Today is the day we begin reading the book of Matthew – one chapter a week, reading the same chapter once a day, picking up pen and paper (or turning to a keyboard) and writing down your questions, your thoughts, and seeing how they change over a week’s time.
Full disclosure: Matthew is not my favorite book in the Bible. Out of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John (the 4 books called the Gospels which means Good News), my favorite is Mark and then comes Luke and then John and, if I must put it on the list, Matthew. So I’ve got to shadow box with it. I’ve got to contend with it because it does have Good News to share and I wonder if I will have ears to hear it in a new way through this practice of reading it one chapter at a time, slowly but surely.
Feel free to SOAP this reading, if it helps you get into it in new ways. What’s SOAP?
S – Scripture. Read it. What stands out to you? Underline it or write it down.
O – Observations. What do you think this scripture says about God? About you? Write one part in your own words.
A – Application. How does this apply to your life right now? How does it bug you or comfort you?
P – Pray. What do you need to say to God or hear from God?
Glad to be with you on this journey through Matthew. I can’t do it alone!