Sermon on the Mount

The beginning of this video frames the story of the Bible as a choice between two paths—one leading to life and the other to death. How does this reframe impact your understanding of the Bible? According to Jesus, why does the path leading to life often feel narrow or constricting? Jesus says that we can identify illegitimate prophets by their fruit. What are some examples of bad fruit produced by a leader? What are examples of good fruit? How is it that people can do things in Jesus’ name but not actually be known by him? Why does Jesus compare our choices and lifestyle with building a house? How does this connect to the concept of Israel’s temple as “the house of God”? …

In this section of teaching, what kind of trap is Jesus warning his followers about? When we feel the desire to judge others, what two things does Jesus encourage us to do instead? (See Matthew 7:1-5.) Jesus advises people not to cast “pearls in front of pigs.” How would you describe the wisdom he’s communicating through that metaphor? Matthew 7:7-8 is sometimes used to support the idea that God gives people anything and everything they ask for. But in the larger context of Matthew 7:1-2, how might we interpret his words? In Matthew 5:17 and Matthew 7:12, notice the repeated phrase “the Torah and the Prophets.” What might these two bookend verses tell us about Jesus’ mess…

What are some of the false promises we’re prone to believe about possessions and wealth? In Matthew 6:19, what is Jesus trying to communicate about earthly possessions? According to Jesus, what are some examples of sky stuff (or heavenly treasure)? According to Matthew 6:22-23, how can our perception of wealth shape us? How can wealth or possessions be like tyrants? In Matthew 6:25-34, how does Jesus’ appeal to the birds of the sky and flowers of the field invite us to shift our perspective about worry and possessions?

Why does Jesus tell his followers to address God as “our Father”? Why would someone pray for God’s name to be recognized as holy? When Jesus prays, "Your Kingdom come, and your will be done," what is he asking for? What does praying “give us today our daily bread” remind us about in the Old Testament, and what might it instill within us? Why does Jesus so closely connect God’s forgiveness of us to our forgiveness of others? Jesus prays about temptation, or “testing,” and then prays about deliverance from the evil one. How do these concepts or ideas relate?

In Jesus’ day, what did it mean to be a hypocrite? How is this the same or different from what a hypocrite is today? Why does Jesus encourage private generosity? Whether we pray alone or with other people, what is the wisdom principle that Jesus is advocating for in his teaching about prayer? According to the video, what is the ultimate treasure for a human? And when humans receive this treasure, what is their response? Spend some time reflecting on any other themes from the video that stood out to you.

Why does Jesus tell his followers to never swear oaths? Referring to retaliation and revenge, Jesus says, “don’t pay back an evil person,” or “do not resist-in-kind an evil person.” How would you summarize what he encourages his followers to do instead (see Matthew 5:37-42)? According to Jesus, why is it not enough to simply tolerate your enemies? Why is it better to love them? Jesus commands his followers to love their enemies because God—who is good to everyone, regardless of their behavior—also loves their enemies. What are some ways that God shows kindness to all people, and how can this inspire us to love without partiality? How does making peace and loving others in…

Why does Jesus tell his followers to never swear oaths? Referring to retaliation and revenge, Jesus says, “don’t pay back an evil person,” or “do not resist-in-kind an evil person.” How would you summarize what he encourages his followers to do instead (see Matthew 5:37-42)? According to Jesus, why is it not enough to simply tolerate your enemies? Why is it better to love them? Jesus commands his followers to love their enemies because God—who is good to everyone, regardless of their behavior—also loves their enemies. What are some ways that God shows kindness to all people, and how can this inspire us to love without partiality? How does making peace and loving others in…

How is the video’s description of righteousness similar to or different from the way you’ve typically understood it? In your own words, how would you describe the Torah and the Prophets as presented in the video? How might Jesus’ first audience have understood his claim that he was going to fulfill the story of the Hebrew Bible? What kinds of attitudes or actions could be seen as "doing right by your neighbor" for Jesus followers today?

How is the Jesus-style revolution described in Matthew different from most revolutions? What does it mean for someone to be pure in heart, and why is it important for Jesus' followers to be pure in heart? What does it mean to be a peacemaker, according to Jesus? How are Jesus’ followers similar to Israel’s prophets? What kinds of attitudes and actions do they share?

Jesus opens his sermon with descriptions of people who are already experiencing the good life of God's Kingdom. What might this tell us about God's nature? Rather than speaking from the temple to the most powerful Israelites in Jerusalem, Jesus heads into rural Galilee to speak with oppressed, powerless people. Why might he have chosen this location and these people? Take some time to reflect on any themes or ideas that stood out to you from the video.