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The Gospel of Matthew: Life in the Way of God
Experience the life and teachings of Jesus through art, reflection, and spiritual practices
About this Course
The Gospel of Matthew: Life in the Way of God was designed to incorporate the Gospel of Matthew into your day-to-day life with in-depth analysis and transformative spiritual practices.
What you’ll learn:
A Journey into Following Jesus
The Gospel of Matthew is full of implications for how we can live (and even thrive) in the 21st century, but they may not be clear without first understanding the deeper context. Having a complete framework—from the historical and the theological to the cultural and literary—is what brings the teachings of Jesus to life.
This course is where that journey begins, and you're invited to join us. Over seven self-paced modules, you'll incorporate the Gospel of Matthew into your day-to-day life with in-depth analysis and transformative spiritual practices. Are you ready?
Modules
Welcome
Get oriented to the course. Meet your instructor, discover the course learning outcomes, and access all your course resources.
Putting Matthew in Context
In this module, you will...
- Understand how the Roman occupation of Israel in the first century shaped the theological imagination and expectations of the various types of Jewish people to whom Matthew was written.
- Identify the author of Matthew, the community to whom Matthew was written, and key themes in Matthew that may connect to your present context.
- Feel excited about meeting Jesus through Matthew’s perspective.
- Reflecton key issues/questions that you bring to the story from your own context.
The Beginning of Jesus
In this module, you will...
- Consider how Matthew’s account of Jesus’ birth reflects the purposes of the gospel.
- Experience the ways in which God’s presence is felt in your life.
The Ethics of Jesus
In this module, you will...
- Define Jesus’ use of the phrase “the Kingdom of Heaven has come near.”
- Put the Sermon on the Mount in context with the big story of Matthew.
- Understand the radical nature of Jesus’ teaching and how he was calling Israel to actually behave according to God’s original covenant to bless all nations.
- Choose one part of Jesus’ sermon and try to put it into practice in your own context.
The Mission of Jesus
In this module, you will...
- Identify the different ways that Jesus interacted with the marginalized and how it disrupted/challenged the religious establishment.
- Recognize how Jesus sent his disciples into the countryside to do the same things he was doing.
- Brainstorm practical ways you might live this type of mission in your own context.
The Parables of Jesus
In this module, you will...
- Define the term “parable” and how to approach the study of parables.
- Identify ways that Jesus behaved contrary to culturally acceptable norms and consider how his life was a living parable.
- Articulate possible ways Jesus’ parables invite us to think about the Kingdom of Heaven.
- Reflect on ways you conform to cultural norms, when that conformity serves the Kingdom of Heaven, and when God might be calling you to challenge cultural norms.
The Community of Jesus
In this module, you will...
- Recognize how Jesus was being challenged to expand his mission beyond the boundaries of the people of Israel.
- Recognize that inclusion and forgiveness are the hallmarks of Jesus’ community.
- Identify areas of unresolved conflict, exclusion, or unforgiveness in your life and make a plan to address it.
The End of Jesus
In this module, you will...
- Identify the key events and timeline of Jesus’ final week of ministry.
- Recognize how the placement of Jesus’ parables in chapters 21-25 reveal the revolutionary nature of Jesus’ mission.
- Recognize that “the end of the age” was the coming destruction of the Temple and the implications that would have on living in the Kingdom of Heaven.
- Reflect on the parable of the sheep and the goats and the implications it might have on your own context.
The Hope of Jesus
In this module, you will...
- Identify the implications of Jesus’ resurrection in light of his crucifixion, and the message of hope for new life in the midst of cruelty and oppression.
- Define the following terms in the context of Matthew: disciple, baptism, and obedience. Create a plan to implement one or two of Jesus’ teachings from Matthew into your life over the next month.
- Evaluate how you are being a disciple of Jesus as well as how you are making disciples of Jesus.
Conclusion
Find out your next steps as you complete the course and how to stay connected with your group. You'll also be able to submit feedback about your course.
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- Modules:
10 Modules
- Format:
Self-Paced, On-Demand
- Access:
Lifetime Access
Get to Know Your Instructors
Steve Thomason
Associate Professor of Spiritual Formation and Discipleship, Luther Seminary
The Rev. Dr. Steve Thomason’s passion and purpose intersect in the areas of theology, spiritual formation, and art. Mixing a lifelong love of drawing, illustrating, and animating with degrees from Wheaton College, Bethel Seminary, and Luther Seminary, Steve has done everything from owning and operating his own art studio to pastoring an 8,000 member congregation.
In addition to his faculty position at Luther Seminary, Steve has developed and maintains A Cartoonist’s Guide to the Bible. He is also the author of several books, including The Visual Preacher: Proclaiming an Embodied Word (Fortress Press, 2022), A Cartoonist’s Guide to John (Vibble Books, 2022), A Cartoonist’s Guide to Luke (Vibble Books, 2021), A Cartoonist’s Guide to Mark (Vibble Books), and A Cartoonist’s Guide to Matthew (Vibble Books, 2019).
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What to Expect with a Faith+Lead Academy Course
You’ll get a transformative learning experience that combines trustworthy theological teaching with spiritual practices, interactive elements, and a supportive online community.
Know
Expand your theological toolkit with fresh insights for today’s ministry landscape. Connect timeless wisdom with practical frameworks for navigating change.
Be
Do
Practice skills to lead confidently in your ministry context. Take actionable steps to invite your community into God’s unfolding story.
Every Academy course is designed to
Help your growth in one of these core areas:
Develop a Christ-centered identity, grounded in theology, scripture, and spiritual practice, that empowers community members to live as disciples of Jesus Christ in everyday life.
Tell the story of Jesus and invite neighbors into Jesus’ way of life and love through words and actions they can recognize.
Listen deeply, name God’s presence in the midst of everyday life, and form life-giving relationships across all dimensions of diversity—both within and beyond the church.
Through mutual relationships with the neighbors among whom you’re hosted, join in acts of compassion, justice, and reconciliation as a witness to the ministry of Jesus—especially in places of suffering and despair.
Harness skills of agile leadership, stewardship, fundraising, entrepreneurism, and management to be nimble enough to respond to a changing cultural landscape.
Frequently Asked Questions
What can I expect when I take an Academy course?
Academy courses consist of 6-10 lessons or modules, each walking you through the “know, be, do” learning framework. You’ll learn some new information with instructor videos and other resources (know). You’ll engage in a spiritual practice that will help you develop your faith around the topic (be). Then, you’ll be asked to apply what you’ve learned through activities completed online or in the “real world” (do).
How long will it take me to complete a course?
Each module is designed to take 15-45 minutes. Some learners complete the course in as little as one day. Some do a module a day or even a module a week. We suggest allowing some time between modules to process what you are learning, but not so much time that you lose momentum.
What resources are available if I’m a group leader?
Each course includes a flexible leader’s guide with multiple pathways for group facilitation. You’ll find thought-provoking discussion questions and practical activities that connect faith with daily life, designed to work with whatever preparation time you have available. These resources equip you to foster meaningful discipleship experiences that meet your community where they are.
What do I need to know about the free private online social group?
The private online group allows you to connect with others. Because our courses don’t have a required start or stop date, you will encounter others in different places in the course and even in different courses altogether. This is by design. Feel free to interact as much or as little as you like.
What should I do if I have questions or problems with my registration?
Reach out via email to faithlead@luthersem.edu with your question and we’ll get back to you with a response within two business days.
What if I have a suggestion or request for a course topic?
The best way to connect with us is to complete this form with your suggestion. We always want to hear your feedback. You may also include it in the comments section of the course evaluation.
Don’t see your question addressed?
Email us at faithlead@luthersem.edu for more information. We’ll be delighted to connect!