New Testament in a Year – Matthew 5

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?