Bible passages

Zechariah 14:16–21

Even the Cooking Pots Are Holy

Notice how ordinary cooking pots enter a picture of holy worship.

Malachi 1:1–5

Israel Asks About God's Love

Listen to Israel's question and God's difficult reply.

Malachi 1:6–14

Gifts That Hide Disrespect

Ask why a gift can reveal disrespect instead of care.

Malachi 2:1–9

Priests Must Practise What They Teach

Compare what a priest should teach with what these priests have done.

Malachi 2:10–17

Worship Cannot Hide Betrayal

Ask why worship cannot cover up betrayal at home.

Malachi 3:1–5

A Messenger, Fire and Soap

Notice why an awaited visitor brings both cleansing and a challenge.

Malachi 3:6–12

Bring the Food to God's House

Find the specific answer to 'How shall we return?'

Malachi 3:13–18

Does Serving God Matter?

Compare two conversations about whether serving God matters.

Malachi 4:1–6

Warning, Healing and Turned Hearts

Compare burning stubble with calves leaping into the light.

Background and records

Matthew 1:1–17; Luke 3:23–38

Jesus’ Family Lists

Find out how Matthew and Luke use lists of family names to introduce Jesus.

Matthew 4:12–17; Luke 4:14–15

Light Dawns in Galilee

Find the place where Jesus' public message begins to spread.

Matthew 4:23–25; Matthew 9:35–38; Matthew 12:15–21; Mark 1:35–39; Mark 3:7–12; Luke 4:42–44; Luke 6:17–19; Luke 8:1–3

Jesus Teaches, Heals and Prays

Look for repeated actions across several summaries of Jesus' work.

Matthew 8:18–22; Luke 9:57–62; Luke 14:25–27

The Cost of Following Jesus

Hear the hard answers Jesus gives to people who want to follow him.

Matthew 9:14–17; Mark 2:18–22; Luke 5:33–39

A Wedding, a Patch and Wineskins

Explore why wedding guests, a torn coat and wine containers belong in one answer.

Matthew 10:5–42; Mark 6:7–13; Luke 9:1–6

Jesus Sends the Twelve

Follow the twelve as Jesus gives them a particular mission.

Matthew 11:20–30

A Warning and an Invitation to Rest

Hear both the strong warning and the gentle invitation in Jesus' words.

Matthew 12:22–45; Mark 3:20–30; Luke 11:14–36

Jesus Answers an Evil Accusation

Separate what Jesus' opponents accuse him of from what he says in reply.

Matthew 13:34–35

Why Jesus Teaches in Parables

Pause between Jesus' stories to notice how Matthew explains his teaching.

Matthew 15:1–20; Mark 7:1–15; Mark 7:17–23

Clean Hands and an Honest Heart

Ask whether a religious rule is helping people obey God or avoid caring.

Matthew 16:1–12; Mark 8:11–21

A Yeast Warning Misunderstood

Listen for the moment the disciples mistake a picture for a bread problem.

Matthew 16:24–28; Mark 8:34–38; Luke 9:23–27

What Is Worth More Than the World?

Ask what could be worth more than gaining the whole world.

Matthew 17:22–23; Mark 9:30–32; Luke 9:43–45

Jesus Speaks of Death and Rising

Notice what Jesus wants his worried disciples to hear carefully.

Matthew 18:1–9; Matthew 18:15–20; Mark 9:33–43; Mark 9:45; Mark 9:47–50; Luke 9:46–50

Greatness Means Welcome and Service

Compare competing for first place with Jesus' way of welcoming small people.

Matthew 19:1–12; Mark 10:1–12

Jesus Speaks Seriously About Marriage

Read this serious conversation about marriage with a trusted adult.