I love to pray through books of the Bible. And I’m excited that we are going to spend the next quarter in Matthew in our Pray the Word Journal (now 40% off!). There is something special about taking time to read through the familiar stories at a slower pace, contemplating them prayerfully.
One of my great joys as a Bible teacher is to offer women resources to help them learn to study the Bible for themselves. And it’s a special gift to be able to curate tools and guides for our Million Praying Moms community.
As I considered what to add to this resource list, my primary goal was to help you go just a step deeper in your study. For all of us, that looks different as we are each in a different place in our spiritual growth. Next to each resource, I shared if it is best for beginner, intermediate, or advanced Bible study. We don’t want anyone to be overwhelmed but we do want to help you grow in your understanding and knowledge of the Word because we believe doing so will help you pray with more confidence.
This quarter, I also created a reading guide for Matthew. Again, this is an extra resource for you to use if you would like. The daily readings don’t always line up with the verses we are praying. Rather, they take you all the way through Matthew, a few verses at a time. (I use and teach a simple study method. You can learn more about it here.) And you can download a free reading guide here!
Recommended Study Resources for Matthew
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Strong’s Concise Concordance & Vine’s Concise Dictionary — This two-in-one book is a must have for every Bible student at any level. I use my concordance and dictionary every time I study to help me gain a fuller understanding of the text and its context. (beginner, intermediate, advanced)
On Earth as It Is in Heaven — Warren Weirsbe’s book about The Lord’s Prayer is another great addition to your Bible study library. I love this especially for those of us who are passionate about prayer as it helps us gain a deeper understanding of what Jesus taught His disciples on this topic. (beginner, intermediate, advanced)
Matthew Study Guide — This overview by Through the Bible with J. Vernon McGee is a great introduction to the Matthew’s gospel and includes a timeline, definitions, themes, and more (beginners).
Knowing the Bible: Matthew — This 12-week study provided by Crossway and The Gospel Coalition is an opportunity to dig into Matthew with guided questions and simple commentary. (beginner, intermediate)
Exalting Jesus in Mathew (Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary series) — David Platt authored this Matthew commentary and it is definitely one of my favorite resources. This is not a verse-by-verse commentary; instead, key passages and themes of Matthew are explored and explained. (intermediate)
Matthew (The Expositor’s Bible Commentary) — D. A. Carson’s commentary on Matthew is in-depth and exhaustive. Carson digs deep into each passage and considers various interpretative options while offering sound exegesis of the text. (advanced)
The Gospel of Matthew (The New International Commentary on the New Testament) — This commentary is also deep and detail-rich. It is decidedly evangelical in tone and a rich addition to any serious Bible student and teacher’s library. (advanced)
Please, though, don’t feel you have to purchase new books to help you study Matthew. There are many free commentaries and study notes available online. The ones listed below are good places to start.
Free Online Resources
The Bible Project: Matthew — I can’t speak highly enough of these videos! Sound exegesis of the text in an easy-to-understand and follow format. Start here! You’ll be glad you did.
Blue Letter Bible — Brooke, Erin, and I all use the Blue Letter Bible app and resources. You can access multiple commentaries as well as interlinear notes including the original languages.
Biblica — This site offers book introductions from the NIV Study Bible.
Precept Austin — On this website you will find many tools and resources for helping you study and understand Matthew.
SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT
As we pray through passages of Scripture, it is imperative that we also spend time growing in our knowledge of the Word and the context of what we are reading and praying. Our hope for all who use the Pray the Word Journal or our social media images as a prompt to pray for their children is that they will also discover an abiding love for the Word of God.
Investing time to understand the Scriptures we pray is a means of our own spiritual growth and gives us deeper insight into the character and nature of God as well as helping us pray with more confidence for our children.
SOMETHING TO PRAY
Lord, we pray for a hunger for Your Word. May we, like Jeremiah, find Scripture as a delight for our souls. We trust the Holy Spirit to be our Teacher and Guide. Give us an abiding desire for more of Your Word and a deep urgency to obey what we learn.
EXTRA VERSES TO PRAY
Jeremiah 15:16, “Your words were found, and I ate them, and your words became to me a joy and the delight of my heart, for I am called by your name, O Lord, God of hosts.”
Hebrews 4:12, “For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.”
2 Timothy 3:16, “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness…”
