Jesus and mountaintops were a winning combination. So many of those moments revealed who Jesus is and beckoned people to pick up their lives and follow him. Jesus' journey to the mountain reflects the journey made by Moses to receive the law which would rule the Israelites for hundreds of years. The difference is that Jesus brought to the people a new law and a new way of living, and opening the Kingdom to people from every part of life. The Sermon on the Mount says "This is what walking with God as your king looks like." The summary – do unto others as you would have them do unto you.
Think about these questions as you review the chapter and/or the sermon.
- Where is your mountain top… the place that you feel closest to God? When was the last time you were there? What are some ways we can do that even if we don’t go specifically to that place?
- Why did Adam spend so much time talking about the different methods Jesus used to teach? What are they and what purpose do they serve? What effects do they have on the listener? Why is it important to understand these tools as we try to incorporate Jesus' teachings into our lives?
- (simile - this is like that)
- (parable - stories about ordinary people that point to the Kingdom of God)
- (prophetic hyperbole - pushing the limits of rational thinking in order to encourage taking the sin in question seriously)
- The Sermon on the Mount is a collection of Jesus’ teachings. How did these teachings challenge the status quo at the time of Jesus? How about today?
- What do you think of when you hear the phrase “Kingdom of God”? Is it in the distant past, present time or here today? Can it be all at the same time? What does it mean to be a member of this Kingdom?
- If we are not successful at living in the Kingdom all the time, people can get the wrong impression about us and about Jesus. What are the names that use to describe that kind of misguided living? Ask yourself this question: Where is your life not lining up with your promise to follow God as your king? Repent and believe the good news!
- Look at Mark 12:28-31 and Matthew 22:34-40 (the Great Commandment). What does it mean to love the Lord with heart, soul, mind and strength? Who is your neighbor? Must that neighbor love you in return?
- How do the Beatitudes reflect the Kingdom of God and the love of God and neighbor?
- When is it appropriate to judge others? What does that look like in the Kingdom of God?
- Read Matthew 7:24-27. Upon what kind of foundation is your house built?
Closing Prayer: Lord, you never said that following you would be easy, but you have promised us again and again that you will be with us every step of the way. Lord, you know we are trying to live your way, the way described in your Sermon on the Mount, but our own interests and the ways of the world keep getting in our way. Forgive us, Lord, and help us to use the courage you have given us to live as Christ would have us live. In His name we pray. Amen.
I'll be posting some class discussion later... what made the biggest impression on you this week?
Peace, Deb
Class discussion -
A. Perhaps my favorite part of the chapter was the discussion of the different ways that Jesus taught. It is a good reminder that Jesus didn't mean for people to take him literally - he wanted them (and us) to take him seriously. In comparing the God to people they knew, they were able to see God at work in their own lives (similie). By comparing the Kingdom of God to situations that they knew, they could see this same Kingdom in the world around them (parable). And by giving them absurd instructions for faithful living, they understood his real point - sin is dangerous and needs to be taken seriously, so much so that they should be willing to change they way they live in order that they won't be permanently lost to the Kingdom of God.
B. Jesus talked about the Kingdom of God almost more than anything else. It is present reality - here today among us. It is a vision for what our lives could look like if we lived out Jesus' commands everyday. And it is our promise for the future when Jesus comes back to reign in glory. The Kingdom of God does get ushered in at the end... it is right here ... right now. And it is what we work to attain together, as a community of faith, in a world that needs God more than they even know. The Sermon on the Mount gives us a blueprint for living - our marching order, so to speak. And Jesus tells us that our efforts will be counter-cultural and may not always bring happiness. But they will bring joy.
C. Of all of Jesus' commands, the ones that touch me the most are to be salt and light in the world. As someone who cooks, I love the idea that my faithful living could bring out the best in others... and keep it from spoiling, along the way. And I think about all the people who have been light in my darkest times. When I could not see or feel God around me, their presence gave light to the world around me, and soon I was able to focus again on all that God had in store for me. Salt and light are good.
Who are the people who bring salt and light to your world? How are you salt and light in the world around you? How is the Sermon on the Mount made real in your life each day? And if it's not, what are you going to do about it?
Deb
Was not expecting to revisit English class but so glad I did and was quite helpful.
ReplyDeleteKingdom of God was a big concept for me this week to dwell on..."He spoke of it more than forgiveness, sin, and even love COMBINED." Powerful. To me, this is such a rallying cry for today's Christian....we all WANT our neighborhoods/communities to have "curb appeal" -- I can't think of any better curb appeal but the reading certainly left me convicted with "what am I doing to further the kingdom?"
Salt/Light: Loved "everything we touch should be improved by the encounter, even as we help preserve the good of God's creation." First thought that jumped in my head was when I describe someone to someone else....would love to think in the kingdom of God we would all be describing one another as "someone who makes me feel loved, etc" Later in the reading I enjoyed the active use of salt and light when it states "it is about actively blessing others"
Another wonderful chapter of stories from long ago that can shape/reshape daily living.