This post is for anyone who wants to join me over the next
four weeks in some super simple study of what Jesus said. If I desire to imitate
Christ, I’ve gotta know what He had to say, right? And He had lots to say! So
I’m looking only at the documented words of Jesus himself (found in the Gospel
Books of Matthew, Mark, Luke, & John). Some of what came out of Jesus’
mouth is clear as can be, other statements take some thinking through (or
praying through, really).
So each week, we’ll take a specific topic and look a just a handful of passages. And while the quotes from Jesus were spoken over 2,000
years ago, you’ll find out each one is super applicable in our 21st
century, everyday life. Ask God how to apply it to your life, right now, today. We’ll be able to use the comments
section to discuss all sorts of thoughts: how can you improve to better match
Jesus’ attitude in this area, who do you know that exemplifies this attitude in
their life, what holds you back from acting like this, what verse do you need
to stick on your dashboard, etc.
I just planned on compiling this and studying it alone over the summer, but
once I started organizing it all together, I thought someone else may enjoy/benefit from
this too. So please join me, and my goal also… to know,
review, and understand what Jesus said so I can strive to be like-minded.
(I’ll post each topic with verses on Sunday nights. We’ve got
the whole week to read them all (in your own Bible or via links provided to the New Living
Translation), write them down, pray about em, pick one to memorize, apply them, comment and
discuss, yada yada. You can subscribe on here to get it e-mailed to you or I’ll
also post to FB. No more about me, here’s
what Jesus said…)
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WEEK ONE
WEEK ONE
Don’t Worry, Trust in Jesus
Matthew 11:28-30
Luke 12:22-31
John 14:27
Matthew 6:34
Matthew 10:28-31
Luke 12:22-31
John 14:27
Matthew 6:34
Matthew 10:28-31
Some questions to think about, answer, or discuss:
-What's the literal definition of yoke? Try a Google image search of yoke and apply it to what Jesus said.
-How does God take care of flowers and birds? According to Jesus, how does God feel about you?
-What gift did Jesus leave us with? Can we get this anywhere else?
-How much of your day do you spend worrying about tomorrow/the future?
-Do you constantly fear people who might hurt you (terrorists, criminals, etc.)? Who's the only one you should fear? What's your value to him? Feel better now? :)
Thank you Lord that because of You we don't have to worry. Not about what to wear, if we'll have enough to eat, the future, or even death. Thank you for the peace that comes from trusting in You and the comfort that comes from Your very words. Amen.
Some thoughts on first verse..
ReplyDeleteI know some people have trust issues, but I think a key step to trusting someone is feeling safe with them. When I first saw what a yoke looks like, I thought it seemed pretty restrictive, like shackles almost. But after going over Jesus’ words (in Matt 11:28-30) I realized that he’s actually offering the freedom of feeling safe (“rest for your soul”) by trusting Him. Jesus’ yoke sounds more like a safety harness. Even still, putting it on and relying on it takes trust, but I’d definitely prefer an easy-to-bear safety harness guided by a humble, gentle, leader over the heavy, tiresome yoke the world has to offer, or even over no yoke at all, that’d be complete chaos and vulnerability. To me, putting on Jesus’s yoke sounds a lot like sleeping wrapped in my husband’s big arm at night, completely safe, trusting I’ll be nudged out of bed in the morning.
I know I am a little behind, but as I study tonight I thought this would be a great break - to read the word of the lord. I really liked these verses, they make you ask your self "why am I worrying", particularly the verse about God caring for the sparrows, they have no worries so why should we. I have read matthew 10 : 28 - 31 numerous times, but still do not understand what he says in verse 30 "but the very hairs of your head are all numbered". I know from my own experience, when someone says your days are numbered in a movie or TV show it usually has a negative connotation, but I don't believe the lord is saying that same thing here. Any thoughts on what that verse means ?
ReplyDeleteBetter late than never! :) I don't believe this is a negative statement at all, actually i think it's super encouraging. Jesus said the very hairs on your head are all numbered and then says so don’t be afraid, you are so valuable to God. So I think its just reminding us that God cares and knows about every minute detail about us and we should be comforted by that
ReplyDelete