November 2nd-7th | Student Reading Plan

November 2nd-7th | Student Reading Plan


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 21


Key Points: 


  • This is the only place in the entire Bible where the city of Bethphage is mentioned. 
  • Jesus sent His disciples to go retrieve a donkey. Jesus did this to fufill the Old Testament Prophecy from Is. 62:11. 
  • As Jesus rode in people shouted “Hosanna!” They laid there clothes on the road for Jesus to ride over. This was an act of respect that was usually reserved for royalty. It appears the people had accepted Jesus’s claim of being King.(At least for now before they would later crucify Him) It was done for Jehu in 2 Kings 9:12-13. 
  • “12 And they said, “That is not true; tell us now.” And he said, “Thus and so he spoke to me, saying, ‘Thus says the Lord, I anoint you king over Israel.’” 13 Then in haste every man of them took his garment and put it under him on the bare[a] steps, and they blew the trumpet and proclaimed, “Jehu is king.” 
  • Jesus cleanses the temple in vs. 12-17. The issue wasn’t that they were selling animals and things for religious practices. The issue was that everything was being sold at such a high rate that the temple had become a den of thieves. They were ripping people off who had no choice but to purchase animals for sacrifice. It would be like a Church charging insane amounts for communion use. 
  • Why did Jesus curse the fig tree? The fig tree is sometimes used in scripture as a symbol of Israel. (Hosea 9:9-11, Joel 1:6-8). The fig tree also represents judgement. It appears that Jesus is judging Israel for it’s lack of spiritual fruit produced. This is frustrating for Jesus because they have all of the spiritual advantages over the gentiles. Yet, they don’t live as a people who produce spiritual fruit. 
  • Jesus is challenged by the Pharisees. They try to ask Him a question so, they can trap Jesus. Jesus asks them a question they don’t know how to answer in return. 
  • Jesus tells a parable of two sons. One son says he won’t obey the father, but then he does. The other son says I will obey you, and then he doesn’t. Jesus tells this parable to show how people who say all of the right things about God but don’t actually obey Him are not obedient children of God. 
  • The parable of the tenants shows how Israel has treated God. They murdered God’s prophets. Then eventually they killed God’s Son. The “other people” Jesus is talking about in this passage is the church. God has opened up to all people who believe in Him and they become apart of His people the Church. 

How can people go from praising Jesus to disobeying or crucifying Him so fast?

In what ways can we act like the son who said he would obey God but didn’t?

Are you like the fig tree and not producing fruit, or are you a follower of Jesus who is producing fruit?

Application: 


At the beginning of Matthew 21, the crowds shouted “Hosanna!” as Jesus rode into Jerusalem. They laid their coats and palm branches before Him as if welcoming a victorious King. Yet within a week, many of these same voices were crying out, “Crucify Him!” It’s sobering to realize how quickly hearts can change from praise to rejection, from obedience to rebellion. Later in this chapter, Jesus tells the parable of the two sons. One son says “no” to his father’s command but later changes his mind and obeys. The other son says “yes” but never follows through. Jesus uses this parable to confront the religious leaders people who said all the right things but whose lives didn’t reflect genuine obedience. This parable reminds us that God values obedience over empty words. It’s not about what we say but what we do in response to His call. Just like the people who praised Jesus one day and turned against Him the next, we too can fall into the trap of giving God lip service on Sunday and living in disobedience by Thursday. We can shout “Hosanna!” with our mouths but betray Him with our actions, priorities, or compromises. So, honor Jesus with your words and your actions. 


Daily Encouragement: 


Write down three reasons why Jesus is worthy of our praise. 


Prayer: 


Forgive me for the times I’ve said “yes” with my lips but “no” with my life. Help me to be like the son who obeyed not just in words, but in action. Keep my heart from growing cold or distant. May my praise for You turn into obedience that lasts beyond the moment. 

Tuesday: Matthew 22 


Key Points: 


  • Jesus tells the parable of the wedding guests. This can appear to be a puzzling story. This parable is the story of the gospel. God sent His prophets to the Jewish people and they killed God’s prophets. They rejected Him. God through Jesus made it to where all could be saved. 
  • God is calling all to come to Him. But only some will answer that calling. Have you answered the call?
  • The pharisees tried to trick Jesus by asking should we pay taxes. They are hoping that if Jesus says don’t pay taxes that they can go to the Romans and have Him killed. Then, if He says to pay taxes that maybe the Jewish people will be mad at Him. Instead, Jesus amazes them with His answer. He says to give to Caesar what is his, and give to God what is God’s. If Caesar/government requires us to give taxes and they expect things from us as being citizens. What should we be giving to God? How much of our money, resources, time, and talents should be dedicated to God if even the government requires a portion of what we have? God should receive the first fruits of all that we have and all that we are. 
  • The pharisees again try to trick Jesus with a question about marriage in Heaven. Jesus responds that they are focused on the wrong things in vs. 29. 
  • Once again, the pharisees are trying to trick Jesus in vs. 34. They think they can trap Jesus by getting Him to say His favorite command. Jesus tells them to Love the Lord your God with all your Heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.” Then Jesus says “love your neighbor as yourself.” These are the two greatest commandments. They sound so simple in theory yet in practice it can be so difficult to achieve them. 
  • Loving the Lord with everything looks like giving Him all that we are. It means choosing to obey over our desires. It means choosing to spend time with Him instead of on our phones. 
  • John 14: 15 “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.”
  • It is also difficult to love others as ourselves. This means putting an importance on everyone. We are called to love and to care for everyone. 


In what ways can you improve in how you love God with all of your heart, soul, and mind? 


What does it mean to love someone as yourself? In order to love others you have to first love

yourself. Do you have a healthy view of yourself? 


Application: 


 Jesus makes it clear that everything in our faith rests on two commands to love God fully and love others as ourselves. These aren’t just nice suggestions; they are the heartbeat of what it means to follow Jesus. Loving God with all your heart, soul, and mind means giving Him your full devotion your time, attention, thoughts, and obedience. It’s choosing Him over distractions, desires, and pride. When we truly love God, our lives begin to reflect His heart in everything we do. Jesus also says to “love your neighbor as yourself.” That means we can’t truly love others if we don’t understand how to love ourselves the way God does. Seeing yourself through God’s eyes means knowing you are deeply loved, forgiven, and made in His image. When you live from that truth, you’re freed to love others without jealousy, bitterness, or fear. To help us understand who our “neighbor” is, Jesus tells the parable of the Good Samaritan. Our neighbor is anyone in need no matter their background, beliefs, or how different they are from us. Real love isn’t just a feeling; it’s an action that steps in to help, to serve, and to show mercy.


Daily Encouragement: 


Write down a few ways you can love God better and also love others. 


Prayer: 


Teach me to love You with all that I am. Help me to see myself as You see me loved, forgiven, and made new. Please help me to love others the same way You have loved me. Show me my “neighbor” today, and give me the courage to love them well.


Wednesday: Matthew 23 


Key Points: 


  • Jesus condemns the hypocrisy of the Pharisees. He says to the people do what they teach, but don’t do what they do. Jesus is referring to people who say the right things about Jesus but don’t live out what He teaches. Help this to never be true of us that we aren’t people who give others heavy loads but wont help them. We should be people who teach others about God but also live in a way that honors what we say. 
  • Jesus again teaches that in His kingdom to be great you must be a servant. In order to be first, you must be last. Jesus states that the pharisees shut the door so that others can’t get into heaven. We must be careful that we are never stumbling blocks to others who cause others to have a bad view of Jesus or who cause others to sin. 
  • Matthew 18:7 “For it is necessary that temptations come, but woe to the one by whom the temptation comes!”
  • Jesus compares the Pharisees to blind guides. Because they don’t know how to guide others and therefore are leading others astray. 
  • Jesus calls them whitewashed tombs. They’re beautiful on the outside, but on the inside they are full of impurity and are dead. So, are we when we claim to follow Jesus but we live a life full of sin and impurity. Don’t be like the pharisees. 
  • This also means to be careful who you are letting influence you. People were beign led astray by the Pharisees and we have to be careful that we aren’t led astray by others. 

Jesus is quite harsh on the pharisees. Why is it so dangerous to be a Christian but to act the same as the world?


How can we keep from being like the Pharisees? 


Application: 


Jesus warns us against being a temptation or stumbling block for others. He also warns us not to become hypocrites who say the right things about God but live in a way that dishonors Him. The Pharisees looked holy on the outside but were full of sin on the inside. We can fall into that same trap when we talk about Jesus, go to church, and say all the right words, but our hearts aren’t truly surrendered to Him.As followers of Christ, we are called to live authentically to not just speak about faith but to live it out in humility, purity, and love. When we live differently from what we preach, we don’t just harm our witness to others we can actually push others away from Jesus. That’s why Jesus said “woe to the one by whom temptation comes.” Our actions should help open the door for others to see Jesus clearly, not block it through hypocrisy like the Pharisees did. Let’s be people whose hearts match our words. People who serve instead of seeking attention, who confess sin instead of hiding it, and who live in a way that reflects the grace we’ve received.


Daily Encouragement: 


Write down three ways you can grow in purity/overcoming sin in your life. 


Prayer: 


Help us to live out what we say we believe. Keep us from being like the Pharisees. Looking clean on the outside but being far from You in our hearts. Make our words and actions match, and let our lives draw others closer to You, not push them away. Give us humility to serve, honesty to confess our sins, and strength to live with purity and sincerity each day. Help our actions to bring you glory and not shame. 


Thursday: Matthew 24


Key Points: 


  • Jesus predicts the destruction of the Temple. It was destroyed in 70 AD during the seige of Jerusalem. This furthers proves that Christ was Lord as He properly predicted the destruction of the Temple. 
  • Verses 9-14 are some of the most challenging verses in the Bible for Christians. Jesus promises persecution. He promises that there will be difficulty. Following Jesus isn’t easy. It’s not a decision that should be taken lightly. People may hate you because you love Jesus. God doesn’t call us to be loved by the world, but He does call us to love His word and obey Him no matter the cost. 
  • Jesus also states there will be people trying to decieve you. They may even use scripture. This is why you must be careful with what you hear on the internet. Do your research. Always look at what they’re quoting, what is around it, does it match up with biblical principles? 
  • The abomination of desolation refers to the desecration of the Temple by the conquering army in 70 AD. 
  • “Heaven and Earth may pass away but my words will never pass away.” Jesus says this and it is an important reminder of the eternality of our faith. School will end, sports will end, our relationships will end, but God will never end His plans will come to pass. Invest in your relationship with the Lord invest in something that is eternal. 
  • Matthew 6:19-21 “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
  • In verses 36-44, Jesus states that no one knows the day or the hour He will return. So, if people tell you or post they know when Jesus is returning don’t listen to them. Instead of worrying when Jesus will return, we are called to always be ready and to be living in a way that prepares us for His return. 
  • Jesus furthers this point by the parable of the wicked servant. Don’t be the wicked servant. Obey God. Live in preperation for His return. Be a faithful servant who prepares for Christ. 
  • Micah 6:8 “He has shown you, O mortal, what is good.
  •  And what does the Lord require of you?
  • To act justly and to love mercy
  •  and to walk humbly[a] with your God.”
  • How can we prepare for persecutions and hardships as a Christian? 

Why do people try to predict Jesus’s return?

How do we invest in our eternity? What does it look like to store up treasures in Heaven? 

Application: 


 The faithful servant is the one who continues to live for Christ even when the world grows distracted, sinful, and unaware. We don’t know the day or hour of His coming, so we must live every day in preparation not in fear, but in faithfulness. Christ’s return isn’t something to fear for the faithful servant.To live ready means walking humbly with God, loving mercy, and doing what is right even when the world pursues comfort, success, or distraction. It means keeping our eyes fixed on Christ instead of the temporary things around us. A faithful servant doesn’t just say they believe; they live out that belief in daily obedience. Jesus calls us to live with purpose, integrity, and compassion. So that whenever He returns, He’ll find us doing what pleases Him.

Daily Encouragement: 


Spend time writing out what worries you about the future. Spend time praying for God to have control of your future. 


Prayer: 


Help me to live each day in readiness for Your return. Keep my heart focused on what truly matters. Not the things of this world, but the things of eternity. Teach me to act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with You. When distractions or temptations come, remind me of the calling to be a faithful servant who lives for You in every moment. May You find me obedient, steadfast, and full of hope. 


Friday: Matthew 25


Key Points: 


  • Jesus tells the parable of the ten virgins. This is another parable about preparing for His return. We should be preparing and living in a way that is worthy of His return. 
  • Jesus shares a story of the talents. For everyone who used what they were given and doubled it or increased, He told them well done good and faithful servant. To the one who didn’t do anything He called Him lazy and wicked. Jesus has blessed all of us with gifts and talents. We are called to use them for His glory. 
  • Jesus says that the “sheep” will be seperated from the “goats”. This means that His sheep, His true followers will be seperated from people who just claim to follow Jesus. People will know if we are true followers of Jesus based on how we live. The fruits we produce prove that we are followers of Jesus. That we are His sheep and not fake followers or goats. He references how we treat other people in vs. 35-42. We should care for the people around us. Jesus says whatever you do for the least of these you do for Him. 


Do you treat others in a way that shows that you are a follower of Christ?

How can we honor Christ by caring for the least of these?

How can you use your talents for God?

Application: 


True followers of Christ live in a constant state of readiness preparing their hearts and lives for His return. The parable of the talents shows that God has entrusted each of us with gifts, abilities, time, and opportunities to serve Him. Faithful servants don’t bury what God has given them; they use it to bring Him glory and bless others. When we use our talents to serve, encourage, and care for others, we produce spiritual fruit that reflects Christ’s character in us. Jesus also warns that when He returns, He will separate the sheep from the goats those who truly follow Him from those who only claim to. Our actions toward others, especially “the least of these,” reveal the genuineness of our faith. So, live ready. Use what God has given you faithfully. Let your life bear fruit that shows you belong to Him, and seek ways daily to care for others as an act of worship and obedience.

Daily Encouragement: 


Write down some of your talents. (Physical, spiritual, emotional, and mental talents)
How can each of these talents be used for God’s glory? (Or) To advance God’s kingdom? 

Prayer

Thank You for entrusting me with gifts, talents, and opportunities to serve You. Help me not to waste what You’ve given but to use it faithfully for Your glory. Teach me to care for others the way You care for me and to see the needs around me and respond with love and compassion. Let my life produce fruit that shows I truly belong to You. May I be found faithful when You return, and may You one day say, “Well done, good and faithful servant.”