New Testament Bible Reading Challenge Week 1

New Testament Bible Reading Challenge 4 March 2013 to 28th February 2014 Week 1: Bible Reading plan and Discussion Notes

Join with The Salvation Army as we read the New Testament from beginning to end in one year, one chapter each weekday (Monday to Friday), allowing the weekend to either rest or catch up. The challenge is for everyone of any age or background, whether reading as a group, as an individual, or by helping others to take part. If you miss a day there's no need to worry, simply read two chapters the next day, or else make use of the weekends when there is no scheduled reading.

Great expectations

Expect God to speak through the Scriptures, expect to learn new things about Him, and about ourselves, and expect to read and absorb some familiar stories and passages. To get the most out of this challenge, start each daily reading with a prayer asking God to guide your thinking as you read, then read the Bible with the aim of learning something new. After the reading for the day, consider how it may affect your life and relationship with Jesus, and allow your increased knowledge of the Scriptures to shape your character and strengthen your trust in God. Enjoy this opportunity and may God bless you.

Monday 04 March 2013 - Matthew 1

Here you will find the ancestral credentials of the Jewish Messiah.

·         Why do you think the Gospel writer began his work with the genealogy of Jesus?

·         If Matthew was not the first Gospel to be written, why do you think it is found at the beginning of the New Testament?

·         How useful do you think it was, both initially and in later years, for Joseph and Mary to have been given the name of their child, which means “The LORD saves”?

·         If the name ‘Jesus’ was the Greek form of ‘Joshua’, what similarities are there in the life and ministry of these two Bible characters? Did Joshua crossing the Jordan River foreshadow Jesus’ victory over death? Did entering the promised land foreshadow Jesus’ promise of heaven? Or do you think the similarity in their names and their meaning is merely coincidental?

Tuesday 05 March 2013 - Matthew 2

The birth narrative continues along with more prophetic fulfilment.

·         How many wise men are there in this narrative?

·         What sort of a building did they find Jesus in?

·         Is Jesus still a baby in this narrative?

·         How do the answers to the above questions compare to a traditional manger scene which we find in nativity plays, cards, and pictures at Christmas time?

·         What might we learn from this narrative about the importance of reading the Bible, compared to relying on tradition?

Wednesday 06 March 2013 - Matthew 3

This short chapter includes the introduction of John the Baptist.

·         Do you think it is possible to be forgiven if there is no repentance?

·         Jesus was baptised by John (v13-15), but John’s baptism was for repentance (v11). Do you think Jesus was needing forgiveness for sins, or that His baptism was for other reasons?

·         (v11) John seems to purposely contrast his water baptism with the baptism Jesus would give, which would be with the Holy Spirit and fire. Do you think water is necessary for baptism itself, or could it instead be one way of symbolising a baptism?

·         (v17) Can you imagine what it would have been like to hear the voice from heaven? What affect do you think it might have had on you if you had been there and heard it?

Thursday 07 March 2013 - Matthew 4 

When ready, Jesus starts preaching, healing, and calling His disciples.

·         Do you think the author is symbolically describing a ‘dark’ period of doubt and testing in Jesus’ life, or that he is describing events that actually happened, including the existence of the devil?

·         If the author did not intend to portray something that literally happened, how can we be sure of what is meant to be taken at face-value and what is not? Is it okay to simply pick and choose what is believable and what is not?

·         Do you think the devil literally exists? Do you think angels literally exist?

·         Where did Jesus live when He began His ministry?

Friday 08 March 2013 - Matthew 5

The beatitudes, followed by Jesus’ interpretation of the Law.

·         In what way are Christ-followers today the ‘salt of the earth’ or ‘the light of the world’? (v13-16)

·         V17-20, has the Law been abolished, or fulfilled by Christ? Does this mean that we no longer need to adhere to the Ten Commandments, or does it mean that we are to understand them as Jesus interprets them?

·         Have you ever broken any of the Ten Commandments? (you can read them in Exodus 20)

·         If a Judge finds someone guilty of breaking the law, would you expect there to be a punishment or fine for the law-breaker?

·         If God is a perfectly holy Judge and we have broken His law, what would be the right and just thing for the Judge to do?

·         When Christians talk of being ‘saved’…what are they saved from?...and how?