Reflective Reading Matthew S
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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
___________
Step One: Prepare
By consulting and citing
Approaching the New Testament, who is the author of this biblical book
(in 2-3 sentences)?
The four Gospels can be considered anonymous, technically, due to them not stating who wrote them.
Matthew, the tax collector from Capernaum, was an ideal writer to address a group of Jewish Christians who felt that they were marginalized within the Jewish community. Matthew’s former
life of collecting taxes from the Jewish people to give to the Romans certainly allowed Matthew to understand life from the perspective of being a marginalized Jew.
1
By consulting and citing
Approaching the New Testament
, when was this biblical book written (in 1 sentence)? Matthew appears to have been writing shortly before AD 70 to an emerging group that was in a strained relationship with the religious establishment.
2
By consulting and citing
Approaching the New Testament
, what is the overall theme of the book (in 2-3 sentences)? Matthew gives us the account of Jesus’ life as well as the “Great Commission.
The theme stated by our text is “lived righteousness as critical to the discipleship mandate.” This theme is revealed throughout the book
3
and summarizes the intentions of God’s Law as loving God and loving others as the true intention of God’s commands to humanity.
4
Step Two: Read
1 Russell Small, “Matthew,”
in Approaching the New Testament: A Guide for Students
(Nashville, TN: B&H Academic, 2022), 24.
2 Russell Small, “Matthew,”
in Approaching the New Testament: A Guide for Students
(Nashville, TN: B&H Academic, 2022), 22.
3 Russell Small, “Matthew,”
in Approaching the New Testament: A Guide for Students
(Nashville, TN: B&H Academic, 2022), 24.
4 Russell Small, “Matthew,”
in Approaching the New Testament: A Guide for Students
(Nashville, TN: B&H Academic, 2022), 24.
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BIBL 110
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.
Jesus dismissed the crowd he was speaking to and had his disciples get into a boat and take him across the sea. Jesus then went up to the mountain by himself to pray. While Jesus prayed, the boat with the disciples in it had drifted out on the sea far from land and was being beaten by the waves with high winds. During the fourth watch, Jesus walked on the water out to the boat. The disciples were terrified and thought they were seeing a ghost and cried out in fear. Jesus Spoke to them and told them not to be afraid as it was him they were seeing. Peter wanted to make sure it was Jesus and said, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water. Jesus answered, “Come”. And Peter stepped out of the boat and started walking on the water towards Jesus.
Peter saw that the wind was strong and became afraid. Due to becoming afraid, he then began to
sink into the water. Peter then cried out, “Lord, save me”. Jesus reached out and took Peter’s hand. Jesus asked why Peter doubted him. When Peter and Jesus got back in the boat, the wind subsided, and everyone in the boat worshiped Jesus, stating “Truly you are the Son of God.”
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 carried on the majority of the conversation.
What questions are asked in the passage? Please list all
questions located in the passage.
Jesus asked Peter, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?”
How would you answer each of the questions asked (in at least 3 sentences)?
Jesus, I do believe in you. I do trust you. The wind was so strong, and I am only human. Please forgive me of my doubt and strengthen me in my faith in you.
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.
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BIBL 110
“Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.” Jesus, knowing that the disciples were afraid when they saw him walking on water, spoke to them to try and comfort them to ease their fear. Jesus did not
want them to be in fear. He wanted them to understand that he is in control of everything.
“O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” The disciples have seen Jesus perform many miracles
by this time. Peter should have known that Jesus would not do anything to harm them. We just need to keep our eye upon Jesus. He is always in control of everything.
What questions do you have as you read this passage? If you have no questions, please explain why this might be the case.
This passage is fairly straightforward, showing us that Jesus is in control of all. The only question I can think of is, why would the disciples be scared? They knew that Jesus was on the maintain praying. I have not read anywhere in the Bible about ghosts. Would just wonder why the thought of a “ghost” came to their minds.
Step Four: Pray
Lord, thank you for showing us that you are in control of everything and we should not worry about things because you have a master plan for us that we cannot even conceive. I know my faith in you is not as strong as it should be, and at times, I doubt you as Peter did. I ask that you provide me with the means to increase my faith in you as well as our relationship.
Step Five: Respond
I need to step out with more trust and faith in Jesus. I need not to let what is around me interfere with my trust and faith and strive to develop a closer relationship with God.
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