Following Jesus: Focus On The Message – Matthew 5

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Last Updated on March 8, 2023 by Rocklyn Clarke

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:

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:

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:

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:

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:

Training assignment (do this yourself, and use it to help train someone else):

    • Read the main passage and related passages above.

Lesson 4: Murder

Main text and related passages:

Checkout the following:

Topics to explore:

    • Notice the verbal formula: “You have heard that it was said . . . But I tell you . . .”.
      • What does this teach us about where the attention of disciples should be focused?
      • How much of your attention is focused on what you’ve been told about the Bible vs. what the Bible actually teaches?
    • Does this passage make you uncomfortable?
    • How do you deal with your anger?
      • Ignore your anger.
      • Pretend you’re not angry in order to maintain a “good confession”.
      • Talk to Jesus honestly about your anger and take the time the explore with him its root causes.
    • What do you do if you can’t seem to control your anger?

Additional resources to check out:

Training assignment (do this yourself, and use it to help train someone else):

    • Read the main passage and related passages above.

Lesson 5: Adultery

Main text and related passages:

Checkout the following:

Topics to explore:

    • Does this passage make you uncomfortable?
    • How do you deal with lust? How do you deal with your sexuality?
      • Ignore your lust.
      • Pretend you don’t experience lust in order to maintain a “good confession”.
      • Talk to Jesus honestly about your lust and take the time the explore with him its root causes.
    • What implications does this have for followers of Jesus who are single?
    • What implications does this have for followers of Jesus who are married?
    • What do you do if you can’t seem to control your lust?
    • Does this passage promote misogyny?

Additional resources to check out:

Training assignment (do this yourself, and use it to help train someone else):

    • Read the main passage and related passages above.

Lesson 6: Divorce

Main text and related passages:

  • Divorce – Matthew 5:31-32; Matthew 19:1-12; Exodus 21:1-11; Deuteronomy 24:1-4; Malachi 2:13-16; 1 Corinthians 7 NIV – Bible Gateway
    • The Bible has a lot to say about divorce, so we shouldn’t base our understanding of this difficult topic on this portion of the Sermon on the Mount alone. Additional scriptures are provided above.  The book list also includes two excellent references on the subject: “Divorce and Remarriage in the Bible” and “Divorce and Remarriage in the Church” both by David Instone-Brewer.
    • Make sure you review all of the suggested links, books, and videos before forming your conclusions about this passage!

Checkout the following:

Topics to explore:

    • Does this passage make you uncomfortable?
    • Are you divorced, or in the process of divorcing? If not, in what other ways, if any, have you been affected by divorce?
      • Is there anything for which you need to repent with regard to a divorce?
      • Is there anyone that you have yet to forgive with regard to a divorce.
    • Are you married, or preparing to get married?
      • How is your relationship?
      • What is your view of marriage?
      • How do you deal with marriage issues?
        • Ignore them.
        • Pretend that there are no issues in order to maintain a “good confession”.
        • Talk to Jesus honestly about marriage issues and take the time the explore with him their root causes.
      • Is God saying anything to you about your marriage right now?
    • Are there any marriages that you need to pray for? Are there any marriages for which God wants you to do more than just pray?
    • Do you know someone who has been affected by divorce?

Additional resources to check out:

Training assignment (do this yourself, and use it to help train someone else):

    • Read the main passage and related passages above.

Lesson 7: Oaths

Main text and related passages:

Topics to explore:

    • Does this passage make you uncomfortable?
    • Does your “yes” mean “yes” and your “no” mean “no”? Do you manipulate people in order to seem more believable?
    • How do you deal with your desire to influence or manipulate others?
      • Ignore it.
      • Pretend that you don’t manipulate in order to “get away with it”.
      • Talk to Jesus honestly about your willingness to manipulate and take the time the explore with him its root causes.

Additional resources to check out:

Training assignment (do this yourself, and use it to help train someone else):

    • Read the main passage and related passages above.

Lesson 8: An Eye for an Eye

Main text and related passages:

  • Eye for eye – Matthew 5:38-42; Leviticus 24:17-20; Deuteronomy 19:15-21 NIV – Bible Gateway
    • Most people have had the experience of dealing with people who hurt them, but this passage holds special challenges for people who are subject to systematic oppression. Be prepared to discuss:
      • Racism
      • Sexism/misogyny
      • homophobia

Checkout the following:

Topics to explore:

    • How do you handle insults and attacks? How do you deal with enemies? How do you handle oppression and injustice (racial, sexual, etc.)? What’s God’s attitude to oppression and injustice?

Additional resources to check out:

Training assignment (do this yourself, and use it to help train someone else):

    • Read the main passage and related passages above.

Lesson 9: Love for Enemies

Main text and related passages:

  • Love for Enemies – Matthew 5:43-48; Leviticus 19:15-18; Leviticus 19:33-34; Deuteronomy 23:4-5
    • Jesus assumes (as does the Old Testament) that we love ourselves. He expects us to love our neighbors (as does the Old Testament). This alone however leaves open the question of who is our neighbor (addressed in Luke 10:25-37). Jesus short-circuits this question however by telling us to love our enemies and, by implication, everyone in between. Note that the word translated “love” here is less about warm feelings and more about positive actions of benefit.
    • Most people have had the experience of dealing with people who hurt them, but this passage holds special challenges for people who are subject to systematic oppression. Be prepared to discuss:
      • Racism
      • Sexism/misogyny
      • homophobia

Checkout the following:

Topics to explore:

    • How do you handle insults and attacks? How do you deal with enemies? How do you handle oppression and injustice (racial, sexual, etc.)? What’s God’s attitude to oppression and injustice?

Additional resources to check out:

Training assignment (do this yourself, and use it to help train someone else):

    • Read the main passage and related passages above.
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Last Updated on March 8, 2023 by Rocklyn Clarke

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Acknowledgements

Please join me in acknowledging the key people who contributed to this material!

Advance to Matthew 6

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