Register Now to Memorize Matthew 5:1-19

March 19, 2018 by Lisa Burgess 15 Comments

NOTE: Registration is now closed as of July 2018

Moving Too Fast?

As we head into spring and summer, the pace of life can pick up. End-of-school activities are scheduled; vacations are to be taken; warmer weather invites us outside more often.

Who has time for scripture?

Sure, we may grab a quick devotional or read our daily chapter. But too often we speed through, just to call it done.

When we rush through the words, we don’t give the Word much opportunity to stick around. We miss out on the life-changing attitudes and teachings that Jesus longs to give us.

Slow Down with Matthew 5

Two years ago with picked up in the middle of the Sermon on the Mount. We memorized Matthew 6 together. We lingered in the verses and hopefully still feel the effects of Jesus’s words to stay humble, to pray like Jesus taught, and to seek first God’s kingdom.

Now we’re going back to the beginning.

We invite you to slow down with us for a new Bible memorization challenge.

We’re going to sit this spring and summer with the red-letter words in Matthew 5:1-19, the beginning of Jesus’s famous sermon to the crowds on the mountain. And His sermon to us.

By learning 1-2 verses a week, we’re going to let Jesus’s sayings seep deeper inside of us. We’ll learn what it means to find true happiness, to be light in the world, to accept Christ’s complete fulfillment of the Law.

Join Us

When you sign up, we’ll send you the link to our packet of printables.

You can download and print scripture cards, 1^st letter sheets, journal pages, and more. We’ll also send you a short email once a week during the months of the challenge to help you stay on track.

Below is our official schedule.

We’ll start on Monday, April 2, the day after Easter. We’ll take two scheduled breaks: the week of May 14 and the week of July 4. And we’ll finish the last week of July, before school starts again.

We hope you’ll take this journey with us.

Together we can renew our appreciation for Jesus’s simple teachings in our complicated times. We can gain clarity on who He really is. And we can view a truer picture of who He means us to be.

Would you help us spread the word to your friends?

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Free Resources to Memorize Matthew 5:1-19 {Printables}

March 19, 2018 by Lisa Burgess 1 Comment

Download and print any or all of the following resources to help you memorize Matthew 5:1-19.

The more you prepare now, the easier it will be to memorize later.

3×5 Text Cards
ESV | NIV | KJV | NKJV
One-Page Text
ESV | NIV | KJV | NKJV
One-Page 1st Letters
ESV | NIV | KJV | NKJV
Journal Pages
ESV | NIV | KJV | NKJV
Bookmark Schedule
Button
Memory Checklist

For extra community, join our Hide His Word Facebook group.

Post pictures on Instagram with #Matthew5 and #HideHisWord. Share tweets using #Matthew5 and #HideHisWord.

Jesus, The Great Teacher – Learning from John 12, Mark 12-13

March 16, 2018 by Ali Shaw 1 Comment

Today, in our Lent Reading plan (40 Days with Jesus) we’re looking at truths that Jesus, the Great Teacher, lays before us in John 12, and Mark 12-13.

John 12

In John chapter 12, we find Jesus six days before the Passover feast. We hear of his anointing by mary of Bethany, and find that the chief priests made plans to kill Lazarus. So many had heard of his resurrection and then believed in Jesus! We read about the Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem (which we also covered earlier this week in Mark 11)

After Jesus enters Jerusalem, he continues to teach.

Jesus teaches what type of death he would suffer: “And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.” (John 12:32)
He teaches us to walk in the light: “‘While you have the light, believe in the light, that you may become sons of light.’ When Jesus had said these things, he departed and hid himself from them.” (John 12:36)
And He teaches that believing in and seeing Him is believing and seeing in the One who sent Him: And Jesus cried out and said, “Whoever believes in me, believes not in me but in him who sent me. And whoever sees me sees him who sent me.” (John 12:44-45)
Christ also teaches us that He is the light of the world: “I have come into the world as light, so that whoever believes in me may not remain in darkness.” (John 12:46)

He is our light and our salvation!

Oh, Jesus! Thank you for suffering on a cross for us, that we might walk in your light, and know you personally! How humbling is your awesome, sacrificial love! Will you strengthen us, precious Lord, to share your light with those around us who may walk in darkness? Help us use our lives to point the way to Christ. Amen!

Mark 12

As Jesus goes about His ministry in Jerusalem, he teaches that he is the rejected stone prophesied about in Psalm 118:22-23, which Jesus quotes in verses ten and eleven of this chapter.

Yes, our precious Savior was rejected by His own people. Though heartbreaking, it was “marvelous in our eyes” because it was God used this as part of His plan to take the Gospel to the nations of the world.

Have you not read this Scripture:

“‘The stone that the builders rejected
has become the cornerstone;
this was the Lord’s doing,
and it is marvelous in our eyes’?” (Mark 12:10-11)

Later in Mark 12, when a scribe asks Jesus what the most important commandment is, Jesus answers him by teaching the “Great Commandment:”

Jesus answered, “The most important is, ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” (Mark 12:29-31)

The words in the first two verses of the Great Commandment are part of the Shema´, a prayer from Deuteronomy 6:4-5 recited twice daily by any devout Jew. The words would have been as familiar as one’s own name! The emphasis on these verses, and on this prayer alike, is faith. The emphasis on the remaining verse in the Great Commandment is on the action of loving our neighbor.

Christ shows us: as Christians, we have a duty to both God and man.

Mark 13

In Chapter 13 of Mark, Jesus teaches about the future. Many of the disciples had confused understanding about the destruction of Jerusalem (which was coming soon) with the end times (of which no one knows the hour). Jesus gave Peter, Andrew, James, and John (see verse 3) instruction on both events.

At this time in history, the Jews were under Roman control and the people hoped for a Messiah who would bring them military victory. One that would ride in, powerfully wielding his military might, not meekly on a donkey! But as the Jews rebelled against Rome, their demise came much quicker than imagined, and only about 40 years after Jesus shared this teaching.

“Therefore stay awake—for you do not know when the master of the house will come, in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or in the morning— lest he come suddenly and find you asleep. And what I say to you I say to all: Stay awake.” (Mark 13:35-37)

Like Jesus warned, we too must stay awake and on alert! Whether if it’s for end times or meeting Jesus face to face, we don’t want to find ourselves not ready.

It’s easy for us to look at life through temporal eyes that don’t see the big picture. We can even be afraid of things to come. But thankfully, no matter what comes our way, our teacher Jesus is aslo our helper, Savior, and great refuge!

What has God shown you through Jesus’ teaching in the chapters? Please share here in the comments, or over in our FB discussion group.

Ali

3 Things You WON’T Need for This Conference

March 14, 2018 by Lisa Burgess Leave a Comment

Have you ever attended an online Bible conference?

This is your opportunity to participate in the inaugural year of the Enjoy the Word Online Bible Conference sponsored by Katie Orr and Jami Balmet, May 2-4.

Whether you’re new to the Bible or have been reading it your whole life, you’ll find many reasons to grow more excited about God through the teachings available at this conference. All you’ll need is an internet connection and a heart for God.

But here are three things you WON’T need at this conference.

You won’t need a suitcase.

No outfits to pick out. No shoes to decide on. No hotel to book. You won’t even have to get out of your pajamas to attend. You can watch from the comfort of your living room couch or outside in your backyard.

You won’t need to pick and choose which sessions to attend.

Often there are more sessions than we can attend at a conference. We have to make the difficult decision of which to hear and which to leave behind.

But with this online conference, you can choose the lessons you want to watch live, and then return to any or ALL of the sessions later, anytime you want. You’ll have lifetime access to view them whenever and however many times you like.

You won’t need a totally free week.

Since this is all online, you can start and stop as needed.

Need to take a child to soccer practice Friday afternoon? Do it, then catch up later on what you missed.
You’re a night owl? Put in earbuds and watch in bed when everyone is asleep.
Busy the week of May 2-4? Choose alternate days that work better for your schedule.

You won’t have to reschedule your plans to get it all in.

What You CAN Do

And while you also won’t need someone to ride with, someone to sit by, or someone to watch your kids so you can attend, you still CAN do these things if you choose. Set up a viewing party and watch a few sessions with friends.

You’ll also be invited to join in on live Facebook discussions that will be held after most sessions in private groups for attendees. You can choose to interact (or not) with other participants as well as the speakers.

Learn more and sign up here. Early bird pricing ends soon.

3 Things You WON’T Need at This Bible Conference #EnjoyTheWord

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The Path to the Cross {John 11, Mark 10-11}

March 13, 2018 by Patti Brown Leave a Comment

We continue our #40DaysWithJesus in John 11, Mark 10, and Mark 11. These three chapters lay a clear path pointing toward the cross.

John 11 – Jesus, the Resurrection and the Life

In John 11 we read the well-known story of Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead. Jesus knows Lazarus is dying, but He does not hurry to heal Him.

“Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. So, when he heard that Lazarus was ill, he stayed two days longer in the place where he was.” (John‬ ‭11:5-6‬)

Jesus loves us so he allows us to experience what is real in this life. His love does not mean we won’t experience loss and pain. Rather He dwells with us in our suffering. He wept with Mary and Martha (John 11:35). Ultimately he did bring Lazarus back to life, just as He himself would rise from the dead.

Jesus proclaims to Martha:

John tell us that the miracle of Lazarus’ resurrection brought many more to belief in Jesus (v. 45), but it also solidified the leadership’s opposition to Him: “So from that day on they planned together to kill Him.” (John 11:53)

Mark 10 – Jesus the Teacher

In this chapter Jesus speaks to the people of matters both temporal and eternal:

divorce (Mark 10:2-12)
children (Mark 10:13-16)
the way to inherit eternal life (Mark 10:17-31)
ambition (Mark 10:35-45)

To His own disciples, on their way to Jerusalem, He speaks very clearly of what is to come:

“See, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be delivered over to the chief priests and the scribes, and they will condemn him to death and deliver him over to the Gentiles. And they will mock him and spit on him, and flog him and kill him. And after three days he will rise.” (Mark 10:33-34)

This chapter is also where we find the healing of blind Bartimaeus. (Mark 10:46-52)

Mark 11 – Jesus Returns to Jerusalem

Jesus had just prophesied his own death and resurrection to His disciples, and now it was time to return to Jerusalem.

This chapter is easy to break down by day:

Sunday

Jesus command the disciples to bring him a colt they will find in the village
Jesus rides triumphantly into the city, people laying their cloaks and branches before Him to honor Him

Monday

Jesus curses the fig tree
He drives out the the money changers, sellers, and people in the temple courtyard
The chief priests and scribes determine to kill Jesus

Tuesday

The disciples see the withered fig tree
Jesus encourages the disciples to pray with great faith
He commands them to forgive so that they may be forgiven
Jesus confounds the priests and scribes with a simple question about baptism

Was there anything in our past three days of reading that surprised you? Have you seen something in a new way?

The Path to the Cross: John 11, Mark 10, and Mark 11

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New Bible Memory Challenge Coming Soon – Will You Join In?

March 12, 2018 by Lisa Burgess Leave a Comment

Get ready.

Start praying.

Consider if you’d like to memorize a new portion of scripture with us soon.

We’re working diligently behind the scenes to get resources ready for you. We want to help by making it as easy as possible to pick up a set of words from the Bible and transfer them off the page, into your head, and down to your heart.

One week from today on March 19 we’ll give you all the details. We’ll have a registration page for you to sign up. When you do, we’ll email you a package of resources. You can choose which ones you want to download and print.

Why do we do this? Because we know the difference it can make when we memorize scripture. It makes us more aware of God’s presence around us and in us. It changes us. What a valuable way to spend our time.

Finish enjoying your time these next few weeks of Lent with our #40DaysWithJesus series, reading through the gospels of Mark and John.

Then the day after Easter, April 2, be ready to take a new journey with us and with Jesus through more red-letter words.

Will you pray about this? Next week we’ll open registration for a new #BibleMemoryChallenge! #HideHisWord

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The Truth Will Set You Free – John 8-10

March 9, 2018 by Alyssa Howard Leave a Comment

The truth will set you free! I hear this quote frequently in both Christian and secular circles. It comes from Jesus’ words in John 8:32. But did you know that it’s actually the second half of Jesus’ statement?

So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” – John 8:31-32 (ESV)

The key to being set free by God’s truth is abiding in His word. It’s not enough to know the truth. The enemy knows the truth, but it doesn’t set him free. God’s truth sets us free when we abide in it and become His followers. This is one of many reasons I am truly enjoying this Lent Bible study. What an amazing way to abide in God’s Word as we approach the celebration of His victory over sin and death on the cross!

As you read John 8-10 from our daily Lent plan, what stands out the most to you and why?

John 8

“Truly, truly, I say to you, if anyone keeps my word, he will never see death.” – John 8:51 (ESV)

John 8 begins with one of the most well-known stories of Jesus’ ministry. A woman caught in the act of adultery was brought before Jesus. According to the Law, they had every right to stone this woman to death, but Jesus had other plans when He said, “Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her.” That day, her sin was forgiven and she was told to go and sin no more. What a beautiful story of God’s love and mercy!

Throughout His ministry, Jesus made one thing clear. We all have a choice to make. Believing in Him means choosing life over death, freedom over slavery, and forgiveness over condemnation. It may seem like an easy choice, but it was one that most of the religious leaders were too blind in their pride to see.

John 9

Having said these things, he spit on the ground and made mud with the saliva. Then he anointed the man’s eyes with the mud. – John 9:6 (ESV)

Speaking of blindness, today’s chapter includes one of my favorite miracles of Jesus. It also contains an important lesson in spiritual sight. A man who had been blind since birth was healed by Jesus in a most unusual way. But the story didn’t end there, rather it was laced with controversy. You see, the Jewish people believed that a child who was born with a disability was born that way because their parents had sin in their lives. This man’s parents had undoubtedly endured their fair share of gossip and stares. And now… their son was associated with Jesus. This explains their fear of the Jewish leaders. The last thing they wanted was more controversy. Unfortunately, their need for approval kept them from seeing the truth about who Jesus was (and is) and what He came to do.

John 10

“I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture.” – John 10:9 (ESV)

I love the promises found in today’s passage. The sheep know the Shepherd’s voice in verse 4. They flee from the voice of strangers in verse 5. And in verse 9 we see that salvation comes to those who follow Jesus.

I find it so comforting to know that when I abide in Christ, I can know the voice of my Shepherd!

So once again, we are presented with a choice. We can choose to follow the Jesus and enter through the door to find life. Or we can be blind to the truth which ultimately leads to death.

Will you follow Jesus and allow God’s truth to set you free?

Believing in Jesus means choosing life over death, freedom over slavery, and forgiveness over condemnation.

For more discussion, join in with our DoNotDepart Facebook community.

Catch up on all our articles here on our reading passages for Lent.

Easter Story Eggs – Create a New Family Tradition

March 7, 2018 by Guest Post 1 Comment

Today we welcome Natalie Ard, creator of The Easter Story Egg. Natalie’s unique activity helps kids focus on Jesus and stay in the Word as they anticipate Easter.

Start a new family tradition with the Easter Story Egg.

Easter, like Christmas, is often a holiday that can be confusing for children. They see so much media and advertisement about Easter basket goodies and the Easter Bunny. Candy floods the grocery store aisles, and visions of Chocolate bunnies dance in their heads!

As an adult and a mother I can look past the jelly beans and Cadbury Eggs, and know that Easter is about the cross and Jesus. It is about resurrection and new life! This isn’t so easy for a kid. So, how would I keep my children’s’ eyes and heart fixed on the true meaning of Easter? How could I get them to look past the yummy chocolate and life sized bunnies?

The Easter story is one of the most beautiful and important stories we will ever teach our kids. Why not make it fun? I decided to create an activity and tradition for families to help them tell the Resurrection story. I wasn’t really sure where to begin when I began the development process. I knew I wanted to make the activity fun, playful, and something children could interact with. I decided an “egg” would be the perfect place to start. Dying eggs and egg hunts are often the first things that come to mind when a child thinks about Easter. The egg is also an ancient symbol of new life, and for Christians the egg resembles Jesus’ emergence from the tomb and resurrection. That was it! I would tell the Easter story through an egg.

We have a stack of children’s Easter books in our home, and many of them talk about new life, or really focus in on the resurrection, but often skip over the crucifixion altogether. I wanted to find a way to tell more of the story and to help children really understand the importance of this amazing holiday. It has always fascinated me how many meaningful events took place during Holy Week. From Palm Sunday to Resurrection Sunday, there are so many important facts and stories that would be interesting to our kids! Therefore, I decided this Easter tradition would not be limited to the crucifixion and the resurrection, it would include all of Holy Week.

The Story Egg is a tradition that celebrates the true meaning of Easter. This family activity includes a hardcover book and 7 wooden nesting eggs – Palm Sunday Egg, House of Prayer Monday Egg, Teacher of Love Tuesday Egg, Give and Take Wednesday Egg, Last Supper Thursday Egg, Good Friday Egg, and Holy Saturday Egg.

The Story Egg book begins on Palm Sunday and ends on Easter Sunday. Each egg within the set of nesting eggs has a story that relates to a particular day in Holy Week, leading up to Easter Sunday. As the children open each egg they will discover the Easter story and the journey of Jesus through the week of Easter. The book is written in rhyming format, and the illustrations are brightly colored yet simple to encourage a child’s imagination.

The Story Egg has been such a great teaching tool for me to use with my kids. It helps them connect with the true meaning of Easter through hands-on play. They love to open and close the eggs. They line the eggs up, un-nest and re-nest them over and over again! The Story Egg has opened up opportunities for them to ask me more detailed questions about the Easter story and has encouraged them to want to learn more of the stories of Jesus!

I hope the Story Egg offers this same experience to other families as well, and I pray that it helps children understand the significance of the most beautiful story ever told, the story of Easter.

Start a new Easter family tradition with Easter Story Eggs! #LetTheChildrenCome

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Natalie Ard is the creator, author, and illustrator of The Easter Story Egg. She is a wife and a mother to three children and has built her company on the foundation of creating lasting memories for children and their families. You can connect with her on Pinterest, Facebook, and Instagram.

When in Doubt, Focus on Jesus – Mark 8-9, John 7

March 6, 2018 by Lisa Burgess 28 Comments

What do you do with the holes in your faith (and we all have them)? Read these passages with us during Lent: Mark 8, Mark 9, John 7. See what Jesus says about doubts.

When You Doubt

Nobody has perfect faith. We all have doubts sometimes.

Our doubts can come when:

We’re faced with a difficult decision and we’re not getting a clear answer from God.
Or when we are in a season of suffering and we don’t feel God’s “comfort that only He can give.”
Or when the doctrine we used to believe just doesn’t make sense anymore.

When Jesus walked among men in the flesh, they had doubts, too. He was turning their world upside down. Everything they once knew was being flipped inside out.

How did Jesus handle their doubts? How does He handle our doubts?

Mark 8 – See, Hear, Remember Jesus

Jesus multiplied food again. He was concerned about those who had come a long way to hear Him. He didn’t want them to go home hungry. So He blessed what they had, turning it into more than enough for everyone to be satisfied.

But the miracle wasn’t enough for some. It didn’t satisfy their hunger for signs.

The Pharisees wanted more (Mark 8:11). Another sign. Another sign.

It was enough to make Jesus “sigh deeply in His spirit” (Mark 8:12). He didn’t give them a sign.

Later, the disciples were arguing among themselves about their own lack of bread.

Jesus overheard and was discouraged by their lack of understanding. He said, “Don’t you see the point of all this? Don’t you get it at all?” (Mark 8:17)

He then reminded them they had eyes to see. They had ears to hear. Why weren’t they remembering?

He wanted them to see Him. To hear Him. To remember what He had done.

Mark 9 – Take Doubts to Jesus

This chapter reveals Jesus in a new form, transfigured in a burst of light right before the eyes of Peter, James, and John (Mark 9:2).

They didn’t know what to say. And as we are prone to do when we’re left speechless, Peter blurted out something anyway. Anything. The wrong thing.

“Why don’t we build three shelters? One for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah?” (Mark 9:5)

God redirected him directly to Jesus.

Then a cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my dearly loved Son. Listen to him.” (Mark 9:7)

Look only to Jesus.

Later, a man from the crowd brought his writhing son to Jesus. “Your disciples can’t heal him. If you can, help us.”

Jesus noted the doubt. “If I can?” (Mark 9:23)

The man acknowledged his own doubts. “I believe; help my unbelief!”

Jesus had mercy. He healed the boy. Surely the father’s unbelief shrunk measurably.

Later the disciples went with Jesus through Galilee. He told them He was be killed and would rise again in three days.

But they couldn’t grasp it (Mark 9:32). Instead of asking Jesus their questions, they kept their doubts underground.

John 7 – Reboot Your Thoughts

When Jesus went privately to Judea for the Feast of Tabernacles, the Jews couldn’t find Him. Their pride and fear kept them from speaking publicly about Him. Yet around the middle of the Feast when Jesus did choose to appear and teach, the Jews were even more confused.

“How does he know so much when he has never studied?” (John 7:15)

Jesus answered that His teachings were from God. He told them to use their heads to believe correctly, to make “right judgments.” (John 7:24)

Later when Jesus taught more—“If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink” (John 7:37—they became divided on who He really was.

Some believed He had to be the Messiah. But others kept doubting, believing their own interpretations of scripture instead of the one right in front of their eyes.

Their old beliefs wouldn’t budge, despite new evidence mounting in front of them: “No prophet comes from Galilee.” (John 7:52)

And with that, they went home, missing out on the amazing Son of God in their midst.

Do This When Doubting

We can doubt, too. Can Jesus really live up to the hype? Is it okay to admit doubt and ask questions? Is there ever a time to change our minds about what we believe?

What can we do when we doubt?

See. Hear. Remember Jesus. Yes, Jesus has and does live up to the hype.
Ask questions. Jesus already knows our doubts anyway. Keep searching.
Upgrade our beliefs. When we’re wrong, let’s not be afraid to admit it. Believe better thoughts.

Nobody starts out with mature faith. It’s a growing process for all of us. And when we doubt, we need to look directly at Jesus again and again. Watch Him. Talk to Him. Believe Him.

Doubts aren’t always signaling weakness. Sometimes they’re forecasting growth.

When in doubt, focus on Jesus.

Doubts don’t mean you’re weak. They may signal you’re about to grow. ‘When in Doubt, Focus on Jesus’

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Are you reading along with us for Lent? Do you ever struggle with doubts? Are you slow or quick to change your mind? Please share in the comments.