Matthew 18-22
These are some difficult things that Jesus talks about in these few chapters. Here is the list:
* Unless you change and become like children you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.
*Don't be a stumbling block.
*The shepherd leaves the safe sheep to go after the lost sheep.
*Deal directly with sin.
*Forgive 70X7 (and some translations say 77 times).
*Woe to you if you do not forgive brother or sister from your heart.
*Divorce.
*Rich young ruler did not want to part with his possessions.
*God is generous (are you envious?).
*To be great you must be a servant and a slave.
*God's house is to be a house of prayer.
*A fig tree is cursed for not bearing fruit.
*Tax collectors and prostitutes will enter heaven ahead of some religious people.
*Both good and bad get to come to the wedding banquet.
*Give to the government the things of the government and give God the things that are God's.
*The greatest commandment - Love God. Love your neighbor as yourself.
*Son of David - or Lord of all?
I once spent an entire year covering Matthew with a young adult Sunday School class. There is a lot to cover and discuss in the short time we have to get the reading done. I sincerely hope you will get in a Bible Study where you can do in depth study this next year. It will make you stronger when adversity comes your way. Let me know if you have any questions. I may not have the answers, but I am sure that discussing re-enforces reading. Sign ups for the Spiritual Growth Plan starts this Sunday. Classes will start the week of August 22. Small groups will make a difference in your life. I can promise you that you will definitely grow.
You are doing a great job with the challenge/experience. I suspect the reason you don't have many comments is because it is not real easy to post them in your blog. Also, the Bible is about deep personal experiences and choices. Not many people are willing to share those thoughts with the whole internet. So, don't be discouraged, we ARE reading your blog. I see you have about 7 more followers since the early weeks!
ReplyDeleteI just got back from vacation. I didn't read the Bible on the trip but I did try and read your blog when I was able to get access to the net.
Your last comment about small groups helping you grow was very well stated. It is difficult to get any life lessons out of the Bible by just reading it yourself. We are always so wrapped up in our own world, that we don't always relate our situation to what we read in the Bible. We need wisdom, and another point of view on our own life, to see how this applies to us.
I am so glad you are back! it's fairly easy for anyone to comment if they get a free gmail account. I am sure that "free" really isn't free, but it works for now.
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