Wednesday, February 17, 2010

Day 1: Matthew 1-7

Today begins "You've Got the Time!", a 40 day journey through the New Testament. You can listen to Matthew 1-7 using the media player on the front page of our website, http://www.fbc-elon.org.

After you listen, feel free to come and share any thoughts, insights, or questions that the text inspires.

Welcome to the journey!

Here are some questions to give you something to think about and/or respond to:
1. Chapter 1 is the famous "begat chapter". Why do you think that it was important for Matthew to include this genealogy?
2. What do you notice about Matthew's Christmas story that is different from what you are used to hearing?
3. One line that is frequently repeated throughout Matthew is "in order to fulfill what is written." To what audience would this be important?
4. What prompted Jesus to go into the wilderness following his baptism?
5. Chapter 5 begins the "Sermon on the Mount." What comments does Jesus make about the law?

1 comment:

Mark said...

Matthew 4:16 - "The people who sat in darkness have seen a great light, and for those who sat in the region and shadow of death light has dawned."
Having preached 3 funerals in a week, I have found myself turning a lot to the 23rd Psalm - "Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for thou art with me." When I heard these words in Matthew, quoting Isaiah 9:1-2, my heart truly lept and I marked this page in my Bible. When you feel like you have been sitting in the shadow of death, here is the good news: Christ, the good shepherd, has come. The light has dawned, a new day is coming! What hope!