The Beatitudes (Matthew 5:1-12)
Understand It
- What was the setting for this sermon? (5:1)
- Who was Jesus addressing? (5:1-2)
- According to Jesus, what is the reward for those who are poor in spirit? (5:3)
- Why are those who mourn blessed? (5:4)
- What is the reward for those who are meek? (5:5)
- What can those who hunger and thirst for righteousness expect? (5:6)
- What does God promise to those who are merciful? (5:7)
- According to this passage, who will see God? (5:8)
- Why are peacemakers blessed? (5:9)
- What does the future hold for those who are persecuted because of righteousness? (5:10)
- What unexpected command is given to Christians who are insulted, hassled, and lied about? (5:11-12)
- What people in history have endured nasty persecution? (5:12)
Apply It
- What realistic steps can you take this week to make you hungrier and thirstier for righteousness?
- What can you do this week to encourage a friend who is under fire due to his or her stand for the Lord?
Salt & Light (Matthew 5:13-16)
Understand It
- To what valuable substance did Jesus compare His disciples? (5:13)
- What is an essential characteristic of salt? (5:13)
- How did Jesus imply that a Christian’s positive influence can wane or disappear? (5:13)
- What happens to salt that loses its flavor? (5:13)
- To what did Jesus compare His followers? (5:14)
- How are we like light? (5:14)
- What are improper and proper uses for a lamp? (5:15)
- What use of a lamp teaches us about living? How? (5:15)
- According to Jesus, how exactly are Christians to be like lamps? (5:16)
- What kind of behavior should other people see Christians exhibiting? (5:16)
- If believers live as they are supposed to live, how will others respond toward God? (5:16)
Apply It
- What phone calls or letters would you be willing to make or write this week in order to be salt and light in a decaying, dark world?
- To whom in your neighborhood, family, or workplace can you be salt and light this week?
- How can you be salt and light to the people God has placed in your life?
The Fulfillment of the Law (Matthew 5:17-20)
Understand It
- What rumor was apparently being spread about Jesus and His view of the Old Testament? (5:17)
- What did Jesus say was His goal with regard to the Law and the Prophets? (5:17)
- How much of the Law did Jesus say would be fulfilled or accomplished? (5:18)
- According to Jesus, what cataclysmic event would have to happen before God’s Word could be invalidated in even a tiny way? (5:18)
- What two things result in one being called least in the kingdom of heaven? (5:19)
- What happens if a person lives a good life and breaks only minor commandments of God? (5:19)
- What warning was given to those who would encourage others to disregard the Word of God? (5:19)
- Who is considered great in the kingdom of heaven? (5:19)
- To what groups of religious leaders did Jesus make reference? (5:20)
- What degree of righteousness is necessary for entrance into the kingdom of heaven? (5:20)
Apply It
- When and how this week can you consult the Bible for guidance on how to live?
- What should you do in the near future about someone who tends to "drag you down"?
- What command of God will you commit to memory this week?
Murder (Matthew 5:21-26)
Understand It
- What age-old prohibition was Jesus addressing in this context? (5:21)
- What was the penalty for violators of this law? (5:21)
- How did Jesus explain the meaning of the law against murder? (5:22)
- According to Jesus, what kind of name-calling made one answerable to the Sanhedrin? (5:22)
- What kind of angry name-calling puts one in eternal danger? (5:22)
- How did Jesus describe hell? (5:23)
- What sort of realization did Jesus say should interrupt our worship? (5:23)
- If a person becomes aware of a relational problem, how quickly should he or she act? (5:24)
- What should be a believer’s goal in strained or shattered relationships? (5:24)
- When is it best to settle disputes? (5:25)
- Where is it best to settle disputes? (5:25)
- What bad consequences can occur if a dispute escalates into a full-blown court battle? (5:25-26)
Apply It
- What relational conflict do you need to straighten out today?
- How can you help yourself remember this week to keep your anger under control?
Adultery (Matthew (5:27-30)
Understand It
- What commandment was Jesus interpreting? (5:27)
- How did Jesus explain the meaning of adultery? (5:28)
- How does adultery start? (5:28)
- When does looking at someone become inappropriate? (5:28)
- What did Jesus suggest we do with a sinning eye? Why? (5:29)
- Why did Jesus make this radical statement about eyes? (5:29)
- Where does sin ultimately lead if it is not dealt with? (5:29-30)
- What did Jesus recommend for a sinning hand? Why? (5:30)
- What was the rationale behind this graphic comment about hands? (5:30)
- Why are our moral choices important? (5:30)
Apply It
- What three steps can you take this week to insulate your marriage against affairs?
- In what situations is it important for you to dress modestly this week?
Divorce (Matthew 5:31-32)
Understand It
- Why did Jesus need to say this about marriage and divorce? (5:31-32)
- What is the best way to think about marriage and divorce? (5:31-32)
- Who is guilty of adultery? (5:31-32)
- What does God want us to do when we feel tempted to divorce a partner? (5:31-32)
- According to Jesus, what is the only acceptable reason for divorce? (5:32)
- When can a person divorce his or her partner? (5:32)
- When can a person not divorce his or her partner? (5:32)
- How can adultery affect a marriage commitment? (5:32)
- Why did Jesus give an exception to His "no divorce" command? (5:32)
- What conditions are placed on divorce? (5:32)
- In what way does a person who divorces a partner "cause" the other to commit adultery? (5:32)
Apply It
- What can you do this week to strengthen your marriage or the marriage of a friend?
- How can you show respect for marriage this week?
- What can you do today or tomorrow to lessen the likelihood of ever getting divorced?
Oaths (Matthew 5:33-37)
Understand It
- What ancient teaching did Jesus bring up? (5:33)
- What oaths did Jesus’ audience consider especially important to keep? (5:33)
- How did Jesus update the ancient proverb about oaths? (5:34)
- What exceptions did Jesus permit in vow making? (5:34)
- Why was it inappropriate to swear by heaven? (5:34)
- Why was it inappropriate to swear by earth? (5:35)
- According to Jesus, why shouldn’t people swear by Jerusalem? (5:35)
- Why not swear by one’s own head? (5:36)
- How should believers respond to questions? (5:37)
- What’s wrong with swearing oaths? (5:37)
Apply It
- What steps can you take this week to become known as a person who keeps his or her word?
- What unfulfilled promise have you made in the last week that you need to carry out today?
An Eye for an Eye (Matthew 5:38-42)
Understand It
- To what familiar saying was Jesus referring in this context? (5:38)
- What did the ancients require if a person put out someone else’s eye? (5:38)
- What was the judgment for knocking out another’s tooth? (5:38)
- How did Jesus say we should respond to people who do us evil? (5:39)
- What should we do to protect our rights and possessions? (5:39)
- What should be the Christian’s response to physical violence? (5:39)
- What should a person do if someone else sues him or her? (5:40)
- What should a person do if someone else forces him or her to "go one mile"? (5:41)
- How should followers of Christ deal with those who ask them for things? (5:42)
- What is the proper response to a request to borrow something? (5:42)
Apply It
- What prayer will help you forgive some wrong you’ve had difficulty letting go of?
- What act of kindness or reconciliation could you perform by next weekend to help "bury the hatchet"?
Love for Enemies (Matthew 5:43-48)
Understand It
- What ancient rule of life did Jesus challenge here? (5:43)
- How did Jesus say we ought to treat our enemies? (5:44)
- What did Jesus say we ought to do for those who persecute us? (5:44)
- Why did Jesus suggest modifying this universally accepted law? (5:45)
- How does God treat evil and good people in the same way? (5:45)
- How does God treat righteous and unrighteous people equally? (5:45)
- What type of people did Jesus cite as loving those who love them? (5:46)
- What does God think of us when we love those who love us? (5:46)
- Why is friendliness to friends and relatives not considered exceptional behavior? (5:47)
- What kinds of people are mentioned as greeting only their brothers? (5:47)
- What exceptional standard did Christ give us? (5:48)
- Who has set an example for us? How? (5:48)
Apply It
- What are some specific ways you can show love today to someone whom you dislike?
- For which of your "enemies" will you pray every day this week?
