Bible Journaling

This is part of the 66 in 52 Bible Journaling Challenge. Over the course of the 52 weeks in 2018, I will focus in on one verse from each book of the Bible with many others who have signed up to join me. Each week I will be posting a summary page with some thought about that week’s book(s) of the Bible along with some links that may help our reflection. Click here to sign up if you want to join us at any point along the journey!

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Week 42 - Ephesians

The Big Picture of Ephesians:

Ephesians is a letter from Paul to the believers in the city of Ephesus. One summary of the whole book might be this phrase at the beginning chapter 4: “live a life worthy of your calling”. Throughout the book Paul paints this beautiful picture of what life in Christ is like. It is a life of freedom, faith, unity, light, peace, and more. He doesn’t say it’s always easy, but he does say it’s worth it. It’s a big calling to live as God’s children, but it brings the most abundant, fulfilling life we could imagine. He also talks of the tools and resources God provides for the journey including the armor of God and the Holy Spirit himself. Throughout the book we see what life practically looks like in families, churches, jobs, etc. as we follow after Christ.

Our Identity in Ephesians 1:

The first chapter of Ephesians is packed full with statements about our identity in Christ. Here are just a few:

Holy people (1:1, 18)
Faithful followers (1:2)
Blessed (1:3)
United with Christ (1:3, 11)
Loved (1:4)
Chosen (1:4, 11)
Holy and without fault in His eyes (1:4)
Adopted (1:5)
Purchased to be His own (1:7, 14)
Forgiven (1:7)
Showered with kindness (1:8)
His own (1:13, 14)
Called (1:18)
Filled with His power (1:19)

A Few Key Verses and Possible Reflection Questions/Prayers:

Some of us are planning to read through the whole book or books each week, while others are just focusing in on one verse per book. This section of the weekly intro post might help you narrow down a verse to reflect on for the week, but you do not have to choose one of these verse, pick any section of the book you want! These are just some ideas.

“I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God’s power for us who believe him. This is the same might power that raised Christ from the dead…” Ephesians 1:19-20a
REFLECTION: Who can you pray this over this week? Who needs to know the incredible greatness of God’s power?
“He makes the whole body fit together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love.” Ephesians 4:16
REFLECTION: Where have you seen this lived out well in your community of faith? What’s your “special work” that you can do well as a part of the body?
“And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, how deep his love is. May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God.” Ephesians 3:18-19
REFLECTION: Why do you think Paul suggests that we must understand God’s love in order to live a full life in God’s power? What might the connection be?

Some Other Resources:

The Challenge:

So now it’s your turn! Pick a verse and settle in this week, or read through the whole book. If you post any picture or blogs on social media, tag them with #66in52challenge so we can all share in this journey together!

66 in 52 Challenge

Galatians – Week 41 {66 in 52 Challenge}

October 7, 2018October 9, 2018 Rebekah Freed

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Week 41 - Galatians

The Big Picture of Galatians:

Galatians is another letter written by Paul. This one was to the believers in the churches of Galatia (1:1). The purpose of this letter is very clear: Paul heard that the people in Galatia has been wandering away from the truth of the Good News about Jesus. Verse 7 of chapter 1 explains that they were being “fooled by those who deliberately twist the truth concerning Christ.” Before going into details about the grace and life in Christ, Paul reminds the readers how he used to be among those who were fighting actively against Jesus and those who followed Him. This, in essence, is Paul’s testimony of God’s grace in His own life. As the book goes on he outlines the gift of salvation and the freedom we have as God’s children. Freedom is actually a huge theme in the whole book and Paul longs for the followers in these churches to understand and experience the good news that Christ brings freedom.

Issues and Themes Discussed in Galatians:

Grace and legalism
Unity in the Body of Christ
Righteousness doesn’t come by the law but rather by Christ
The Holy Spirit and His gifts/fruits in our lives
Identity as God’s Children vs slaves
Freedom
Not giving up when things get hard

A Few Key Verses and Possible Reflection Questions/Prayers:

“Obviously, I’m not trying to win the approval of people, but of God. If pleasing people were my goal, I would not be Christ’s servant.” Galatians 1:10
REFLECTION: Where are you most tempted to seek the approval of others instead of God? What does God say about that area of your life?
“But even before I was born, God chose me and called me by his marvelous grace.” Galatians 1:15
REFLECTION: Spend some time in prayer asking God to show you some of the things He’s chosen and called you to by His grace in this season of your life.
“And because we are His children, God has sent the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, prompting us to call out, ‘Abba Father.’ Now you are no longer a slave but God’s own child. And since you are his child, God has made you his heir.” Galatians 4:6-7
REFLECTION: What does it feel like to be called God’s child? Where are you still living like a slave?“
“So let us not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up.” Galatians 6:9
REFLECTION: How can you plant seeds in faith today, knowing the harvest will come in the right time?

Some Other Resources:

The Challenge:

66 in 52 Challenge

1 & 2 Corinthians – Week 40 {66 in 52 Challenge}

September 30, 2018September 29, 2018 Rebekah Freed

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Week 40 - 1,2 Corinthians

The Big Picture of 1 & 2 Corinthians:

These are two letters Paul wrote to the people who followed Christ in the city of Corinth. Corinth was on an important trade route in the world at that time and had a reputation for sexual immortality, corruption, and idol worship. 1 Corinthians was written around A.D. 55 while Paul was in Ephesus as a call to the believers to live lives in contrast to the world around them. There were some specific issues that came up as they tried to figure out what that looked like and Paul hoped to speak to some of those issues. The followup letter came about a year later and dealt with some of the same issues and some new additional ones.

Some Issues and Topics Discussed in 1 Corinthians:

Division in the Church
Spiritual Gifts
Lawsuits
Marriage
Food offered to idols
The Lord’s Supper
Love
The Resurrection of Jesus

Some Issues and Topics Discussed in 2 Corinthians:

Some of the same issues in 1 Corinthians
Forgiveness and reconciliation
Unity among the church and leaders
Suffering and Joy

Gospel ministry and holy living

Giving

A Few Key Verses and Possible Reflection Questions/Prayers:

1 Corinthians

“The message of the cross is foolish to those who are headed for destruction! But we who are being saved know it is the very power of God.” 1 Corinthians 1:18
REFLECTION: Where have you seen this contrast to be true in your life and the lives of those who don’t know Christ?
“When I am with those who are weak, I share their weakness, for I want to bring the weak to Christ. Yes, I try to find common ground with everyone, doing everything I can to save some.” 1 Corinthians 9:22
REFLECTION: In what ways can you sacrifice this week in order to find common ground with someone who does not yet know Jesus?
“Now we see things imperfectly, like puzzling reflections in a mirror, but then we will see everything with perfect clarity. All that I know now is partial and incomplete, but then I will know everything completely, just as God now knows me completely.” 1 Corinthians 13:12
REFLECTION: Journal about what it means to you to be known completely by God.

2 Corinthians

“He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us.” 2 Corinthians 1:4
REFLECTION: In what ways has this been true in your life?
“Three different times I begged the Lord to take it away. Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. 2 Corinthians 12:8-9
REFLECTION: What’s your “thorn” right now? Where have you seen God’s power despite your weakness?
“And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others.” 2 Corinthians 9:8
REFLECTION: Where have you been living a life based on a scarcity mentality vs the mentality that God is a God of abundance and generosity?

Truth’s We Can Apply from 1 & 2 Corinthians Today:

Following Jesus isn’t always easy.
God’s Church is His beautiful bride and yet His Church and individual churches are filled with imperfect people. We have to seek forgiveness and wholeness and reconciliation when we hurt others. This sometimes involves tough conversations.
True love looks nothing like what the world has to offer.
Relationships are more important than being “right”.
Unity is possible, but takes hard work.
We each have gifts to offer and when we all work together, God gets great glory.

Some Other Resources:

The Challenge:

66 in 52 Challenge

Romans – Week 39 {66 in 52 Challenge}

September 23, 2018 Rebekah Freed

aThis is part of the 66 in 52 Bible Journaling Challenge. Over the course of the 52 weeks in 2018, I will focus in on one verse from each book of the Bible with many others who have signed up to join me. Each week I will be posting a summary page with some thought about that week’s book(s) of the Bible along with some links that may help our reflection. Click here to sign up if you want to join us at any point along the journey!

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Week 39 - Romans

The Big Picture of Romans:

Romans is the first of a series of letters we find in the New Testament. Paul (the author of Romans) and others would write letters to individuals or groups to encourage them. As the good news of Jesus began to spread there wasn’t enough of Paul or other disciples to be in all the places. These letters kept helped guide the early church. While each letter had an initial intended audience (the Church in Rome in this case), they were often circulated around to many cities and many churches.

In the first chapter we see one huge purpose in writing this specific letter was to tell those in Rome that they had been chosen and loved by Jesus and that the good news was not just for Jews, but for all who believe (1:5-6). Throughout the rest of the book, Paul lays out what have become the basics of faith: our sin and need for a Savior, the fact that Jesus paid the price for us, how God’s Spirit helps us live a life of obedience, and the promise of eternal life with Jesus for those who believe. If I could sum up the whole book in one short phrase it would be this: GOOD NEWS!

Basic Outline of Romans:

Chapters 1-4 – Focuses on our inability to live “right with God” (a righteous life) and our need for justification and forgiveness through faith
Chapters 5-8 – Tells us that justification is both a reality right now and something we hope for… that one day we really will be completely right before God
Chapters 9-11 – We see Paul’s sorrow that so many don’t believe this good news
Chapter 12-16 – Explain how this good news can impact our every day life

A Few Key Verses and Possible Reflection Questions/Prayers:

“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” Romans 12:2
REFLECTION: In what ways are you tempted to conform to the patterns of this world? How might a new way of thinking about those things help you determine God’s will?
“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8
REFLECTION: What other ways have you witnessed God demonstrate His love fo ryou lately?
“For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 6:23
REFLECTION: Spend some time in confession. Then, spend some time praising God for the free gift of grace that restores our relationship because of Jesus.

Some Other Resources:

The Challenge:

66 in 52 Challenge

Acts – Week 38 {66 in 52 Challenge}

September 16, 2018 Rebekah Freed

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Week 38 - Acts

The Big Picture of Acts:

Acts is the story of the very beginning of the Christian Church. While Jesus was on earth he trained and walked with His disciples preparing them to carry out His mission once He left. In Acts we see the Holy Spirit come (as Jesus promised it would before He left) and the church exploded throughout the world. Paul (named Saul at the beginning of the book) and Peter are two of the men we see God use in these early stages. This time in the early church was not always easy as those who followed Jesus faced great persecution. Despite this persecution the church continued to spread and because of the faithful work of the men and women we read about in this book, the church continues to spread to this day. Now it’s our turn!

Main Timeline of Acts:

AD 30 – Jesus dies, rises from the dead, and ascends into heaven
AD 30-33 – God sends the Holy Spirit and the Church begins to spread, Saul persecutes the early church
AD 34/35 – Jesus meets Saul on the road to Damascus and changes his life (and his name… the rest of his life he’s known as Paul)
AD 34-62 – Missionary journeys and other events of Acts
AD 60 – Paul imprisoned
AD 62 – Paul on trial and preaches around Rome

A Few Key Verses and Possible Reflection Questions/Prayers:

“From one man he made all the nations, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he marked out their appointed times in history and the boundaries of their lands. God did this so that they would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from any one of us.” Acts 17:26-27
REFLECTION: Where has God put you during this time in history? Literally where are the places you go each day? Where do you live? In what ways do you see verse 27 true that God put you there so people, including yourself, might seek and find Him?
“They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Acts 2:42
REFLECTION: What is one way you can commit (or mentally re-commit) to Christian community this week? /
“In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams.” Acts 2:17
REFLECTION: Who is the Holy Spirit to you? What have you learned in reading Acts that tells you about Him?

Some Other Resources:

The Challenge:

66 in 52 Challenge

John – Week 37 {66 in 52 Challenge}

September 9, 2018September 8, 2018 Rebekah Freed

k I will be posting a summary page with some thought about that week’s book(s) of the Bible along with some links that may help our reflection. Click here to sign up if you want to join us at any point along the journey!

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Week 37 - John

The Big Picture of John :

Over the last few weeks of reading Matthew, Mark, and Luke we’ve gotten various perspectives of primarily the same events. As we head into reading John this week we’ll hear the life of Jesus in a completely new way. Instead of thinking about the beginning of Jesus’ story at his birth, John shows us that Jesus has been around since before the beginning of the world (John 1:1). Where Matthew, Mark, and Luke tend to tell narrative stories of what Jesus did, John seems to highlight more of his character and identity as both fully God and fully man. There is also a high emphasis on the signs and miracles in John’s book. It is believed to be written much later than the other three gospels with a clearly declared purpose that readers would believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God and that we’d find life as we believe (John 20:30-31).

The “I Am”s in John:

One thing that seems to be true is that John was passionate to prove that Jesus IS God. One of the ways he did this was by using the phrase “I Am” many times throughout the book. For the Jewish readers, this would have been an obvious claim to Jesus’ as God as they would instantly recognize it as the very name for God. Back in Exodus when God was calling Moses to go rescue the people out of slavery in Egypt, Moses asks God, “If I go to the people of Israel and tell them, ‘The God of your ancestors has sent me to you.’ they will ask me, ‘

What is his name?’ Then what should I tell them?” God’s response to Moses: I AM WHO I AM. Say this to the people: I AM has sent me to you.” This was a powerful declaration of the name of God. So when Jesus shows up on the scene and starts using this phrase, people took notice. Here are some of the key places we see it in John’s Gospel:

“…but he called out to them, ‘Don’t be afraid. I am here!'” – John 6:30
“That is why I said that you will die in your sins; for unless you believe that I am who I claim to be, you will die in your sins.” – John 8:24
So Jesus said, “When you have lifted up the Son of Man on the cross, then you will understand that I am he. I do nothing on my own but say only what the Father taught me. – John 8:28
Jesus answered, “I tell you the truth, before Abraham was even born, I am!” – John 8:58 (When he said this the Jewish religious leaders even picked up rocks to try to stone him. There is no doubt in their minds Who He was claiming to be.)
“‘I am he,’ Jesus said.”- John 18:5
“I am the bread of life “- John 6:35, 48, 51
“I am the light of the world” – John 8:12, 9:5
“I am the door of the sheep” – John 10:7, 9
“I am the good shepherd.” – John 10:11, 14
“I am the resurrection and the life.” – John 11:25
“I am the way, the truth, and the life.” – John 14:6
“I am the true vine.” – John 15:1

A Few Key Verses and Possible Reflection Questions/Prayers:

“And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.” John 1:14
REFLECTION: How do you see both grace and truth played out in Jesus’ life? What does it look like to be full of both in our every day lives?
“I am praying not only for these disciples but also for all who will ever believe in me through their message. I pray that they will all be one, just as you and I are one–as you are in me, Father, and I am in you. And may they be in us so that the world will believe you sent me. … May they experience such perfect unity that the world will know that you sent me and that you love them as much as you love me.” John 17:20-21, 23
REFLECTION: This whole section is the prayer Jesus prayed right before he died. These specific verses in essence are what God prayed for US today. He had US on his mind as he prepared to go to the cross. What are your thoughts about His prayer? Where do you see unity or disunity among God’s church today? How might unity be crucial in showing the world the love of Jesus?
“The disciples say Jesus do many other miraculous signs in addition to the ones recorded in this book. But these are written so that you may continue to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing in him you will have life by the power of his name.” John 20:30-31
REFLECTION:What are your thoughts about John’s purpose for writing the book? How do you think that shaped what He chose to put in the book?

Some Other Resources:

The Challenge:

66 in 52 Challenge

Luke – Week 36 {66 in 52 Challenge}

September 2, 2018August 30, 2018 Rebekah Freed

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Week 36 - Luke

The Big Picture of Luke:

I love the first few verses in Luke. Where Matthew and Mark seem to be writing to groups of people, Luke’s intent wasn’t quite so broad. We see the author was presenting this gospel as an investigation report to a man named Theophilus (which means ‘one who loves God’). It is possible that this was the person who would circulate this book, but it seems there is also a personal nature to the writing. Luke longed for Theophilus to be able to be certain about what he had heard so far about Jesus and so Luke interviewed those who were there and pulled together the best report he could. Luke fact checked his info and presented the case. He seems to outline his book in three main parts in connection with Jesus’ presence in three geographical areas: in and around Galilee (4:14-9:50), Judea and Perea (9:51-19:27), and Jerusalem (19:28-24:53).

Women in Luke’s Gospel:

Perhaps more than any other of the four gospels, Luke seems to highlight the role women played. Here are some of women he tells us about:

Elizabeth – mother of John the Baptist and wife of Zechariah (chapter 1)
Mary – Jesus’ mother (chapter 2, 19)
Anna – prophetess in the temple when Jesus was presented as a n infant (chapter 2)
Simon’s mother-in-law (chapter 4)
Widow whose son was raised back to life (chapter 7)
Woman who anoints Jesus (chapter 7)
A dead girl (and her mother) and a sick woman (Luke 8)
Mary and Martha (chapter 10)
Crippled woman healed on the Sabbath (Chapter 13)
Women used in as an example in a parable (Chapter 15, 18)
A widow giving an offering (Chapter 21)
Women who followed Jesus during his crucifixion and stood watch at the cross while he died (Chapter 23)
Women who went to prepare Jesus’ body in the tomb (Chapter 23-24)
Women were the first to see Jesus alive – Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James and others (Chapter 24)

A Few Key Verses and Possible Reflection Questions/Prayers:

“Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel, because he has come and has redeemed his people. He has raised up a horn of salvation for us … to rescue us from the hand of our enemies and toe enable us to serve him without fear in holiness and righteousness before him all our days.” Luke 1:68-69, 74-75
REFLECTION: What fears are creeping up in your life? What would it look like to serve God all our days without fear? How might our lives be different?
“And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it…. But seek first his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well. Do not be afraid, little flock, for Your Father has been pleased to give you the Kingdom.” Luke 12:29, 31-32
REFLECTION:What are you setting your heart on? What does it look like to receive the Kingdom?
“For the Son of man came to seek and to save what was lost.” Luke 19:10
REFLECTION: What does this tell us about Jesus’ mission on earth? If we are to join Jesus on His mission in the world, what might this look like for us?

Some Other Resources:

The Challenge:

66 in 52 Challenge

Mark- Week 35 {66 in 52 Challenge}

August 26, 2018August 26, 2018 Rebekah Freed

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Week 35 - Mark

The Big Picture of Mark:

Mark’s Gospel telling of Jesus’ life was likely the first of the four written. While some feel it leaves some key pieces out (like Jesus’ birth), once it was discovered that it came first and others likely built their versions off of his adding in details that were important to them individually. Where Matthew seemed to focus in on proving that Jesus was the fulfillment of all the Old Testament Prophesies, Mark seems to focus in on the action of the story–what Jesus DID. Often this book as described as being in two main sections. The first (1:1-8:26) focuses on Jesus’ ministry in Galilee. The other half of the book is given entirely to the events surrounding Jesus suffering, death, and resurrection beginning with Jesus’ own prediction that it would happen. One key story in chapter 8 provides the shift between these two parts. Jesus is walking with His disciples and asks them who people say He is. Eventually he gets direct and asks: “But who do YOU say that I am?” (8:29 emphasis added). Peter simply replies: “You are the Messiah”. From this point on, there is one focus in the book leading straight up to the crucifixion and Jesus rising from the dead.

Discipleship Opportunities in Mark:

One key pattern we see various places in Mark is Jesus saying something, the disciples failing to understand or act, and then Jesus using that as a teaching opportunity. We see three of these close to each other in chapters 8, 9, and 10*, all related to Jesus’ own predictions about His death:

8:31 – Jesus tells the disciples that he will suffer, be rejected, killed and rise after three days
- Peter rebukes Jesus (8:32-33) saying that can’t really happen.
- Jesus calls them to deny themselves, take up their own cross and follow him (8:33-9:1)
9:30-31 – Jesus says again that he will be killed and rise after three days
- The disciples don’t get it and stay quiet not wanting to ask him about it. (9:32)
- Jesus uses the chance to tell them that the first must be last and talks about welcoming children in His name. (9:33-50)
10:33-34 – Jesus’s third prediction about his condemnation, mocking, flogging, crucifixion and resurrection.
- James and John ask if they can sit right next to Jesus in Heaven. (10:35-37)
- Jesus teaches that to be great they must become servants and that he came to give up his life to serve many. (10:38-45)

* based off a chart in the ESV Global Study Bible, found online here.

A Few Key Verses and Possible Reflection Questions/Prayers:

“In the morning, while it was still very dark, he got up and went out to a deserted place, and there he prayed.” Mark 1:35
REFLECTION: When and where have you found most useful to connect with the Father? What benefits might there be in mimicking Jesus and starting your day like this?
“Then he asked them, ‘But who do you say that I am?’ …” Mark 8:29
REFLECTION: This is perhaps the most important question we can answer in our lives and WITH our lives. Who do YOU say that Jesus is? How would respond in everyday words to someone who asked you this question.
“Then Jesus said, ‘Let us go off by ourselves to a quiet place and rest awhile.’ He said this because there were so many people coming and going that Jesus and his apostles didn’t even have time to eat.” Mark 6:31
REFLECTION:Whether this or another story you read, reflect on what it tells you about Jesus’ character, nature, and heart. What can you learn about him from even one verse?

Why Mark is Important Today:

As I mentioned before, it is likely that Mark’s gospel is the first written account of Jesus’ life. This has enormous importance not just in history, but in seeing the Bible as accurate and true today. Also, because Mark put great effort into showing how Jesus lived, it helps us figure out what our lives can look like. Mark’s version of the great commission includes listing the types of things those who believe in Jesus will be about and do in their lives. These imitate the things Jesus did in His life on earth. We can be about the things He was about namely bringing restoration, hope, and salvation to the whole world one life at a time.

Some Other Resources:

The Challenge:

66 in 52 Challenge

Matthew – Week 34 {66 in 52 Challenge}

August 19, 2018August 19, 2018 Rebekah Freed

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Week 34 - Matthew

The Big Picture of Matthew:

Matthew is the first book in the New Testament and the author (supposed by the early church to be Matthew) does a great job of connecting the New Testament with the old. Each of the four Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John) document the time Jesus lived on earth and each does it from their own vantage point of the scene. Matthew really seems to be focusing in on helping people, especially the Jews, understand that Jesus really is the Messiah the prophecies of the Old Testament all talk about. Chapter 2 alone quotes 4 prophecies from at least three different Old Testament books. Not only does Matthew want readers to see that Jesus is the Messiah, but also that he was Immanuel (God with US), a new “Moses” delivering the people from bondage, and a new “Abraham” head of family of God that now includes both Jews and Gentiles who follow Him. I am finding it especially fun to read Matthew after having just finished the whole Old Testament seeing all the connections. With all of that in our minds, we have a better idea of what the everyday Jew would have as reference at the time when Jesus showed up on the scene.

Prophesies Mentioned in Matthew:

There are dozens of prophecies mentioned throughout the book and often are quoted directly out of Old Testament books. Here are just a few:

The Messiah would be a descendant of Abraham (Genesis 12:3, 22:18), Isaac (Genesis 17:19, 21:12), Jacob (Numbers 24:17), Judah (Genesis 49:10), and King David (2 Samuel 7:12-13, Isaiah 9:7) – Matthew 1:1-17
The Messiah would be born of a woman (Genesis 3:15) Matthew 1:20
The Messiah would be born of a virgin (Isaiah 7:14) – Matthew 1:22-23
The Messiah would be called Immanuel (Isaiah 7:14) – Matthew 1:23
The Messiah would be born in Bethlehem (Micah 5:2) – Matthew 2:1
The Messiah would spent a time in Egypt (Hosea 11:1) and grow up to be called a Nazarene (Isaiah 11:1) – Matthew 2:14-15, 23
The Messiah would bring light to Galilee (Isaiah 9:1-2) – Matthew 4:13-16
The Messiah would speak in parables (Psalm 78:2-4, Isaiah 6:9-10) – Matthew 13
The Messiah would be betrayed (Psalm 41:9, Zechariah 11:12-13), spat upon and struck (Isaiah 50:6), given vinegar to drink (Psalm 69:21), and crucified with criminals (Isaiah 53:12) – Matthew 26:14-16, 67, 27:34, 38
The Messiah would be called a King (Psalm 2:6, Zechariah 9:9) – Matthew 27:37
The Messiah would be buried with the rich (Isaiah 53:9) – Matthew 27:57-60
The Messiah would rise from the dead (Psalm 16:10, 49:14) – Matthew 28:2-7

A Few Key Verses and Possible Reflection Questions/Prayers:

“And she will have a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” Matthew 1:21
REFLECTION: What sins have you trapped right now? Where do you need to call out on the name of Jesus to “Save me!”?
“Repent of your sins and turn to God, for the Kingdom of Heaven is near.” Matthew 3:2
REFLECTION: Reading through Matthew 3, what similarities and differences do you see between John the Baptist’s words and those of the prophets in the Old Testament?
“So do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s troubles are enough for today.” Matthew 6:34
REFLECTION: What are you worrying about today that’s actually a trouble for tomorrow? How can you set those future worries aside and focus on today?
“When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them because they were confused and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.” Matthew 9:36
REFLECTION: What people or groups in our world today seem “confused and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd”? How can you show compassion on them instead of judging or criticizing them?
“He isn’t here! He is risen from the dead, just as he said would happen….” Matthew 28:6
REFLECTION: What do you think it would have been like to be one of the women hearing this from the angel at the tomb after thinking the One you thought was the Messiah, and your friend, had died?

Why Matthew is Important Today:

Each of the Gospels document Jesus’ life on earth. We hear not only God’s words, but see how that plays out in real life situations. Specifically with Matthew, we also see the importance of the Old Testament along with the New. So often it’s easy to throw out the old for the new. Matthew reminds us of the value of both and how Jesus did not come to get rid of the law but to fulfill it fully.

Some Other Resources:

The Challenge:

66 in 52 Challenge

Ezekiel – Week 27 {66 in 52 Challenge}

July 2, 2018July 2, 2018 Rebekah Freed

This is part of the 66 in 52 Bible Journaling Challenge. Over the course of the 52 weeks in 2018, I am focusing in on one verse from each book of the Bible with many others who have signed up to join me. Each week I will post a summary page with some thoughts about that week’s book(s) of the Bible along with some links that may help our reflection. Click here to sign up if you want to join us at any point along the journey! Click here to see where we’ve been so far!

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Week 27 - Ezekiel.png

The Big Picture of Ezekiel:

Ezekiel (the person) was a prophet and a priest during a pretty hard time in Judah’s history. He was among the Jews that had been exiled to Babylon. At that time there was hope that perhaps they’d return soon and all would be well. As he lived among his fellow exiles Ezekiel was called by God to tell the people that was not the case. Jerusalem would indeed fall and be destroyed. Once that happened then Ezekiel’s message was able to shift to words of hope and peace.

Dates and Facts about Ezekiel:

Ezekiel’s call – 593 B.C. (1:1-2, 3:16)
Jerusalem’s destruction ~ 586 B.C.
Ezekiel’s last prophecy – 571 B.C.
While other prophets mainly talk about Israel’s sinful idolatry and all the ways they have fallen away. While some of that is in Ezekiel it seems he is more focused on reminding God’s people who they are, a people set apart and made holy by God. It’s almost as if He’s reminding the people who they really are beyond and behind the choices they’ve made.
Holiness is a big theme in this book, both the holiness and power of God and His need for His people to be holy.
From a literary standpoint Ezekiel is a fascinating book as it has many different genres involved including history, prophecy, apocalyptic sections, and even some parables.

A Few Key Verses and Possible Reflection Questions/Prayers:

Some of us are planning to read through the whole book each week, while others are just focusing in on one verse. This section of the weekly intro post might help you narrow down a verse to reflect on for the week, but you do not have to choose one of these verse, pick any section of the book you want! These are just some ideas.

“He said to me, ‘Son of man, stand up on your feet and I will speak to you.’ As He spoke, the Spirit came into me and raised me to my feet, and I heard Him speaking to me.” (Ezekiel 2:1-2)
REFLECTION: One fascinating thing about these two verses is that God commands something (to stand), but then He actually does it. Have you every seen this in your life, where God calls you to something but then also is the one providing whatever you need to actually do what He says? Where do you need Him to cause you to act this week?
“I will give them an undivided heart and put a new spirit in them; I will remove from them their heart of stone and give them a heart of flesh.” (Ezekiel 11:19)
REFLECTION: What seems to be “dividing” your heart? What is stealing your attention? Spend sometime in prayer asking God to UNdivide your heart and give you a new spirit that seeks Him and Him alone!
“I will search for the lost and bring back the strays. I will bind up the injured and strengthen the weak…” (Ezekiel 34:16)
REFLECTION: God is and always has been on a search and rescue mission. He longs to bring healing and strength to His people. How might He be calling you to join in His work this week?
“He asked me, ‘Son of man, can these bones live?’ I said, ‘O Sovereign Lord, you alone know.'” (Ezekiel 37:3)
REFLECTION: What feels dry and dead in your life? Where does renewal and restoration feel impossible? Where do you need God’s Spirit to breathe new life?

God’s Grace in Ezekiel:

I have always loved the story of the valley of dry bones in Ezekiel 37. It also creeps me out a little but that’s beside the point. In this story God takes Ezekiel to this valley full of bones. He makes him walk throughout it as if to really grasp the deadness in that place. Then God poses a question: “Can these bones live?” I’m not sure how I would have responded, especially to God. It seems like a trick question almost. Ezekiel’s response is not only brilliant but also declares His faith and trust: “O Sovereign Lord, only You know.” He sure didn’t know. These weren’t just dead bodies, these people had been dead a while, everything has decayed all the way down to bones. From that place God lets Ezekiel be a part of His restoration as He invites Ezekiel to prophecy to the bones. As He does Scripture says, “… and breath entered them; they came to life and stood up on their feet–a vast army” (vs 10).

He did this as a representation of what He was going to do for the people of God in exile, yet this wasn’t just figurative… people really did rise that day in that valley. It would have been amazing just for one of those sets of bones to be restored to life, but God raised the whole group, a vast army. I think that’s such a great picture of God’s grace, always abundant, always going above and beyond. We often want him to fix this one little part of our life and He wants to overhaul it completely. We just want to feel a little less depressed and he wants to bring us deep and lasting joy. We would be okay with just a little fixing up and, as he mentions many places throughout the book, He wants to give us a complete heart transplant. Abundant grace indeed.