Cost of Living - Day 01
Day 01 - Monday, January 08
Read Matthew 13:1-23
Highlight
We start our Reading Plan with Jesus’ parable about parables. At times throughout Jesus’ earthly ministry, he would attract groups of people who would gather to hear him teach about the Kingdom of God. That crowd would be filled with different groups of people who were bringing different expectations.
Some people in that crowd already hate Jesus. They hear he’s talking about bringing a Kingdom and he’s gathering crowds and they are jealous and threatened so they hate him. Those people show up and get a story about farmers and seeds and birds. It matches their expectations: this guy is just telling stupid and pointless stories. Why did I waste my time?
Then there’s a group of people that are in that same crowd because they are seekers. They want the Kingdom of Heaven. They’ve heard of Jesus’ kindness and his message of hope, maybe they’ve heard that he can heal the sick and that he’s kind to the lonely and poor. And they show up and hear the same story, but they have a different reaction. They don’t hear a stupid story, they hear wisdom. And they might not understand every word, but they are challenged by it. They ponder it and talk about it and try to figure out what it means to them.
And those two responses are exactly what Jesus is going for. If you already think this is stupid, these stories will confirm what you believe. But if you think he has something amazing to offer, you’ll be drawn in. Because Jesus is giving people whatever they came to him expecting.
Jesus’ parables had a clear twofold purpose: they hid the truth from self-righteous people who didn’t think Jesus had anything to teach them, while the same parables revealed truth to eager and humble souls.
Reflection & Prayer
For this reading plan we will be using a tool to guide our study of Scripture that’s called the S.O.A.P. Method. It stands for Scripture, Observation, Application, and Prayer. We recommend you use a journal with this method and write out your thoughts on each of these areas for each day of reading. It doesn’t have to be long-winded and you don’t need a fancy journal. But for anyone that has not journaled before, the benefit is that it often helps us focus and avoid distractions during prayer and Bible study.
S.O.A.P. Method
Scripture - Pick a verse or two that stood out to you and write it in your journal. Be looking for a “Holy Spirit Highlight.” What did you read and think, “I needed to hear that” or felt like it was written just for you?
Observation - Now write some observations about the verse(s) or passage. What is this passage or verse saying? About God? About people? How is Jesus revealed in these verses?
Application - Now write a few sentences on how this passage applies to your life. Is there truth about God that you are to believe? A promise to receive? Is the Holy Spirit convicting you of something you need to do or stop doing in light of God’s truth?
Prayer - Now write out a prayer to God in response to this Scripture. This is a way to turn God’s Word to you back to Him. Be honest and express your heart to Him. God always listens and He delights in your prayers. (Psalm 34:15; Proverbs 15:8)
Read Matthew 13:1-23
Highlight
We start our Reading Plan with Jesus’ parable about parables. At times throughout Jesus’ earthly ministry, he would attract groups of people who would gather to hear him teach about the Kingdom of God. That crowd would be filled with different groups of people who were bringing different expectations.
Some people in that crowd already hate Jesus. They hear he’s talking about bringing a Kingdom and he’s gathering crowds and they are jealous and threatened so they hate him. Those people show up and get a story about farmers and seeds and birds. It matches their expectations: this guy is just telling stupid and pointless stories. Why did I waste my time?
Then there’s a group of people that are in that same crowd because they are seekers. They want the Kingdom of Heaven. They’ve heard of Jesus’ kindness and his message of hope, maybe they’ve heard that he can heal the sick and that he’s kind to the lonely and poor. And they show up and hear the same story, but they have a different reaction. They don’t hear a stupid story, they hear wisdom. And they might not understand every word, but they are challenged by it. They ponder it and talk about it and try to figure out what it means to them.
And those two responses are exactly what Jesus is going for. If you already think this is stupid, these stories will confirm what you believe. But if you think he has something amazing to offer, you’ll be drawn in. Because Jesus is giving people whatever they came to him expecting.
Jesus’ parables had a clear twofold purpose: they hid the truth from self-righteous people who didn’t think Jesus had anything to teach them, while the same parables revealed truth to eager and humble souls.
Reflection & Prayer
For this reading plan we will be using a tool to guide our study of Scripture that’s called the S.O.A.P. Method. It stands for Scripture, Observation, Application, and Prayer. We recommend you use a journal with this method and write out your thoughts on each of these areas for each day of reading. It doesn’t have to be long-winded and you don’t need a fancy journal. But for anyone that has not journaled before, the benefit is that it often helps us focus and avoid distractions during prayer and Bible study.
S.O.A.P. Method
Scripture - Pick a verse or two that stood out to you and write it in your journal. Be looking for a “Holy Spirit Highlight.” What did you read and think, “I needed to hear that” or felt like it was written just for you?
Observation - Now write some observations about the verse(s) or passage. What is this passage or verse saying? About God? About people? How is Jesus revealed in these verses?
Application - Now write a few sentences on how this passage applies to your life. Is there truth about God that you are to believe? A promise to receive? Is the Holy Spirit convicting you of something you need to do or stop doing in light of God’s truth?
Prayer - Now write out a prayer to God in response to this Scripture. This is a way to turn God’s Word to you back to Him. Be honest and express your heart to Him. God always listens and He delights in your prayers. (Psalm 34:15; Proverbs 15:8)
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