NIV LIVE: 30 Day Audio Bible ChallengeSample

Chapter 15

The Pharisees and scribes came to Jesus from Jerusalem to question Him. They discussed traditions and God’s commands. Jesus said they set aside the commands of God when they created their traditions. The Pharisees were blind guides leading the blind—people His Father had not planted. What is said and done from the heart is what defiles a person. Jesus cast a demon out of the daughter of Canaanite woman and commended her great faith. Jesus healed many and fed 4,000, plus women and children.

Chapter 16

The Pharisees and Sadducees tested Jesus. Jesus said they could not interpret the signs of the times because they were an evil generation. Jesus warned His disciples to beware the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees. Simon Peter declared Jesus was “the Christ, the Son of the living God” (vs. 16). Jesus then began to tell of His death and Peter reprimanded Jesus and Jesus reprimanded Peter for tempting Him. Jesus said that His followers must deny themselves, take up their cross, and follow Him.

Chapter 17

Peter, James, and John go with Jesus up the mountain where He was transfigured before them. There they met Moses and Elijah and heard the Father tell them to listen to Jesus, His Son. They go down the mountain and Jesus casts a demon out of a boy, something that His disciples had not been able to do. Jesus then foretells His death (and resurrection) again. At Jesus’ instruction, Peter catches a fish with a shekel in its mouth so they can pay the taxes for them both.

Chapter 18

The disciples learned that those who will be the greatest in the kingdom of heaven must become like little children. Jesus taught about temptation, sin, and hell, and also told the story of the 1 lost sheep out of 100 that the shepherd went to find. Jesus told the procedure one should use if someone sins against you. And also says we are to forgive 7 times 70.

Chapter 19

Jesus left Galilee for Judea and large crowds followed Him. Jesus taught on marriage and divorce. He welcomed the little children who came to him. He spoke to the rich young man about his possessions and following Him, and the young man left Jesus sadly. Jesus said it was easier for a camel to get through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven, but with God all things are possible.