The Sermon on the Mount (Part 2) - Matthew in Twelve Weeks
A Bible Study Covering chapters 6-7 of the Gospel of Matthew - Leader Guide and Handout
The Sermon on the Mount continues in Matthew 6-7, further developing the revolutionary themes introduced in chapter 5. Jesus expands on the nature of Kingdom living, moving from the foundational principles of the Beatitudes and the fulfillment of the Law to more specific applications of righteousness in daily life. These teachings are crucial not only for understanding the ethical demands of discipleship but also for grasping the overarching narrative of Matthew's Gospel. As Jesus articulates the values and practices of the Kingdom, He sets the stage for the subsequent accounts of His ministry, confrontations with religious leaders, and ultimately, His passion and resurrection. The radical nature of these teachings continues to challenge and inspire believers, calling us to a transformative faith that impacts every aspect of life.
The Practice of Righteousness (Matthew 6:1-18)
Ask three study participants to read Matthew 6:1-4, 6:5-15, and 6:16-18 aloud. After reading and discussing these passages, consider challenging the group with this question: Do the reasons we go to church and practice religion align with this teaching of Jesus?
Jesus addresses three pillars of Jewish piety: giving, prayer, and fasting. In each case, He emphasizes the importance of sincerity and God-centeredness over public displays of religiosity. This teaching builds on the theme of "righteousness that exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees" (5:20), showing that true righteousness is a matter of the heart, not of merely external compliance.
The Lord's Prayer (6:9-13)
At the center of Jesus' teaching on prayer, we find the Lord's Prayer – a model that encapsulates the essence of Kingdom-oriented communication with God. This prayer calls for a profound personal transformation, aligning our will with God's and seeking His Kingdom above all else. However, it's not meant to be a private, individualistic exercise. Notice the context that follows: The Lord's Prayer compels us to apply God's grace to others, linking it to God’s forgiveness of ourselves. Indeed, forgiving others is highlighted by Jesus as the very crux of salvation. How can this be? Living out the Kingdom of Heaven is what Jesus calls us to. Salvation cannot be merely received; it must be lived out.
The prayer's communal nature ("our Father," "give us," "forgive us") reminds us that our transformation is meant to impact our relationships and communities. By teaching us to pray for daily bread and forgiveness, Jesus grounds our spiritual aspirations in the practical realities of human need and interpersonal reconciliation. This prayer, therefore, serves as a bridge between the inward righteousness that Jesus demands and the outward expression of Kingdom values in the world.
Kingdom Priorities (Matthew 6:19-34)
Have a study participant read Matthew 6:19-34. Then, invite group members to share examples of how they've experienced the tension between earthly and heavenly treasures in their own lives. Explore how Jesus' teaching address this struggle.
Jesus challenges His followers to radically reorient their priorities, shifting focus from earthly treasures to heavenly ones. This teaching directly confronts the human tendency towards materialism and worry, issues perhaps even more relevant today than they were in first-century Palestine. By urging His disciples to "seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness" (6:33), Jesus provides a foundational principle for all of life's decisions and concerns. Christians are given a great gift here: The purpose of one’s life need not be as fleeting and meaningless as pursuing transient pleasures. Instead, the Christian’s purpose is to pursue the kingdom of God and God’s own righteousness.
This section builds on the Beatitudes' promise of the Kingdom to the poor in spirit and those who hunger and thirst for righteousness. It shows that embracing these Kingdom values requires a practical reordering of our lives. Jesus' assurance that God will provide for our needs serves not as an excuse for irresponsibility, but as a call to trust that frees us to pursue Kingdom priorities without anxiety, entirely reorienting our priorities.
Relationships in the Kingdom (Matthew 7:1-12)
Have a study participant read Matthew 7:1-12. As a thought experiment, try to find “counterexamples” where the golden rule (7:12) wouldn’t work. Highlight how the golden rule may work in the kingdom of Heaven by graciously building up all people.
Jesus addresses interpersonal relationships within the Kingdom community, touching on judging others, prayer, and the Golden Rule. These teachings expand upon the earlier themes of reconciliation and love for enemies (5:21-26, 43-48), providing practical guidance for living in community. Jesus' teaching may seem enigmatic at first glance, but He's calling His hearers to exercise discernment when applying judgement. With the broader New Testament in mind, it becomes clear that judgement should primarily be applied within the Church, and even then, it should be used to build up the body of Christ (Matthew 18:15-20, 1 Corinthians 5:9-13).
The encouragement to ask, seek, and knock reinforces the theme of dependent prayer introduced in the Lord's Prayer. It portrays a God who is eagerly responsive to His children's needs, further emphasizing the fatherly care mentioned in chapter 6. The Golden Rule serves as a capstone to Jesus' ethical teaching, providing a simple yet profound principle that encapsulates the law and the prophets – another reference to Jesus' fulfillment of the Old Testament.
The Narrow Way (Matthew 7:13-23)
Have a study participant read Matthew 7:13-23. After discussing the passage, you may want to ask: “What does it mean in practical terms to enter through the narrow gate?”
Here, Jesus starkly contrasts the way of the Kingdom with the broad way of the world. This teaching underscores the countercultural nature of discipleship, echoing the Beatitudes' blessing on those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake. The warning about false prophets and false disciples serves as a sobering reminder that not all who claim allegiance to Christ truly belong to Him.
This section challenges the notion of easy believism, emphasizing that true faith produces fruit. It connects back to Jesus' teachings on being salt and light (5:13-16), showing that genuine disciples will have a noticeable impact on the world around them. The sobering words about those who call Jesus "Lord" but don't do the will of the Father highlight the integral connection between faith and obedience in Kingdom living.
Building on the Rock (Matthew 7:24-29)
Have a study participant read Matthew 7:24-29. Give special attention to the conclusion to the chapter: Are you amazed at Jesus’ teaching? Why or why not?
Jesus concludes the Sermon with a parable that encapsulates its central message: hearing His words must lead to doing them. This teaching brings the themes of true righteousness and Kingdom living that have permeated the entire discourse full circle. The contrast between the wise and foolish builders dramatically illustrates the consequences of either embracing or rejecting Jesus' teachings.
The crowd's amazement at Jesus' authority sets the stage for the rest of Matthew's Gospel, where Jesus will demonstrate this authority through miracles, confrontations with religious leaders, and ultimately, His death and resurrection. This concluding note reminds us that the Sermon on the Mount is not merely wise moral teaching, but authoritative revelation from the Son of God about the nature of His Kingdom.
Conversation Starters
How does the Lord's Prayer challenge our typical approaches to prayer? In what ways might praying this prayer shape our priorities and actions in daily life?
While Jesus teaches us not to worry, we know that we must use wisdom and care in stewarding the resources God has given us. What principles from this study may guide us through this tension?
Jesus’ teaching on the narrow gate suggests that salvation is to be found by “few”. How can this be the case when God is so loving and when through Christ’s death, salvation is made available to everyone?
How can we identify and “beware” of false prophets without falling into judgmentalism? By what standard can we know that someone is a false teacher?
Considering the entire Sermon on the Mount, what aspect of Jesus' teaching do you find most challenging to apply in your life? Why?
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