Don’t be tricked by the rainbow collection of pens. These tools are drills and dredge machinery for mining the first two chapters of the Gospel of Matthew.
Most of the colors are brighter than the soot you’ll see on foreheads today, but they are the tools I’m using during the 6 weeks leading up to Easter to create more whitespace for God. Today marks the launch of Lent, my mostest favorite season on the church calendar, a time when we prepare our hearts and minds for the resurrection of Christ at Easter.
You’re invited to join me and some incredible friends to read through the Gospels over the next 40 days. That requires reading through 2.225 chapters of the Bible each day.
We put together a handy-dandy, FREE reading guide, here.*
Friends including Catalyst Conference, YouVersion, Jenni Catron, and Shelly Miller are joining us this year. Last year, we had more than 50,000 people join in the Lent reading—we’d love for you to join this precious fellowship.
Will you let us know that you’re onboard by posting about what you’re discovering as you read on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or your blog using #lentchallenge?
But back to the issue of colored pens and the beginning of war.
My friend, Matt suggested the Color Method months ago and now I’m hooked. Read how The Color Method works, here.
Let me be clear: You do not need to go all cray-cray-crayon to do the #LentChallenge Gospel reading plan.
This is just something I’m experimenting with as a spiritual Dora the Explorer who loves to try new spiritual disciplines to grow deeper in Christ.
I fear showing you my Bible doodles and reading because:
- I draw like a four-year-old.
- I know some Bible scholars would scoff at this approach.
- My observations are raw and unrefined.
- I don’t want you to think I don’t take Lent seriously.
- I have no idea if this is going to work.
This is only Day One of Lent which means reading Matthew 1-2. My color key and approach will shift and modify, but here’s the initial plan.
Verbs are circled in red. Highlighting the activity of people and God.
Names are underlined in green. Additional mentions receive an extra underline.
Timing is circled in blue. Noting when, then, and after exposes God’s blueprint.
Numbers are circled in orange. Numerals often have Biblical significance.
The Holy Spirit, angels, the prophetic are marked in light blue. A steady presence.
Observations are scribbled in turquoise. Comments, insights, humorous notes.
Doodles appear in a variety of colors. Doodling allows the soul to reflect.
Now I miss verbs and places and mentions of the Holy Spirit on every page. This isn’t about perfect markings.
The goal of my pens gone wild approach to Bible study is interacting with the text in a tangible way that uncovers patterns and placement, that primes our hearts to hear from God through familiar passages in fresh ways.
The question I’m challenging you to ask and I’m asking myself this Lent is:
What do I most need to read but least want to hear?
(Thanks to Shane Farmer for this brilliant question)
For me, the most striking facet of Matthew 1-2 is the clashing of kingdoms taking place. The genealogy communicates that God, the true king, has been at work for a very long time despite impossible situations and the frailty of humanity. The world needs a savior.
Jesus catapults on the scene in the most understated fashion. A showdown ensues:
Mighty King Herod Versus The Infant
This is one for the history books. Literally. The notion of such a battle seems preposterous. Silly. Yet behind the heavenly curtain all eternity is at stake.
More than a scrimmage, this is a clash of power and principalities, light and darkness, order and chaos, life and death.
Herod’s response to the infant boy: Anxiety. Panic attacks. OCD. Paranoia.
A ribcage you could hold in the palm of your hand makes Herod mad as a hatter—both angry and berserk.
Yet God does not shudder or withdrawal. The kingdom of God is advancing each day with each gurgle and coo.
In a crazed panic, Herod unleashes infant genocide.
But God remains one step ahead. He sends another angel, another dream. Joseph, father of Jesus, must follow the footsteps of another Joseph who lived centuries before. Again, Egypt will provide sanctuary. The angel instructs that the family must stay until further notice.
Joseph and Mary are an everyday man and woman, but they are also servants of the Most High King.
These are the crosshairs of a kingdom clash. The kingdom of heaven versus the kingdom of earth. Both sides playing for keeps.
What do I most need to read but least want to hear?
For me, it’s a sense that how I live matters much more than I realize. I long to live awake to God and His presence. But on far too many days, I give into spiritual slumber. I want to awaken. To follow his leading. To respond in obedience.
Battles are taking place in my life and those all around me. The enemy may not be King Herod, but forces are still at work pilfering people’s hope, strength, vision.
Those same dark forces deafen and blind us to Christ and the kingdom of God breaking in all around.
Perhaps today, more than any other, I need to hear the gurgles and coos of the Christ child anew.
This morning, I’m spending time asking God to make me more alert to His Kingdom and how I can serve Him in specific ways throughout the day. Along the way, may I have the grace to fight back with joy.
What do you most need to read but least want to hear from today’s reading? Share in the comments below.
As questions come along, post them as comments below. Every week, our friend and New Testament Bible Scholar, Craig Blomberg will be providing insightful answers.
*If you’re already subscribed, your download will be in the right-sidebar from today’s email. Questions? Email jessica@margaretfeinberg.com.
Want some music to listen to you while you read and study this Lent? Check out this Spotify playlist.
[metaslider id=30121]
What do I most need to hear but least want to hear?: Joseph’s obedience and sensitivity to the direction of the Spirit were KEY to the safety of Christ at that time. Though I am not charged with the safe-keeping of Christ, what battles larger than myself are lost because of my tendency to drag my feet in obedience or not be still to hear & understand God’s Words to me?
Btw, color coding is awesome!!!! Thank you Margaret!
I love that so much, Janee. May we both continue to walk in obedience!
What do I most need to hear but least want to hear?
For me, it’s a sense that I need WAKE up and not live a life of complacency any longer. There is too much at stake. I need to WAKE and get in the fight and not be a bystander. My heart cry is for Christ’s light to shine in my life and in the process radiate his light to others.
I think of the following passage: This is why it is said: “Wake up, sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.” Eph. 5:14.
Myriam
Myriam, what a battle cry! One I’m also sensing… may we live on high alert to what God has for us, for the people he’s placed in our lives, and for us to be awake to the ways he’s moving in our lives.
One line that has resonated with me in the last couple of weeks since I’ve started Bible journaling, and been so nervous, overwhelmed, and intimidated by the vast array of artistic ability of others, is this — It’s bout your HEART and not your art!. Your study, doodles, markings, highlights, circles, underlines, are all part of WORSHIP and that is the cherry on top of God’s ice cream hot fudge sundae!!!!!!!!
hugs to you,
Nicole
“It’s about your HEART, and not your ART.” YES YES YES. Preach it, sister.
This spoke to me loud and clear: what man means for harm, God uses for good!
AMEN. A lesson I am continuing to learn. Thanks, Karen.
I am overwhelmed at the ease of obedience from Joseph. Four dreams and four immediate decisions. All four dreams give Joseph an action and direction and he awakens and goes. I am not such a good listener or follower. I am sure that God has to tell me things several times before I really listen and then prod me even more for me to take action. Lord forgive me for not trusting and not obeying when you tell me the first time!
Yes– He was so quick to obey. What a challenge to the rest of us. Let’s continue to listen and obey just like Joseph. Thanks, Carmen!
I most needed to read: The wise men sought Jesus, for one purpose, to worship Him. Do I seek Him to worship Him or to get Him to do my bidding? And the reward of seeking to worship is finding Him!! Being led by the Spirit. Rejoicing, falling down, opening their treasure to Him. And then they obey the warning in the dream and return to their country. To their family. To their work. But with a knowledge of the One who loves them. I want to seek Him to worship Him each morning and trust in His guidance as I return to my family and work.
What a challenge, Dorie. Thanks for sharing!
The thing that strikes me is that no matter what forces are against God and his plan, he is on the move. And he will not be defeated.
The same is true today. No one, no culture, no compromise, no condition of society or the church in the future, will change that God is on the move, and he is drawing his people in close — to the dim light of a stable where the Light of the world is on display in us — to see what wonders He is working in our lives.
I love this, John-Peter: “No one, no culture, no compromise, no condition of society or the church in the future, will change that God is on the move, and he is drawing his people in close — to the dim light of a stable where the Light of the world is on display in us — to see what wonders He is working in our lives.”
Amen! Thanks for the reminder.
Why oh why do I always need the basic reminders…He knows/has the plan, even when it looks impossible, daunting and down right scary…He’s got it.
He’s got this. He’s got you. Much love to you, friend.
I’ve heard that Karl Barth once said that all his theology (and he wrote a lot of really long books about it!) could be summed up in one sentence: “Jesus loves me; this I know, for the Bible tells me so.”
Sometimes the most basic reminders are EXACTLY what we need. And I think Jesus knows it, which is why He sends them so often.
Thanks for having the courage to post this. I, too, am in a daunting situation – looking for a new job, and having the hardest time finding one; wondering how in the world God will ever accomplish the purposes I know He has for me, and needlessly *worrying* about the future when He yet says, “trust me.”
Sigh. I needed this basic reminder from Him today: “I’ve got this.”
And He does have it, sister. You will be singing songs of joy again before you know it. Hang in there!
In Matthew 3:12, John the Baptist is speaking to the Pharisees and Sadducees about Jesus the Messiah who has His winnowing fan in hand. He will gather His wheat into the barn and burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.
Are the chaff and wheat people referring to people? Is the barn a reference to heaven? And Is the fire symbolize hell?
Happy Lent,
Alee
LOVE this question. I’m going to send it to Dr. Blomberg. Thanks, Alee!
Thank-you for this idea. I want to do the doodle study for the rest of lent and am wondering if you have a specific site that you get your Bible from to print out. Thanks
Here you go, Brenda!
https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0178/8093/files/MATTHEW_1-28.pdf?4102460465084061035
This web address was great for Matthew, but I can’t seem to figure out how to find Mark. 🙁
They are all available here, Susan: http://margaretfeinberg.com/simple-method-will-revolutionize-way-read-gospels/
I am one day behind…but I am curious about the prophet that is spoken of in Matthew 2:5, 2:15, 2:17. In one verse, this prophet is referred to as Jeremiah. Is there more about him, who he is, his background? This is my first time reading the bible in this way(or really at all, yikes!:)) so I am excited to open myself up to learning…and listening for what I NEED to hear. I have always been drawn to the mystical aspects of Christianity and I sense a bit of that in these two brief chapters. Joseph following instructions from dreams, wise men from the East(where I wonder? this is so fascinating to me because certainly they could not have been christians?) fulfilling predictions from prophets…this connects with a part of me that so deeply wants and needs to know that Christianity was not born with Jesus(perhaps fulfilled), but has roots that go much deeper and spread much wider than many of us may ever know!
My ears and mind are open and I am looking forward to continuing!
Great question, Karen! I’m going to pass the question along to Dr. Craig Blomberg– he’ll be answering questions every Friday. Stay tuned!
SO thrilled you are joining us– can’t wait to hear what you learn as you read.
I am absolutely LOVING this Bible study! I normally have to force myself to read b/c that’s what I’m supposed to do. But this dissecting the words is so awesome for a former English major!! My chapter nine page has no blank space left on it! Thank you so much for suggesting this method of study. I can’t wait until tomorrow! 🙂
Also, Matthew 9:36-38 resonates with me because I was just studying about Jesus telling Peter to feed His sheep. That’s been something that I’ve been struggling with lately, and these “soul echoes” are so good for me!
Matthew ch. 10 Jesus instructs his disciples Ch. 11 Jesus says, ” Come, my burden is light.” Ch. 12 The Pharisees opposed Jesus when he healed on the Sabbath. Jesus said, ” Make a tree good and it’s fruit will be good, if the fruit is bad a tree is known by its fruit. The sign of Jonah will be given.” To walk with Jesus is the lightest of any burden for myself I don’t like to even use the word burden so I’ll say lighter than a feather for anything he asks.
Matthew ch.13 What I heard was you reap what you sow. Matthew ch. 14 Herod had John the Baptist beheaded. Jesus feeds 5,000. Jesus comes to the disciples walking on water. He says to Peter, Come and when he did Peter got afraid and said save me Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. This took me back to the movie The Son of God. It’s amazing how those images run through your mind when your reading the bible. Ch. 14 for me is about faith and trust in Jesus.
Yes- I love that the images from the movie kept coming back to you, Suzanne! So powerful.