Final answer:
To closely experience the Gospel of Matthew as its first readers did, one should study the visual representation of Matthew in the context of early Christian manuscripts, focusing on elements like visual culture and historical context.
Step-by-step explanation:
To approximate the experience of the Gospel of Matthew's first readers, a practice that would help the reader is analyzing the artistic representation of Matthew in the historical context of that period. Exploring the visual culture and iconography of early Christian manuscripts, such as the Ebbo Gospels and the Coronation Gospels, provides insight into how these texts were perceived and interpreted by early audiences. Understanding the historical context and examining the style and aesthetics of these works can bridge the gap between modern readers and the early Christian period, offering a closer approximation of the initial experiences of reading the Gospel of Matthew.