Reflective Reading Matthew
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Liberty University *
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110
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Religion
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Feb 20, 2024
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BIBL 110
R
EFLECTIVE
R
EADING
T
EMPLATE
Reflective Reading Passage: Matthew 14:22-33
Use this template and the course texts The Inquisitive Christ and Approaching the New Testament to record brief notes for each step of the reflective reading process
. Step One: Prepare
Use this space to understand the key elements of context to your passage. Consulting and citing Approaching the New Testament
, please complete the contextual information according to the information found in the course textbook:
By consulting and citing
Approaching the New Testament, who is the author of this biblical book
(in 2-3 sentences)?
According to Approaching the New Testament, the author of the book of Matthew is Matthew, a disciple of Jesus Christ who was a tax collector in Capernaum before his discipleship
. By consulting and citing
Approaching the New Testament
, when was this biblical book written (in 1 sentence)? The book of Matthew was written before 70 AD according to Approaching the New Testament.
By consulting and citing
Approaching the New Testament
, what is the overall theme of the book (in 2-3 sentences)? Approaching the New Testament states the overall theme of Matthew to be “lived righteousness as critical to the discipleship mandate.” The overall theme of the passage however is having faith in Christ amidst tribulation.
Step Two: Read
Utilizing either
a translation of choice or
creating a paraphrase of your own, use this space to re-write the full passage of scripture. Please do not copy and paste from an existing translation, but rather, write out the passage word-by-word in order to slowly reflect on the content.
And straightway Jesus constrained his disciples to get into a ship, and to go before him unto the other side, while he sent the multitudes away. And when he had sent the multitudes away, he Page 1 of 4
BIBL 110
went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, he was there alone. But the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves: for the wind was contrary. And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea. And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear. But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid. And Peter
answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water. And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus. But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me. And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt? And when they were come into the ship, the wind ceased. Then they that were in the ship came and worshipped him, saying, Of a truth thou art the Son of God. (KJV Translation)
Step Three: Reflect
Use this space to answer the following questions. Consult The Inquisitive Christ
for insight into pertinent Gospel texts. If there is dialogue in the passage, who is speaking (in 1 complete sentence)?
Peter and Jesus speak.
The disciples as a whole declare Jesus to be the Son of God.
What questions are asked in the passage? Please list all
questions located in the passage.
Jesus asks Peter, “O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?”
How would you answer each of the questions asked (in at least 3 sentences)?
Calling yourself a disciple and having Christ ask you why you doubted Him is a heavy question that can only be answered with a simple answer, “I’m sorry.” If I were in any of the disciple’s position, the first thing coming out of my mouth after a question like that is an apology, it is an Page 2 of 4
BIBL 110
insult to the Lord to doubt Him in any capacity, especially His dominion over His own creation. I would apologize then proclaim His deity like the disciples did at the end of the passage.
What words or phrases stand out to you, and why? Are any words/themes repeated? If so, share why you think there is repetition. Please answer with at least 3 sentences.
“O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt,” stands out to me because Jesus acknowledges
Peter’s faith but at the same time acknowledges how insufficient it was. Peter had the faith to step out but not to fully walk to Jesus. I think this statement is demonstrative of how sometimes as believers, we do not fully lean of God to fully take care of burden, as if we as humans have any power in comparison to the Lord. Peter had faith up until he saw the wind and waves and how tumultuous the waters were, as if walking on water was not proof enough that Jesus would have protected him.
What questions do you have as you read this passage? If you have no questions, please explain why this might be the case.
Would I have stayed on the boat with the rest of the disciples instead of going to Jesus on the water like Peter? If I did step out, would I have the faith to walk to Him or would I sink like Peter?
Step Four: Pray
Use this space to formulate a prayer to God, dialoguing with Him about what he may be speaking to you in this passage:
Dear God, I pray for faith with substance, that I would not only have faith in words but in action also, and I pray that those actions are enacted with confidence in Your will, Amen.
Step Five: Respond
Use this space to contemplate how God may be asking you to respond to this passage in your life
with him:
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BIBL 110
I think through this passage, God may be asking me about my faith in Him, and even after all the
trials He has pulled me through why I still doubt His plan and am afraid of what my future holds.
I believe God is asking me for my faith in my daily walk with Him, and asking me to lean more onto Him.
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