October 6th-11th | Student Reading Plan
Student Reading Plan:
October 6th-11th
Instructions:
Read each chapter once. After, read it again this time also following along with the key points.
Then, write out answers to the questions. Then, read and reflect over the application. Next,
follow the instructions for the daily encouragement. Lastly, spend time in prayer use the
prayer prompt but also spend some time just talking to God.
Monday: Matthew 1
- The Genealogy seems useless and pointless but it shows that Jesus had royal lineage. It showed Jesus descended from King David.
- This is shown in Psalm 89:3-4 3 You said, “I have made a covenant with my chosen one, “ I have sworn to David my servant, 4 ‘I will establish your line forever and make your throne firm through all generations.’”
- This is important because it shows that Jesus fulfilled the prophecies of the Old Testament and further proves that He is the Promised Messiah of the Old Testament.
- The Genealogy also shows God’s faithfulness and how He keeps His promises not only to David but also to you and me. He never goes against His word.
- Mary who was a virgin became pregnant by the Holy Spirit.
- Joseph who was “just” could have had her put to death, but Joseph didn’t.
- After the angel visited Joseph, He chose to go through with this marriage even if it brought him shame or ridicule.
- Mary also chose to follow God’s plan in spite of potentially losing Joseph or being stoned. She chose to trust God’s plan and be obedient and she was rewarded.
How does it encourage you to know God keeps His promises?
How can you begin to trust in God’s plan like Mary and Joseph even when things get difficult?
What is one are of your life you’re fearful to trust God in?
Application:
We also see this trust in action through Mary and Joseph. Mary risked her reputation and
even her life by saying “yes” to God’s plan. Joseph, though just and righteous, chose to obey
God rather than follow cultural expectations. Both trusted that God’s way was better, even
when it didn’t make sense.This reminds us that trusting God often requires obedience in hard
or uncertain circumstances. Like Mary and Joseph, we may face fear, ridicule, or sacrifice but
God rewards faithfulness with His presence and blessings.
Daily Encouragement:
Write three times God has provided for you in the last week!
Prayer:
Dear God,
Thank You for keeping Your promises and showing us through Jesus that Your Word is always
true. Just as You were faithful to David, You are faithful to us. Help me to trust Your plan like
Mary and Joseph, even when it’s hard or uncertain. Give me courage to surrender the areas
I’m afraid to give You, and remind me that Your love never fails.
Tuesday: Matthew 2
Key Points:
- Jesus was born in Bethlehem.
- This fulfilled more prophecies. We see this in Micah 5:2 ““But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans[a] of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times.”
- Wise men came to visit Jesus.
- Herod was worried because the Messiah meant that he would lose his control.
- He would no longer be the ruler set up by the Roman government.
- Herod wanted to kill Jesus.
- Herod’s pride cost him.
- Herod wanted to be in control and wanted power his lust for power and control led him to unthinkable things.
- God warned the wise men through a vision to avoid returning to Herod.
- God also protected Jesus, Joseph, and Marry by having them flee to Egypt.
- Multiple times during this chapter it seems that Jesus might be in danger, but God’s will and His promises never fail.
How can the desire to be in control become dangerous?
How can we give over control?
How did God prove He is worthy of our trust in this story?
Application:
Matthew 2 shows us two very different responses to Jesus’ birth. The wise men humbly
sought Him, bowing down and offering their gifts. But Herod reacted with pride and fear. The
thought of losing his throne consumed him, and his desire to stay in control drove him into
sin, even plotting to kill the Messiah. Pride and the lust for control blinded him to the truth of
who Jesus is.
This is a warning for us. When we cling too tightly to control whether it’s over our future, our
reputation, or our desires we open the door to sin. Pride says, “I know better than God.” But
God reminds us through this story that He alone is trustworthy. He protected Jesus, guided
Joseph and Mary, and even warned the wise men. His promises never fail
Daily Encouragement:
Write down three areas of your life you struggle to give up control of.
Prayer:
Lord, help me not to cling to control like Herod did, but to trust You like the wise men who
bowed before Jesus. Teach me to lay down my pride and follow Your leading, even when I
don’t understand. Thank You for always protecting Your people and keeping Your promises. I
choose to trust You today. Amen.
Wednesday: Matthew 3
Key Points:
- John the Baptist is Jesus’s cousin.
- He preached in the wilderness of Judea.
- John used the Bible to do his preaching to the people.
- Our ministry is most effective when we share about God using scripture.
- John had built a successful ministry. In spite of his success, John states that someone more powerful than him is coming. He gave all glory to God even when he had success.
- He said. “produce fruit consistent with repentance.” This is a truth Jesus would later teach in John 15. Followers of Jesus produce fruit. The fruits are the fruits of the Spirit found in Galatians 5:22.
- John continues to practice humility even as he argues that he shouldn’t baptize Jesus.
- Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist.
- This story shows a picture of the Trinity.
- God the Father, God the Son, and The Holy Spirit all are found in vs 16-17.
Why is it hard to be humble when we experience success?
How can we be like John and always give God the glory?
What habits build humility?
Application:
John the Baptist had a thriving ministry. Crowds gathered to hear him preach, and many were
baptized because of his message. Yet, instead of taking the glory for himself, John pointed to
Jesus: “Someone more powerful than I is coming after me” (Matthew 3:11). Even in his
success, John stayed humble, knowing his role was to prepare the way for Christ.
That same humility is what God calls us to today. It’s easy to let pride creep in when things are
going well whether in school, sports, friendships, or ministry. We can start to believe the
success is because of our own talent or effort. But John’s example reminds us to always give
glory back to God. True humility means recognizing that every gift, every opportunity, and
every success comes from Him.
Daily Encouragement:
Today look for two opportunities to give God glory through your actions or speech.
Prayer:
Lord, thank You for every gift and opportunity You’ve given me. Help me to be humble like
John the Baptist and always point others back to You. Keep me from pride, and teach me to
give You glory in both success and struggle. May my life produce fruit that shows Your Spirit
at work in me. Amen.
Thursday: Matthew 4
Key Points:
- Jesus performed a supernatural fast.
- Jesus practiced an important spiritual discipline called fasting.
- Fasting is a biblical discipline that helps believers humble themselves before God, seek His guidance, and grow in dependence on Him. Jesus taught, “When you fast… ” (Matthew 6:16–18), assuming His followers would practice it, and Acts 13:2 shows the early church fasting as they sought God’s direction. It’s taking a break from food or something of importance to rely on God.
- Satan tempts Him three times.
- First, he tempts his physical struggle.
- Jesus responds by quoting scripture.
- He tempts Jesus again.
- He once again quotes scripture.
- Finally, Satan tempts Jesus to worship him.
- Jesus responds by quoting scripture again and rejects him.
- Jesus quoted scripture at every turn to avoid sin. If Jesus needed to have scripture memorized to combat sin, how much more do we need to?
- Jesus called his disciples Peter and Andrew.
- He told them they would become fishers of men. Just as fishermen catch fish, Jesus calls His followers to share the gospel and bring people into God’s kingdom. It’s a picture of living on mission with Him.
- They left their families to follow Jesus. This shows that these men didn’t place anything above their relationship with God even their own families.
- Jesus began to become famous and draw crowds as He went around preaching, teaching, and healing people.
How can we use scripture to combat sin?
How can fasting be used for spiritual growth in your life? or What would it look like for you to
practice it?
Application:
In Matthew 4, Jesus shows us how to face temptation. After fasting, when He was physically
weak, Satan tempted Him three times. Each time, Jesus responded with Scripture. He didn’t
argue with the devil or try to rely on His own strength. He leaned on God’s Word. If Jesus, the
Son of God, used Scripture to resist sin, how much more do we need to hide God’s Word in
our hearts? Psalm 119:11 says, “I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin
against you.”Memorizing and studying the Bible equips us to stand strong when temptation
comes.
Daily Encouragement:
What sins and temptations do you struggle with? Write down three of them. Find three Bible
verses that address that sin. Now, read/recite those verses every day for a week.
Prayer:
Thank You for showing me through Jesus’ example how powerful Your Word is against
temptation. Help me to rely on Scripture instead of my own strength when I face sin. Give me
discipline to memorize and meditate on Your truth so that it guards my heart and mind. Teach
me to depend fully on You and not give in to the lies of the enemy. Amen.
Friday: Matthew 5:
Key Points:
- Matthew 5 contains Jesus’s famous Sermon on the Mount.
- He lists all of these people who are blessed.
- What beatitudes do you struggle with?
- In vs. 11 He states that blessed are those who are persecuted because of the name of Jesus. This should give us boldness in our faith because if we are persecuted Jesus says that our reward in heaven is great.
- In vs 13-16 Jesus states that we are the salt and light of the Earth.
- This means we are called to live to a higher standard.
- We are called to live in a way that glorifies God. People should see how we live and want to know more about God.
- Jesus states that He didn’t come to abolish the law. In fact, He is more strict. For Jesus, you sin not even if you break the law but if you think, desire, or feel in a way that is a sin.
- He does this in vs. 21-38
- First, Murder begins in your heart. This means if you hate someone in your heart, then in God’s eyes you have committed murder.
- Second, if you lust in your thoughts you have committed adultery. This means if you think lustful thoughts you are guilty of lust or sexual sins.
- Third, Jesus teaches us to go the extra mile. He says to turn the cheek. He doesn’t want us to take revenge. Instead, have a peaceful outlook.
- Lastly, Jesus preaches for us to love our enemies. This is powerful. This is something that Jesus Himself lived out. Jesus loved people who hated Him and persecuted HIm. He forgave the people who killed Him. Luke 23:34 “And Jesus said, ‘Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do’”.
- All of these examples are Jesus teaching about the heart. He is preaching it’s not about your actions, but rather it's about your heart. If you never actually kill someone but you talk bad about them all the time and say you hate them you are guilty.
- Our hearts should be pure of impurities.
What sins have you been harboring in your heart?
How do you purify your heart?
How can you be a light to those around you?
Application:
In Matthew 5, Jesus raises the standard of what it means to follow Him. He doesn’t just focus
on our outward actions but on the desires of our hearts. Murder begins with hatred, adultery
begins with lustful thoughts, revenge begins with anger, and being unable to forgive begins
with pride. Jesus reminds us that sin doesn’t start with what we do it starts with what we
think and desire.
This is why He calls us to live with hearts that are pure. When our hearts are right, our actions
will follow. The beatitudes show us what kind of heart God blesses: humble, merciful, pure,
peacemaking, and bold in the face of persecution. He also calls us the salt and light of the
world, meaning our lives should point people to Him not just by what we say but by who we
are.
Daily Encouragement:
Write down areas of your thoughts or desires that are impure.
Write down ways you can be a light to those around you at school and at home.