The Sermon on the Mount

Matthew chapters 5 to 7 are a collection of the teachings of Jesus. They are known as 'The Sermon on the Mount'. These words have inspired people to live their lives in service of Jesus for hundreds of years. They express, in a little more detail, what Jesus said in Mark 12:28-31: the Greatest Commands of the law are to love God and to love your neighbour.

The Structure of the Sermon on the Mount

The Beatitudes (5:1-12)

Jesus sets out the principle of the New Law - blessings.

God's People are the Salt of the earth (5:13-16)

Jesus re-presents the Law (5:17-48)

Jesus says he does not come to change the law, but to fulfil it - to show what it really means.

Jesus fulfils the law (5:17-20)

Think again about ... Murder (5:21-26) Adultery (5:27-30) Divorce (5:31-32) Oaths and Promises (5:33-37) Revenge (5:38-42) Enemies (5:43-47)

Be perfect! (5:48)

Other Sayings (cc 6 & 7)

The sayings in chapters six and seven are varied, but they have some clear themes: don't rely on wealth, or public approval: do everything in secret and trust in God.

Giving to the Needy (6:1-4)

Prayer (6:5-15)

Fasting (6:16-18)

Treasures in Heaven (6:19-24)

Don't worry about material things (6:25-34)

Don't judge other people (7:1-6)

Trust in God (7:7-12)

The Narrow Gate (7:13-14)

False Prophets (7:15-23)

Wise and Foolish Builders (7:24-27)

Conclusion (7:28-29)

The Beatitudes

These are the first part of the Sermon on the Mount, where Jesus sets out the principles on which his 'new' law is based.

Copy out, and complete this table. Use your Bibles and Dimensions books (page 49) to complete the boxes.

Questions

1. Do you think it is possible to be happy (the word 'blessed' means 'happy') if you are suffering? What sort of happiness could this be? Can you give an example?

1. The teaching of Jesus seems to be that suffering in this life will be rewarded in heaven. Do you agree? Can you see any problems about this point of view?

Jesus fulfils the Law

Matthew 5:17-48

There were 613 commandments of the Jewish Law, and many other rules which were thought to be interpretations of the commandments. The Jewish people were concerned to fulfil the Law, because that is the way they had to serve God. Jesus says that the way to fulfil the Law is not to be too concerned with every detail, but to see what the meaning behind the Law was. This is what is meant by fulfilling the Law. Jesus calls his followers to 'Be perfect ... as your heavenly Father is perfect.'

Jesus describes Six Laws and shows what their true meaning is.

Each section follows a similar pattern:

The Law You have heard that it was said ...

The Deeper Meaning But I tell you ...

Examples Jesus gives examples of what he means.

Copy and complete this table into your files.

The Sermon on the Mount

An Open Book test

These questions are on the Sermon on the Mount, in particular Matthew 5:13-7:29. You can use your Bibles to answer these questions.

Find the quotations

Copy out the following quotations into your books and give their Bible reference. The first one is done for you.

1. When you pray, do not be like the hypocrites Mt 6:5 You cannot serve both God and Money. Mt 6:24 You are the light of the world. Mt 5:14 Wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction Mt 7:13 Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? Mt 7:4 When you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets Mt 6:2 Simply let your 'Yes' be 'Yes' and your 'No,' 'No'. Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven. Mt 7:21 Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Mt 6:26 In everything, do to others what you have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets. Mt 7:12 If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift. Everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. Mt 7:26 You are the salt of the earth. Every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. Mt 7:17 Do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. Mt 6:34 Do not throw your pearls to pigs Mt 7:6 Do not think I come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfil them. Mt 5:17 Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

Knowledge and Understanding

From your reading of the Sermon on the Mount, what do you think Jesus would say about the following situations.

You must

(a) say what the Christian point of view is, and
(b) give an example from the Sermon on the Mount to support what you say.

1. Laura has had a row with Catherine. They are not talking to one another. If Laura wants to live as a Christian, according to the Sermon on the Mount, what should she do?

1. Without warning, and for no good reason, Andrew hits Nigel. If Nigel is trying to live as a Christian, according to the Sermon on the Mount, what should he do?

1. Kelly's parents win the lottery and give her a lot of money which she can spend as she likes. She decides she would like to give a generous sum of money to charity. Her friends ask her what she is going to do with the money. If Kelly wants to live as a Christian, according to the Sermon on the Mount, what should she do?

1. Colin and Christopher have a pornographic magazine on the bus. They invite Matthew to look at it with them. If Matthew wants to live as a Christian, according to the Sermon on the Mount, what should he do?

1. Rachel cannot stand Gemma, because Gemma always makes fun of her. If Rachel wants to live as a Christian, according to the Sermon on the Mount, what should she do?

Design a Flyer

If Jesus were on earth today, perhaps he wouldn't give his Sermon on a Mountainside. He's probably advertise his teaching.

Pick one or more quotations from the Sermon on the Mount and produce a leaflet using them.

Explain why people should follow this teaching.