September 7 - Week Two of Matthew 5 Overview - Key Words and Lists

Ladies,

This week we’ll continue reading all of Matthew 5 in overview mode and create keyword lists and summaries.

At a glance for this week

• Pray for the Holy Spirit’s help and for all the ladies in the study
• Keep reading Matthew 5 daily – just do what you can do to get a broad overview
• Identify 4–6 key words
  • Create a symbol/color legend
  • Mark those words in the text, make lists and summaries, look up definitions

How to find keywords

Key words often:
• Appear frequently, or
• Appear only a few times but connect closely to your key verse or themes

You may also want to include synonyms (for example: works, deeds, labors).

We’ll plan to share our key words on Wednesday so we can compare notes.

Step 1 – Choose keywords
Pick 4–6 important words and write them on the first page of your legend.

Step 2 – Create a legend
Choose a color or symbol for each word and add it next to your list of keywords, like a legend on a map. I added a chart to the folder for you.

Step 3 – Mark the text
Begin marking those words in the text as you read. Some people mark them all at once; others do one word per read-through. You can draw symbols or shapes, or underline or highlight in different colors.

Step 4 – Make your lists

On the notebook paper in your booklet, make a separate list for each keyword. For each instance, write the verse reference and a short note explaining how the word is used in context (i.e. for “Blessed” You might write, “Blessed are the poor in spirit” Or for “reward” you might list the mention in vs. 12 “When we are persecuted, our reward is great in heaven.”)

Consider using the free Literal Word app or a Bible dictionary like this one https://www.biblegateway.com/resources/eastons-bible-dictionary/Heading-A  to add the definition of your key words to your lists.

Step 5 – Summarize

You may want to do this list by list, or wait until all your lists are complete.

Take a few minutes to reflect. Write a 1–2 line summary of what Jesus is teaching  about each keyword. This might feel challenging, but it always leads to deep thinking.

Work steadily and peacefully as the Lord gives opportunity. The goal is not perfect performance, but growing in love for Christ through His Word.

Happy reading and marking, ladies! I’m looking forward to seeing what we notice together.  

Susan

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August 31 – Week One of Matthew 5 Overview  – The Big Picture

This week, we narrow our focus to Matthew 5. Our goal is simply to begin seeing the big picture of the chapter. As you read, notice ideas that repeat and jot them down if that is helpful. Those observations will serve us well when we begin our keyword study next week.

You might also look for a key verse (or verses) that captures the message of the chapter and write it on the first page of your text. There may be several good answers, and we do not all have to agree.

Below is a suggested study plan, but please do whatever fits within the time the Lord gives you. Our standing with Christ does not rest on completing a study perfectly. Every moment spent in God's Word is valuable.

• Monday: Read the chapter out loud. (This is surprisingly helpful for maintaining focus.)
• Tuesday: Listen to the chapter while driving or doing household tasks.
• Wednesday: Read or listen to the chapter.
• Thursday: Read, looking for a key verse.
• Friday: Read, looking for key words or repeated concepts. Write them down somewhere to prepare for lists next week.
• Weekend: Catch up, reread, or explore additional resources.

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August 24 – Overview of the Sermon in the Mount

Good morning, ladies!

I hope you are as excited as I am to begin our study of the Sermon on the Mount. We are taking our time with this important passage so that we can glean as much as possible together, though I know we will return to these chapters again and again in the years to come.

This week, please try to read or listen to Matthew 5–7 once or more – I’m aiming for 3 times with a combination of reading and listening. For this first reading, we're not focusing on the text verse-by-verse or trying to answer every question we think of; instead, we're stepping back to see the overall structure and big picture of Jesus's teaching. (That being said, if you do find yourself wondering about specific questions in the text, try writing them down on the blank left side of the booklet facing the text. Then they will be there for the weeks when we dig in to understand details.)

If you have time, you may also find the following overview helpful:

Ligonier Ministries: https://learn.ligonier.org/guides/the-sermon-on-the-mount

Below is a suggested reading plan, but please do whatever fits within the time the Lord gives you. There is no standard for what counts as "enough"—any time spent in God's Word is time well spent. We study because we love Him and want to know Him more deeply. I am praying for you as we begin, especially that you will find joy in your time of study!

Monday: read or listen to Matthew 5

Tuesday: read or listen to Matthew 6

Wednesday: read or listen to Matthew 7

Thursday: read or listen to Matthew 5

and read https://learn.ligonier.org/guides/the-sermon-on-the-mount

Friday: read or listen to Matthew 6