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The Sermon on the Mount

Connect Jesus’ teaching with reconciliation, love, prayer and practice.

1. 1. Read and discover - Read lesson

   World English Bible

   Matthew 5:1-16

   ¹ Seeing the multitudes, he went up onto the mountain. When he had sat down, his disciples came to him.

   ² He opened his mouth and taught them, saying,

   ³ “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.

   ⁴ Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.

   ⁵ Blessed are the gentle, for they shall inherit the earth.

   ⁶ Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled.

   ⁷ Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.

   ⁸ Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.

   ⁹ Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God.

   ¹⁰ Blessed are those who have been persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.

   ¹¹ “Blessed are you when people reproach you, persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely, for my sake.

   ¹² Rejoice, and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven. For that is how they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

   ¹³ “You are the salt of the earth, but if the salt has lost its flavor, with what will it be salted? It is then good for nothing, but to be cast out and trodden under the feet of men.

   ¹⁴ “You are the light of the world. A city located on a hill can’t be hidden.

   ¹⁵ Neither do you light a lamp and put it under a measuring basket, but on a stand; and it shines to all who are in the house.

   ¹⁶ Even so, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven.

   Read the full chapter

   Understanding the passage

   The Beatitudes lead to salt and light; good works direct attention to the Father rather than the disciple’s fame.

   Reflect

   • How can good works help others recognize God’s goodness?

   Put it into practice

   Do something useful without depending on public recognition.

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2. 2. Responsible reconciliation - Read lesson

   World English Bible

   Matthew 5:21-26

   ²¹ “You have heard that it was said to the ancient ones, ‘You shall not murder;’ and ‘Whoever murders will be in danger of the judgment.’

   ²² But I tell you that everyone who is angry with his brother without a cause will be in danger of the judgment. Whoever says to his brother, ‘Raca!’ will be in danger of the council. Whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of Gehenna.

   ²³ “If therefore you are offering your gift at the altar, and there remember that your brother has anything against you,

   ²⁴ leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.

   ²⁵ Agree with your adversary quickly while you are with him on the way; lest perhaps the prosecutor deliver you to the judge, and the judge deliver you to the officer, and you be cast into prison.

   ²⁶ Most certainly I tell you, you shall by no means get out of there until you have paid the last penny.

   Read the full chapter

   Understanding the passage

   Jesus addresses anger and contempt behind violence and calls for reconciliation; the passage does not require unprotected exposure to an abuser.

   Reflect

   • How does Jesus invite people to address anger and seek responsible reconciliation?

   Put it into practice

   Repair a hurtful word where doing so is safe.

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3. 3. Love beyond one’s group - Read lesson

   World English Bible

   Matthew 5:43-48

   ⁴³ “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’

   ⁴⁴ But I tell you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who mistreat you and persecute you,

   ⁴⁵ that you may be children of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the just and the unjust.

   ⁴⁶ For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Don’t even the tax collectors do the same?

   ⁴⁷ If you only greet your friends, what more do you do than others? Don’t even the tax collectors do the same?

   ⁴⁸ Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.

   Read the full chapter

   Understanding the passage

   Jesus extends love even to enemies and connects it with the Father’s generosity; loving does not mean cooperating with harm.

   Reflect

   • What changes when love is not limited to those who treat us well?

   Put it into practice

   Pray for a difficult person without abandoning protective boundaries.

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4. 4. The Lord’s Prayer - Read lesson

   World English Bible

   Matthew 6:9-13

   ⁹ Pray like this: “‘Our Father in heaven, may your name be kept holy.

   ¹⁰ Let your Kingdom come. Let your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

   ¹¹ Give us today our daily bread.

   ¹² Forgive us our debts, as we also forgive our debtors.

   ¹³ Bring us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. For yours is the Kingdom, the power, and the glory forever. Amen.’

   Read the full chapter

   Understanding the passage

   The prayer joins honoring God with daily needs, forgiveness and protection; its plural language includes the community.

   Reflect

   • How does this prayer invite us to think about other people too?

   Put it into practice

   Pray each petition with another person in mind too.

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5. 5. Building through practice - Read lesson

   World English Bible

   Matthew 7:24-27

   ²⁴ “Everyone therefore who hears these words of mine and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock.

   ²⁵ The rain came down, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it didn’t fall, for it was founded on the rock.

   ²⁶ Everyone who hears these words of mine and doesn’t do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand.

   ²⁷ The rain came down, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell—and its fall was great.”

   Read the full chapter

   Understanding the passage

   Both builders hear and both face storms; the difference lies in practicing Jesus’ words.

   Reflect

   • What does the person building on rock do differently?

   Put it into practice

   Choose a teaching and specify how to practice it this week.