Matthew 15-28 (For our Thursday, Sept. 5 discussion)

Because we spent so much time on the first chapter of Matthew's gospel, we are already almost a full class behind the syllabus.  Our Tuesday class will be mostly discussion of Matthew 1-14, concentrating particularly on the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7).  Please review briefly these chapters before class.

For Thursday next week (September 5), please read the remaining chapters of the Gospel of Matthew (Ch. 15-28). Pay special attention to Chapters 21-23, chapters that particularly well show Jesus' challenge to the religion of the scribes and Pharisees. Choose a verse or summarize a passage that seems particularly important to you and do one of the following:

1. Explain why you think this verse/passage is the best/most memorable in the assigned reading.

2. Explain how this verse/passage ties to the theme that Mattthew is a "gospel for those who think they don't need the gospel."

Matthew 1-14

Please read Chapters 1-14 of the Gospel of Matthew. Concentrate especially on Chapters 5-7, the Sermon on the Mount. Please pick a key verse from the assigned chapters and do one of the following:

1. Explain why you think this verse the key to understanding what the selection is about.

2. Explain why you think this verse is the best/most memorable in the assigned reading.

3. Explain why you think this verse is the most difficult/hard to understand in the assigned chapters.