Christianity 101_Day 7

Pray, Read, Mark and Apply Matthew 7

1. Don't criticize others (Matthew 7:1-6)

2. Keep ASK-ing, Ask, Seek and Knock (Matthew 7:7-11)

3. Treat people right (Matthew 7:12)

4. Stay off the highway to hell (Matthew 7:13-14)

5. Be a fruit inspector (Matthew 7:15-20)

6. Make sure you trust Jesus (Matthew 7:21-23)

7. Do what Jesus says (Matthew 7:24-28)

Christianity 101_Day 6

Pray, Read, Mark and Apply Matthew 6

1. Be quietly generous (Matthew 6:1-4)

2. Pray a lot (Matthew 6:5-13)

3. Forgive people (Matthew 6:14-15)

4. Don't be a show off (Matthew 6:16-18)

5. Keep your money circulating (Matthew 6:19-21)

6. Look for the good (Matthew 6:22-23)

7. Don't worry—trust Jesus (Matthew 6:24-34)

Christianity 101_Day 5

Pray, Read, Mark and Apply Matthew 5

1. The BE attitudes (Matthew 5:1-12)

2. Make the world a better place (Matthew 5:13-20)

3. Control your anger (Matthew 5:21-22)

4. Settle matters quickly (Matthew 5:23-26)

5. Stay faithful to your spouse (Matthew 5:27-32)

6. Keep your word (Matthew 5:33-37)

7. Go the extra mile (Matthew 5:38-42)

8. Love your enemies (Matthew 5:43-48)

Christianity 101_Day 4

Pray, Read, Mark and Apply (Matthew 4)

1. Walk in the Spirit. (Matthew 4:1-2)

2. Use the Bible. (Matthew 4:4)

3. Resist temptation. (Matthew 4:10)

4. Keep it simple. (Matthew 4:17)

5. Empower people. (Matthew 4:19)

6. Connect with the community. (Matthew 4:23)

7. Reach, teach and help people in Jesus’ name. (Matthew 4:23-24)

8. Expect growth. (Matthew 4:25)

Christianity 101_Day 3

Pray, Read, Mark and Apply Matthew 3

1. Turn from your sins and turn to God. (Matthew 3:1-2)

Those are the first instructions of the New Testament. Have you obeyed them?

2. Be yourself. (Matthew 3:3-4)

John the Baptist was his own man. Like him or not, he was himself. Be yourself. If you try to be other people you will fail. If you just be yourself, then you are an instant success.

3. Prove your Christianity. (Matthew 3:7-10)  

What has changed since you trusted Jesus? What is changing?

When people notice that you have changed, then you can tell them you decided to follow Jesus to the best of your ability and their noticing a difference in you is proof that Jesus can change a life. Make sure the change that Jesus makes in your life is positive. It doesn't honor the Lord for people to say you've really become judgmental, sad, boring, or edgy since you trusted Jesus.

4. Get baptized. (Matthew 3:11-15)

Baptism is a picture of you being buried to your old sinful way of life and being born again to live for Jesus. Immersion is what the Bible teaches about baptism. The word, baptize, literally means to submerge under water. When you are under water you can't breathe, see, hear or talk; you are as good as dead. When you come up out of water you have life and it represents your new life in Jesus. Many of us were christened as babies, taught as children and confirmed in church. Baptism should be your choice—a willing decision. Follow Jesus’ example and get baptized as a first step in your new walk with Jesus. 

5. Look for confirmation. (Matthew 3:16-17)

Everyone needs to be confirmed or affirmed in their faith. You need someone that can encourage you. You need a mentor, teacher or spiritual leader in your life. It may be your parents, Bible teacher, preacher, pastor, close friend who is further along in their spiritual journey than you are or someone else. Jesus had the Father and Spirit. Who do you have?

Christianity 101_Day 2

Pray, Read, Mark and Apply Matthew 2

1. Wise men and women seek Jesus. (Matthew 2:1-9)

If you are looking for Jesus, then you are in the company of the wise.

2. Wise men and women find joy in Jesus. (Matthew 2:10)

Jesus brings joy not sadness. When you find him, you find real joy.

3. Wise men and women worship Jesus. (Matthew 2:11) 

What gifts are you giving Jesus? (money, time, skills)

4. Delayed obedience is disobedience. (Matthew 2:13-18)

I am impressed with Joseph's immediate obedience. Had he delayed in taking Jesus away, Jesus would have been killed. Had he delayed in returning, we have no idea what could have happened.

What is the Lord telling you to do now? What are you waiting for?

5. Do what is best for your family. (Matthew 2:19-23)


What other lessons do you see in Matthew 2? Write them down and share them with someone.

Christianity 101_Day 1

Pray, Read, Mark and Apply Matthew 1

1. Family comes first (Matthew 1:1)

Think about all the things in your life, where does your family rank? Does your family come first?

2. Be an upper in your family (Matthew 1:2-16)

Jesus had uppers, downers and non-affecters in his family history.

Which one are you going to be in your family history?

3. Trust Jesus (Matthew 1:16)

Do you believe Jesus is the Savior or just a man?

4. Get in on God's plan (Matthew 1:17)

Are you in on God's plan or are you trying to get God in on your plan?

Proverbs 16:9 (NLT) We can make our plans, but the LORD determines our steps.

5. Tough times hit everyone (Matthew 1:19-23)

Your tough times are not unusual. 

6. Do what the Lord tells you. (Matthew 1:24-25)

The Lord isn't asking you to do more than he asked Joseph. Joseph obeyed and made history. Who knows what will happen if you obey the Lord.

What other lessons do you see in Matthew 1? Write them down.