Sermon on the MountSample

Living as a Disciple

Religion for most of the first century Jewish people had become a ritualistic obedience to the hundreds of laws that the Pharisees had written. The Pharisees had taught obedience to their rules as a path to righteousness. Jesus, in his Sermon on the Mount, would teach God’s people that it was their right relationship with God that led to righteousness. The Sermon on the Mount is a series of lessons beginning with several short statements of truth, known as the Beatitudes. Jesus taught these important truths as simply as he could so that his listeners could remember them and choose to live a life God would be able to bless.

1. The Jewish culture understood that when a rabbi “sat down” he was intending to teach. What did the crowd of disciples do when Jesus sat down? What does this say to those who would choose to be a disciple today?
2. What did Jesus teach, from the beginning, would be part of living the life of a disciple? (verses 11-12)
3. Jesus defined what it means to be an effective witness for God in this world. Describe the disciple who will lead others to a saving faith? (verses 13-16)