Week Two of Matthew 6 Overview – Key Words and Lists

Ladies,

This week we'll continue reading Matthew 6 in overview mode and create keyword lists and summaries.

At a glance for this week

• Pray for the Holy Spirit's help and for all the ladies in the study.
• Keep reading Matthew 6 daily—just do what you can do to get a broad overview.
• Identify 4–6 key words.
• Create a symbol/color legend.
• Mark those words in the text, make lists and summaries, and look up definitions.

How to find key words

Key words often:

• Appear frequently, or
• Appear only a few times but connect closely to your key verse or themes.

You may also want to include synonyms (for example: treasure, treasures; pray, prayer; give, giving).

We'll plan to share our key words on Wednesday so we can compare notes.

Step 1 – Choose key words

Pick 4–6 important words and write them on the first page of your legend.

Step 2 – Create a legend

Choose a color or symbol for each word and add it next to your list of key words, like a legend on a map. I added a chart to the folder for you.

Step 3 – Mark the text

Begin marking those words in the text as you read. Some people mark them all at once; others do one word per read-through. You can draw symbols or shapes, or underline or highlight in different colors.

Step 4 – Make your lists

On the notebook paper in your booklet, make a separate list for each key word. For each occurrence, write the verse reference and a short note explaining how the word is used in context. For example, if one of your key words is treasure, you might write, "Store up treasures in heaven" (vv. 6:19–20). Or, if you choose worry, you might note, "Do not be anxious about your life" (v. 6:25).

Consider using the free Literal Word app or a Bible dictionary, such as Easton's Bible Dictionary, https://www.biblegateway.com/resources/eastons-bible-dictionary/Heading-A to add definitions of your key words to your lists.

Step 5 – Summarize

You may want to do this list by list, or wait until all your lists are complete.

Take a few minutes to reflect. Write a one- or two-line summary of what Jesus is teaching about each key word. This might feel challenging, but it always leads to deep thinking.

Work steadily and peacefully as the Lord gives opportunity. The goal is not perfect performance, but growing in love for Christ through His Word.

Happy reading and marking, ladies! I'm looking forward to seeing what we notice together.

Susan

 

 

October 12 – Week One of Matthew 6 Overview – The Big Picture

This week, we narrow our focus to Matthew 6. Our goal is simply to begin seeing the big picture of the chapter. As you read, notice ideas that repeat and jot them down if that is helpful. Those observations will serve us well when we begin our keyword study next week.

You might also look for a key verse (or verses) that captures the message of the chapter and write it on the top of the page of your text. There may be several good answers, and we do not all have to agree.

Below is a suggested study plan, but please do whatever fits within the time the Lord gives you. Our standing with Christ does not rest on completing a study perfectly. Every moment spent in God's Word is valuable.

• Monday: Read the chapter out loud. (This is surprisingly helpful for maintaining focus.)
• Tuesday: Listen to the chapter while driving or doing household tasks.
• Wednesday: Read or listen to the chapter.
• Thursday: Read, looking for a key verse.
• Friday: Read, looking for key words or repeated concepts. Write them down somewhere to prepare for lists next week.
• Weekend: Catch up, reread, or explore additional resources.

 

October 5

Matthew 5:33–48

If you need detailed instructions for this week, check the email or website for September 14.

At a glance for this week

• Pray for the Holy Spirit to guide your reading, for your sisters in this study, and for our pastors as they teach, shepherd, and counsel this week.
• Read Matthew 5:33–48 several times.
• Identify questions about the text that intrigue you.
• Notice repeated words, themes, or ideas.
• Pick a verse for meditation.
• Consider dedicating one day to pray through the Scripture passage.
• Explore resources to find answers and deepen your understanding.
• Plan to share at least one insight or question with the group.

Prefer Reading to Listening?

https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/commentary/matthew/

Click the Sermon on the Mount in the menu on the left

 

R C Sproul

5:3-37  https://learn.ligonier.org/sermons/oaths-and-vows

5:33-48 https://learn.ligonier.org/sermons/loving-our-enemies

 

Begg

None Available

 

MacArthur

5:33-37 https://www.gty.org/sermons/2222/the-spiritual-credibility-gap

5:38 https://www.gty.org/sermons/2223/an-eye-for-an-eye-part-1

5:38-42 https://www.gty.org/sermons/2224/an-eye-for-an-eye-part-2

5:43-44 https://www.gty.org/sermons/2225/love-your-enemies-part-1

5:43-48 https://www.gty.org/sermons/2226/love-your-enemies-part-2

5:43-48 https://www.gty.org/sermons/2227/love-your-enemies-part-3

 

Piper

5:33-48

1 https://www.desiringgod.org/messages/woe-to-you-when-all-speak-well-of-you

2 https://www.desiringgod.org/messages/but-i-say-to-you-love-your-enemies-part-1

3 https://www.desiringgod.org/messages/but-i-say-to-you-love-your-enemies-part-2

 

 

 

_________________________________________

September 28

Matthew 5:21–32

As we continue our close study of Matthew 5, don't feel pressured to understand everything immediately—take your time, ask questions, and allow the text to shape your thinking as you study. Read carefully, pray often, and share feedback!

Feel free to use any commentary, study Bible, or tool you find helpful. I've included many resources below—think of them as a library rather than a required reading list. Pick and choose what is most helpful or what addresses the questions that arise as you study.

If you need detailed instructions for this week, check the email or website for September 14.

At a glance for this week

• Pray for the Holy Spirit to guide your reading, for your sisters in this study, and for our pastors as they teach, shepherd, and counsel this week.
• Read Matthew 5:21–32 several times.
• Identify questions about the text that intrigue you.
• Notice repeated words, themes, or ideas.
• Pick a verse for meditation.
• Consider dedicating one day to pray through the Scripture passage.
• Explore resources to find answers and deepen your understanding.
• Plan to share at least one insight or question with the group.

  

Prefer Reading to Listening?

https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/commentary/matthew/

Click the Sermon on the Mount in the menu on the left

 R C Sproul

5:21-26 https://learn.ligonier.org/sermons/jesus-view-murder

5:27-36 https://learn.ligonier.org/sermons/jesus-view-adultery

Begg

None Available

MacArthur

5:21 https://www.gty.org/sermons/2213/the-attitude-behind-the-act

5:21-26 https://www.gty.org/sermons/2214/who-is-a-murderer

5:27 https://www.gty.org/sermons/2215/who-is-an-adulterer-part-1

5:27-30 https://www.gty.org/sermons/2216/who-is-an-adulterer-part-2

5:29-30 https://www.gty.org/sermons/2217/mans-biggest-problem

5:51-32 pt. 1 https://www.gty.org/sermons/2218/divorce-and-remarriage-part-1

5:51-32 pt. 2 https://www.gty.org/sermons/2219/divorce-and-remarriage-part-2

5:51-32 pt. 3 https://www.gty.org/sermons/2220/divorce-and-remarriage-part-3

5:51-32 pt. 4 https://www.gty.org/sermons/2221/dialogue-on-divorce

__________________

September 21

Matthew 5:13–20

We are continuing our close study of the text this week. Thank you for staying with the process!

Feel free to use any commentary, study Bible, or tool you find helpful. I've included many resources below—think of them as a library rather than a required reading list. Pick and choose what is most helpful or what addresses the questions that arise as you study.

If you need detailed instructions for this week, check the email or website for September 14.

At a glance for this week

• Pray for the Holy Spirit to guide your reading, for your sisters in this study, and for our pastors as they teach, shepherd, and counsel this week.
• Read Matthew 5:13–20 several times.
• Identify questions about the text that intrigue you.
• Notice repeated words, themes, or ideas.
• Pick a verse for meditation.
• Consider dedicating one day to pray through the Scripture passage.
• Explore resources to find answers and deepen your understanding.
• Plan to share at least one insight or question with the group.

Resources
Find these on our website—bookmark for easy access:
https://www.no-teacher-bible-study.com/

Prefer Reading to Listening?

https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/commentary/matthew/

Click the Sermon on the Mount in the menu on the left

 Sproul

5:13-16 https://learn.ligonier.org/sermons/sermon-mount

5:17-20 https://learn.ligonier.org/sermons/christ-and-law

Begg

5:17  https://www.truthforlife.org/resources/sermon/why-did-christ-come-part-1/

 MacArthur

5:13 https://www.gty.org/sermons/2207/you-are-the-salt-of-the-earth

5:14-16 https://www.gty.org/sermons/2207/you-are-the-salt-of-the-earth

5:17 pt. 1 https://www.gty.org/sermons/2209/christ-and-the-law-part-1

5:18 https://www.gty.org/sermons/2210/christ-and-the-law-part-2

5:19 https://www.gty.org/sermons/2211/christ-and-the-law-part-3

5:20 https://www.gty.org/sermons/2212/christ-and-the-law-part-4

Piper

None Available

 

_________________________

September 14

Matthew 5:1-12

We are finally ready to take a close look at the text this week. I’m so glad you have persevered! Remember to pray before you begin your study, and be sure to pray for all the other ladies working through this together.

Feel free to use any commentary, study Bible, or tool you find helpful. I’ve included many resources below—think of it as a library rather than a required list. Pick and choose what works best for you, or what might answer your questions.

At a glance for this week
• Pray for the Holy Spirit to guide your reading, for your sisters in this study, and for our pastors as they teach, shepherd, and counsel this week

• Read Matthew 5:1-12
  • Identify questions about the text that intrigue you
  • Pick a verse for meditation
• Explore resources to find answers and deepen understanding
• Plan to share at least one insight or question with the group.

Step 1 – Pray
Ask the Lord to enlighten your reading and listening this week, and for the study group and pastors.

Step 2 – Read
Read Matthew 5:1-12 every day, if possible. Notice anything that surprises or challenges you. Reading out loud helps me slow down.

Step 3 – Ask questions
Look for the questions the text raises for you. For example, from 5:3 “What does it mean to be poor in spirit?” Searching for answers adds depth to the study.

Jonathan Edwards: “Asking questions is the key to understanding.”

Write the questions in your booklet – I use the blank page facing the text I’m working on, but you do what seems right for you. When you get the answer, you can write it there, too.

Step 4 – Choose a verse for meditation
Pick one verse and write it on an index card or sticky note from your folder. Place it somewhere you will see it often—by your computer, over the sink, or on the bathroom mirror.

Step 5 – Explore resources
Use the teachers and resources from this email that you find most helpful to answer your questions or learn more. Supplement with commentaries, study Bibles, or other tools as you wish. Don’t try to listen to every lesson! Pick one speaker, or listen to everyone on the section you find most difficult, or mix it up! There’s no right or wrong way to do it.

Suggested activity: Try making a list of the blessed character qualities in the Beatitudes and looking up the definition for each one in a Bible dictionary or the Literal Word phone app, available free in Google play and the Apple Store.

Step 6 – Share with the group
Plan to share at least one helpful insight or question. Participation encourages everyone, but if it’s difficult for you this week, that’s okay too. Sharing helps this feel like a true group study.

Step 7 – Consider a day to just pray through Scripture

Reading for study and reading devotionally are different practices, and I wonder if we might intentionally include a day of devotional reading in our routine. I’m planning to use Friday for this using the spiritual discipline of praying Scripture. Here is one example of how this could work:

• Open the text and read it through as we normally do, but set aside study materials.
• As you read, look intentionally for prompts for prayer. For example:
  • 5:1 Lord, help me come to you to be taught, as the disciples did
  • 5:3 Lord, I do depend on you. Everything I understand comes from your grace, and I acknowledge my lack of wisdom. Thank you for the promise of heaven to people like me, who know so little. But thank you for your Word, which teaches us.
  • 5:4 Lord, you know how I mourn over choices I have made that did not honor you. Even though I am forgiven, I hate my sin.
• Continue reading and praying until you run out of prompts for prayer. At that point, you are finished with your reading for the day.
• If you would like a more detailed explanation of this practice, John Piper’s article “How Do I Pray the Bible?” is helpful, and Donald S. Whitney’s book Praying the Bible is an excellent resource as well.

I hope this practice helps connect our hearts and minds as we study.

Resources
Find these on our website—bookmark for easy access:
https://www.no-teacher-bible-study.com/

Prefer Reading to Listening?

https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/commentary/matthew/

Click the Sermon on the Mount in the menu on the left

Sinclair Ferguson on the Beatitudes https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MOvdz2pU4ro&t=415s

R C Sproul

5:1-4  https://learn.ligonier.org/sermons/beatitudes-part-1

5:4-6 https://learn.ligonier.org/sermons/beatitudes-part-2

5:7-9 https://learn.ligonier.org/sermons/beatitudes-part-3

5:10-12 https://learn.ligonier.org/sermons/beatitudes-part-4

Begg

5:1-12 https://www.truthforlife.org/resources/sermon/the-beatitudes-from-50000-feet/

5:3-4 https://www.truthforlife.org/resources/sermon/gs-daily-appropriation-of-christ-in-his-gospel-the/

MacArthur

5:1-2 https://www.gty.org/sermons/2197/happiness-is

5:3 https://www.gty.org/sermons/2198/happy-are-the-humble

5:4 https://www.gty.org/sermons/2199/happy-are-the-sad

5:5 https://www.gty.org/sermons/2200/happy-are-the-meek

5:6 https://www.gty.org/sermons/2201/happy-are-the-hungry

5:7 https://www.gty.org/sermons/2202/happy-are-the-merciful

5:8 https://www.gty.org/sermons/2203/happy-are-the-holy

5:10-12  https://www.gty.org/sermons/2205/happy-are-the-harassed-part-1

5:10-12 b https://www.gty.org/sermons/2206/happy-are-the-harassed-part-2

Piper

5:1-2 https://www.desiringgod.org/messages/the-beatitudes-and-the-gospel-of-the-kingdom

5:3-4 https://www.desiringgod.org/messages/blessed-are-the-poor-in-spirit-who-mourn

5:5 https://www.desiringgod.org/messages/blessed-are-the-meek

5:6 https://www.desiringgod.org/messages/blessed-are-those-who-hunger-and-thirst-for-righteousness

5:7 https://www.desiringgod.org/messages/blessed-are-the-merciful

5:8 https://www.desiringgod.org/messages/blessed-are-the-pure-in-heart

5:9 https://www.desiringgod.org/messages/blessed-are-the-peacemakers

5:10-12 https://www.desiringgod.org/messages/blessed-are-the-persecuted

________________________________________________

September 7 - Week Two of Matthew 5 Overview - Key Words and Lists

Ladies,

This week we’ll continue reading all of Matthew 5 in overview mode and create keyword lists and summaries.

At a glance for this week

• Pray for the Holy Spirit’s help and for all the ladies in the study
• Keep reading Matthew 5 daily – just do what you can do to get a broad overview
• Identify 4–6 key words
  • Create a symbol/color legend
  • Mark those words in the text, make lists and summaries, look up definitions

How to find keywords

Key words often:
• Appear frequently, or
• Appear only a few times but connect closely to your key verse or themes

You may also want to include synonyms (for example: works, deeds, labors).

We’ll plan to share our key words on Wednesday so we can compare notes.

Step 1 – Choose keywords
Pick 4–6 important words and write them on the first page of your legend.

Step 2 – Create a legend
Choose a color or symbol for each word and add it next to your list of keywords, like a legend on a map. I added a chart to the folder for you.

Step 3 – Mark the text
Begin marking those words in the text as you read. Some people mark them all at once; others do one word per read-through. You can draw symbols or shapes, or underline or highlight in different colors.

Step 4 – Make your lists

On the notebook paper in your booklet, make a separate list for each keyword. For each instance, write the verse reference and a short note explaining how the word is used in context (i.e. for “Blessed” You might write, “Blessed are the poor in spirit” Or for “reward” you might list the mention in vs. 12 “When we are persecuted, our reward is great in heaven.”)

Consider using the free Literal Word app or a Bible dictionary like this one https://www.biblegateway.com/resources/eastons-bible-dictionary/Heading-A  to add the definition of your key words to your lists.

Step 5 – Summarize

You may want to do this list by list, or wait until all your lists are complete.

Take a few minutes to reflect. Write a 1–2 line summary of what Jesus is teaching  about each keyword. This might feel challenging, but it always leads to deep thinking.

Work steadily and peacefully as the Lord gives opportunity. The goal is not perfect performance, but growing in love for Christ through His Word.

Happy reading and marking, ladies! I’m looking forward to seeing what we notice together.  

Susan

______________________________

August 31 – Week One of Matthew 5 Overview  – The Big Picture

This week, we narrow our focus to Matthew 5. Our goal is simply to begin seeing the big picture of the chapter. As you read, notice ideas that repeat and jot them down if that is helpful. Those observations will serve us well when we begin our keyword study next week.

You might also look for a key verse (or verses) that captures the message of the chapter and write it on the first page of your text. There may be several good answers, and we do not all have to agree.

Below is a suggested study plan, but please do whatever fits within the time the Lord gives you. Our standing with Christ does not rest on completing a study perfectly. Every moment spent in God's Word is valuable.

• Monday: Read the chapter out loud. (This is surprisingly helpful for maintaining focus.)
• Tuesday: Listen to the chapter while driving or doing household tasks.
• Wednesday: Read or listen to the chapter.
• Thursday: Read, looking for a key verse.
• Friday: Read, looking for key words or repeated concepts. Write them down somewhere to prepare for lists next week.
• Weekend: Catch up, reread, or explore additional resources.

_____________________

August 24 – Overview of the Sermon in the Mount

Good morning, ladies!

I hope you are as excited as I am to begin our study of the Sermon on the Mount. We are taking our time with this important passage so that we can glean as much as possible together, though I know we will return to these chapters again and again in the years to come.

This week, please try to read or listen to Matthew 5–7 once or more – I’m aiming for 3 times with a combination of reading and listening. For this first reading, we're not focusing on the text verse-by-verse or trying to answer every question we think of; instead, we're stepping back to see the overall structure and big picture of Jesus's teaching. (That being said, if you do find yourself wondering about specific questions in the text, try writing them down on the blank left side of the booklet facing the text. Then they will be there for the weeks when we dig in to understand details.)

If you have time, you may also find the following overview helpful:

Ligonier Ministries: https://learn.ligonier.org/guides/the-sermon-on-the-mount

Below is a suggested reading plan, but please do whatever fits within the time the Lord gives you. There is no standard for what counts as "enough"—any time spent in God's Word is time well spent. We study because we love Him and want to know Him more deeply. I am praying for you as we begin, especially that you will find joy in your time of study!

Monday: read or listen to Matthew 5

Tuesday: read or listen to Matthew 6

Wednesday: read or listen to Matthew 7

Thursday: read or listen to Matthew 5

and read https://learn.ligonier.org/guides/the-sermon-on-the-mount

Friday: read or listen to Matthew 6