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The Word Reading Plans

In 2024 we will have a new reading plan each month, diving into a different book of the Bible. Join us as we dive in to God's Word in 2024!

Dear Life Churchers,

Welcome to our shared, and yet very personal adventure through God’s Word.

The theme for this year is - ‘The Word’. 

We get to know God better through intimacy with the Word of God. Our goal for 2024 is that each of us draw closer to God by increasing our relationship with His Word.

Each month there will be a fresh reading plan that focuses on a book of the bible. Our preaching will follow this biblical path so that our Sunday teaching will be aligned with our personal Bible reading devotions. This S.O.A.P. journal will be available for you all year so that we can individually journal what God is saying to us as we spend time in his Word.

Let’s go on this adventure together toward greater intimacy with Him and a deeper love for His word.

Ps Geoff & Lee

This book was written by Matthew, one of the twelve disciples of Jesus. He was a tax collector. Matthew introduces Jesus as the Messiah, descendent of Abraham and David. Jesus is Emmanuel - God with us. Matthew gives a great deal of attention to Jesus' teaching and to the variety of views people had of Him, from devotion to complete rejection. Matthew points out to us that Jesus is the natural progression and fulfilment of the Jewish story as demonstrated by how many Old Testament prophecies and scriptures He fulfils.

Jesus' birth is clearly presented here as the supernatural birth of a king, who was honoured by wise men from afar. Jesus was announced by John the baptist and endorsed by God at His baptism.

Part 1

December 1 - Matthew 1
December 2 - Matthew 2
December 3 - Matthew 3

Chapters 4-7 portray Jesus as the teacher who confronts evil. He is tested by the devil and overcomes him with Scripture. Jesus announces the arrival of God's Kingdom as He confront evil, establishes a new family of Godly people and declares a new 'law'.

Part 2

December 4 - Matthew 4
December 5 - Matthew 5
December 6 - Matthew 6
December 7 - Matthew 7

Chapters 8-9 contain 9 stories of Jesus confronting evil and healing diseases with the power of Heaven. Jesus calls people to follow him and extend this Kingdom. In chapter 10 He sends out the 12 disciples and teaches them about the likely reactions they will encounter as they announce the coming of the Kingdom of God.

Part 3

December 8 - Matthew 8
December 9 - Matthew 9
December 10 - Matthew 10

Chapters 11-13 carry stories of response; different examples of how people reacted to Jesus. Chapter 13 is a wonderful collection of Kingdom parables.

Part 4

December 11 - Matthew 11
December 12- Matthew 12
December 13 - Matthew 13

In chapters 14-20 we see different expectations of Jesus revealed. He feeds the multitude and asks His disciples 'who do people say that I am?' He introduces the upside down nature of the Kingdom. Greatness is serving, and His ultimate victory will be in dying.

Part 5

December 14 - Matthew 14
December 15 - Matthew 14
December 16 - Matthew 15
December 17 - Matthew 16
December 18 - Matthew 17
December 19 - Matthew 18
December 20 - Matthew 19

In chapters 21-23 Jesus is proclaimed as a king, then He turns the tables in the temple over, threatening the power and prestige of the temple leaders. The religious leaders seek to humilate Jesus by trapping Him in public debate but fail every time.

Part 6

December 21 - Matthew 20
December 22 - Matthew 21
December 23 - Matthew 22
December 24 - Matthew 23

In chapters 24-25 we have the final block of teaching as Jesus reveals the signs pointing to His return and how the disciples should wait for His return. He encourages them to dilligently trade with the 'talents' entrusted to them, keep their lamps burning, and await His promised and very public return accompanied by angels.

Part 7

December 25 - Matthew 24
December 26 - Matthew 25

In this final section we see Jesus partaking in the passover with His disciples; He retasks and renames this ritual feast. He is then arrested on the charge of blasphemy, tried and crucified. There are many Old Testament references and quotes that emphasise that what is taking place is actually the fulfilment of the entire Jewish faith and narrative. Apparent defeat is shown to be the greatest victory as Jesus rises again, and charges His disciples to carry the message to the world, making disciples of all people. The book concludes with the promise it began with: Emmanuel, God with us, promises to be with His disciples (which now includes us) even to the end of the age.

Part 8

December 27 - Matthew 26:1-46
December 28 - Matthew 26:47-75
December 29 - Matthew 27:1-31
December 30 - Matthew 27:32-65
December 31 - Matthew 28