Contents
Description
Welcome to Focus On The Message – the first component of our Following Jesus discipleship program. This web page contains the lessons for:
Matthew 5
Purpose
Follow this link for information about these key aspects of our training: Purpose, Goals, Habits, Ministries, and Assignments.
Matthew 5
This chapter has 9. lessons. You should ideally cover one chapter (with all of its lessons) in a week, but please don’t let a week go by without completing at least one lesson.
Lesson 1: The Beatitudes
Main text and related passages:
- Beatitutes – Matthew 5:1-12; Matthew 5:3; Jeremiah 5:1-5; 2 Corinthians 8:8-9 NIV – Bible Gateway
- The beatitudes are intended to be understood as characteristics to emulate, but rather as existing categories of people who, though not necessarily admired by society in general, were being welcomed into God’s Kingdom ( Dallas Willard, The Divine Conspiracy – Chapter 4 (New York: Harper Collins e-books, 2009), 111-121.)
- Poor in Spirit – these were the people who you went to last when you were looking for spiritual insight. You don’t want to be poor in spirit.
- Those who mourn – these folks are not going to have keep mourning because they will be comforted.
- The Meek –
- Those who hunger and thirst for righteousness won’t have to stay that way because they will be filled.
- The merciful, though not necessarily admired by the surrounding society were welcome in the Kingdom.
- Pure in Heart:
- Peacemakers
- Persecuted because of Righteousness:
Checkout the following:
Topics to explore:
- What does the mountain setting in this passage tell us? Where else in the Bible does revelation happen on a mountain?
- Notice in v. 1-2 the distinction between the crowds and the disciples. Why are the crowds following Jesus? Why are the disciples following Jesus?
- Did you ever wonder if people like you were welcome in the Kingdom of God? What about the people you are discipling?
- If you’ve read Matthew before, consider what you know about what happens through the rest of the book:
- Do the disciples know everything that Jesus is going to teach them at this point?
- Are the disciples perfectly obedient?
- Are all of the disciples going to last to the very end?
- Why does Matthew already refer to them as disciples?
- In light of the previous questions, how does Jesus treat them? Are they nervous or insecure about where they stand with him?
Additional resources to check out:
- Matthew for Everyone, Part 1 (The New Testament for Everyone) by Tom Wright – Amazon.com
- 5. A Kingdom of Blessing [Matthew] – Tim Mackie (The Bible Project) – YouTube
- Watch: How to Read Setting in Biblical Narrative Video | BibleProject™ (00:05:24)
- Watch: How to Read Design Patterns in Biblical Narrative Video | BibleProject™ (00:05:25)
Training assignment (do this yourself, and use it to help train someone else):
- Read the main passage and related passages above.
Lesson 2: Salt and Light
Main text and related passages:
- Salt and Light – Matthew 5:13-16 NIV – Salt and Light – Bible Gateway
- As followers of Jesus we illuminate the world around us for others and help to preserve it from spoiling.
Topics to explore:
- What do we use salt for today? What did they use salt for in the setting of Matthew’s gospel?
- How effective are you as salt and light?
Additional resources to check out:
- Matthew for Everyone, Part 1 (The New Testament for Everyone) by Tom Wright – Amazon.com
- 5. A Kingdom of Blessing [Matthew] – Tim Mackie (The Bible Project) – YouTube
Training assignment (do this yourself, and use it to help train someone else):
- Read the main passage and related passages above.
Lesson 3: The Fulfillment of the Law
Main text and related passages:
- The Fulfillment of the Law – Matthew 5:17-20 NIV – Bible Gateway
- Jesus now begins to interpret Torah (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy) for his disciples.
- This statement is an overview of how he will fulfill the Law and Prophets. The details are found in the subsequent passages.
- This is a good opportunity to reflect onTorah in general and on the 10 Commandments (Exodus 20) in particular.
- Review the commandments and reflect on their significance.
- This is also a good opportunity to reflect on the 4th commandment – The Sabbath. The discipline of keep a sabbath is one worth establishing early in the life of a disciple.
Checkout the following:
- Bible Project: Sermon on the Mount – Jesus Fulfills the Law (00:06:10)
- Watch: TaNaK / Old Testament / Hebrew Bible Overview Video | BibleProject™ (00:12:43)
- Watch: How To Read the Law and Biblical Discourse Video | BibleProject™ (00:06:18)
Topics to explore:
- What does Jesus mean by “The Law”? Is he talking about our legal system?
- What role has the Ten Commandments and the rest of the Old Testament played in your life?
- How does Jesus fulfill the Law and the Prophets?
Additional resources to check out:
- Matthew for Everyone, Part 1 (The New Testament for Everyone) by Tom Wright – Amazon.com
- 6. Jesus and the Torah [Matthew] – Tim Mackie (The Bible Project) – YouTub