As part of our living relationship with The Bible as disciples of Christ we are reading and studying the New Testament in 2023. During the Lenten season of the past few months, we read and studied The Gospel According to Matthew. Last week we began to read Acts, which is also known as The Acts of the Apostles. The book of Acts begins with Jesus’ final message to the disciples and his ascension, it quickly transitions to the coming of the Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost, and then shares decades of stories of the ongoing work of the Holy Spirit within the apostles and disciples as they fulfilled Jesus’ commission to be his “witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8 NIV). As we read throughout the coming days, weeks, and months, trust the Holy Spirit to guide you and the people of Avon UMC to continue being Jesus’ representatives and witnesses in our local community, throughout Greater Hendricks County and Indianapolis, among people we do not normally associate with, and further and further across the globe.

4/16-4/22 Overview

Jesus’ earliest disciples had a living relationship with the holy scriptures. Those of us who are Jesus’ apprentices today need a living relationship with The Holy Bible too. As part of our living relationship with the Bible we are reading and studying the New Testament in 2023. This Living Faith Devotional will provide you with a reading plan to help you to read and study much of the New Testament this year. During the Lenten season of the past few months, we read and studied The Gospel According to Matthew. This week we will read the resurrection account from Luke’s Gospel, then move into the companion volume known as Acts or The Acts of the Apostles. You are encouraged to watch The Bible Project video about the New Testament either on Sunday or some other day during the week to provide a brief overview of this portion of the holy scriptures. The video is available on YouTube. New Testament by The Bible Project: www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q0BrP8bqj0c

Introduction

During this Lenten season we have been on a journey with Jesus. Through this devotional we have been invited to read the entire Gospel According to Matthew. This week we will conclude with the resurrection account, as well as returning to some of the previous portions of the gospel as a reminder before we transition into other New Testament documents during the weeks and months ahead, including the entire Acts of the Apostles. On the Christian calendar this week is the first week of the Easter Season. The United Methodist Book of Worship states, “The Easter Season, also known as the Great Fifty Days, begins at sunset Easter Eve and continues through the Day of Pentecost. It is the most joyous and celebrate season of the Christian year.” We hope you will join us to celebrate the resurrection of our Savior on Easter morning at 7:00, 9:30, or 11:00 am.

 

If you did not read Matthew during the Lenten season, you are encouraged to watch a brief video on Youtube about the Gospels, then join us in reading the verses this week:

4/2-4/8 Matthew’s Gospel Holy Week Reading Plan

Introduction

This is a week unlike all the others throughout the year. This is Holy Week. The biblical word that is translated as “holy” can also be translated as “consecrate,” “dedicate,” and “hallow.” You are strongly encouraged to set this week apart from the others throughout the year. Draw closer to Christ during his journey to the cross as we await the celebration of his resurrection on Sunday, April 9th. This week we will read chapters from Matthew’s Gospel documenting the last week of Jesus’ life before his resurrection. The chapters will end with the crucifixion of Christ on Good Friday. You are invited to join us for the Maundy Thursday and Good Friday worship services at 7:00 pm in the AUMC Chapel, as well as to participate in the Lenten Walk that is a guided prayer time focused on the Last Words of Christ from the cross. The walk is located on the AUMC property and begins near the chapel and fellowship hall entrances Door 12 and 13. There is a Lenten Walk devotional booklet and a map to guide you through the prayer journey with our crucified Savior available in the large box near the cross. In regards to this Living Faith Devotional, if you continue using it we will complete the Gospel According to Matthew by April 15th. If you did not begin reading it earlier in the Lenten season, you are encouraged to watch two videos on Youtube about this gospel account before you read the chapters this week. The links and video titles are listed on Palm Sunday of this devotional.

3/19-3/25 Matthew’s Gospel Lent Reading Plan

Introduction

As the journey as apprentices of Christ continues, this week we will conclude our reading and studying of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount then proceed further into Matthew’s Gospel. If you continue using this devotional by April 15th, we will finish reading the entire Gospel According to Matthew. If you did not begin reading it during the past few weeks, you are encouraged to watch a brief video on Youtube about the Gospels before you begin:

The Gospel by the Bible Project:

 

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

3/12-3/18 Matthew’s Gospel Lent Reading Plan

Introduction

Our journey with Jesus in the Gospel According to Matthew for this week is a continuation of reading and studying portions of the Sermon on the Mount as we seek to live what Christ teaches us. If you continue using this Living Faith Devotional by April 15th we will finish reading all of Matthew’s Gospel. If you did not begin reading it during the past few weeks, you may want to watch a brief video on Youtube that is an overview about the Gospels before you begin:

The Gospel by the Bible Project:

 

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

3/5-3/11 Matthew’s Gospel Lent Reading Plan

Introduction

This week we will continue our journey as apprentices of Christ by reading and studying more verses from Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount as we seek to live them. If you continue using this Living Faith Devotional, formerly called “Your Faith Journey,” by April 15th we will finish reading the entire Gospel According to Matthew. Matthew’s Gospel is one of four gospels within the New Testament of the Bible that shares an account of the life, teachings, ministry, death, and resurrection of Jesus the Christ. If you did not begin reading it during the past few weeks, you are encouraged to watch a brief video on Youtube that was created by the Bible Project which is about the Gospels before you begin:

The Gospel by the Bible Project:

 

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

2/19-2/25 Matthew’s Gospel Lent Reading Plan

Introduction

Lent is a season of forty days beginning on Ash Wednesday and ending on Holy Saturday, which is the day before Easter. The United Methodist Book of Worship reminds us that, “Historically, Lent began as a period of fasting and preparation for baptism by converts and then became a time of penance by all Christians” (page 320). You are encouraged to set this season apart. Moses spent 40 days on Mount Sinai with the Lord (Exodus 34), and Jesus spent 40 days fasting in the wilderness as the Spirit of God guided him (Luke 4). What will you leave behind or give up during these 40 days to be with the Lord? What faith practices/spiritual disciplines/holy habits will you utilize during this season to be shaped and formed more and more into the likeness of Christ?

 

In regards to this Living Faith Devotional, formerly called “Your Faith Journey,” you will be guided to read the entire Gospel According to Matthew during this season, beginning on Sunday, February 19th, then concluding on April 15th. Matthew’s Gospel is one of four gospels within the New Testament of the Bible. Before you begin the Matthew reading plan for Lent, you are encouraged to watch a brief video on Youtube that was created by the Bible Project which is about the Gospels: