Happy Birthday, Coach Matt!

Today is Coach Matt's birthday!  If you get a chance, drop him a note to wish him a happy day (or shake his hand on Sunday).

Happy Birthday, Coach Matt!

Today is Coach Matt's birthday.  If you can, take a moment today to drop him an e-mail and wish him a happy and blessed day.

HUMOR: Lying

Not mine.  From here.

A minister told his congregation, “Next week I plan to preach about the sin of lying. To help you understand my sermon, I want you all to read Mark 17.”

The following Sunday, as he prepared to deliver his sermon, the minister asked for a show of hands. He wanted to know how many had read Mark 17. Several went up. The minister smiled and said, “Mark has only sixteen chapters. I will now proceed with my sermon on the sin of lying.”

DID YOU KNOW: What happened the writer of the Gospel of Matthew?

"DID YOU KNOW?" will be a summer series where we review issues of the Bible and the Christian faith of special interest. If you have a suggestion/question that you'd like addressed in a "DID YOU KNOW?" segment, please e-mail the coaches.

We discussed that the apostle Matthew - the former tax collector - wrote the Gospel of Matthew.  What happened to him afterwards?

Scripture is silent on the fate of most of the apostles, and Matthew is no different. He is not mentioned in any of the epistles (letters) and the next time we see him after the Gospels is in Revelation, where John sees all 12 apostles standing with the 12 patriarchs around the Throne of God.

But there are traditions that have been handed down.  It is important to remember that traditions are not authoritative, and could be wrong.  But they can still be useful, if used cautiously.   Fox's Book of Martyrs reports this about Matthew:

He wrote his gospel in Hebrew, which was afterwards translated into Greek by James the Less. The scene of his labors was Parthia, and Ethiopia, in which latter country he suffered martyrdom, being slain with a halberd in the city of Nadabah, A.D. 60.

Ethiopia is a land in eastern Africa, while Parthia is a region now in north-eastern Iran.  A halberd is a spear with an axe-attached - given the regions Matthew was working when he would have died, it is more likely to have been a simple spear.

So Matthew, like most of the apostles, died a martyr for the Gospel of Christ.

REVIEW TIPS: The Ten SHORTEST Finish-the-Verse Questions in Matthew

As you do your final reviews, you're probably thinking "Wow, there is so much material out there!  How do I figure out what to study?"  One good approach is to identify easy ways to fill in the gaps in your knowledge and potentially help the team.  One way is Finish the Verses.  While they are tough due to their word-perfect requirements, they give you the advantage of knowing exactly what will be asked and why.

Consider learning the Ten Shortest FTVs in Matthew, listed below.

QUESTION:  If you believe, // you will…

ANSWER:  ...receive whatever you ask for in prayer.  (Matthew 21:22 )

QUESTION:  Heaven // and earth…

ANSWER:  ...will pass away, but my words will never pass away.  (Matthew 24:35 )

QUESTION:  Therefore keep // watch,…

ANSWER:  ...because you do not know on what day your Lord will come.  (Matthew 24:42 )

QUESTION:  Whoever finds // his life…

ANSWER:  ...will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.  (Matthew 10:39 )

QUESTION:  The men // were amazed…

ANSWER:  ...and asked, "What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey him!"  (Matthew 8:27 )

QUESTION:  Jesus looked // at them…

ANSWER:  ...and said, "With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible."  (Matthew 19:26 )

QUESTION:  So you // also must be…

ANSWER:  ...ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.  (Matthew 24:44 )

QUESTION:  But seek // first his…

ANSWER:  ...kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.  (Matthew 6:33 )

QUESTION:  No one knows // about…

ANSWER:  ...that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.  (Matthew 24:36 )

QUESTION:  So in // everything, do to…

ANSWER:  ...others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.  (Matthew 7:12 )

QUESTION:  Jesus answered, // "It is written:…

ANSWER:  …'Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.'"  (Matthew 4:04 )

WEEK 32: Review the Gospel of Matthew

This week (April 15 thru April 20), please review the Gospel of Matthew.

If you want to read the book online, click here. (Free website Biblegateway.Com)

Study Tip: The Gospel of Matthew is 28 chapters long, but this is your chance to firm up your knowledge and close up any gaps.

• If you've been studying well all along, identify weeks you were weak and focus there, and
• If you've been having problems this year, focus on the last few chapters (it never hurts to study Holy Week!).

We'll see you on Saturday for the trip to Sparta, NJ!

Upcoming Events:
- April 19-20 - DISTRICTS in Sparta, NJ

CHAPTER REVIEW: Matthew 28

If you'll miss practice this week we don't want you to miss out on the review of the chapter.  You can download Coach Mark's lesson by clicking here, or on the image below.

REFERENCE QUESTIONS: Matthew 28

Remember, the full list of Reference Questions can always be found in the sidebar or at this link.

QUESTION:  According  to  Matthew  28:9, Who  worshiped  him?

ANSWER:  (They) The  women  (Mary  Magdalene  and  the  other  Mary). 2:11; 14:33; 28:17

QUESTION:  According  to  Matthew  28:17, Who  worshiped  him?
ANSWER:  (They) The  eleven  disciples. 2:11; 14:33; 28:

FINISH THE VERSE: Matthew 28

Remember, the full list of FTV's can always be found at this link. The // in the verse marks the minimum number of words you need from the FTV to uniquely identify it.

QUESTION: The angel // said...

ANSWER:  ...to the women, "Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay."  (Matthew 28:05-06 )

QUESTION: Then go // quickly...

ANSWER:  ...and tell his disciples: 'He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.' Now I have told you.  (Matthew 28:07 )

QUESTION: Then Jesus came // to them...

ANSWER:  ...and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."  (Matthew 28:18-20 )

QUESTION: There was // a violent earthquake,...

ANSWER:  ...for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it.  (Matthew 28:02 )

WEEK 31: Study Matthew, Chapter 28

This week (April 8 thru April 14), please study Matthew, Chapter 28.

If you want to read the chapter online, click here. (Free website Biblegateway.Com)

Download the MP3.

Download the puzzle.

If you'd like to read a commentary on the chapter, click here. (Free website, BibleGateway.Com)

Study Tip: This is the last week of new material and Districts is almost upon us.  Don't let up now!  It's been a long season, full of ups and downs, but we're in the home stretch!  Keep up your study schedule - read the material at least twice a day, every day - and you may be the difference for the team between a win and loss in Sparta.

Upcoming Events:
- April 19-20 - DISTRICTS in Sparta, NJ

CHAPTER REVIEW: Matthew 27

If you'll miss practice this week we don't want you to miss out on the review of the chapter.  You can download Coach Mark's lesson by clicking here, or on the image below.

REFERENCE QUESTIONS: Matthew 27

Remember, the full list of Reference Questions can always be found in the sidebar or at this link.

QUESTION:  According  to  Matthew  27:9, What  was  fulfilled?

ANSWER:  What  was  spoken  by  Jeremiah  the  prophet: "They  took  the  thirty  silver  coins, the  price  set  on  him  by  the  people  of  Israel, and  they  used  them  to  buy  the  potter's  field, as  the  Lord  commanded  me."

QUESTION:  According  to  Matthew  27:23, They  shouted  all  the  louder  what?

ANSWER:  "Crucify  him!" 20:31

QUESTION:  According  to  Matthew  27:29, Who  mocked  him?

ANSWER:  (They) The  governor's  soldiers. 27:41

QUESTION:  According  to  Matthew  27:41, Who  mocked  him?

ANSWER:  The  chief  priests, the  teachers  of  the  law  and  the  elders. 27:29

QUESTION:  According  to  Matthew  27:54, Who  were  terrified?

ANSWER:  (They) The  centurion  and  those  with  him  who  were  guarding  Jesus. 14:26; 17:6

FINISH THE VERSE: Matthew 27

Remember, the full list of FTV's can always be found at this link. The // in the verse marks the minimum number of words you need from the FTV to uniquely identify it.

QUESTION: And when Jesus // had...
ANSWER:  ...cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit. At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook and the rocks split.  (Matthew 27:50-51 )

QUESTION: From the // sixth hour...
ANSWER:  ...until the ninth hour darkness came over all the land. About the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, "Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?" - which means, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?"  (Matthew 27:45-46 )

QUESTION: Joseph // took the body,...
ANSWER:  ...wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, and placed it in his own new tomb that he had cut out of the rock. He rolled a big stone in front of the entrance to the tomb and went away.  (Matthew 27:59-60 )

QUESTION: The tombs // broke open...
ANSWER:  ...and the bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life. They came out of the tombs, and after Jesus' resurrection they went into the holy city and appeared to many people.  (Matthew 27:52-53 )

QUESTION: They spit // on him,...
ANSWER:  ...and took the staff and struck him on the head again and again. After they had mocked him, they took off the robe and put his own clothes on him. Then they led him away to crucify him.  (Matthew 27:30-31 )

QUESTION: They stripped // him and...
ANSWER:  ...put a scarlet robe on him, and then twisted together a crown of thorns and set it on his head. They put a staff in his right hand and knelt in front of him and mocked him. "Hail, king of the Jews!" they said.  (Matthew 27:28-29 )

QUESTION: When the centurion // and those...
ANSWER:  ...with him who were guarding Jesus saw the earthquake and all that had happened, they were terrified, and exclaimed, "Surely he was the Son of God!"  (Matthew 27:54 )

WEEK 30: Study Matthew, Chapter 27

This week (April 1 thru April 7), please study Matthew, Chapter 27. (Yes, we know it is another LONG one.)

If you want to read the chapter online, click here. (Free website Biblegateway.Com)

Download the MP3.

Download the Puzzle.

If you'd like to read a commentary on the chapter, click here. (Free website, ChristNotes.Com)

Study Tip: We're almost at the end of the Bible Quizzing season, so it may be tempting to coast on what you already know.  But don't let that impulse win!  Districts is only a few weeks away, and even the end-of-the-year quiz tends to focus mostly on the last few chapters.  And, let us not forget, these current chapters are among the most important in all of scripture dealing with Jesus death and resurrection!  Take the time and keep on task, and learn all you can.

Upcoming Events:
- April 19-20 - DISTRICTS in Sparta, NJ

WEEK 29: Review Matthew, Chapters 17-26

This week (March 25 thru March 31), please review Matthew, Chapters 17-26.

There is no practice next Sunday (March 31) for Easter.  Enjoy the all-church breakfast!

If you want to read the chapters online, click here. (Free website Biblegateway.Com)

Study Tip: This has been a busy, busy year with very few review weeks, so you may not be familiar with the process.  There are many different ways to review.  Some actually reach thru all of the review chapters every day.  Others focus on just one or two chapters that they had problems with.  If you're not sure what to do, consider using the Holy Week handout from Sunday.  It walks you thru every day of Holy Week day by day.

Upcoming Events:
- April 19-20 - DISTRICTS in Sparta, NJ

CHAPTER REVIEW: Matthew 26

If you'll miss practice this week we don't want you to miss out on the review of the chapter.  You can download Coach Mark's lesson by clicking here, or on the image below.

REFERENCE QUESTIONS: Matthew 26

Remember, the full list of Reference Questions can always be found in the sidebar or at this link.

QUESTION:  According  to  Matthew  26:18, What  is  near?

ANSWER:  My  appointed  time. 3:2; 4:17; 10:7; 24:32,33; 26:45

QUESTION:  According  to  Matthew  26:21, Who  will  betray  me?
ANSWER:  One  of  you. 26:23

QUESTION:  According  to  Matthew  26:23, Who  will  betray  me?
ANSWER:  The  one  who  has  dipped  his  hand  into  the  bowl  with  me. 26:21

QUESTION:  According  to  Matthew  26:24, The  Son  of  Man  will  what?
ANSWER:  Go  just  as  it  is  written  about  him. 13:41; 24:30,44

QUESTION:  According  to  Matthew  26:24, What  would  be  better  for  him?
ANSWER:  If  he  had  not  been  born. 18:6

QUESTION:  According  to  Matthew  26:31, This  very  night  you  will  what?
ANSWER:  All  fall  away  on  account  of  me. 26:34

QUESTION:  According  to  Matthew  26:31, What  is  written?
ANSWER:  "I  will  strike  the  shepherd, and  the  sheep  of  the  flock  will  be  scattered."

QUESTION:  According  to  Matthew  26:34, This  very  night  you  will  what?
ANSWER:  (Before  the  rooster  crows) disown  me  three  times. 26:31

QUESTION:  According  to  Matthew  26:45, The  Son  of  Man  is  what?
ANSWER:  Betrayed  into  the  hands  of  sinners. 12:8

FINISH THE VERSE: Matthew 26

Remember, the full list of FTV's can always be found at this link. The // in the verse marks the minimum number of words you need from the FTV to uniquely identify it.

QUESTION: "Put // your sword...

ANSWER:  ...back in its place," Jesus said to him, "for all who draw the sword will die by the sword."  (Matthew 26:52 )

QUESTION:  Do you // think I cannot...

ANSWER:  ...call on my Father, and he will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels? But how then would the Scriptures be fulfilled that say it must happen in this way?  (Matthew 26:53-54 )

QUESTION:  Going // a little farther,...

ANSWER:  ...he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, "My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will."  (Matthew 26:39 )

QUESTION:  Then he took // the cup,...

ANSWER:  ...gave thanks and offered it to them, saying, "Drink from it, all of you. This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins."  (Matthew 26:27-28 )

QUESTION:  Then one // of the Twelve -...

ANSWER:  ...the one called Judas Iscariot - went to the chief priests and asked, "What are you willing to give me if I hand him over to you?" So they counted out for him thirty silver coins.  (Matthew 26:14-15 )

QUESTION:  Watch // and pray...

ANSWER:  ...so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak.  (Matthew 26:41 )

QUESTION:  When she // poured this perfume...

ANSWER:  ...on my body, she did it to prepare me for burial. I tell you the truth, wherever this gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her.  (Matthew 26:12-13 )

QUESTION:  While they // were eating,...

ANSWER:  ...Jesus took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying, "Take and eat; this is my body."  (Matthew 26:26 )

WEEK 28: Study Matthew, Chapter 26

This week (March 18 thru March 24), please study Matthew, Chapter 26. (Yes, we know it is a LONG one.)

If you want to read the chapter online, click here. (Free website Biblegateway.Com)

Download the MP3.

Download the puzzle.

If you'd like to read a commentary on the chapter, click here. (Free website, BibleGateway.Com)

Study Tip: We're now in the season of Lent, when Christians celebrate the weeks before Jesus's death on the cross and resurrection from the dead. It is traditional at this time among some Christians to give up something, in order share in some small way with Christ's suffering. If you're still unable to find time to study, perhaps you might choose something to give up for Lent (maybe a favorite TV program) to provide more time to spend in the scriptures.

Upcoming Events:
- April 19-20 - DISTRICTS in Sparta, NJ

CHAPTER REVIEW: Matthew 25

If you'll miss practice this week we don't want you to miss out on the review of the chapter.  You can download Coach Mark's lesson by clicking here, or on the image below.