CURRENT SERIES: RED LETTERS

This year, we are taking a journey through the New Testament. It begins with 4 accounts of Jesus called the Gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke & John. We are looking at the words of Jesus found in the first four books of the New Testament. He has words of life, hope, peace, and guidance. Find more on this series here.

RECAP

This week we focused on Matthew 7:13-14. The way of Jesus is like walking the narrow path. It’s a call to live differently and counter-culturally. It’s not a burden of doing things differently, but a call to a deeper life with Christ.

BIBLE

Matthew 7:13-14
Jeremiah 6:16
Ephesians 5:15-16
Mark 12:28-34
John 13:34-35

QUESTIONS: Read Matthew 7:13-14

1) What does it mean for me to “enter” through the narrow gate — is there a step of obedience or surrender I’ve been avoiding?
2) How do my daily choices (habits, entertainment, priorities) reveal which path I’m truly walking?
3) What “wide gates” do I tend to justify as harmless or normal, even though they pull me from wholehearted discipleship?
4) If following Jesus became costly or unpopular, how would I respond?

JOURNALING

Read  Matthew 7:13-14 and Reflect Slowly
Read the verses aloud two or three times.Then write in your journal:

• What words or images stand out to me — gate, way, narrow, life, few?
• What emotions arise as I read this — peace, resistance, conviction, curiosity?
• What might Jesus be inviting me to enter into today?

(Take a few minutes to sit quietly before writing.)

Draw the Picture
On one side of a blank page, draw or describe the broad road — what it looks like, feels like, and where it leads. On the other side, draw or describe the narrow way — what kind of terrain, companions, and destination it has. Then journal:

• Where do I see myself on this map right now?
• What draws me toward the broad way?
• What attracts me to the narrow way, even though it’s hard?

Personal Inventory: My Gate
List 3–4 “gates” or choices that shape your current life path — things like career, relationships, habits, priorities, or ways of spending time.
Next to each, write:

• Does this gate draw me closer to Christ or distract me from Him?
• What might it look like to “narrow” this gate — to simplify or purify it for the sake of following Jesus?

Reflection: Counting the Cost
Jesus doesn’t hide that the narrow way is hard. Write about:

• What feels most difficult about walking the narrow way right now?
• How might this “difficulty” actually be shaping my soul?
• When have I experienced joy or peace through hardship because I stayed faithful?

Hope and Commitment 
Finally, meditate on the promise: “The way that leads to life.”
Write a short prayer or declaration like this:

“Lord, I choose the narrow way.
Even when it feels small, unseen, or costly,
remind me that You walk it with me.
Keep my eyes on the life that comes through You.”

Conclude by writing one small, practical step you’ll take this week to walk the narrow way — something concrete, humble, and faithful.

DEVOTIONAL

A New Way of Life With N.T. Wright: Day 7 • Devotional https://www.bible.com/reading-plans/44174/day/7?segment=0

BIBLE PROJECT

Here’s a video for a bigger picture about the Gospels https://bibleproject.com/videos/how-to-read-gospel/

BIBLE READING PLANS

Join us in reading through the New Testament this year. Here’s a plan through the Gospels: https://www.bible.com/reading-plans/16-the-gospels