Example: CHARA in Action
HOW TO STUDY MATTHEW 6:19-23
“Don’t store up for yourselves treasures on earth…”
Matthew 6:19-23
“Don’t store up for yourselves treasures on earth…”
“Don’t store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves don’t break in and steal. For where your treasure is there your heart will be also. ”‘The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are healthy, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness.” (Matthew 6:19-23, CSB)
CONTEXT
CONNECTIVE WORDS: How are connective words (e.g. therefore, and, but, however) used to develop a complete thought?
“But” contrasts the folly of vs 19 with the wisdom of vs 20, encouraging the pursuit of heavenly treasures.
IMMEDIATE: What is the theme or main idea found in the surrounding paragraph(s) and how does that help determine what the verse means?
What might treasuring heavenly things look like? Just before, Jesus modeled how to pray for God’s glory and His Kingdom (vs 9-10). And just after, Jesus said, “seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness” (vs 33).
AUTHOR
RELATED TEXT: What is revealed through 1) Questions and Answers, 2) Compare and Contrast, 3) Cause and Effect?
Treasures on earth are possessions that grow old or can be taken. Compared to treasures in heaven that have eternal value.
SPEECH: What is the point being made through figurative language or symbolism such as metaphors, hyperbole, idioms and rhetorical questions?
“The eye is the lamp of the body” is a metaphor. In context, the eye likely represents what you treasure. If what you value and invest in is aligned to God’s desires, you’re filled with light. If not, you are in darkness, blind to God’s desires.
RESEARCH
RESOURCES: What insights do you learn from Biblical scholars provided in Study Bibles, commentaries, and credible online resources?
According to my Study Bible, ancient Jewish writings often referred to a good/healthy eye as a generous attitude and a bad eye as a stingy attitude.
PARAPHRASE: How would you rewrite the message of the passage into your own words?
The pursuit of worldly possessions will not provide lasting happiness and can blind me from God’s desires and purpose! My heart will follow what I invest time and money in, so pursue God’s glory and Kingdom!
APPLY
REFLECT: What specific questions do you have upon further reflection of the passage? Is there a verse that you’d like to memorize to speak truth to your heart and mind?
“For where your treasure is there your heart will be also” Matt 6:21
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