Prayer: Come, Holy Ghost. Help me to seek first the Kingdom of heaven. Imagination: (Picture Jesus teaching His disciples about the Father’s care for them.) Context: In this gospel, Jesus speaks only to his disciples. Since they have given themselves to the Kingdom, Jesus promises that the Father will provide. …
Prayer: Come, Holy Spirit. Let me respond quickly to Jesus’ call. Imagination: (Picture Jesus at table in Matthew’s house). Context: This text has 2 parts. First, Matthew responds to Jesus’ call and then he invites Jesus to his house. Since Matthew is a sinner (collecting taxes for Romans) his friends …
Prayer – Come, Holy Spirit. Give me friends with great faith. Imagination- (Picture Jesus healing the paralyzed man.) Context: The stories in this section are controversy stories, which allow Jesus to make some pronouncement. The pronouncement in this story is that Jesus is the Son of Man with divine authority. …
Prayer: O Jesus, how great is your power to free me. Imagination: (Picture Jesus with his disciples as he frees the two possessed men.) Context: Matthew takes this story from Mark’s gospel (5:1-20) but he shortens Mark’s story. In doing so, he highlights Jesus’ power. Unfortunately, the people ask him …
Prayer – O Jesus, calm the storms in my own life. Imagination: (Picture the fearful disciples and Jesus calming the sea.) Context: Matthew very much follows Mark’s story when Jesus sleeps in the boat. The miracle causes awe and wonder in the apostles. Gospel Text: (Read slowly, possibly aloud.) Jesus …
Prayer: Jesus, remove all my doubts so I can proclaim you as Lord and God. Imagination: (Picture Jesus offering Thomas the opportunity to touch his wounds.) Context: This is the high point of the gospel. John has put forth all the evidence to show Jesus has come from the Father. …
Prayer: Come, O Jesus, help me to find true life. Imagination: (Picture Jesus explaining to his disciples what is required of them.) Context: Matthew, Mark and Luke all record this saying of Jesus that a disciple must “take up his cross.” Obviously, these important words are an excellent summary of …
Prayer: Come, O Jesus, help me to find true life. Imagination: (Picture Jesus explaining to his disciples what is required of them.) Context: Matthew, Mark and Luke all record this saying of Jesus that a disciple must “take up his cross.” Obviously, these important words are an excellent summary of …
(Matthew 9:14-17) Prayer: Come, Holy Ghost. Help me to seek first the Kingdom of heaven. Imagination: ( Picture Jesus teaching His disciples about the Father’s care for them.) Context: In this gospel, Jesus speaks only to his disciples. Since they have given themselves to the Kingdom, Jesus promises that the …
(Matthew 9:9-13) Prayer: Come, Holy Spirit. Let me respond quickly to Jesus’ call. Imagination: (Picture Jesus at table in Matthew’s house). Context: This text has 2 parts. First, Matthew responds to Jesus’ call and then he invites Jesus to his house. Since Matthew is a sinner (collecting taxes for Romans) …
(Matthew 9:1-8) Prayer – Come, Holy Spirit. Give me friends with great faith. Imagination- (Picture Jesus healing the paralyzed man.) Context: The stories in this section are controversy stories, which allow Jesus to make some pronouncement. The pronouncement in this story is that Jesus is the Son of Man with …
(Matthew 8:28-34) Prayer: O Jesus, how great is your power to free me. Imagination: (Picture Jesus with his disciples as he frees the two possessed men.) Context: Matthew takes this story from Mark’s gospel (5:1-20) but he shortens Mark’s story. In doing so, he highlights Jesus’ power. Unfortunately, the people …
(Matthew 8:23-27) Prayer – O Jesus, calm the storms in my own life. Imagination: (Picture the fearful disciples and Jesus calming the sea.) Context: Matthew very much follows Mark’s story when Jesus sleeps in the boat. The miracle causes awe and wonder in the apostles. Gospel Text: (Read slowly, possibly …
(Matthew 8:18-22) Prayer: O Jesus, make me your true disciple, ready to pay any price. Imagination: (Picture Jesus with the crowd, challenging people to be his disciples.) Context: This gospel is Matthew’s version of the reluctant disciple. From this story, we get a clear picture that some people followed Jesus …
(Luke 9:51-62) Prayer: O Jesus, let me not hold back my commitment to you. Imagination: (Picture Jesus speaking to the crowds.) Context: This gospel begins Jesus’ journey to Jerusalem, a serious undertaking that will result in his death. Many are attracted to Jesus and want to follow him. He invites …
