Matthew’s Gospel is a substantial book to consider teaching through as a whole. With large teaching excurses and expansive theological reflection seeming to predominate over the action of the story, it may seem daunting to the preacher, compared to the relative brevity and flowing action of Mark. But precisely because there are such rich seams of theology, and so much teaching from the mouth of the Lord Jesus himself, it is a wonderful treasure-trove for the Bible student. Moreover, as a way of explaining the message of the New Testament gospel so as to open up to the hearer a sense of its continuity with the whole Old Testament, and its fulfillment of all God’s covenant promises from the beginning of time in Jesus Christ, teaching Matthew could hardly be bettered.
This book is designed to help and encourage Bible teachers, and stimulate study with a view to teaching Matthew’s message. Though principally aimed at preachers who are preparing expository sermons, the hope is that Bible teachers in a variety of settings—as well as those simply reading Matthew for themselves—will gain help from the approach.
