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Matthew 5-7
Bible Studies
Term 4, 2012
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Upside Down Bible Studies… Life According to Jesus: Matthew 5-‐7 Overview:
We live in a world where human achievement is praised and honoured and God & his Kingdom are marginalized, even in the church! As followers of Christ we are called to live lives of distinction that stand out from the culture around us. In the Sermon on the Mount we come to Jesus’ most famous teaching where he describes for us the life of the disciple who serves him in God’s Kingdom. Sayings from the Sermon on the Mount have become part of our everyday language; sayings such as “do unto others” … “judge not,” “turn the other cheek,” and so on. Yet John Stott says this about the The Sermon on the Mount.. It “is probably the best known part of the teaching of Jesus, though arguably it is the least understood, and certainly it is the least obeyed.”1 In this day and age, when we in the church seem to be looking more and more like the society around us, there may be no better medicine than this part of Scripture. It describes what human life and human community look like when they come under the gracious rule of God. And in a word, what do they look like? Different … not the same. We are called to live an UPSIDE DOWN life.
Understanding the Sermon on the Mount
How do we read and understand the Sermon on the Mount? Is it a set of morals that were used in the early church community? Is it an exposition of the OT Law that Jesus was using to drive us to cry out for grace? Many other suggestions abound for how we are to read the Sermon on the Mount. The best way to work out this question is to look at the text itself and see what it suggests to us. What you discover as you read through is that there is a unifying theme in the Sermon on the Mount – that of the Kingdom of Heaven. As Don Carson writes, this is not established by noting how many times the expression occurs but rather by noting where it occurs. The context of the sermon is after Jesus announces that the Kingdom of Heaven has dawned in history (Matt4:17). Those listening to the sermon are the very ones who have heard this proclaimed and have responded by following Jesus. That phrase then envelopes the beatitudes (5:3&10) and appears in 5:17-‐20 which details the relationship of the kingdom to the OT, it returns at the heart of the Lord’s prayer (6:10) and climaxes the section on Kingdom perspectives (6:33) before being presented as what must be finally entered into (7:21-‐23).
So what is the Sermon on the Mount? It is teaching on what it means to be and live as disciples who have heard the call of Jesus to follow him and enter the Kingdom of Heaven. You might call it the master class of discipleship. In brief, that call is to live lives that reflect that Kingdom and not the kingdom of this world, by being different as they seek to be fishers of men and women and call others to follow Jesus (Matt4:19). Living this sort of different life will come at a cost and involve persecution (5:10), but this is not different to those whose discipleship footsteps they follow (5:12).
1 John Stott, The Message of the Sermon on the Mount, Bible Speaks Today, IVP, p15
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Study 1 – Overview
Opening Discussion
1. What is the most life changing sermon or message that you have heard? Why… what impact did it have on you? Discuss/ Share together.
2. When you here the words Sermon on the Mount – what comes to mind? How much of it is familiar to you? What is your understanding of what it is?
Read Matthew 4:12-‐25
3. This passage helps us to understand the context of the Sermon on the Mount. It is the beginning of Jesus’ public ministry in Matthew’s gospel. What are some of the key things that occur?
4. One of the key themes that is introduced here is the Kingdom of Heaven. Where does it occur and what is its significance?2
Read the Sermon on the Mount in one reading out loud together and then answer the following questions.
What parts of it were you familiar with?
Which sections were most straight-‐forward?
Which sections don’t you understand?
What teaching do you think Christians today most ignore in living as followers of Christ?
2 Note that the phrase ‘Kingdom of Heaven is Matthew’s way of talking about the Kingdom of God as used in Luke and Mark. In essence they are interchangeable.
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One of the key themes of the Sermon on the Mount is being different to the world around – IE. living an UPSIDE-‐DOWN life.
List out all the ways that Jesus says disciples are to be different as well as the people we are to be different from?
If followers of Jesus were to live this way, what would be the impact in the world around us according to Jesus?
To finish, discuss in smaller groups this question.
On first reading, what part of the sermon are you most challenged by and why?
Spend time praying for the areas of your life that you know need to be turned upside down by Jesus as we study the Sermon on the Mount. Pray that God will give you the strength and faith to obey Jesus’ words this term.
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Study 2 Upside Down People Matthew 5:1-‐20
Opening Discussion
Make a list of the eight indicators our current culture would say describe a person living a blessed life (IE. the good life) in Australia today. How attracted to these qualities are you? Discuss.
Read Matthew 5:1-‐12 The Sermon on the Mount begins with a description of the Good Life. To be blessed is to live the good life under God’s gracious rule in his Kingdom. John Stott says this about them … The beatitudes set forth the balanced and variegated character of Christian people. These are not eight separate and distinct groups of disciples, some of whom are meek, while others are merciful and yet others are called upon to endure persecution. They are rather eight qualities of the same group who at one and the same time are meek and merciful, poor in spirit and pure in heart, mourning and hungry, peacemakers and persecuted.3
1. The categories listed here by Jesus for the people who are blessed significantly all come out of the OT. Look up some of the following verses in small groups to see how these categories are defined in the OT.
Poor in Spirit: Psalm 40:16-‐17, Psalm 69:32-‐33
Mourning: Joel 2:11-‐13, Isaiah 66:10-‐12
Meek: Psalm 37:9-‐11, Zephaniah 3:10-‐12
Hungry & Thirsty for Righteousness: Psalm 42:1-‐2, Amos 8:11-‐13
Merciful: Psalm 78:38, Daniel 9:9
Pure in Heart: Psalm 51:7-‐10
Peacemakers: Isaiah 9:6 & 52:7
Persecuted: Jeremiah 26:7-‐9, Daniel 3:8-‐15
3 John Stott, Sermon on the Mount p31
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2. In a few sentences – try to summarise what the OT taught about what faithful followers of the Lord looked like?
3. How does the blessed person differ from your regular Aussie seeking to live the good life?
4. What surprises you and what challenges you from the above list?
5. In our current culture that emphasizes personal comfort as being of great importance, how does the eighth beatitude challenge you? What is the relationship of being persecuted to the previous seven characteristics of a disciple?
6. If you don’t experience any opposition for your faith, what does that say about your faith?
Read Matthew 5:13-‐16
In this next section of the passage, Jesus uses three analogies regarding the life of a disciple from every day living.
7. Salt is often interpreted as something that added flavour and so Jesus’ teaching is often interpreted to mean here that Christians are called to add flavour to society. To restrict it to this meaning is to miss the many different ways that the OT spoke of salt which would have been in Jesus’ understanding of salt. It is seasoning & flavour (Lev2:13, Job 6:6), a metaphor for relationship with God in terms of Covenant (Numbers 18:19), a picture of judgement (Gen 19:16, Judges 9:24 – Salt rendered land unfarmable), an agent of judgment (Deut29:23, Jer 48:9), a metaphor for healing (2 Kings 2:20-‐21), a place of barrenness (Psa 107:34, Jer 17:6).
What key idea then was Jesus thinking of when he used the salt metaphor here?
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8. Two other images are used to describe disciples … light and a city on a hill. What do these add to the picture of being a disciple?
9. What is common about all three of these descriptions? How does that help us understand what Jesus was saying here about discipleship?
10. How does that relate then to what has just been taught by him in the beatitudes?
Read Matthew 5:17-‐20
What does Jesus say to those who at this point want to lessen the demands of the OT commandments? (Tempting as Jesus has said living this way will bring persecution!)
What is his instruction to those who want to be his followers?
Why is this important to understand as we listen to Jesus teaching in the SOM?
How important will it be to understand the OT well if we are to understand the Sermon on the Mount then?
Application, Thought and Prayer…
Having now studied the first section of the Sermon on the Mount, how has Jesus turned upside down your expectations and norms for what it means to be a follower of him in the Kingdom of Heaven? How and where does this challenge you in how you currently live for him and the Kingdom?
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Study 3 Upside Down Relationships Matthew 5:21-‐37 Opening Discussion Relationships are at the heart of our life. They can be so good and significant for us, yet also so difficult and debilitating at times. What has been the relationship that has most affected you for good in your life? Discuss. Read Matthew 5:21-‐22 1. Six times in this section of the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus uses the phrase, You have heard that it was said … but I say to you… or something similar. What is Jesus trying to do in this section of his teaching? What is it that they have heard in the past? Where did that teaching come from? 2. How can anger be the same in Jesus’ eyes as murder? 3. How would we react differently if we actually believed that angry attitudes towards others are viewed by God as murder? 4. So if anger, murder, and insult are condemned by the Law as expounded by Jesus, what is approved by the law? What is the positive command in this section that we are to fulfil? Read Matthew 5:23-‐26 5. What is wrong with worshipping while someone has something against us? What is the appropriate action for us to take? How far should we go to bring about reconciliation with someone we have offended? How does it affect our ability to worship? 6. What is the point of Jesus' parable of settling out of court? Who are we supposed to settle with, according to this parable? What does "settling" entail and why should we do it?
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Read Matthew 5:27-‐30 7. According to Jesus – What is the full meaning of the 7th Commandment (Exodus20:14) You shall not commit adultery. What is the difference between lust and adultery and what is the similarity? 8. Lust has been compared to ‘a cannibal committing suicide by nibbling on himself.’4 How does lust hurt ourselves and others? 9. What is Jesus’ pastoral advice for those struggling with this sin? How does that apply to us today? What are practical steps people can take today? Read Matthew 5:31-‐32 Please note – due to the lack of time to properly address the question of divorce and re-‐marriage, questions regarding the rights and wrongs of divorce are not going to be included in the study but rather questions of what can we do to help those who are or have gone through this ordeal. If you have issues that need deeper discussion please contact one of the ministers on staff. 10. As a church we should always be supportive of those who are hurting or scarred. What can you do to extend Christ’s healing love to someone who is struggling in his or her marriage? What can you do to bring hope and healing to someone who is or was divorced? Read Matthew 5:33-‐37 11. What does it mean: Let your "yes" be yes and your "no" be no? If we obeyed this command, what would be the result in our speaking? In our credibility? Thought & Application Where in Jesus’ teaching today are you in the greatest need for change? Where do you need your Christian walk turned upside down? What do you need to work on to bring change? Discuss in smaller groups and pray for each other.
4 Calvin Miller, ’A Requiem for Love’, Christianity Today 34, No.2.
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Study 4 Upside Down Love Matthew 5:38-‐48 Opening Discussion “The real test of love does not come in how we relate to the kind and loveable but in how we relate to the cruel and despicable.” Discuss Read Matthew 5:38-‐42 1. What had the people heard being taught? Had they been taught correctly? Read Exodus 21:24, Leviticus 24:20 & Deuteronomy 19:15-‐21 to check. What was the purpose of the "Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth" regulation? 2. Was this law designed to be administered by a court or judge, or by an individual? Is it designed to govern judicial action or personal action? 3. What do Jesus' examples or tiny cameos in verses 5:39-‐42 have in common? Someone has said that if we were to carry out verses 39-‐42 literally, we would aid and abet evil. Do you agree? 4. When have you seen someone practice Jesus’ teaching here and what has been the outcome? 5. How should we take these examples: As case law? As hyperbole (exaggeration to make the point)? Or in another way? For an amazing example of this look at the interview on YouTube between Andrew Denton and Johnny Lee Clary (Titled: Former Ku Klux Klan leader Johnny Lee Clary on Enough Rope with Andrew Denton) 6. Look at 5:38-‐-‐42: If we are to understand then that Jesus is teaching on retaliation and revenge rather than pacifism in these verses, how would you sum up his teaching in a single sentence?
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Read Matthew 5:43-‐48 7. In verse 43, Jesus quotes the current teaching of the day that most likely claimed the OT as their authority. How does Leviticus 19:16-‐19 actually differ from what they taught? 8. Look at 5:39-‐-‐44: If the principle that underlies verses 5:39-‐-‐42 is found in Matthew 5:44 & 22:39, are there times we must defend ourselves physically against evil men in order to fulfil the principle? What might be some examples? 9. Look at 5:48: In the context, what do you think verse 48 means for the Christian? Is perfection being taught here? Does maturity express the idea best or is it possible for the Christian to achieve "sinless perfection"? (See 1 John 1:5-‐10 for further help here) 10. How does verse 48 relate to verse 45 in helping us think about perfection? Thought and Application What people that you come into regular contact with do you find the most difficult to relate to? In what ways can you seek to love them this coming week? Where do you need to love and forgive rather than react out of fear and love?
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Study 5 Upside Down Religion Matthew 6:1-‐18 Opening Discussion In what ways in our culture do people try and show off to impress others? How do you feel when you see that happening? Discuss. Read Matthew 6:1-‐4 1. How do the commands in this section relate to "performing for the audience of One"? What is the antidote for the chief sin that is addressed here? 2. How does Jesus' teaching here and in 5:42 on giving to the needy influence you and your attitudes towards the poor? What will you do differently as a result? What keeps us from giving more to the poor? Is that a good enough reason? Read Matthew 6:5-‐8 3. Why does Jesus tell us to pray in secret? 4. Though public prayer in church gatherings is commanded in Scripture (Acts 1:14; 2:42; 1 Timothy 2:1), in which circumstances might public prayer in a church service be contrary to the spirit of Jesus' instructions in these verses? How do flowery prayers hinder the development of disciples? 5. If God knows what you need before you ask him, why should you ask him at all? Are we mainly to talk for our own edification and encouragement? Why or why not? See John 9:31 & 15:7-‐8 for further teaching on prayer by Jesus. Read Matthew 6:9-‐15 6. Look closely at the Lord’s prayer. What are the key elements of this prayer? How does that compare with how we pray as Christians?
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7. In what sense are we asking that the Father's kingdom should come in praying this prayer? Why are we asking for the Father's will to be done here on earth? How should this prayer affect our living? 8. Why do we seek to be independent of asking anyone for help? Why do we seek to be independent of God and how is that seen in our prayer life? 9. Why should we continually ask for forgiveness? How can unforgiveness on our part block God's blessing? Read Matthew 6:16-‐18 10. The third area that Jesus addresses is fasting. Does Jesus do away with fasting or rather correct a spiritual abuse of fasting in his day? 11. Look up Matthew 9:14-‐15. What else does Jesus say about fasting as a spiritual practice? Look up Acts 13:2 & 14:23. When did the early church practice fasting? 12. When could fasting be helpful or unhelpful today? Do you need to think and consider when you should or could fast as we await the return of the King? Thought, Prayer & Application 13. At the start of each year we as a church dedicate a week to prayer and fasting to seek God for his blessing and guidance upon the church. The dates for next year are Jan/Feb -‐ plan how you can be involved. Also -‐ think about how you could appropriately make fasting a part of your spiritual walk as a disciple. 14. When do you most feel tempted to show off as a Christian to try and impress others? 15. What are your habits of praying, giving, helping people and fasting really like? In small confidential groups discuss and pray for each other – with out showing off!
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Study 6 Upside Down Trust Matthew 6:19-‐34 Opening Discussion There is no doubt that Australia is a materialistic culture. We love material things of this world and what they do for us and as a result we love money for how it enables us with theses desires. How does this spirit of our age affect Christians and the church? Read Matthew 6:19-‐24 1. Why should Christians store up heavenly treasures rather than earthly ones according to Jesus? Why are we sometimes uncomfortable with the concept of rewards in heaven? 2. Does this mean Christian’s shouldn’t own property and possessions? If not – how should it affect our spending habits? 3. Read the Parable of the Rich Fool in Luke 12:13-‐21. What did Jesus condemn him for? What is the key verse in this passage? What is the context of this parable? How does this relate to the Sermon on the Mount? 4. According to the Bible, how does one "store up treasures in heaven"? See 1 Timothy 6:17-‐19 & 2 Corinthians 9:10-‐15 for Paul’s teaching on riches and generosity to help you think about this. What advantage does this have over accumulating earthly possessions? 5. Jesus seems to make it sound like you can't seek wealth and God simultaneously. What is the underlying issue that Jesus is strongly warning disciples about? See also 1 Timothy 6:6-‐10 for further teaching on this.
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6. What point does Jesus make with his twin Parables of the Birds of the Air and of the Flowers of the Field? Is the point trivial or is it valid and what is its application for us today? Read Matthew 6:25-‐34 7. How many times in this passage does the phrase "do not worry", "do not be anxious," or "take no thought" occur? Why does Jesus say we shouldn’t worry about material concerns? Is this realistic? 8. To what extent is our financial position an issue of trusting God according to this section of Jesus’ teaching? Why do we find it difficult to trust God with our finances? 9. Why does Jesus mention the "pagans" or "Gentiles" in verse 32? What point is he making? How should Christians differ from non-‐Christians according to Jesus' teaching in this passage? How does understanding the phrase, "your heavenly Father knows that you need them", affect your life? 10. What are the commands in verses 33-‐34? How must our seeking God differ from our seeking of food and clothing, according to this verse? What is the promise found in this verse? Application, Thought & Prayer 11. The love of money can be a pretty subtle thing. Both the rich and the poor can love money. Can you describe a time in your life when you were deceived about this, and when the light in you was really darkness? 12. The way we use our money reflects what we believe life to be about and trust in. What do your spending habits reveal about your trust and faith and the direction of your life? How is Jesus challenging you to have an upside down view of your finances and what you place your trust in?
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Study 7 Upside Down Perfection Matthew 7:1-‐12 Opening Discussion It has often been said that Australia has a tall poppy syndrome. We are happy to cut down to size those who rise above the pack. Do you think this is true? If true, why do we do this and is it helpful or unhelpful? Read Matthew 7:1-‐6 1. Have you ever caught yourself severely criticizing other Christians behind their backs -‐-‐-‐-‐ or to their faces? What is the attitude that underlies criticism of others? 2. Why must Christians show love in the face of a brother's or sister's failing? 3. Luke teaches on this theme of judging in Luke 6:37-‐38. Please read it now before answering the question. According to Matthew's account, what is our fate if we measure out big heaps of judgment with a critical spirit? According to Luke's account, how can measuring be both positive and negative? What should we measure out instead of judgmentalism? 4. What about this parable is humorous? Why do you think Jesus compares a speck of sawdust with a plank or beam? What does the speck represent? What does the plank represent? 5. According to this parable, when is it okay to remove a speck? When is it not okay? 6. In Jesus' day, dogs and pigs were both considered unclean animals. What is the sacred thing that Jesus says we mustn’t throw to them? See Matthew 13:45 for a clue.
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7. What then is Jesus saying in this verse? A parallel to this instruction appears to be in Matthew 10:11-‐16. Look it up for further thoughts. Read Matthew 7:7-‐12 8. What do the words "ask", "seek", and "knock" have in common? What distinguishes them from each other? 9. The tense of each of the three verbs here indicates a continuous and ongoing action (IE. keep on asking, keep on seeking, keep on knocking). Why does Jesus teach that prayer requires persistence? If God does not need to be encouraged, convicted or moved to act, why would He not answer a request made only once? 10. Read Luke 11:1-‐13. In this corresponding passage to Matthew 7:9-‐12, Jesus gives an illustration of a man going to his neighbour to ask for bread. How does this illustration expand on our understanding of how God responds to our requests? How do these relate to the commands in Matthew 7:7-‐8? 11. The Jewish Talmud states, “What is hateful to you, do not do to anyone else.” Likewise, Confusius told his followers, "Do not impose on others what you do not wish for yourself.” How does what Jesus taught here with the ‘Golden Rule’ go beyond these commands? In what sense does this sum up the law and the prophets? Application, Thought & Prayer 12. Is there someone who you are struggling to relate to at church at the moment? In what ways does Jesus’ teaching here challenge you about how you are to respond? What steps would Jesus want you to take to mend the relationship? Pray about how you can do that this week. 13. Is there something that you have been praying and seeking God for that you are in danger of giving up in? How does Jesus teaching here encourage you to persevere? Spend time in prayer for this as well.
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Study 8 Upside Down Pathway Matthew 7:13-‐29 In our relativistic consumer orientated society, people would like the opportunity to combine elements of several religions or even design one of their own, but Jesus won’t allow us this comfortable option. He turns our options generation on its head by clearly insisting that there is only one choice. Opening Discussion If God hired a consultant to help him improve his image among 21st Century Australians, what character qualities would the consultant want to emphasize? What changes might the consultant suggest in order to become more popular? Read Matthew 7:13-‐14 1. What are the two pathways in life that are described by Jesus here? What are the similarities and what are the differences? 2. How is this at odds with our current culture’s understanding about God? How do you feel about what Jesus is teaching here? 3. In what ways is the gate small and the road narrow in Christianity? How does that affect your understanding of what it means to follow Jesus in this world? 4. If Jesus' teaching about the narrow gate and the narrow road to life is to be believed, what change would this make in how you conduct your life? What difference would it make to how you witness to your neighbours? Read Matthew 7:15-‐23 5. Why does Jesus move from a discussion of narrow and wide pathways to false prophets in this next section of the Sermon on the Mount?
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6. Jesus says that false prophets come dressed in sheep’s clothing (v15). What might they look like today? When do you think you have heard or seen a false prophet today? 7. Jesus says that one's inner self will eventually become apparent (see also Matthew 12:33-‐35). What kinds of "fruit" might be clues to a false prophet? 8. According to 7:21, who will enter the Kingdom of Heaven? Does this mean that salvation is earned by what we do? Why or why not? How can we stop ourselves confusing religious activity with doing the will of the Father? 9. How is it possible to deceive yourself, so that you presume that you are "doing" the word when you are in fact only "hearing" it? (see James 1:22-‐-‐25). How might it be possible to prophesy, drive out demons, and perform miracles in Jesus' name and not enter the Kingdom of heaven? Read Matthew 7:24-‐29 10. How were the two houses similar? How were they different? 11. Why can it be difficult to tell the difference between genuine and fake Christians? How do the storms reveal what was previously unseen? How is that true in life today? 12. How do the words of 7:21-‐29 make a fitting conclusion to the Sermon on the Mount? Application, Thought & Prayer 13. What are some of the ‘Words’ of Jesus you have heard these past weeks that you most want to have stick with you? Which words have most challenged you? 14. Which of “these words of mine” do you most need to put into practice. Spend time discussing this and praying together how you will do this.
