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.

 

Sunday (3/19)

Memory Verse(s): Matthew 9:37-38

*You are encouraged to memorize a verse or verses each week of this season of Lent. You can memorize the version listed below or from some other translation:

 

Jesus told his disciples, “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

 

If you have not watched it already, you are encouraged to watch the Bible

Project video about the first thirteen chapters of Matthew. The video is available on YouTube:

Gospel of Matthew Summary: A Complete Animated Overview Part 1

by the Bible Project: www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Dv4-n6OYGI

 

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

“Speak, LORD; for thy servant heareth.” – 1 Samuel 3:9 KJV

 

Read Matthew 7:15-23 for today. If you did not read the previous chapters and verses you are encouraged to read the section headings within the first four chapters as well as the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5:1-7:14 before reading the verses for today.

 

Pray in response to Jesus’ message as well as using part of the prayer Jesus taught in Matthew 6, which is listed below. You may find it helpful to return to this portion of Jesus’ prayer throughout the day:

 

“Our Father in heaven, reveal who you are.” – Matthew 6:9 MSG

 

 

Monday (3/20)

Memory Verse(s): Matthew 9:37-38

You can memorize the version listed below or from some other translation:

 

Jesus told his disciples, “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 an invitation for Jesus to speak to you during this devotional time:

“Jesus, please let your message sink deeply into my heart and mind today, then remind me and guide me to live it.”

 

Listen to Matt Maher’s song “The Lord’s Prayer (Its Yours)” using the link below for the YouTube video or using a music streaming service:

“The Lord’s Prayer (Its Yours)” by Matt Maher

 

Read Matthew 7:24-29, the conclusion of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount. If you did not read the previous chapters and verses you are encouraged to read the section headings within the first four chapters as well as the entire sermon in Matthew 5:1-7:23 before reading the verses for today.

 

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, then conclude with the paraphrased portion of the prayer Jesus taught his disciples that is listed below:

 

“Set the world right;

Do what’s best—as above, so below” – Matthew 6:10 MSG

 

 

Tuesday (3/21)

Memory Verse(s): Matthew 9:37-38

*Read the Memory Verses a few times as part of this devotional time.

 

Pray, inviting the Holy Spirit to speak to you:

“Speak, LORD, for your servant is listening.” – 1 Samuel 3:9 NRSV

 

Be silent for a few minutes as you imagine being with Jesus as one of his first-century followers. You may find it helpful to sit, kneel or lay down with your face towards the ground, or go for a walk with Christ as you prepare yourself to be a witness of his ministry and power.

 

Read Matthew 8:1-9:8. Notice what Jesus does and how people respond to him in these verses. What do you need from Jesus today? What is Christ asking you that is revealed within these verses? If you’re unsure, invite the Holy Spirit to reveal Jesus’ message for you for today.

 

Pray for:

• Those closest to you (family members & friends)
• Those who point others towards God (pastors, teachers, mentors, authors, musicians, filmmakers, etc.)
• Leaders (locally, nationally, and globally)
• People in need throughout the world (the people of Turkey and Syria, Ukrainians, Russians, etc.)

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

 

Conclude with the paraphrased portion of the prayer Jesus taught his disciples that is listed below, and try praying it before each of your meals today:

 

“Keep us alive with three square meals.” – Matthew 6:11 MSG

 

 

Wednesday (3/22)

Memory Verse(s): Matthew 9:37-38

*You are encouraged to spend some time trying to memorize them today.

 

Pray, inviting the Holy Spirit to speak to you:

“Lord, help me to receive the message you have for me today,

then to live obediently in response to you as your beloved child.”

 

Read Matthew 9:9-38. Notice who Jesus is with, what he does, and what he instructs his disciples to pray in these verses. How has the Lord answered the prayer from verse 38 in the past?

 

Pray for:

• people who are ostracized from their community and family
• new converts to Christianity
• those who are mourning
• people who are sick and in need of the healing power of Jesus
• ask the Lord to raise up, bring forth, and send out workers into his harvest fields in Greater Hendricks County

 

Conclude your prayer with the paraphrased portion of Jesus’ prayer listed below:

 

“Keep us forgiven with you and forgiving others.” – Matthew 6:12 MSG

 

 

Thursday (3/23)

Memory Verse(s): Matthew 9:37-38

*Read the Memory Verses a few times today.

 

Invite the Lord to speak to you today:

“Yes, Lord, I’m listening.” – 1 Samuel 3:9 TLB

 

Be silent for a few minutes as you imagine being with Jesus as one of his twelve disciples. You may find it helpful to sit with your palms up as your hands are open resting on your legs, kneel, lay down with your face towards the ground, or go for a walk with Christ as he prepares to send you and the others out into the world.

 

Read the account of Jesus sending out the twelve disciples in Matthew 10:1-11:1.

Which word, phrase, or verse is the Holy Spirit using to speak to you today from what you read?

 

Pray in response to Christ using the ACTS acronym as a guide, then conclude with the paraphrased portion of Jesus’ prayer listed below:

Adoration (praise the Lord)

Confession

Thanksgiving

Supplication (share your needs & the needs of others)

“Keep us safe from ourselves and the Devil.” – Matthew 6:13 MSG

 

 

Friday (3/24)

Memory Verse(s): Matthew 9:37-38

*You are encouraged to spend some time trying to memorize them today.

 

Pray the following words as an invitation for God to speak to you:

“Lord, help me to receive the message you have for me today and live in response to it.”

 

Read Matthew 11:2-12:50. What do these verses reveal about God, Jesus, humanity, and you? In what way is the Holy Spirit guiding you to respond?

 

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 with The Message Bible version of the conclusion of The Lord’s Prayer that is listed below:

“You’re in charge!

You can do anything you want!

You’re ablaze in beauty!

Yes. Yes. Yes.” – Matthew 6:13 MSG

 

Listen to Matt Maher’s song “The Lord’s Prayer (Its Yours)” using the link below for the YouTube video or using a music streaming service:

“The Lord’s Prayer (Its Yours)” by Matt Maher

www.youtube.com/watch?v=36hBlBGVFSs

 

 

Saturday (3/25)

Read Matthew 9:37-38, the memory verses for this past week. If you have not

memorized them simply let Jesus’ words speak to you again today.

 

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. Because of our very busy culture and over-scheduled lives 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 Deuteronomy 5:12-15, which is part of Moses’ retelling of the Ten

Commandments to the Israelites who were about to enter the Promised Land after their people had been wandering for forty years. Imagine the “delight” the Israelites must have felt knowing that they were about to experience the fulfillment of God’s promise by entering the land of Canaan. The Sabbath theme for us this weekend is “DELIGHT.”

 

• In what ways has God set you free?

 

• What is preventing you from experiencing the freedom and deliverance that God is offering through Christ?

 

• How will you set the Sabbath apart this weekend from other days of the week?

 

• What work will you set aside for another day so that you can rest and focus on the Lord today or this weekend?

 

• How will you help your family members and those who work for you in some way to experience rest and delight on the Sabbath?

 

• One of the best ways to thank someone for their gift is to use it and enjoy it. By observing and thoroughly enjoying the Sabbath you will send a message to God that you appreciate the gift He has given us.

 

Solitude and Silence. You are encouraged to spend ten, twenty, or thirty minutes alone with God 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 Psalm 37:3-4 about trusting in God and delighting in Him. Seek to set aside time today or tomorrow to stop, rest, worship God, and “delight yourself in the LORD.”

 

• What is something you enjoy doing that helps you connect with God and focus on Him? Do that as you observe the Sabbath.

 

• Trust in the Lord that He is God and you are not.

 

• Trust in the Lord that six days are enough for working during a week.

 

• Share the desires of your heart with God, then seek their fulfillment in and through Him.

 

Pray and live in response to our God offering thanksgiving to our Savior. You may find it helpful to use the words from the verses you read today as a guide for your prayer.