Book: The Bible Companion Book 10 Matthew–John The Gospels
Author: Karen Westbrook Moderow
Genre: Bible Study
Release Date: May 29, 2026
What do you think about Jesus?
The Bible Companion Book 10 Matthew–John explores the gaps between our view of Christ and who Bible says He is. A simple one-chapter-a-day format lets you engage with Scripture without the pressure of schedules, homework, or heavy reading loads. Short daily readings and thought-provoking questions connect your story to God’s Word. For personal, group, or homeschool Bible study.
After four hundred years of silence, when Israel has nearly given up hope of a messiah, God sends Jesus. The four Gospels introduce us to this long-awaited Savior but also chronicle the profound disappointment Jews feel when they realize He has not come to restore their nation. Jesus refuses to be boxed in by our limited view of Him. As Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John reveal a Savior who redefines power and love, we discover that our expectations are not too great but too small.
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KAREN WESTBROOK MODEROW is a Bible teacher and author who brings a storyteller’s perspective to Scripture. She holds master’s degrees in theology and creative writing and loves introducing others to Jesus through the stories told in God’s Word.
More from Karen
Bread is a big deal in the Gospels. After feeding thousands with just a few barley loaves and two fish Jesus says, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty” (John 6:35). The night of His arrest He takes a loaf of bread and says to His disciples, “Take and eat. This is my body” (Matt. 26:26). Bread. Jesus makes this simple food a symbol of Himself because it represents what we must have to live. I think about this often now that I’ve started baking my own bread.
Bread-making is the next logical step in my quest for a healthier lifestyle. Years ago, I cut out fast foods. Sodas. Processed foods (except for Fritos which I still enjoy with a sandwich on occasion J). But despite the many health gurus who say we should cut bread out of our diets my family has bread every day.
I’m from Texas. My grandparents had biscuits for breakfast, cornbread for dinner (noon meal) and yeast rolls for supper. If my grandmother didn’t have time to make rolls (which happened more often as she aged), she served Wonder Bread stacked high on a plate. In those days, we all bought the hype—“Wonder Bread builds strong bodies 12 ways!” We sometimes commented on the wonder of it all—no pun intended—that science had improved on a staple mankind has eaten for centuries. Only it didn’t. Our taste buds told us that the bread my grandmother made was infinitely better but other voices won out.
I make my own bread now to assure that what I take into my body is as clean as I can make it. I use flour without glyphosate and the best organic ingredients I can find. But do I succeed in making a bread that is free of all contaminants? No. There’s not a plot of ground or a man-made product on earth that is 100% pure. But every loaf of bread I bake is a revolution of sorts—a rejection of a system I don’t think has my best interest at heart. My efforts are imperfect but they’re a sign I see the problem and want to address it.
Spiritually, the path is similar. We’re hungry. We want and need to eat. We crave bread. But God’s Word warns us that what the world offers is not good. Whatever nutrition it offers can be saturated with things not easily seen—a distorted view of Christ, a subtle twisting of the truth, a self-focused gospel that appeals to our pride and greed. If we are spiritually discerning, we will recognize that these things can hurt us. But once we know it, what do we do? The danger is that our response is to “make our own bread” thinking that our improved spiritual resources and knowledge can create a life-giving loaf. But our best intentions and efforts to live like Jesus will always fall short. Just as we cannot eliminate all contamination from our food, we cannot eliminate sin’s influence in our lives. But wanting to be holy—to be like Jesus—is a step forward. It’s like me deciding that I don’t want to eat the bread found on the grocer’s shelf and choosing to do something about it. But that’s where the analogy ends. I can make better bread, but not perfect bread. I can make bread that satisfies my physical body for a time but not one that fills my deepest needs or gives me eternal life.
Sometimes when I make bread, I fail massively. The bread doesn’t rise. It’s too dense. Too doughy. Too dry. Other times, it is delicious, crusty, and fragrant. But every time I make it, I think of Jesus’s words, “I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats this bread will live forever” (John 6:51). I use my bread-making time to think on the One who is Himself the bread of life. If that sounds good to you, try making one of my favorite recipes and enjoy both the bread and your time with the Lord.
1 Hour Yeast Rolls – 2 Dozen
To Begin:
Turn oven onto lowest temp (around 170 degrees)
Crack 1 egg in a bowl (to reach room temperature)
Set out a 9” x 13”plus an 8” x 8” pans. Grease or line with parchment paper
You can substitute a cookie sheet OR (2) 12-cup muffin pans.
In a stand mixer bowl:
Whisk together
3 ¾ to 4 cups BREAD FLOUR
¼ cup granulated sugar
2 pkg rapid rise/ yeast (4 ½ tsp)
1 tsp salt
In microwave-proof glass measuring cup:
Heat to 100–115 degrees (90 sec.)
1 ½ cups whole milk
2 TBS unsalted butter
Add (whisk) into warm milk mixture
1 egg (room temperature)
2 TBS olive oil
Place dough hook on mixer.
Slowly add warm milk mixture to dry ingredients on low speed.
(Confirm temp is still at 100–115 degrees)
Increase speed slightly and knead for 6-8 minutes.
Dough will be smooth and sticky.
If too sticky, add 1 tsp flour at a time and knead until dough holds together.
COVER tightly with plastic wrap and let rest for 5–10 minutes.
Turn dough out onto lightly floured surface.
Flour hands and using a scraper, divide the dough in two.
Shape one portion into a log and divide into 12 equal pieces.
Close the ends of each piece together at the top then turn it over and roll into a smooth ball on the counter.
Place pinched side down into the greased dish or muffin pans
Repeat with the second log.
Cover bread with a clean kitchen towel. You should have 24 rolls total.
TURN OFF THE OVEN you’ve preheated to 170 degrees and place bread in oven.
Let dough rise until double in size (approx. 20 minutes).
REMOVE ROLLS FROM OVEN
Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
Just before placing in oven a second time, brush tops of rolls with an egg wash (1 egg, lightly beaten with a splash of water).
BAKE 16–18 minutes.
Brush baked rolls with melted butter and sprinkle lightly with coarse salt.
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Simple Harvest Reads, October 22 (Guest Review from Donna)
Mary Hake, October 23
Cover Lover Book Review, October 24
Guild Master, October 25 (Author Interview)
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To celebrate her tour, Karen is giving away the grand prize of a $50 Amazon Gift Card!!
Be sure to comment on the blog stops for extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.
https://gleam.io/XhgP0/the-bible-companion-book-10-matthewjohn-the-gospels-celebration-tour-giveaway
