October 20th-25th Student Reading Plan
Monday: Matthew 11
Key Points:
- Jesus is going and preaching in cities.
- John the Baptist sends his messengers to go ask Jesus if He is the Messiah.
- Jesus confirms Himself that He is the promised one. He claims that He is the Messiah promised in the Old Testament.
- He confirms this by pointing to all the miracles that He has done.
- Jesus states that John fulfilled the Old Testament passage that there would be someone preparing the way for Jesus. This further confirms that Jesus is the Messiah.
- Jesus states that John the Baptist is great because of the work He has done for Jesus.
- Jesus states that in the Kingdom of Heaven He is the least of these.
- Although, John the baptist was a spiritual giant because He did all of these great things, in terms of eternal inheritance He is still equal with all of God’s followers making John also the least of these. His actions made him great, but we are all made co-heirs of God’s eternal inheritance in heaven. We are all in need of Jesus no matter how “great” we are on earth and one day all followers will worship Jesus together.
- In vs. 18-20 Jesus calls out the hypocrisy of that generation. The people criticized John because he was removed from civilization. He ate only honey and locusts so, people thought or said he might be a demon. Jesus lived in civilization and He evangelized to sinners and so they criticized Him and said he was lazy and a friend of sinners. Jesus and John are proven righteous by their actions.
- In vs. 20-24 Jesus warns the cities who aren’t repenting to be worried for the future. It is a reminder to us to be repentant for our sins and to be always pursuing righteousness.
- In vs. 28-30 Jesus tells us to come to Him. Only Jesus can provide true rest. So, rest in Him.
- During those times the Pharisees preached a work-based righteousness. That causes exhaustion because we can’t work way to righteousness. This causes a burden or a heavy yoke.
- Jesus is preaching faith-based salvation and this is a easier yoke. This doesn’t require us to be perfect or to rely on ourselves. We rely on Jesus and His righteousness which takes away the burden of perfection. When we rely on Jesus for righteousness that burden is gone because He was and is perfect and righteous. This means resting in Him in every aspect of our lives. Rest in His arms! Don’t try to rely on yourself because you will fail.
How can we rest in Jesus?
What ways do you try to carry your own yoke?
Application:
John’s purpose was clear! He came to prepare the way for Jesus. His whole life pointed people not to himself, but to the coming Savior. In the same way, our mission as believers is to prepare the way for others to encounter Christ. Every conversation, act of kindness, and moment of faithfulness can make room for someone else to meet Jesus. We’re called to share the good news, not because we have all the answers, but because we know the One who does.
Daily Encouragement:
Write three things that can prevent you from resting in Jesus?
Write one person in your life that does a good job of preparing the way for Jesus through the way they live. How can you begin to model that as well?
Prayer:
Thank You for the example of John, who prepared the way for You with boldness and humility. Help me to do the same to point others toward You in the way I live, speak, and love. Give me courage to share the good news and to trust that You are working in the hearts of those around me.
Tuesday: Matthew 12
Key Points:
- Jesus and His disciples are hungry so, they eat grain. The pharisees see this and get angry they accuse Jesus of breaking the Sabbath. Jesus disproves them by using the Bible and David’s example. He points out that the pharisees just want to condemn and control people by throwing God’s law at them. They only care about the letter of the law not the spirit of the law. This means they are legalistic and not forgiving. Jesus tells them that look something greater than the temple is here. He is talking about Himself but they can’t see that because they are too busy condemning people to know God is here. And God desires mercy and they don’t have any.
- Again, the Pharisees try to trap Jesus regarding the Sabbath by asking is it lawful to heal a man on the Sabbath. Jesus uses sheep as an example. He states that a good Shepard will care for his sheep any day of the week. Jesus is pointing to the fact that the Pharisees don’t care about helping people. They are so consumed with being self-righteous that they can’t even take the time to help someone in need. They are consumed with themselves to where they don’t see the needs of others. Instantly, after hearing this instead of doing reflection, they begin to plot to kill Jesus.
- Jesus fulfills the prophet Isaiah in vs. 15-21 furthering the proof that He is the Messiah.
- They accuse Jesus of being a demon. He states that Satan can’t cast out Satan. How would that work? Mud can’t get rid of mud only soap and water can.
- In vs. 33-37 Jesus states once again that a tree is known by it’s fruit. Meaning His followers should be known by their actions. They should be producing good fruit.
- In vs. 40 Jesus predicts His own death and resurrection. This is more proof of His deity.
- Jesus states in 46-50 that whoever does God’s will is His family.
Who are people in your life that you overlook? Like the pharisees overlooked the hurt man because it was the Sabbath. What times in your life or day to day can you become so busy or rushed you overlook others?
Do you produce good fruit? If not how can you change that?
Would someone look at you and think you follow Jesus?
Application:
In Matthew 12, Jesus exposes the heart of the Pharisees because they knew God’s law but missed God’s heart. They were so focused on rules, appearances, and being “right” that they stopped showing mercy. They cared more about being seen as holy than about helping those who were hurting. Jesus reminds us that following Him isn’t about checking religious boxes but it’s about having a heart that mirrors His. He desires mercy, not empty rituals. He wants us to care for people more than we care about our own image or convenience.
Daily Encouragement:
Write down some people you can show kindness to this week.
Prayer:
Teach me to see others the way You do. Open my eyes to those I might overlook and give me the courage to stop, care, and serve. Let my life produce good fruit that points others toward You, not through my strength but through Your Spirit working in me.
Wednesday: Matthew 13
Key Points:
- Jesus begins this chapter with the parable of the sower. Jesus is teaching on people’s hearts and their receptiveness to His word.
- In vs. 18 Jesus explains the parable of the Sower. Our goal as Christians should be to have a heart that is good soil and ready to receive God’s word.
- In vs. 24-30 we are warned that the enemy will try to sow weeds of evil in our lives. This could be temptation or harmful feelings towards others. It could be lies about ourselves or others. It is important to not let these weeds take root, and if they do to be sure to remove the weeds from our lives so, we can receive God’s word. Jesus further explains this in vs. 36-43.
- Jesus only spoke in parables to this crowd and He did this to fulfill God’s word.
- Jesus tells parables about how the kingdom of God is a great treasure. He shows examples of how if you found a pearl or a hidden treasure you would do anything to keep it. This should be our attitude towards our faith. Our greatest treasure should be the gospel.
- Jesus is rejected in His own town.
Is God’s word the greatest treasure in your life?
How can you cultivate your heart to be of “good soil”?
Application:
In Matthew 13, Jesus shows us that the condition of our hearts determines how we receive God’s Word. Just like soil, our hearts can either be hard, shallow, or full of weeds or ready and rich for growth. God’s Word is meant to take root deeply within us, transforming our lives and producing fruit that shows His love and truth to the world. But we must guard our hearts from the “weeds” the enemy tries to plant which can be temptation, bitterness, pride, or distraction. These things can choke out what God is trying to grow in us.
Daily Encouragement:
Write down some of the weeds in your life. How can you remove them?
Prayer:
Thank You for Your Word that brings life and truth. Help me to have a heart that is good soil which is soft, humble, and ready to receive what You want to teach me. Lord, show me the weeds in my life that choke out Your Word whether it’s sin, distraction, or pride and give me the strength to remove them. Help me to treasure You and Your Word above all else.
Thursday: Matthew 14
Key Points:
- Herod puts John the Baptist in jail. He does this because John is calling out the sin in Herod’s life. He ends up killing John the Baptist. We can go to great lengths to justify our sin.
- Jesus feeds five thousand men plus who knows how many women and children.
- It says Jesus had compassion on the crowd. He could’ve easily let them go away hungry or to go provide for themselves, but Jesus has compassion and provides for them.
- Jesus walks on water. In this chapter, Jesus does two miraculous things that prove His deity. Which means it proves He is God. Jesus creates food and walks on water.
- Jesus tells Peter to not be afraid. Peter is afraid even though Jesus is right there with Him. Peter begins to sink, but He calls out for Jesus to save Him. Jesus does.
Why is it so hard to confront our sin?
How does it encourage you knowing Jesus showed the crowd compassion?
What are times you are afraid in life? Did you call out for Jesus?
Application:
In this chapter, we see Peter experience both faith and fear. When Jesus calls Peter out onto the water, Peter steps out in faith as he’s walking toward Jesus, trusting in His power. But when Peter takes his eyes off Jesus and looks at the wind and waves, fear takes over, and he begins to sink. Even though Peter is in the presence of Jesus, he still struggles to fully trust. This reminds us that fear can creep in even when we’re walking closely with God. Like Peter, we often try to handle things on our own or focus on our circumstances instead of our Savior. But Peter’s response when he begins to sink is exactly what ours should be as he calls out, “Lord, save me!” And Jesus immediately reaches out His hand.
Daily Encouragement:
Write down some times the Lord has provided for you during times of fear or uncertainty.
Prayer:
Thank You for always being near, even when I’m afraid. Like Peter, I sometimes take my eyes off You and focus on the storms around me. Forgive me for trying to handle things on my own and for letting fear control me. Help me to remember that You are greater than my circumstances and that Your hand is always ready to lift me up. Teach me to trust You completely and to call out to You first when I start to sink. Strengthen my faith so I can walk with confidence, knowing You are with me every step of the way.
Friday: Matthew 15
Key Points:
- Jesus quotes scripture to prove the hypocrisy of the Pharisees. He states “This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me, in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men. ”
- This passage points to how sometimes people can say all the right things about God, or even know His commands but they don’t truly worship Him. They don’t honor Him with their heart. They have head knowledge of God, but no knowledge of the Heart.
- Jesus states in vs. 11-20 Jesus tells us what defiles us. It’s not what we eat or drink. It is what comes out of our mouths the things we say. What comes from our mouth comes from our hearts. We have to be careful what is going in, and also what is inside of our hearts. Be weary of what you let in your mind.
- Jesus healed a Canaanite woman’s daughter. Jesus healed the daughter of the demon because of her faith.
- Jesus once again proves His power by feeding thousands more with just a few loaves of bread and some fish.
Are there any areas of your life where you are hypocritical like the Pharisees?
Do you just know things about God or do you truly Know Him?
How can you be careful to guard your heart from being defiled?
Application:
Jesus reminds us in Matthew 15 that true worship begins in the heart, not just in our words or outward actions. It’s easy to say the right things or go through the motions of faith, but if our hearts are far from God, our worship is empty. We must allow God’s Word to shape not just our behavior but our inner thoughts, motives, and desires. What we allow into our minds through what we see, hear, and think will eventually shape what comes out of our mouths and how we live. So, guard your heart!
Daily Encouragement:
Write down a few ways you can change what is going into your heart.
Prayer:
Thank You for reminding me that You desire my heart more than my words or actions. Forgive me for the times I’ve honored You with my lips but allowed my heart to drift far from You. Help me to see the areas in my life where I’ve been hypocritical. Cleanse my heart, Lord, and make my worship genuine. Guard my mind from the things that would defile or distract me from You. Fill me with Your Spirit so that what flows from my mouth reflects Your love, grace, and truth