5:17-48 (The Extensions)

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 in heaven, hallowed be your name.”

 

 

Monday – Matthew 5:17-20

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:

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

 

 

Tuesday – Matthew 5:21-26; Exodus 20:13

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, and leaders. Lift up the concerns you have for yourself too. Conclude with this portion of the Lord’s Prayer:

“Give us this day our daily bread.”

 

 

Wednesday – Matthew 5:27-32; Exodus 20:14; Deuteronomy 24:1-4

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

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

 

 

Thursday – Matthew 5:33-37; Exodus 20:7

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

“And do not bring us to the time of trial but rescue us from the evil one.”

 

 

Friday – Matthew 5:38-48; Exodus 21:23-25

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 Jesus’ entire prayer from Matthew 6:9-13.

 

 

Saturday AM Verses: Exodus 20:1-21

Pray: Let the Bible verses guide you.

PM Verses: Psalm 95:1-7

Pray: Let the Bible verses guide you.

*Sabbath theme: WORSHIP

 

 

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.