Reflective Reading Matthew FINAL
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Liberty University *
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110
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Religion
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Apr 3, 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
McClendon & Cartwright, 2022, Matthew, the tax collector in Capernaum, appears to have been writing shortly before AD 70 to an emerging group that was in
a strained relationship with the religious establishment. This new community was emerging from
within Judaism to follow Jesus, who was heralded as Israel’s Messiah.
By consulting and citing
Approaching the New Testament
, when was this biblical book written (in 1 sentence)? The book of Matthew was written shortly before AD 70. By consulting and citing
Approaching the New Testament
, what is the overall theme of the book (in 2-3 sentences)? The Matthew's Gospel has several primary themes. Nonetheless, "lived righteousness as critical to the discipleship mandate" is the central theme. This topic, which emerges often in the book, encapsulates the ultimate purpose of God's directives to humans: to love God and love others (McClendon & Cartwright, 2022).
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.
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BIBL 110
Matthew 14:22-33 (NIV) Jesus Walks on the Water
22 Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd. 23 After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. Later that night, he was there alone, 24 and the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it. 25 Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. 26 When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear.
27 But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid”
28 “Lord, if its you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.”
29 “ Come,” he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus.30 But when he
saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!”
31 Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “ You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?”
32 And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down.33 Then those who were in the boat worshipped him, saying, “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)?
In this passage, Jesus is speaking. Page 2 of 5
BIBL 110
What questions are asked in the passage? Please list all
questions located in the passage.
Why did you doubt? asked by Jesus How would you answer each of the questions asked (in at least 3 sentences)?
I looked away from you, Jesus. As soon as I glanced around and felt the wind, I started feeling afraid. I started to sink as I let doubt creep into my mind.
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.
“You of little faith, he said, “why did you doubt?”
I got the impression that Jesus was saying, "I had you, Peter. Why did you let doubt keep you from coming to me?"
What questions do you have as you read this passage? If you have no questions, please explain why this might be the case.
Why did Peter want to walk on the water? Why didn’t Jesus encourage him to stay in the boat? Why did Peter doubt Jesus?
What happened to Peter’s faith? 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:
Father, I thank you for allowing me to read and study Matthew 14:22–33. Lord, please help me to focus my attention on you at all times. Help me, my savior, to keep moving toward you despite distractions and life's worries. Lord, please give me more faith so that I can keep walking
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BIBL 110
and not fall. I am grateful that you, Lord, will always
be there for me when uncertainty and doubt set in. I give you thanks for directing my path and performing miracles. Lord, I love you! 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:
God is urging me to disregard life's inevitable distractions, focus on Him, and have faith in Him regardless of how things appear. He is assuring me that He will always be by my side and that He will be there to catch me if I should fall. I just need to exercise my faith and stay focused. Page 4 of 5
BIBL 110
References
McClendon, A., & Cartwright, J. (2022). Approaching the New Testament: A Guide for Students.
B&H Academic.
Murphy, C. L. T. (2020). The Inquisitive Christ: 12 Engaging Questions
. Hachette UK.
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