Matthew 5:1 (ESV) - Seeing the crowds, he went up on the mountain, and when he sat down, his disciples came to him.

Matthew 8:1 (ESV) - When he came down from the mountain, great crowds followed him.

Matthew 7:24–27 (ESV) - “Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. 26And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. 27And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it.”


Luke 6:46–47 (ESV) - “Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do what I tell you? 47Everyone who comes to me and hears my words and does them, I will show you what he is like:

The call to follow Jesus is a call to action

Truth is not meant to just be in your head; truth is meant to be shown in your life.

1 Corinthians 3:10–15 (NLT) - Because of God’s grace to me, I have laid the foundation like an expert builder. Now others are building on it. But whoever is building on this foundation must be very careful. 11For no one can lay any foundation other than the one we already have—Jesus Christ. 12Anyone who builds on that foundation may use a variety of materials—gold, silver, jewels, wood, hay, or straw. 13But on the judgment day, fire will reveal what kind of work each builder has done. The fire will show if a person’s work has any value. 14If the work survives, that builder will receive a reward. 15But if the work is burned up, the builder will suffer great loss. The builder will be saved, but like someone barely escaping through a wall of flames.

What are you building your life on?

Ephesians 5:15–16 (ESV) - Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, 16making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.

What is the wise thing to do?

In light of what Jesus did for me, how he currently instructs me to live, and what he promises is true for my future, what is the wise thing to do?

Matthew 7:28–29 (ESV) - And when Jesus finished these sayings, the crowds were astonished at his teaching, 29for he was teaching them as one who had authority, and not as their scribes.

Acts 4:13 (ESV) - Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished. And they recognized that they had been with Jesus.

A month of life to strengthen your life….Matthew 5-7

Week 1 – read one chapter a day, make notes…day 7 read all three chapters.

Week 2 – read one chapter a day, make notes and pray.

Week 3 – read one chapter a day, make notes, pray and memorize.

Week 4 – read one chapter a day, make notes*, pray, memorize and tell someone
*Look other places in the Bible as well

2 Timothy 3:16–17 (ESV) - All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.

Hebrews 4:12–13 (ESV) - For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. 13And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account.

Discussion Questions

1. Do you have a foundation story of strength or weakness to tell?

2. What stands out most about the story Jesus told of the wise and foolish builders recorded in Matthew 7:24-27? What is the importance of these verses coming at the end of Matthew 5, 6 and 7?

3. What is the “sand” that Jesus warns about in verse 26?

4. How would you describe to someone that following Jesus is like living on a rock?

5. Read Ephesians 5:15-21. How does this text relate with the teaching of Jesus? What from this text helps us know how to live wisely?

6. What is one way you can build your life more upon the teachings of Jesus?