Come, Let Us Build
Daily Bible Studies for the Week Starting on Sunday, January 30, 2005
This Week’s Scripture Reading
Matthew 16:13-20
13When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?”
14“Well,” they replied, “some say John the Baptist, some say Elijah, and others say Jeremiah or one of the other prophets.”
15Then he asked them, “Who do you say I am?”
16Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”
17Jesus replied, “You are blessed, Simon son of John, because my Father in heaven has revealed this to you. You did not learn this from any human being. 18Now I say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church, and all the powers of hell will not conquer it. 19And I will give you the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven. Whatever you lock on earth will be locked in heaven, and whatever you open on earth will be opened in heaven.” 20Then he sternly warned them not to tell anyone that he was the Messiah.
Prayers for the Week:
Sunday |
Heavenly Father, I pray today that You will empower us to step forward in our commitment to You through “Come Let Us Build,” that we may live for You, and share Your Good News throughout our region. In Jesus’ name. Amen. |
Monday |
Heavenly Father, I thank You that Jesus came into our world as a man, so that He could live a perfect life, make the perfect sacrifice on the cross for me, and rise to new life, to give us all the hope of eternal life. Amen. |
Tuesday |
Heavenly Father, I acknowledge before You that Jesus is the Messiah, Your one and only Son. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit that I may share His love with everyone I meet today and always. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. |
Wednesday |
Heavenly Father, I pray that You will fill me with Your Holy Spirit right now, that I may be light and salt to others, that they may see my good works, and give glory to You! This I pray in Jesus’ name and for His Kingdom. Amen. |
Thursday |
Heavenly Father, Thank You for who You are and for all You have done for me. Live in my be Your Holy Spirit right now, that my life may be blessed to be a blessing to others. This I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen. |
Friday |
Heavenly Father, You alone are God, and Your Son Jesus, is the only way to You, for He is one with You. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit that You, the triune God—Father, Son and Holy Spirit may be glorified in my life today. Amen. |
Saturday |
Heavenly Father, prepare me right now to worship You, in this moment and tomorrow as I gather with brothers and sisters through Your Son, Jesus. Cleanse me and renew me in Jesus’ name. Amen. |
Background on the Text
In this important Scripture, Jesus helps the disciples understand for themselves who He is, and also that His ultimate plans were to establish His church through them! This must have been an overwhelming revelation. The disciples were expecting Jesus to set up His Kingdom then and there, and to rule the world from a throne in Jerusalem. Instead, Jesus told them, and particularly Peter, that He would build His church through them. This most certainly came as both surprising and bewildering to the disciples. Hundreds of questions must have flooded their minds. In fact, when you read just a few verses ahead, you find that Jesus told the disciples He was going to be crucified. Peter, the one on whom Jesus had just said He would build His church rebuked Jesus! He told Jesus to stop talking that way that Peter wouldn’t allow it to happen. Jesus then rebuked Peter. God’s ways are often not ours, and as we study His word we see that. May we learn from this reading to trust Him even when we don’t understand.
Monday
Observation: What does the text say?
Tuesday
Interpretation: What do these verses mean?
Wednesday
Application: How can I respond to the text’s insights and teachings?
Thursday
After reading and studying this text, reflect on the following discipleship growth points:
Encouraged and strengthened me by:
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Fallen short areas
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What will I do with these insights?
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Friday
After reading and studying this text, reflect on the following discipleship growth points:
What did God say to me this week?
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Share insights and growth points
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Changed/transformed how?
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Saturday
Reflective Thoughts