Journey through the Gospels

Welcome to Journey through the Gospels.  As you read Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, you will have the joy of reading about Jesus and the time He spent on earth.

By reading just two chapters each day, you’ll have the opportunity to walk in the footsteps of Jesus over the next several weeks.  For each day I'll post some questions to consider about the day's reading.  Use them to help guide your time in the Word.  You'll find the reading plan in an Excel file here (Download Journey through the Gospels).  You can customize the dates by entering the date for the Monday you begin in cell D2.

Use the Archives sections on the right to find the chapters you are currently reading. 

Matthew Chapters 1-2

1) With whom does Matthew start his geneology of Jesus? Why? (see 1:2) Why are David & Abraham highlighted? (see 1:1)

2) What does the name Jesus mean? (see 1:21) Why is it important to always remember this?

3) What prophecies are found in today's reading? (see 1:23, 2:6, 2:15, 2:18 & 2:23) Why would refering to the Old Testament be important for Matthew's readers? (see question 1)

4) How many dreams are referred to in today's reading? (see 1:20, 2:12, 2:13, 2:19 & 2:22) How does God speak to us today?

Matthew addressed his gospel to the Jews.  He wanted them to see that Jesus was the Promised Messiah.  We see evidence of this through showing Jesus’ genealogy through Abraham (the father of the nation) and David (the greatest king of Israel).  Also, you’ll notice the number of Old Testament references.  This would have spoken loudly to the Jews.

Jesus came to save.  We must never get too far away from this simple, but profound truth.  Even the name He was given testifies to this.  From the very beginning this was His purpose and this is still the work He does today.

Finally, though God could still speak to us in dreams, He has fully revealed Himself to us through His Son and His Word.  Be faithful this summer to read through the gospels and allow God to speak to you through the stories and words of Jesus.

Matthew Chapters 3-4

1) What was John the Baptist's message to the people? (see 3:1-2)  What was Jesus' message to the people? (see 4:17)  What would it look like for you to live out this message?

2) What did Jesus rely on when tempted by Satan? (see 4:4, 7, 10)  How much are you relying on God's word every day?

3) What were Peter and Andrew doing when Jesus saw them? (see 4:18)  What about James and John? (see 4:21)  How did they respond to Jesus' call? (see 4:20, 22)  How quickly did they respond?  What is your response to Jesus' call?

John the Baptist was used to prepare the way for the ministry and message of Jesus.  Yet from the beginning, his message was the same as what Jesus would later share – repent.  Turn from the direction your heading to the direction God wants you to go.

This is what Jesus’ call was to Peter, Andrew, James and John.  “Follow me,” meant leaving what they were doing to pursue what God had for them.  Their response?  What did you read?

One other great truth to pull from this section is our need to fully rely on God’s Word for all we do.  How wonderful that you are investing in this journey through the gospels this summer.  I pray God will meet with you and change you as you spend time with Him.

Matthew Chapters 5-6

1) The Beatitudes (see 5:1-12) seem contradictory to the ways of the world.  Why do you think this is the case?  What does this tell you about God’s ways?

2) Jesus said He came to fulfill the law (see 5:17).  He then gives six examples of Old Testament teachings and their New Testament applications (see 5:21-22; 5:27-28; 5:31-32; 5:33-37; 5:38-39; and 5:43-44).  What is the big difference?  How can you live out Jesus’ ways?

3) Giving, praying and fasting (see 6:1-18) are all spiritual disciplines that were being misused by the religious leaders of the day.  How does Jesus want us to approach these activities?

4) It’s been said, “Money makes the world go around.”  While we know money is important, it’s not the most important.  How would you summarize Jesus’ teaching about money found in 6:24?  What are the implications of this teaching found in 6:25-34?

Chapter 5 begins one of the greatest passages of the gospels.  Known as the Sermon on the Mount, Matthew Chapters 5-7 contain Jesus’ teachings about how we are to live in the Kingdom of God.  Jesus’ words stand in stark contrast to the teachings of the world.

Overall, Jesus’ teachings reflect God’s focus on our heart.  We’ve been called to have the right reasons for doing the right things.  That is, we must consider our motivation; not just our action.  The religious leaders of Jesus’ day proved it is possible to go through the motions (giving, praying and fasting) and not be connecting with God.

More than pursuing the things of this world, a focus on God’s kingdom is to be of highest priority in our lives.  When we do this, God promises to take care of the details along the way.

Matthew Chapters 7-8

1) What we know as the Golden Rule is found in 7:12.  How could Jesus say that this rule summed up the Law and the Prophets?  What would it look like for you to live this out day-to-day?

2) Jesus concludes His teachings about the kingdom by indicating what must take place next (see 7:24).  Why is just hearing about God’s truth not enough?

3) The issue of faith is contrasted in two stories (see 8:5-13 and 8:23-27).  Why was the centurion commended for his faith?  Why were the disciples chastised for their faith?

The Sermon on the Mount continues through Chapter 7.  At the end of this section, Jesus makes a clear distinction between those who just hear what He says and those who hear and put into practice the teachings of the kingdom.

Expressions of faith and the lack of faith were contrasted in Chapter 8.  The centurion had faith to believe without seeing, while the disciples expressed doubt after seeing a miracle.  What is your faith like?  See Hebrews 11:6 to understand the key role of faith.

Matthew Chapters 9-10

1) In Chapter 9, we find Jesus traveling through the area connecting with people as He went (see 9:35 for a summary).  What are the implications for us as we go about our every day lives?

2) We get an insight into Jesus’ heart in 9:36.  What do you see when you look at the people around you?  How do you respond to what you see?

3) In 9:37-38, Jesus tells His followers to ask God to send more workers.  Immediately after this, He sends His followers out (see Chapter 10).  Could it be that you are the solution to the needs around you?

Chapter 9 shows us the ministry of Jesus among the people.  Chapter 10 shows us how Jesus prepared His followers to do the same.  The plan for the Christian faith was never to watch our leader, but rather to follow our leader.

As you learn more about Jesus through the gospels this summer, be on the look out for how God would want you to live out the lessons you learn.