October
The first day of this month begins with the last book of the Old Testament and then it is time to read the New Testament! Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John are all known as the “gospels.” The word “gospel” comes from an Old English translation of the Greek word “euangelion.”
If you break down the Greek word: “eu” means “good” and “angelion” means “message” or “news.” (Think of angels being the messengers of God) The Old English word was “godspel” where “god” referred to “good” rather than God, and “spel” meant “message” or “news.” “Godspel” became “gospel” but the meaning is still the same going back to the original Greek – “good news.”
The four gospels are indeed good news because they all focus on Jesus of Nazareth. The three gospels that we will read this month: Matthew, Mark, and Luke, are known as the synoptic gospels because they share much of the same material and order.
As you read each gospel, pay attention to how each one begins. Compare what is similar and what is different in the synoptic gospels. Most of all, focus on the good news of each book. Each author shares the message from their perspective and you will see that Jesus is truly good news for all humanity by the way He heals, teaches, forgives, and loves.
Take time this month to reflect on the question, ‘How is Christ the good news in your life?’
As you read through the Bible take time each day to:
- Reflections on the Scripture
- What surprised or inspired you?
- What questions do you have?
- List three things you are thankful for.
This Month’s Memory Verse
And he answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself.” (Luke 10:27)
Malachi Synopsis
The journey through the Old Testament has been challenging for God’s people. However, the persistent love of God has been the steadfast companion from creation, through the Garden, to Egypt, into the Promised Land, in Exile, and back. God has been with His children, and there is no need to doubt His love. This is the theme of the prophet Malachi’s book. It is a fitting book to bring this half of the story to a close. As you read Malachi, listen for the language of God’s faithfulness. This writing sets up the necessary response of the reader… to be faithful to our Loving God, and to be just and merciful in our relationships with one another. Malachi reminds us of who God is and that God calls us to obedience and relationship with Him.
Matthew Synopsis
The first book to appear in the New Testament is the gospel of Matthew. It opens with the genealogy of Jesus, an intentional connection to the Jewish world of the Old Testament. This genealogy provides a bridge to the world-changing good news that arrives with the birth of Jesus. Matthew’s gospel gives historical authority to Jesus, who will eventually hand His authority to His disciples so that they may take the “good news” to all the world. (Matthew 28:16-20)
Matthew organizes his gospel through several large discourses or sermons. The most famous is the Sermon on the Mount (Chapters 5-7). These collections of teachings help to convey the central message that Jesus is the Messiah, and through Him, God’s people will be restored.
Mark Synopsis
Mark is believed to be the first Gospel written even though it doesn’t appear first among the four Gospels. Scholars tell us the writers of Luke and Matthew most likely had the Gospel of Mark in front of them when they composed their narratives of Jesus’ ministry. In Mark, there is a sense of urgency. The writer wants you to know that Jesus has come to proclaim the Kingdom of God, and we need to repent… now!
Mark doesn’t seem to have time to share the birth story, the Sermon on the Mount, or even many parables. The Gospel’s first words are… “The beginning of the good news about Jesus the Messiah, the Son of God.” John the Baptist proclaims the coming of the Lord and then baptizes Jesus. The Gospel ends with His death and burial and the discovery of the empty tomb. From this moment, the disciples take the good news of God’s kingdom to the world.
Luke Synopsis
Unlike Matthew and Mark, Luke’s gospel is not attributed to one of the original disciples. Luke was most likely a friend and contemporary of the Apostle Paul (Colossians 4:14). Luke is part of a two-part book, the second being the book of Acts. Like Matthew’s gospel, Luke records the full scope of Jesus’ life, birth through death and resurrection. Luke’s gospel, along with the book of Acts, is a significant recording of the work of Jesus and the early church to bring about God’s plan to “seek and to save what was lost.” (Luke 19:9-10)
As you read Luke’s gospel, pay specific attention to its prophetic nature. Luke emphasizes the work of Jesus to bring about a caring church. Mercy, justice, and compassion are central to the actions of Jesus and His disciples in this gospel. As Jesus begins His ministry, Luke records Jesus reading from the prophet Isaiah “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me…” (Isaiah 61)
We encourage you to begin your Bible reading time by reciting the month’s memory verse and then the daily Bible reading. Reflect on the reading – did it raise questions or confusion; did it inspire you or warm your heart? Then, to live in a spirit of gratitude, write down three things for which you’re grateful. Finally, close your devotional time in prayer. While you might not feel the same way each day, the ongoing discipline of having a daily devotional time will have lasting impact on your life and certainly deepen your relationship with God.
Reading Plan
October 1: Malachi 1-4 and Psalms 80
October 2: Matthew 1-2 and Psalms 81
October 3: Matthew 3-5 and Psalms 82
October 4: Matthew 6-8 and Psalms 83
October 5: Matthew 9-11 and Psalms 84
October 6: Matthew 12 and Psalms 85
October 7: Matthew 13-15 and Psalms 86
October 8: Matthew 16-18 and Psalms 87
October 9: Matthew 19-20 and Psalms 88
October 10: Matthew 21-22 and Psalms 89
October 11: Matthew 23-24 and Psalms 89
October 12: Matthew 25-26 and Psalms 89
October 13: Matthew 27-28 and Psalms 89
October 14: Mark 1-2 and Psalms 90
October 15: Mark 3-4 and Psalms 91
October 16: Mark 5-6 and Psalms 92
October 17: Mark 7-8 and Psalms 93
October 18: Mark 9-10 and Psalms 94
October 19: Mark 11-12 and Psalms 95
October 20: Mark 13-14 and Psalms 96
October 21: Mark 15-16 and Psalms 97
October 22: Luke 1-3 and Psalms 98
October 23: Luke 4-5 and Psalms 99
October 24: Luke 6-7 and Psalms 100
October 25: Luke 8 and Psalms 101
October 26: Luke 9-10 and Psalms 102
October 27: Luke 11-12 and Psalms 103
October 28: Luke 13-14 and Psalms 104
October 29: Luke 15-17 and Psalms 104
October 30: Luke 18-19 and Psalms 105
October 31: Luke 20-22 and Psalms 105
