9/15-9/21 Matthew’s Gospel Reading Plan

Introduction

Since the beginning of August, we have been reading and studying Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount, while reading and studying the Gospel According to Matthew. This week we will continue our journey within Matthew’s gospel to the climax of Jesus’ life, ministry, and story that is revealed in his crucifixion and resurrection. As you read and study, listen and look for what Jesus’ teachings, life, death, and resurrection reveal about the God who came to be with us in and through Christ our Lord (Matthew 1:23). Jesus reveals God’s grace, truth, love, and glory (John 1:14; 15:9). When we see Jesus, and listen to him, we are seeing and hearing our heavenly Father (John 14:9; 12:49-50). He came to live and fulfill God’s will, the kingdom on earth as it is in heaven (John 6:38; Matthew 6:10). As we seek to continue faithfully following our Savior, this week you are invited to genuinely pray a portion of the Lord’s Prayer each day, submit to God’s reign, and live according to our heavenly Father’s will by loving God and people (Matthew 22:37-40).

 

Below are some suggestions and questions to help you as you read the Bible 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 them earlier this month or last month, you are invited to watch the Bible Project Overview videos about Matthew’s Gospel before you read the chapters for this week. There is also a video about what Jesus taught in Matthew 6 regarding wealth and possessions that could be helpful to watch. The videos are available on YouTube and the Bible Project website:

 

Overview Matthew: 1-13 by the Bible Project

 

Overview Matthew: 14-28 by the Bible Project

 

Explaining Jesus’ Perspective on Wealth and Possessions by the Bible Project

 

OPENING PRAYER – 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

 

 

Memory Verses

Jesus said, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and Prophets hang on these two commandments.” – Matthew 22:37-40 NIV

 

 

SILENCE and SOLITUDE: You are encouraged to spend at least a few minutes or more quietly alone with Jesus as you let the greatest commandments roll around in your heart and mind. Consider laying down, kneeling, sitting on a very comfortable chair or seat, or going for a walk during this time of silence.

 

 

DAILY BIBLE VERSES TO READ:

Sunday Verses: Matthew 6:16-7:5 (Finding Your Treasure)

PRAY, praising and adoring the Lord, 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:

“Our Father in heaven, may your name be kept holy.” – Matthew 6:9 NLT

 

 

Monday: Matthew 22:41-23:39

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:

“May your Kingdom come soon.” – Matthew 6:10a NLT

 

 

Tuesday: Matthew 24

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):

“May your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.” – Matthew 6:10b NLT

 

 

Wednesday: Matthew 25

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:

“Give us today the food we need.” – Matthew 6:11 NLT

 

 

Thursday: Matthew 26

PRAY, confessing to God the ways you have betrayed, deserted, or denied the Lord, and people who are made in his image and likeness. Ask for forgiveness. Offer thanks to God for his forgiveness, mercy, and grace, then conclude with this portion of Jesus’ prayer from Matthew 6:

“Forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us.” – Matthew 6:12 NLT

 

 

Friday: Matthew 27

PRAY…Invite the Holy Spirit to help you to pray in response to Jesus’ sacrificial death upon the cross to save you and the people of the world. Offer your thanks and praise to Christ. Conclude with this portion of the Lord’s Prayer from Matthew 6:

“And don’t let us yield to temptation but rescue us from the evil one.” – Matthew 6:13 NLT

 

 

Saturday AM Verses: Matthew 28:1-10 and Romans 12:1-2

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.