Women's Bible Study: Book of Matthew - Part One

For this swap, you will read and study the Book of Matthew, Chapters 1 through 5, keep notes, photocopy your notes, and send the photocopy to your partner (via snail mail, not email). Participants will be heavily vetted, I will angel any flaked swaps, and I plan to host this as a series so that we will study our Bibles together!

First, you will need a Bible. Any translation is fine. You can even use an online Bible for free if you do not have one at home to use. Make note of what translation you are using at the beginning of your notes, as well as the website URL if you are using an online version.

You should read the Book of Matthew, Ch. 1-5, and take notes. See "required notes" section below to ensure you meet swap requirements, but you can feel free to write as much as you would like for your note-taking. Just make sure you meet the required note guidelines at a minimum - otherwise you will not be meeting swap requirements and can be rated down.

You may use loose papers or a notebook for your note-taking. You will be keeping the notes for yourself - simply photocopying them and sending the photocopy to your partner. This way, if you want to keep them in a bound book, you can keep your original and your partner can always add your photocopy to her own journal. Different perspectives, fellowship, and learning from one another is the point here!

You may choose to handwrite or type your notes. Make sure, whichever you choose, that the font/handwriting is legible. Your partner should not have to guess what they are reading.

Send a photocopy of your notes to your partner on or before the swap deadline. Rate your partner promptly and according to Swap-Bot Rating Guidelines.

Required Notes to Take

• What translation are you reading?

• If this is an online book, what is the website URL?

• Each chapter, write at least one verse in your notes and tell why you chose to write down that verse. For example, "But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeard to him in a dream and said, "Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit." Matt. 1:20 (NIV) - 'do not be afraid' is found several times in the Bible. My notes will include every verse where this is found.

• Answer the Personal Reflection Question (see below) for each chapter.

• Write the meditation & memorization verse at the end of each chapter's notes. This is to help us memorize it. The mediation part is up to you to do! This swap, the meditation & memorization verse is Matthew 4:4 Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God. (NIV)

Personal Reflection Questions

Matthew 1 - Joseph was a man of faith willing to follow God's lead despite is own initial reaction. Has there been a time when you had to set aside your own will to follow God's plans for you?

Matthew 2 - Mary, Joseph, and Jesus were removed from harm's way. Name a time when God stepped in and removed you from a bad situation. How have you used this to glorify God?

Matthew 3 - John knew that he was unworthy to serve Jesus. Yet, he did not let that stand int he way of sharing the news of Jesus's coming and ultimately was given the privilege to baptize Jesus. Has there been a time that you have felt unworthy of doing God's work and yet once you did, you received a great blessing?

Matthew 4 - Jesus was tempted by Satan with desires of the flesh. However, He combated them with scripture. Share your go to scripture for when you are faced with desires of the flesh.

Matthew 5 - Today we are reminded that we are blessed. We are also reminded that we are the light of this dark world. What is one thing that we can do for someone today to share our lighta nd be a blessing to someone else?

What to Send to Your Partner

Send a photocopy of your notes to your partner via snail mail. The notes should meet the guidelines above in order to meet swap requirements. You will have one week to read & take notes, and one week to send.

Participant Requirements

• Rating of 4.98 or higher.

• No unresolved 1's owed to active members.

• No 3's in the past 6 months.

• Not be listed in the Swap-Bot Flakers group or the Questionable Swappers in Public Forums.

• Have completed and been rated for at least 10 Type 3 swaps or 20 Type 2 swaps or a combination thereof.

• Have a well filled out profile.

• Be female (I am not trying to start a gender-war or go into the theology of genders and gender roles. Simply looking for a group consisting of only women because I want to study the Bible with fellow women.)

I reserve the right to ban anyone from this swap, even if they meet posted guidelines, for any and no reason as I see fit.

Questions, ask here or via PM before signing up. Please feel free to start on this as soon as you join, since it is completely sender's choice!

As stated above, I will angel this if needed (but hopefully it is not needed). You must have contacted your partner, rate them a 1, and contact me via PM for me to angel this swap. Communication is key!

*I am using WomenLivingWell as a guideline for this Bible study. Future swaps in this series may or may not use the same site. I will always give credit when using publicized works as guidelines for these studies.