Day 1
PREP: Why does Jesus set up shop where He does? What do you learn about that place and the people who live there from these verses?
READ: Matthew 4:12-17
SO WHAT: A new Kingdom is coming - new government. Jesus says we should change our mind about what that means and He fulfills an ancient promise by living in Capernaum. What promises do you need God to keep in your life and how does it change your mind about Him?
PRAY: What are some concrete and specific things you need God to do for you today? Tell Him.
Day 2
PREP: What does following Jesus mean here? What does it cost? How do these guys do it?
READ: Matthew 4:18-22
SO WHAT: What is Jesus calling you to today? Are there things you will have to leave behind? Are there people who won’t like you following Him? What will your decision be?
PRAY: Ask the Lord to clearly show you what plans He has for you today, specifically.
Day 3
PREP: Look for verbs. What did Jesus do? What did the people do in response?
READ: Matthew 4:23-25
SO WHAT: What do you need Jesus to teach you? What Good News do you need from Him today? What do you need Him to heal in you? How can you spread the news around you? Who in your life is hurting and how can you bring them to Jesus? How can you follow Him today?
PRAY: Ask Jesus to help you really feel the ways He is healing and proclaiming truth to you.
Day 4
PREP: Jesus uses the word “blessed” a whole lot. That word literally means happy. What kinds of attitudes and perspectives lead to this happiness? What do these ‘blessed’ people get?
READ: Matthew 5:1-12
SO WHAT: Looking through those attitudes, what do you think Jesus wants to work on in your heart today? What is an area where you feel strained and need some happiness and peace?
PRAY: Ask the Lord to help you recognize when He’s at work in you, changing you. Ask Him to help you lean in to that process and be willing to go with it.
Day 5
PREP: In the original language, the word ‘mystery’ meant something you could never understand unless God told you. What did God tell Paul that we all need to know?
READ: Colossians 1:24-29
SO WHAT: Do you recognize Christ at work “in” you? What changes is he bringing about? How is He maturing you? Do you ever sense His energy at work in you? How?
PRAY: Ask Jesus to show you how He’s growing you so that you can see the progress.
Day 6
PREP: What does Paul say will help you really know Christ and keep you from being deceived?
READ: Colossians 2:1-5
SO WHAT: What makes you feel encouraged in heart and united in love? How can you be more encouraging to the believers around you? What if you give others the thing you want to get?
PRAY: Ask the Lord to show you specific ways to encourage people today and ask Him to build you up in some obvious way.
Day 7
PREP: Why does the songwriter tell us what he did and what others did? What does he want you to do? What verbs?
READ: Psalm 34
SO WHAT: When have other people’s stories encouraged you to trust in the Lord more or love Jesus more? Think of the stories. What about your own story? When has God been faithful and good to you? Be specific. How does it help to remember those stories on purpose?
PRAY: Ask Jesus to help you remember His goodness to you and use it to encourage your faith.