9/1-9/7 Matthew’s Gospel Reading Plan

Introduction

During the past few weeks, we have slowly read and studied Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount from Matthew 5-7 during the first half of the all-church worship and small group series. This week we will move beyond the sermon in Matthew’s Gospel to read and study chapters 8 through 16. Within these chapters we will experience Jesus bringing the kingdom of God into the lives of hurting people, hear his teachings through the use of parables, witness various miracles and responses to Christ by those who encountered him during his ministry, hear Peter’s declaration about the Messiah, as well as receive Jesus’ invitation to be his followers through self-denial, taking up our cross, and faithfully following.

 

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

1. Approach the Bible 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 NRSV, CEB, ESV, NIV, 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 the overview video about Matthew 1-13 last month, you are invited to watch it before you read the chapters this week. The video is available on YouTube and the Bible Project website:

Overview Matthew: 1-13 by the Bible Project

 

 

READ the Memory Verses for the Week each day as you seek to memorize them: Matthew 9:37-38:

 

Jesus said, “The size of the harvest is bigger than you can imagine, but there are few workers. Therefore, plead with the Lord of the harvest to send out workers for his harvest.” – Matthew 9:37-38 CEB

 

 

PRAY the following words as a response to Jesus’ message from Matthew 9: “Here I am. Send me.” – Isaiah 6:8b NLT

 

 

SILENCE and SOLITUDE: You are encouraged to spend at least a few minutes or more quietly alone with Jesus as you let his message from the Memory Verses roll around in your heart and mind. Consider laying down, kneeling, sitting on a very comfortable chair or seat, or going for a walk.

 

 

DAILY BIBLE VERSES TO READ:

Sunday Verses: Matthew 7:24-9:8

PRAY, praising and adoring the Lord, confessing your sins, offering thanks, and lifting your requests to our heavenly Father on behalf of others and yourself. Conclude with this portion of Jesus’ prayer from Matthew 6 (MSG):

“Our Father in heaven, reveal who you are.”

 

 

Monday: Matthew 9:9-11:1

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 from Matthew 6 (MSG):

“Set the world right. Do what’s best—as above, so below.”

 

 

Tuesday: Matthew 11:2-12:50

PRAY, letting some of 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. Conclude with this portion of the Jesus’ prayer from Matthew 6 (MSG):

“Keep us alive with three square meals.”

 

 

Wednesday: Matthew 13

PRAY, letting some of the verses guide you. Offer your concerns for family members, friends, others you know, as well as people in need locally and throughout the world. Conclude with this portion of the Lord’s Prayer from Matthew 6 (MSG):

“Keep us forgiven with you and forgiving others.”

 

 

WATCH: Before reading the chapters on Thursday and Friday, you may find it helpful to watch the Gospel of Matthew Summary Overview Part 2. The video is available on YouTube and the Bible Project website:

Overview Matthew: 14-28 by the Bible Project

 

Thursday: Matthew 14

PRAY, letting some of the verses guide you. Offer thanks to God for the many blessings you have received and continue receiving, then conclude with this portion of Jesus’ prayer from Matthew 6 (MSG):

“You’re in charge! You can do anything you want!”

 

 

Friday: Matthew 15 and 16

PRAY, letting some of the words of the verses guide you. Ask 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 from Matthew 6 (MSG):

“You’re ablaze in beauty! Yes. Yes. Yes.”

 

 

Saturday AM Verses: Psalm 46:10 and Psalm 37:7

Pray: Let the Bible verses guide you.

PM Verses: Matthew 12:1-13

Pray: Let the Bible verses guide you.

*Sabbath theme: 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.