Have you ever been a part of something that you felt was bigger than you? I can only imagine that is exactly how Joseph must have felt when an angel appeared to him in a dream and explained his life was about to change (Matt. 1:18-25). Ironically, the angel challenged him to be a part of a story that would change the world! In this story, Joseph serves as a great example of how God will challenge us too.
Sometimes the prayer Jesus taught in Matthew 6 is called the model prayer. When Jesus said, "Pray like this," some understand this prayer to be "how" or "what" to pray. Such may be true, but this prayer also teaches us "why" we should pray. In this lesson, we consider Jesus' teaching about prayer from the perspective "Why to Pray this Way?" The reasons we consider may offer fresh perspectives to your prayer life.
Matthew is the first book in the N.T. for good reason. The goal of the book is to present Jesus as a continuation and fulfillment of the O.T. Matthew is a Gospel account written by a Jew, to Jews about a Jew. So it's perfectly within the focus of this book for Jesus to be presented as Messiah, Teacher and Emmanuel.
Perhaps the greatest compliment God ever gave Christians is wrapped in the statement "You are the salt/light of the world." An evaluation of Matt. 5:13-16 demands that we fulfill our role to make a difference in this world.
In life, some lessons are intellectual but not as practical. Others cause us to stare eternity in the daily mirror. One such lesson is the one with which Jesus concludes the Sermon on the Mount (Matt. 7:24-28). He tells us that ever day we live in a way that will be one day revealed. What kind of a builder are you and what does what you do today, get revealed in eternity?
Matthew chapter one contains the great story about the "marriage" of Joseph and Mary and the Son of God born into their trust. In this lesson we cover points of interest like the genealogical accounts, Jewish marriage betrothal, the virgin birth and the characteristics of the great marriage of Joseph and Mary. Most importantly, we are reminded of why Jesus came into this world!
An invitation is generally received with the request to RSVP. Those letters come from a French expression which simply means "please respond." We usually end our lessons with an RSVP. In this lesson we look at the biblical background of the invitation Jesus offers to us in Matthew 11:25-30. We also discuss methods of responding to Jesus that are unique to Waterview.
We like "lists" and "facts." The Bible contains some lists and lots of facts, but it is so much more. Yet, in Matthew chapters 16-20, there's what we might call a list of some of the greatest things. This lesson explores how these things impact our decision to follow Jesus and serve in his church.
Matthew 14 contains three very familiar stories that are like a miniature world that we live in today. This lesson takes us on a survey of these stories reminding us that while the world seems against us, we should take advantage of our opportunities to make a difference but when we fail God is always there to rescue us.
We tend to climb the mountain where the Great Commission in Matthew 28:19-20 with a mind full of pre-conceived notions. Perhaps the men who heard it saw it more of a challenge than a commission. What was required then as well as now is more messengers. Our annual contribution to raise funds for missions at Waterview is designed to get more messengers into the world.
