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:

The Gospel by the Bible Project:

 

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 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.

 

Sunday (2/19)

Memory Verse: Matthew 4:17

*You are encouraged to memorize a verse or verses each week of this season of Lent. The verse for this week is Jesus’ message from Matthew 4. You can memorize the version listed below or from some other translation:

 

“Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” -Matthew 4:17 NRSV

 

You are encouraged to watch the following Bible Project video about the first thirteen chapters of Matthew before you begin this Lent reading plan. The video is available on YouTube:

Overview Matthew: 1-13 by the Bible Project:

 

Pray the following words as an invitation for God to speak to you during this devotional time:

“Speak, LORD, your servant is listening.” -1 Samuel 3:9 NLT

 

Read Matthew 1. Notice the titles Matthew uses for Jesus and the connections he makes with the people of the Hebrew Bible (Old Testament). You are encouraged to use the suggestions and questions list from the introduction portion of this devotional during your study time.

 

Pray using part of the Lord’s prayer, which is listed below. You may find it helpful to return to this portion of the Lord’s Prayer throughout the day:

“Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name.”

 

 

Monday (2/20)

Memory Verse: Matthew 4:17

The verse for this week is Jesus’ message from Matthew 4. You can memorize the version listed below or from some other translation:

“Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” -Matthew 4:17 NRSV

 

If you did not watch it yesterday, you are encouraged to watch the following Bible Project video about the beginning portion of Matthew’s Gospel. The video is available on YouTube:

Overview Matthew: 1-13 by the Bible Project:

 

Pray the following words as an invitation for God to speak to you during this devotional time:

“Speak, LORD, your servant is listening.” -1 Samuel 3:9 NLT

 

Read Matthew 2. If you are using a Study Bible you may find it helpful to read the study notes.

 

Pray through your day, including what you will do, or what you have already done, the people you will be with, or those you already were with, based on the part of the Lord’s Prayer which is listed below:

“Thy kingdom come and thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.”

 

 

Tuesday (2/21)

Memory Verse: Matthew 4:17

*Read the Memory Verse a few times before you pray.

 

Pray, inviting the Holy Spirit to speak to you:

“Speak, LORD, for thy servant hears.” -1 Samuel 3:9 RSV

 

Be silent for a few minutes as you seek to be with Jesus using a physical posture that is helpful. Consider focusing on each breath, knowing that the Lord has provided the air you breathe and He is as close to you as the breath in your lungs.

 

Read Matthew 3:1-12. Use the suggestions and questions on the list from the Sunday portion of this devotional to dive deeper during your study time.

 

Pray for:

• Those closest to you (family members & friends)
• Those who point others towards God (pastors, teachers, mentors, authors, musicians, etc.)
• Leaders (locally, nationally, and globally)
• People in need throughout the world (the hungry, thirsty, homeless, sick, imprisoned, neglected, abused, lost, etc.)

• Yourself (share your needs and invite the Lord to guide you)

 

Conclude your time of prayer using the portion of the Lord’s Prayer listed below as you think about the significance of what you are praying on behalf of yourself and others:

“Give us this day our daily bread.”

 

 

Ash Wednesday (2/22)

Memory Verse: Matthew 4:17

*You are encouraged to spend some time trying to memorize it before you pray.

 

Pray the following words:

“Speak, LORD, your servant is listening.” -1 Samuel 3:9 NLT

 

Read Matthew 3:13-17. Which word, phrase, or verse is God using to speak to you today from what you read?

 

Pray inviting the Lord to reveal a fast you should observe during this Lenten season as well as a faith practice (spiritual discipline) to do to grow as a disciple/apprentice of Christ, then conclude your prayer time with the portion of the Lord’s Prayer below:

“Forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us.”

 

 

Thursday (2/23)

Memory Verse: Matthew 4:17

*Read the Memory Verse a few times before you pray.

 

Pray, inviting the Holy Spirit to speak to you:

“Speak, LORD, for thy servant hears.” -1 Samuel 3:9 RSV

 

Be silent for a few minutes as you imagine being alone with Jesus. You may find it helpful to sit, lay down with your face towards the ground, or kneel in awe of our King, the Messiah.

 

Read Matthew 4:1-11. You are encouraged to use the suggestions and questions on the list from the Sunday portion of this devotional during your study time.

 

Pray in response to God using the ACTS acronym as a guide:

Adoration (praise the Lord)

Confession

Thanksgiving

Supplication (share your needs & the needs of others)

 

Conclude your time of prayer using the portion of the Lord’s Prayer listed below:

“Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.”

 

 

Friday (2/24)

Memory Verse: Matthew 4:17

*You are encouraged to spend some time trying to memorize it before you pray.

 

Pray the following, “Speak, LORD, your servant is listening.” -1 Samuel 3:9 NLT

 

Read Matthew 4:12-22. Which word, phrase, or verse is God using to speak to you today from what you read?

 

Pray that the Holy Spirit helps you and our congregation to live the AUMC virtues revealed in Jesus, which includes humility, compassion, forgiveness, and love. Afterwards, conclude your prayer time with the conclusion of the Lord’s Prayer:

“For thine is the kingdom, and the power and the glory forever. Amen.”

 

 

Saturday (2/25)

Read Matthew 4:17, the memory verse for this past week.

 

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.

 

Read Psalm 37:3-4 remembering that our Sabbath theme for today is “DELIGHT.”

• What is a way you can express your trust in the Lord today?

 

• Look for an opportunity to do good for others today either with your words or actions, then enjoy being a blessing to others.

 

• What security and safety are you able to enjoy because of the Lord and where you live?

 

• Enjoy being with Jesus through the presence of the Holy Spirit, while being mindful about delighting in the life and blessings the Lord has given us.

 

Solitude and Silence. You are encouraged to spend ten, twenty, or thirty minutes 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 rest, consider laying down, kneeling, or sitting on a very comfortable chair or seat. If you need a nap, then sleep so that your mind and body receive the rest that you need.

 

Read 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, which is a reminder of God’s will for us.

 

Pray allowing the verses you read to guide your prayer as you rejoice and give thanks.