8/25-8/31 Matthew’s Gospel Reading Plan

Introduction

Have you tasted bland food that needed salt? What did adding salt do for the flavor after it had been added? Did it make whatever you were eating taste better? Salt can enhance the flavor of food. It can be used as a preservative. Salt can even be used for cleaning various things. Jesus said, “You are the salt of the earth” (Matthew 5:13 NRSV). Do you think of Christians as people who enhance the lives of others, making their lives better? Do you think of disciples of Christ as people who help preserve lives? Do you think of believers as people who help the world to become a cleaner place for everyone to live?

The light from the sun and moon mark days and seasons. Plants utilized the sun’s light for harnessing energy to create food that enables them to grow. Early in Matthew’s Gospel it is noted that a star guided the wise men to Jesus (Matthew 2:1-2). Light helps us to see at night or in the darkness. It can be used as a guide. Lights can set a visual tone or inspire a mood. In modern times lights are used within traffic signals on roadways to provide clarity about when to go, when to slow down, and when to stop. Jesus said, “I am the light of the world” (John 8:12 NRSV). He does all of those things listed here about light. Jesus’ life has marked days and seasons in regard to human history. Jesus helps us to grow. He enables us to see life, creation, other human beings, and God more clearly. His life set a tone for all of existence. He set an example for when to go, slow down, or stop, and sent the Holy Spirit to guide us in doing those things. Jesus guides people in the way to live, to salvation and eternal life, and ultimately to our heavenly Father. Yet he also said, “you are the light of the world” (Matthew 5:14 NRSV).

Do you think of yourself as a light for the world? After stating that we are the light of the world, Jesus went on to explain that when we do good deeds our actions can help point people towards God (Matthew 5:16). We become guiding lights for others that helps them to see God through Christ more clearly. We help people to respond to the Lord by glorifying and praising him for the good He does through His people. You are the light of the world, so keep shining!

 

This week the Living Faith Devotional will guide us to read the portions of Jesus’ sermon from Matthew 5-6 that focus on piety, which can also be described as righteousness and justice. 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: www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Dv4-n6OYGI

 

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

 

“How Can We Know What’s Right? Here’s What Jesus Thought” 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, GOD. I’m your servant, ready to listen.” – 1 Samuel 3:9 MSG

 

 

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

Matthew 7:12: “In everything do to others as you would have them do to you, for this is the Law and the Prophets.” – Matthew 7:12 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 5:13-16; 6:1-8, 16-18 (Practicing Piety)

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; Isaiah 42:5-9, 49:5-7

PRAY letting the words of the verses guide you. You may also want to pray throughout your day, including praying for the people you will be with, 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 6:1-4; Leviticus 19:9-10

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 – Mark 12:41-44

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 6:5-6; 2 Chronicles 7:13-15; Daniel 6:10-28

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 Luke 11:2-4.

 

 

Friday – Matthew 6:16-18; Isaiah 58:1-14

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: Deuteronomy 5:12-15

Pray: Let the Bible verses guide you.

PM Verses: Psalm 37:3-4

Pray: Let the Bible verse guide you.

*Sabbath theme: DELIGHT

 

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.