Everand Logo

Welcome to Everand!

  • Discover millions of ebooks, audiobooks, and so much more with a free trial

    Only $11.99/month after trial. Cancel anytime.

    Immersion Bible Studies: Matthew
    Immersion Bible Studies: Matthew
    Immersion Bible Studies: Matthew
    Ebook149 pages2 hours

    Immersion Bible Studies: Matthew

    By Dr. J. Ellsworth Kalas

    ()

    Read preview

    About this ebook

    Journey inside the pages of Scripture to meet a personal God who enters individual lives and begins a creative work from the inside out. Shaped with the individual in mind, Immersion encourages simultaneous engagement both with the Word of God and with the God of the Word to become a new creation in Christ.

    Immersion, inspired by a fresh translation--the Common English Bible--stands firmly on Scripture and helps readers explore the emotional, spiritual, and intellectual needs of their personal faith. More importantly, they’ll be able to discover God’s revelation through readings and reflections.
    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherAbingdon Press
    Release dateJan 1, 2011
    ISBN9781426733475
    Immersion Bible Studies: Matthew
    Author

    Dr. J. Ellsworth Kalas

    J. Ellsworth Kalas (1923-2015) was the author of over 35 books, including the popular Back Side series, A Faith of Her Own: Women of the Old Testament, Strong Was Her Faith: Women of the New Testament, I Bought a House on Gratitude Street, and the Christian Believer study, and was a presenter on DISCIPLE videos. He was part of the faculty of Asbury Theological Seminary since 1993, formerly serving as president and then as senior professor of homiletics. He was a United Methodist pastor for 38 years and also served five years in evangelism with the World Methodist Council.

    Read more from Dr. J. Ellsworth Kalas

    Related to Immersion Bible Studies

    Related ebooks

    Christianity For You

    View More
    View More

    Related podcast episodes

    Related articles

    • Article

      The Parables Of Jesus

      Dec 30, 2022

      The Parables Of Jesus
      3 min read

    • Article

      THE WAR FOR OUR YOUTH Why creation still matters

      Dec 30, 2019

      We’re being told by public education systems, universities, media, some parents, and unfortunately many church leaders, that parts of the Bible are not relevant anymore and that we need to reinvent God’s word. So, with this situation, in order to und

      3 min read

    • Article

      Thursday, March 3

      Feb 16, 2022

      MY BOAT’S GALLEY CUPBOARDS ARE stained a deep reddish-brown. The glossy doors look beautiful set against the surrounding off-white walls. Their interiors, however, are a different matter. Humidity levels run high from November through April because w

      1 min read

    • Article

      CHARACTERS OF THE BIBLE Jonah

      Jun 15, 2020

      We like to throw around the term “man of God” today, with the implication that such a person is mighty, anointed by God, and spiritually superior to all others. Often, people love to call themselves a “prophet” for similar reasons. They believe that

      3 min read

    • Article

      Pooch Parables

      Nov 27, 2020

      I so enjoy watching Sandy and some of the other neighbourhood dogs as they run around on the field together, chasing, playing, and sprinting back and forth. They clearly love it! And the more they run, rather than tiring, they seem to become even fur

      2 min read

    • Article

      WHAT EXACTLY IS A believer?

      Oct 30, 2020

      WHAT EXACTLY IS A believer?
      3 min read

    • Article

      Getting to Know God The Personhood & Deity of the Holy Spirit

      Jan 1, 2021

      In examining the biblical revelation concerning God, we come upon an apparent contradiction. The Bible teaches that there is only one God, but it also teaches that Jesus is God. And what do we make of situations where God the Son is speaking to God t

      3 min read

    • Article

      Wednesday, December 1

      Oct 15, 2021

      But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.” Luke 10:41–42 (ESV) SOMETIMES AN UNWANTED BUT FAMILIAR

      1 min read

    • Article

      The Billy Graham I knew

      Feb 21, 2018

      In my long career in journalism, I have met many famous people, but none of them impressed me as much as William Franklin "Billy" Graham. The reason had less to do with his fame and movie star looks; it was his humility that was so attractive, so ref

      2 min read

    • Article

      Ask Val

      Mar 18, 2022

      Ask Val
      2 min read

    • Article

      The Perfect Prayer

      May 18, 2020

      The Perfect Prayer
      1 min read

    • Article

      Monday, January 24

      Dec 15, 2021

      I LOOKED AT THE HUGE box outside my front door and knew I’d made the same dumb mistake again. When shopping online, I often forget to check the measurements of items. In this case, the piece of wall art I’d ordered turned out to be forty-four inches

      1 min read

    • Article

      Why Study Church History?

      Jun 15, 2020

      Why Study Church History?
      3 min read

    • Article

      What The New Testament Doesn’t Say

      May 20, 2019

      When professing Christians deny Biblical creation, we often point them to the Words of Jesus and the New Testament authors, which clearly affirm their own belief in Biblical creation. Because Christians are, by definition, people who believe what Jes

      5 min read

    • Article

      What Happened Next?

      Feb 24, 2022

      What Happened Next?
      9 min read

    • Article

      Women Of Grace

      Oct 21, 2019

      Many who read the above scripture are usually quick to grab the promises of prisons shaking, stubborn doors opening, and chains falling away. However, upon deeper study of this scripture, it is evident that the “Suddenly” in verse 26 was a direct res

      3 min read

    • Article

      How to Spread the Gospel Like Wildfire

      Aug 19, 2019

      The Gospel spread like wildfire in the early church. For example, a single speech from Peter converted 3000 people (Acts 2:41), and after he gave a second speech, the number of believers totalled 5000 (Acts 4:4). In only a few decades, the Good News

      5 min read

    • Article

      Letters To The Editor

      Dec 30, 2019

      Letters To The Editor
      6 min read

    Related categories

    Reviews for Immersion Bible Studies

    0 ratings

    0 ratings0 reviews

    What did you think?

    Tap to rate

    Review must be at least 10 words

      Book preview

      Immersion Bible Studies - Dr. J. Ellsworth Kalas

      Image1

      MATTHEW

      Praise for Immersion

      "Immersion Bible Study is a powerful tool in helping readers to hear God speak through Scripture and to experience a deeper faith as a result."

      Adam Hamilton, author of 24 Hours That Changed the World

      This unique Bible study makes Scripture come alive for students. Through the study, students are invited to move beyond the head into the heart of faith.

      Bishop Joseph W. Walker, author of Love and Intimacy

      This beautiful series helps readers become fluent in the words and thoughts of God, for purposes of illumination, strength building, and developing a closer walk with the One who loves us so.

      Laurie Beth Jones, author of Jesus, CEO and The Path

      "I highly commend to you Immersion Bible Study, which tells us what the Bible teaches and how to apply it personally."

      John Ed Mathison, author of Treasures of the Transformed Life

      "The Immersion Bible Study series is no less than a game changer. It ignites the purpose and power of Scripture by showing us how to do more than just know God or love God; it gives us the tools to love like God as well."

      Shane Stanford, author of You Can't Do Everything . . . So Do Something

      Image2

      MATTHEW

      Immersion Bible Study

      by J. Ellsworth Kalas

      Copyright © 2010 by Abingdon Press

      All rights reserved

      No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying and recording, or by any information storage or retrieval system, except as may be expressly permitted by the 1976 Copyright Act or in writing from the publisher. Requests for permission should be addressed in writing to Permissions Office, 201 Eighth Avenue, South, P. O. Box 801, Nashville, Tennessee 37202-0801, faxed to 615-749-6128, or e-mailed to: permission@abingdonpress.com.

      Scripture quotations in this publication, unless otherwise indicated, are from the Common English Bible, copyrighted © 2010 by Abingdon Press, and are used by permission.

      Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

      Kalas, J. Ellsworth, 1923-

      Matthew / J. Ellsworth Kalas.

      p. cm. -- (Immersion Bible studies)

      ISBN 978-1-4267-0982-1 (perfect binding : alk. paper)

      1. Bible. N.T. Matthew--Textbooks. I. Title.

      BS2576.K35 2010

      226.2007--dc22

      2010026841

      Editor: Jack A. Keller, Jr.

      Leader Guide Writer: Mark Price

      10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19––10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

      Manufactured in the United States of America

      Image3

      Contents

      Immersion Bible Studies

      1. The Birth of Jesus

      2. Jesus' Identity Is Confirmed and Tested

      3. The Sermon on the Mount

      4. Jesus Changes Outsiders Into Insiders

      5. Jesus Proclaims the Kingdom of Heaven

      6. How Do We Live for the Future Now?

      7. The Abandonment of Jesus the Messiah

      8. The Death and Resurrection of Jesus

      Leader Guide

      REVIEW TEAM

      Diane Blum, Pastor

      East End United Methodist Church

      Nashville, Tennessee

      Susan Cox, Pastor

      McMurry United Methodist Church

      Claycomo, Missouri

      Margaret Ann Crain

      Professor of Christian Education

      Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary

      Evanston, Illinois

      Nan Duerling

      Curriculum Writer and Editor

      Cambridge, Maryland

      Paul Escamilla

      Pastor and Writer

      St. John's United Methodist Church

      Austin, Texas

      James Hawkins

      Pastor and Writer

      Daybreak United Methodist Church

      Smyrna, Delaware

      Andrew Johnson

      Professor of New Testament

      Nazarene Theological Seminary

      Kansas City, Missouri

      Snehlata Patel, Pastor

      Woodrow United Methodist Church

      Staten Island, New York

      Emerson Powery

      Professor of New Testament

      Messiah College

      Grantham, Pennsylvania

      Clayton Smith, Pastoral Staff

      Church of the Resurrection

      Leawood, Kansas

      Harold Washington

      Professor of Hebrew Bible

      Saint Paul School of Theology

      Kansas City, Missouri

      Carol Wehrheim

      Curriculum Writer and Editor

      Princeton, New Jersey

      Image4

      IMMERSION BIBLE STUDIES

      A fresh new look at the Bible, from beginning to end,

      and what it means in your life.

      Welcome to IMMERSION!

      We've asked some of the leading Bible scholars, teachers, and pastors to help us with a new kind of Bible study. IMMERSION remains true to Scripture but always asks, Where are you in your life? What do you struggle with? What makes you rejoice? Then it helps you read the Scriptures to discover their deep, abiding truths. IMMERSION is about God and God's Word, and it is also about you––not just your thoughts, but your feelings and your faith.

      In each study you will prayerfully read the Scripture and reflect on it. Then you will engage it in three ways:

      Claim Your Story

      Through stories and questions, think about your life, with its struggles and joys.

      Enter the Bible Story

      Explore Scripture and consider what God is saying to you.

      Live the Story

      Reflect on what you have discovered, and put it into practice in your life.

      IMMERSION makes use of an exciting new translation of Scripture, the Common English Bible (CEB). The CEB and IMMERSION BIBLE STUDIES will offer adults:

      the emotional expectation to find the love of God

      the rational expectation to find the knowledge of God

      reliable, genuine, and credible power to transform lives

      clarity of language

      Whether you are using the Common English Bible or another translation, IMMERSION BIBLE STUDIES will offer a refreshing plunge into God's Word, your life, and your life with God.

      Image1

      The Birth of Jesus

      Matthew 1–2

      Claim Your Story

      Think back for a few moments about how you first learned the Christmas story. Did you see the story unfold in a children's pageant at church? Did you sit in the lap of a parent or a grandparent, reading together from a children's Bible storybook? Did you talk about the events surrounding Jesus' birth as your little fingers positioned and repositioned the figures in a ceramic Nativity scene?

      Perhaps as a youth you were a player in an outdoor live Nativity scene. Perhaps you listened as the Christmas story was read aloud from one of the Gospels during a worship service. Try to recall the plot line and all the characters involved. Chances are that the Christmas story etched in your memory is a composite of the accounts in Matthew and Luke, probably with embellishments and omissions.

      The Gospel of Matthew tells the story of Jesus' birth and the events surrounding it in a particular way. It begins by tracing family lineage but with a different list of names than in Luke. The writer of Matthew reminds the reader of Old Testament passages that he now recognizes as prophesies of Jesus.

      In Matthew's Gospel an angel appears––not to Mary but to Joseph. There is a wondrous star in the sky instead of a choir of angels. Wise men, not shepherds, come to honor Jesus. There is no mention of the Roman Empire, instead, a shrewd and brutal King Herod. Why do you suppose Matthew tells the Christmas story this way? What does the Gospel writer want you to notice?

      Enter the Bible Story

      Emile Cailliet, for many years a distinguished professor of philosophy at Princeton Theological Seminary, never saw a Bible until he was twentythree years old. By that time he had already served in the French army in World War I and was beginning to establish himself as one of France's brightest young scholars. When the Bible came to his hands, he opened it— quite by chance—to the Beatitudes in the Gospel of Matthew. As he read, he realized, with awe and wonder, that this was the book that understood him. This was the book that in all of his studies he had unknowingly been seeking.¹

      That word would please the author of Matthew's Gospel and all of those first-century readers who not only read and memorized its pages but who made handwritten copies for other readers. For some readers then and now, Matthew is their introduction to Jesus of Nazareth, the Christ of God. For others who already believe, Matthew answers many of their questions about Jesus: his birth, his teachings, his death and resurrection. Especially, Matthew introduces us to Jesus' teachings about the kingdom of heaven, teachings that raise questions even as they give answers and demands.

      Above all, however, as you look at Matthew thoughtfully and—better yet, reverently—you see it is a book that knows you and that challenges you to a new, more wonderful, more demanding life.

      Matthew and the Hebrew Scriptures

      Most Bible scholars feel that Mark was the first Gospel written. Why then is Matthew the opening book in our New Testament? Quite clearly, because this Gospel makes the most direct tie with the Hebrew Scriptures, thus indicating that the two testaments belong together, that the best basis for understanding the New Testament is found in the Hebrew Scriptures, and that we call these Scriptures the Old Testament because they precede the New Testament and prepare us for understanding it.

      A thoughtful reader might easily think that Matthew's primary aim is to show this connection. He begins in a Hebrew way: A record of the ancestors of Jesus Christ, son of David, son of Abraham (Matthew 1:1). The Hebrew Scriptures are full of genealogies, as we discover especially in Genesis, Ruth, Chronicles, Ezra, and Nehemiah. The Hebrew Scriptures also emphasize history, because their writers believed that God is at work in history. Thus Matthew summarizes his genealogy by historical periods: So there were fourteen generations from Abraham to David, fourteen generations from David to the exile to Babylon, and fourteen generations from the exile to Babylon to the Christ (1:17).

      An earnest first-century Jew would see the history of his or her people as breaking naturally into a period from Abraham, the father of their nation, to David, their epochal king. Then the period continues with David to the Babylonian captivity, the crisis that most severely tested their nationhood and that at the same time sealed their identity as the people of the Scriptures and the synagogue as the place of learning.

      Matthew adds what he sees as the third great period, from Babylon to the Christ. He presents Jesus Christ as the ultimate fact of his people's history. All else is prelude.

      See, then, who Jesus Christ is. On the one hand, he is the product of a long line of Jewish generations and a figure in history like any other human figure. At the same time, he is the breaking point in history, God's unique invasion into our human story. Mind you, as I indicated a moment ago, the Jews believed that God was always operating in history.

      Enjoying the preview?
      Page 1 of 1