T-minus 6
- Cornerstone Church
- May 17
- 4 min read
Where last week the readings were primarily from the Gospel of Luke, this week there are readings from every Gospel. Pay attention to the stories that are repeated, because each Gospel writer thought that was central to explaining who Jesus is and what He came to do. All scripture is relevant, and it is interesting to note the similarities and differences between what each Gospel writer chose to include. Jesus is now approximately 6 days from the crucifixion and Passover. The next 8 weeks' readings will cover the last week of Jesus’ life. That timeline brings about a unique focus on all Jesus chose to spend time on in the last week of His life, and that is the Big Picture.
Each week, as you take in the Bible, find some friends to talk it out. You can follow this simple guide to help. First, R.E.A.D. and P.R.A.Y. on your own. Then, meet with friends to share what you've learned.
R - Repeated words
E - Examine and mark
A - Ask what you learn about God
D - Do if there is anything to do
P - Praise
R - Repent
A - Ask
Bible Reading Plan - Week 21
Daily Prayer Plan – Week 21
START IT.
We're reading the Bible together in 2025 to see how Love Shows Up from the Old Testament and into the New Testament. How do we understand so many stories and lessons through the entire Bible while trying to stick to the "sacred timeline"? The answer is the big picture. If we get the big picture, we get the story the Bible is trying to tell. From Sunday's message or The Big Picture Bible Reading Plan this week in all four of the Gospels, what is impacting you the most? How has praying daily through the Psalms impacted you? Was there a word, phrase, Bible verse, or theme that impacted you?
STUDY IT.
Read John 11:45-57. What was the reason that the Pharisees sought to kill Jesus, or what was the final straw? Read John 11:50-52. What makes this statement ironic, or what did Caiaphas mean versus what did he accidentally prophesy?
Read Mark 10:14-15. How is receiving the Kingdom similar to how a child would receive something? What can a child offer? What is childlike faith?
Read Mark 10:18. If only God is good, then who can enter heaven? How did this statement actually affirm Jesus’ deity by accident (Hebrews 4:15)?
Read Mark 10:20-23. How did the rich young ruler compare to keeping the law outwardly? What did Jesus expose in the rich young ruler? What did the rich young ruler love more than God when those two things came into conflict?
Read Mark 10:24-27. What were the disciples astonished by? How were the disciples confusing outward riches as proof of spiritual blessing?
SHARE IT.
Read Luke 18:1-8. What have you been praying for the longest? Explain what Jesus says about praying and trusting God’s timing?
Read Luke 18:9-14. Describe a type of person (race, culture, religion, class, education, socio-economic status, criminal history, etc.) that you personally are most tempted to feel superior to? What is the warning given here about self-righteousness?
Read Matthew 19:3-9. Like the Pharisees, where are you tempted to add to God’s law, such as saying Moses “commanded” divorce? Or in contrast, what commands for God’s design are you tempted to ignore?
Read Matthew 19:14. What is the difference between childlike faith and immaturity? What is the connection between childlike faith and humility?
What section in this week’s readings was most difficult for you to understand or believe? How will you investigate further?
FINAL THOUGHT
This passage contains Jesus’ affirmation of God’s design for marriage and the family. Genesis 24:67 is the first recording of a husband (Isaac) loving his wife (Rebekah). Undoubtedly this had occurred previously, but it just so happens that this is the first time it is mentioned in the Bible. Another interesting pattern throughout the Old Testament is men meeting their wives around water. Rebekah is found as a wife for Isaac at a well. Jacob meets Rachel at a well. Moses meets Zipporah through an event at a well. What type of woman does Jesus meet at a well? She is an outcast adulterous Samaritan who has had 5 husbands plus a current lover (John 4:1-26). Now Jesus did not have a bride in His earthly life, but awaits His heavenly bride at the end of all things. The woman at the well is a picture of the bride that Jesus came to redeem. She looked everywhere for satisfaction, and Jesus went to her offering living water. He chose the unlovely, the spiritually adulterous for Himself. This is both scandalous and to God’s glory.
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