Week Thirty-Five

HERE'S HOW:

  1. Grab a Bible. If it fits your style, also grab a journal to write in.

    • Which Bible version is best? The one you read! If you don’t have one, let us know! Print, Online, and Apps are available.

    • Invite family or friends to join you.

  2. Pray! Ask the Holy Spirit to help you as you read. HE WILL.

  3. Check to see if there is a video to watch today

  4. Look up and read the assigned reading for the day.

  5. Look up the assigned Psalm that day: pray it out loud.

  6. Pray! Ask the Father to apply those readings to your life and to help you join Jesus where He is already working. HE WILL.

  7. Participate in Worship on Sunday!

September 2

Read Matthew 15-16, then Pray Psalm 83. Matthew 16:13-28 are some of the most important words recorded. Peter confesses (says out loud what he believes) and then Jesus declares the origin of the Church. Seemingly moments later, Peter fails! Then (v. 24) Jesus describes the life of a disciple, what it will look like, what it will be like, how it will work. Study these words, and remember where the power to do it comes from (hint, see v. 16-17)!

September 3

Read Matthew 17-18, then Pray Psalm 84. Who is Jesus? Listen to the Father (17:5). Then take note of the simple moment in 17:25-27. Then we get the powerful “how then shall I live” moment in chapter 18, especially 18:21-35.

September 4

Read Matthew 19-20, then Pray Psalm 85. Jesus weaves together Genesis 1 and Genesis 2 (from before the fall into sin!) with His own words regarding marriage. The issue now is always one of the heart (v. 8). Don’t miss the parable of the workers in the vineyard: this is how Jesus handles people (the GOSPEL!) who trust Him late in life or even in their last moments…20:13-16.

September 5

Read Matthew 21-22, then Pray Psalm 86. Here the word “fulfill” comes again as Jesus rides into Jerusalem. This leads to the dispute about His authority. Study how Jesus answers…which continues through the end of chapter 22 (see 22:29).

September 6

Read (skimming some) Matthew 23-24, then Pray Psalm 87. The “woes” arrive in a fury. Most people do not know the phrase “practice what you preach” came from Jesus Himself! This tirade against religion (in the worst sense of the word) and the humans which seek to rule in God’s name should not be skimmed. Take note of how Jesus speaks and what He speaks of through the whole discourse. Consider how HE feels about how people who trust in their own righteousness and then place it over and against others. And then remember 23:37. **Also, always remember the End of the World schedule is determined by 24:14!

September 7

Read Matthew 25-26, then Pray Psalm 88.  Study 25:31-46 in detail. This is where The Vertical and The Horizontal meet in real life…and have eternal implications.

September 8

Read Matthew 27-28, then Pray Psalm 89. Read 27:45-46 and then go read Psalm 22. Then take note of how 27:51 leads directly into 28:18-20.