9th Year: Gospel of Matthew

I’ve come to the final year of the Nine Year Bible program.

For the next 30 weeks, I’m scheduled to read through the Gospel of Matthew. This will conclude my chapter-a-week reading of the New Testament. I will finish with two topical studies, six Old Testament chapters, and finally a six-week study of the Book of Jonah.

It feels good to be winding down this regular Bible reading discipline.

Happy New Year!

Tomorrow marks the first day of Advent and the first day of the church calendar year.

Coincidentally, I also finished year 6 of the Nine Year Bible plan tonight, so I’ll be starting year 7 of 9 tomorrow with a study of the book of James.

It looks like I’ve done a chapter-by-chapter analysis and reading of the vast majority of the New Testament. The last three years of this sequence appear to have more topical and character studies, particularly more 1-week topics.

I’m excited that I’m coming up on the last third of this 9-year experience. So many things have changed since December 2007!

Peter’s Psalm

In verses 15-20, Peter points out that Judas ought to be replaced.

When facing tough times, the Bible is a great place to go for guidance.

Character Study: Joseph

The name Joseph appears in the NIV 229 times.  The vast majority refer to Joseph of the Old Testament, son of Jacob.

I am looking forward to this two-week study!  Joseph is one of my Bible heroes.

Joseph sets an example that I want to follow.

“Word of God”

The phrase “word of God” appears in the NIV 39 times.

These words are found most frequently in Acts, a total of 11 times.  The only time “Word of God” is capitalized and used as a proper noun is in Revelation 19:13.

However, I sense that the intent of the Navigators’ two-week study is based more upon John’s description of Jesus in John 1:1-18.

So What?

It’s hard to get too excited about solid theology (like in Ephesians 1) when Christians behave  so poorly that nonbelievers aren’t interested in all Jesus has to offer.

Jesus “The Body”

We spend lots of time thinking about getting our bodies in shape.

But what kind of shape is the church in these days?

What do you think it would look like?

Power Prayer

In verses 15-21, Paul writes a powerful prayer for his readers.

Who do you pray for?

Belief

In verses 11-14, Paul discusses the complex interaction between human belief and God’s will.

Predestined

In verses 3-10, Paul emphasizes that Jesus pursues us.  It’s not a one-way street, totally dependent upon our own efforts to become right with God.