Sermon on the Mount
Lesson #1
Living the Good Life Matthew 5:1-12
· Blessed are the rich and famous, for they will be recognized as important people.
· Blessed are those who party, for they will enjoy lofe to the fullest.
· Blessed are the aggressive, for they will inherit the earth.
· Blessed are those who do their own thing, for they will find personal fulfillment.
· Blessed are those who take care of number one, for they don't worry about anyone else.
· Blessed are the wheelers and dealers, for they are winners in this dog-eat dog world.
· Blessed are those who don't get involved in other peoples problems, for they will avoid getting caught in the middle.
· Blessed are those who don't rock the boat, for they will be liked by everyone.
Brainstorm significant events in the Bible that occured on mountains.
1. Abrahams sacrifice (Gen. 22:2)
2. Giving the Law (Ex. 19:3-6)
3. Elijah's challenge to the prophets of Baal (2 Kings 18:19)
4. Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5:1)
5. Jesus' transfiguration (Matthew 17:1-3)
Matthew 5:1-2
Notice the crowds would indicate Jesus' popularity at the time. And the mountainside would provide ample space and good acoustics.
We are going to look at some contrasts between the giving of the Law on Mount Sinai and the giving of the sermon on the Mount.
Form two columns
1. When God Gave the Law
Exodus 19:18
In what manner did God appear on Mt. Sinai? (came down in fire)
Exodus 19:19
How did God speak? (a loud trumpet or thumder)
Exodus 19:24
What were the people instructed to do while the law was being given? (Keep their distance)
2. When Jesus Gave the Sermon
How did Jesus get to the site of the sermon?
(went up to the mountainside)
In what manner did He deliver the sermon? (in an audible voice)
Where were the people? (came to Him, around Him)
Look at the contrasts. The law taught by the Pharisees stood in contrast to Jesus' teachings.
The Beatitudes are the greatest treasures that Christians can discover because they tell us how God evaluates kingdom living.
Matthew 5:3-10
Look at each Beatitude.
1) Study it.
2) Explaine what it means.
3) List worldly values with which it clashes.
4) Discover God's blessing on Kingdom living.
5) Explain how the Old Testament passage relates.
6) Determine from the New Testament passage how to develope the appropriate attitude.
1. Poor in Spirit: Matthew 5:3, Isaiah 57:15, James 4:7-10
2. Mourning: Matthew 5:4, Isaiah 61:1-2, James 4:7-10
3. Meekness: Matthew 5:5, Psalm 37:5-11, Matt. 11:27-30
4. Righteousness: Matthew 5:6, Isaiah 42:1-4, John 16:5-11
5. Mercy: Matthew 5:7, Psalm 41:1, Ephesians 5:1-2
6. Pure in Heart: Matthew 5:8, Psalm 24:3-4, 1 John 3:1-3
7. Peacemaker: Matt. 5:9, Isaiah 57:18-19, Heb. 12:10-11
8. Persecuted: Matthew 5:10, Isaiah 52:13, 2 Timothy 3:12
Matthew 5:11-12
What do you think about this statement?
"Christians do not want to be persecuted."
1. Why do you think that Jesus said that to be persecuted for righteousness was a blessing? (to be persecuted for righteousness is evidence of faithfullness in the face of hostility)
2. In what ways are Christians being persecuted in the world today?
3. How can we help those being persecuted?
4. When has your faithfullness to the Lord resulted in persecution?
Conclusion:
Even though many rewards await Christians in Heaven, we recieve rewards daily for following Jesus.
What rewards have you received for following Jesus?
Kingdom living is God's idea of a good life, and those who are citizens of the kingdom are also recipients of the good life.
(The content of this bible study was taken from various sources. If you want a list email me and I would be glad to send it to you.)
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