Lesson 18 Jesus Teaching (The Sermon on the Mount) This lesson is quite lengthy and may be taught in more than one class session. Summary of Today s Story Jesus preaches his first sermon, which we know as the Sermon on the Mount. He covers many themes, but we will focus on just a few. The Beatitudes (Matthew 5:1-11): Beatitudes means blessings. Each beatitude begins with Blessed are... followed by blessings from God for all those who stand before God with humility and openness. Contrasts (Matthew 5:21-48): Jesus contrasts the conventional okay way to behave among other people with a new and higher way. He begins with You have heard... or It was said... and then follows with but I say to you... Here he talks about killing and hatred, adultery and divorce, swearing and revenge. Against Showing Off (Matthew 6:1-18): Jesus talks about the need for a right relationship with God as opposed to showing off our piety. Here he shows us how to pray with the Lord s Prayer. Anxiety and Trust (Matthew 6:25-34): God will provide and protect. Our first priority should be God, not such things as what to wear and what to eat. Where You ll Find Today s Story In the Bible We recommend the New Revised Standard Version Bible. Matthew 5 7 In Our Sunday Lectionary Today s story is told in church on the following Sundays: Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21 (on prayer): Year A, B and C: Ash Wednesday Matthew 5:1-12 (Beatitudes): Year A, B and C: All Saints Day Year A: Fourth Sunday after Epiphany Matthew 5:13-20: Year A: Fifth Sunday after Epiphany Matthew 5:21-24, 27-30, 33-37: Year A: Sixth Sunday after Epiphany and Proper 1 (closest to May 11) Matthew 5:38-48: Year A: Seventh Sunday after Epiphany and Proper 2 (closest to May 18) Matthew 6:24-34: Year A: Eighth Sunday after Epiphany and Proper 3 (closest to May 25) Matthew 7:21-27: Year A: Proper 4 (closest to June 1)
2 Lesson 18 Jesus Teaching (The Sermon on the Mount) Weaving Our Faith, YEAR 1 Key Concepts Beatitude How to pray Priorities Weaving Our Story with the Biblical Story The Sermon on the Mount sums up Jesus ethical teaching. The Sermon captures the heart of Jesus message, focusing on the primacy of the kingdom of God, on righteousness, love, forgiveness, reconciliation, the reshaping of our will and allegiances and on the need for single-minded commitment to God. This is how we are to respond to God s grace making God a priority in our lives and committing ourselves to God with body and soul. The Beatitudes bear witness to Jesus and identify the people of the kingdom of God as those who stand before God empty-handed, vulnerable, seeking a right relationship with God and others, open to receiving and expressing God s mercy and forgiveness with integrity, ready to experience and establish peace. In the contrasts, Jesus assumes a new relationship between individuals, a relationship that is better than the law as it was known then and better than what we often assume is the right way. Jesus contrasts the conventional right way to a higher way (...but I say to you ), specifically addressing killing and hatred, adultery and divorce, swearing and revenge. These are hard teachings but not to be ignored. This new righteousness is the way to the kingdom of God, which entails justice, peace and joy and, again, the single-minded commitment to God and to loving God. When Jesus warns us about showing off, he is telling us how to establish a right relationship with God. All of the acts that he mentions prayer, fasting and giving alms have to do with our relationship with God, not with other people. So when we do such things for the benefit of others, we are undermining the whole purpose of our actions. For example, our prayers should be sincere personal communion with God. Prayer is for our good, not God s, since God already knows what we need. To pray loudly in front of others denies that communion with God is our purpose in praying and, instead, sends the message that trumpeting our own goodness is the point. After all of these demands for right relationship with God and right conduct placing our lives in God s hands and responding to God out of gratitude and love and to others out of love Jesus concludes by telling us not to be anxious, but to trust God who provides for us and protects us. Seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things shall be given unto you. The Episcopal Thread There is, of course, nothing distinctively Anglican or Episcopalian about the Sermon on the Mount, one of the most well-known passages in the Bible. The Beatitudes, however, do reflect a very Anglican focus on blessings from God, seeing as we do the world as God s good gift to us and Jesus Christ as God s greatest gift to the world. The Episcopal Church, with its Anglican roots, is a broad-minded church. Queen Elizabeth I, noting the bitter disagreements in England between the Roman Catholics and the Puritans, used the early Book of Common Prayer as a means of reconciliation between opposing beliefs. We might disagree about doctrine, she said, but in the end we shall all worship together. This reconciling ethos is fundamental to the Episcopal Church.
3 Lesson 18 Jesus Teaching (The Sermon on the Mount) Weaving Our Faith, YEAR 1 A right relationship with God also entails a right relationship with one another. We should be reluctant to condemn and eager to reconcile. Thus in the Rite of Reconciliation of a Penitent (BCP, p. 446-451), the priest asks, Do you, then forgive those who have sinned against you? Gathering Check-In Invite group members to sit comfortably, giving them an opportunity to visit with each other, establish friendships and build community. Relationships are an important dimension of Christian formation, so a few minutes of visiting will enrich their spiritual development. This is also the perfect time to check in with group members by asking them to share how they are feeling at the time or what kind of a week they had. matches cross Prayer Materials: small table with cloth to cover it taper candle or one pillar candle After all group members have a few minutes of fellowship time, gather them together for a simple opening prayer. Ask one of the members to light the candle while saying these words from Psalm 119:105: Your word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path. Explain that you are inviting the light of God to be with all of you. (You might consider posting this verse from Psalm 119 in the meeting room). Invite the group to pray together, saying The Lord s Prayer: Our Father, who art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, On earth as it is in heaven. Give us, this day, our daily bread, And forgive us our trespasses As we forgive those who trespass against us. Lead us not into temptation But deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory Forever and ever. Amen. Carefully extinguish the candle. Telling the Story Set the scene: Before you tell the story, give the group member closest to you a list of the Beatitudes and ask him/her to read the first one. Ask that the list be passed around so everyone can have a turn reading. When they ve finished, ask if they ve ever heard these lines before. Explain that today s lesson will focus on Jesus first sermon: The Beatitudes. Since this lesson is a series of teachings rather than a narrative story, focus your storytelling on selected sections depending on the level of faith development in your group. An excellent book for illustrating the Beatitudes is Blessed Are You: Mother Teresa and the Beatitudes (Eileen Egan and Kathleen Egan, O.S.B. Ann Arbor, MI: Servant Publications, 1992). In this book, the authors explain how Mother Teresa lived and reflected the Beatitudes in her every action. Adolescents know that loving others means that we are to love not just those who are like us, but also those who are different from us. This is an important lesson for them, as their cliques may give a different message. They may even begin to relate this lesson to the sins of racism and other forms of discrimination.
4 Lesson 18 Jesus Teaching (The Sermon on the Mount) Weaving Our Faith, YEAR 1 You may be able to make this message particularly meaningful by relating it to the group members difficulties with or anxieties about school, friends, family and other pressures that are beginning to cause worries among them. Activities for This Week s Session Activities: Arts, Crafts, Games, Drama, etc. Select one or more activities to supplement and enhance today s story. For each lesson, there are five suggested activities, one from each of the REACT categories. For a detailed explanation of REACT, see page 10 of the Introduction. All activities are meant to reinforce the concepts that were central to the day s lesson. Additional activity ideas can be found on pages 2-6 in the Appendix where we ve provided suggestions and directions for a variety of general activities that can be adapted to any lesson. Also included are outreach and service projects that can be done at any time.
5 Lesson 18 Jesus Teaching (The Sermon on the Mount) Weaving Our Faith, YEAR 1 Weaving Our Faith Lesson Box Materials: 1 3" x 5" index card for the day s scribe pen or pencil a file box in which to store the cards Ask for a volunteer or assign a group member to act as scribe. Then, ask the group to articulate the most important lesson gleaned from the day s reading. As prompts, you might ask: To which of the Beatitudes do you identify with? Why? Write an additional beatitude. Begin with the words, Blessed are they who and end with a reward for they will Once the group has agreed on its wording, ask the scribe to write the lesson on the card, date it and file it in the box. By the end of the year, you will have a wonderful and thorough summation of the lessons covered in the participants own words. Closing Prayer Before the group leaves, say a closing prayer to send them into the church worship service or back to their homes with God s love and blessing. Today is the perfect day to repeat the Beatitudes: Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. Blessed are you when people persecute you on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven. End the lesson with a dismissal that is used in church, such as: Let us bless the Lord. The group responds: Thanks be to God.
IN OUR OWN WORDS: BLESSINGS UPON YOU Participants write a sermon, including their own modern-day beatitudes. With luck, one or more members will volunteer to read the sermon during the next service. Materials: copies of Our Beatitudes worksheet (p. 7-8), 1 per participant pencils and pens markers poster board Preparation: Copy the Our Beatitudes worksheet, one per group member. Directions: 1. Hand out the worksheets and pens or pencils. 2. Ask for volunteers to read the Beatitudes aloud. Explain that they formed the basis of Jesus first sermon, commonly known as The Sermon on the Mount. 3. Tell them that they now have the chance to write their own sermon in which they offer blessings and messages of hope to those people in society they feel are downtrodden, misunderstood, suffering and in need of help. 4. First, with the poster board on the wall, do some brainstorming: Who in our culture, who around you needs help? needs prayer? needs hope? needs a blessing? 5. Give some examples: the mentally ill, the lonely, the outcast, the liars, those who are bullied, etc. 6. Then, ask the group to think of an appropriate or welcome reward or result for each category. For example, the mentally ill might receive the inner peace that they need. 7. Once the new list of beatitudes is complete, work with the group to write an introduction to their sermon. In it, they might explain why they came up with the list and the message they are hoping to impart. 8. Finally, write a conclusion for the sermon. Be sure to send a blessing to the entire congregation and remind them that they can share these or their own beatitudes with those who need a blessing. Close: Ask for at least one volunteer to read the sermon at an upcoming service. Be sure to work with the priest to schedule the reading. Type up the sermon or ask one of the readers to do it. 6 Lesson 18 jesus teaching (the sermon on the mount) Weaving Our Faith, YEAR 1 ACTIVITY
OUR BEATITUDES Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. Blessed are you when people persecute you on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven. 7 Lesson 18 jesus teaching (the sermon on the mount) Weaving Our Faith, YEAR 1 ACTIVITY CONTINUED
Think of someone, maybe someone you know personally, who needs help or could use a message of hope. You might even think of an entire group of people; for example, kids who are being bullied, people who have lost their homes, etc. Who is it? (Do not use actual names.) What is causing this person pain or trouble? What do you think might help this person feel better? Now, write your own beatitude for this person. The starters below are just suggestions. Feel free to change the phrasing. Blessed are those who For they will 8 Lesson 18 jesus teaching (the sermon on the mount) Weaving Our Faith, YEAR 1 ACTIVITY CONTINUED
BOBBY MCFERRIN and MATTHEW TWO WRITERS EXAMINE HAPPINESS Group members listen to a well-loved hymn and a popular song to examine two points of view on the nature of happiness. Do they have anything in common? Preparation: Obtain a recording of the song Don t Worry, Be Happy (London, England: EMI Records, 1988) or download it from www.itunes.com or www.amazon.com. There is a nominal fee for the download. Obtain a recording of the hymn Seek Ye First (#711 in The Hymnal 1982, New York, NY: Church Publishing, 1985). Or, go to http://www.stjamesoakland.com/midi/hymns to play the music for free. Materials: copies of The Hymnal 1982 CD player, MP3 player or computer Directions: 1. Reread aloud Matthew 6:25-34. Pay particular attention to verses 27 and 34. Discuss: What is Matthew saying about worry? Why, according to him, should we not worry? Why should we strive first for the kingdom of God? 2. Give every group member a copy of The Hymnal 1982. 3. Play Don t Worry, Be Happy as the group listens carefully to the lyrics. You might repeat the song to make certain the lyrics are clear. Discuss: What do Bobby McFerrin s lyrics have in common with Matthew s writings? How are they different? What do you think about McFerrin s advice? about Matthew s advice? Is it a realistic way to go through life? How will God help? 9 Lesson 18 jesus teaching (the sermon on the mount) Weaving Our Faith, YEAR 1 ACTIVITY
4. Now play hymn #711, Seek Ye First. Discuss: According to Matthew, what is the way to true happiness, security, and comfort? How does that work? What do people mean when they say, God will provide? What does God provide for you? How important is peace of mind to you? How does feeling God s love and peace in your heart make life easier? How can that erase worry or help you deal better with worry? Close: Ask the group to summarize one brief message from the song and the hymn. Have the scribe write down their answers on an index card, date the card and place it in the Lesson Box. 10 Lesson 18 jesus teaching (the sermon on the mount) Weaving Our Faith, YEAR 1 ACTIVITY CONTINUED
RIGHTEOUS REWARDS Group members examine the traits of righteous people as expressed in the Beatitudes as well as the rewards promised them by God. This is a good opportunity to talk with your group about the sins of racism and discrimination. Why do people pick on those who are different? How do you feel about that? Adolescents usually have much to say about these topics and are not reticent to share their feelings about them. Materials: pens or pencils poster board markers masking tape or poster putty copies of the Righteous Rewards worksheet (p. 12), 1 per participant Preparation: Make copies of the Righteous Rewards worksheet (p. 12), one for each member of the group. Draw an enlarged copy of the Righteous Rewards chart onto poster board. (This may take more than one sheet of poster board.) Post the poster board on the wall of the meeting room. Directions: 1. Distribute copies of the worksheet and pens or pencils. Group members may work individually or in pairs. 2. Explain: Think about the characteristics of the people named in the Beatitudes: What are they like? How do they feel? How do they act? What do they suffer? Now think about what these people are being promised by Jesus. What will life be like for them if they continue to live good, righteous lives and follow in Jesus footsteps? (Note: The worksheet provides an example to help group members get started.) Close: Ask: How do the Beatitudes relate to people in today s society? Is life easier today than it was years ago? Is it harder? How so? 11 Lesson 18 jesus teaching (the sermon on the mount) Weaving Our Faith, YEAR 1 ACTIVITY
Group the poor in spirit Righteous rewards How do they feel or act? What are they like? downhearted, hopeless, lacking confidence Why are they persecuted, picked on? Because they seem weak. What do they need? What does God promise? Hope and a reason to go on. God promises them the kingdom of heaven. those who mourn the meek those who hunger and thirst for righteousness the merciful the pure in heart the peacemakers people who persecute you on my account Sometimes, I feel different or picked on because... I will pray to God for... I would feel better if... 12 Lesson 18 jesus teaching (the sermon on the mount) Weaving Our Faith, YEAR 1 ACTIVITY CONTINUED
THIS LITTLE LIGHT OF MINE... In Matthew 5:14-16, we read: You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid. No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven. In this activity, participants take credit for their gifts and shine their own lights. Note: While group members are working, you might want to play You Are the Light of the World from the musical Godspell. Go to www.musicalschwartz.com/godspell or to www.itunes.com to download the song. Materials: card stock in assorted colors scissors markers, colored pencils pens, pencils, fine point pens large basket, drawn on or made from poster board CD player, MP3 player or computer Directions: 1. Instruct group members to design and draw a symbol for light: a flashlight, a candle, the sun, etc. on a sheet of cardstock. The designs and colors are solely up to them. 2. Around their lights, members are to write all of their talents that come to mind, whether related to school, sports, daily life, interaction with other people, etc. 3. Because members will probably think of physical gifts first, help them also focus on such gifts as compassion, generosity, humor, confidence, being a good listener, etc. 4. Hang the upturned basket on the wall. Place their cards near the basket so it looks like they are spilling out of it. Make sure participants have written their names on the cards. Close: If possible, leave the display up as a reminder to the group that they are all blessed with gifts, and that they should proudly proclaim them to the world! 13 Lesson 18 jesus teaching (the sermon on the mount) Weaving Our Faith, YEAR 1 ACTIVITY
BLESSINGS FOR ALL: BEATITUDE BANNERS FOR THE CHURCH Participants make eight different beatitude banners (one for each blessing) and hang them in the church. They can make the banners fancy, using fabric and felt, and sewing on tassels and the rod for hanging. Or they can make them simple, using butcher paper and markers, or butcher paper with felt designs, and applying tassels to the dowel rods. Whether the group members work individually or in pairs on this project, make sure that they are all making the banners the same size and design. Materials: butcher paper or fabric construction paper, felt or fabric for banner designs markers fabric paints or pens scissors tassels dowel rods tape glue Directions: 1. Assign a separate beatitude to each group member (or pairs/small groups of group members, depending on the size of your group). Make sure each beatitude is assigned to one group member or pair/small group. For small groups, assign more than one beatitude to each group member, as necessary. 2. Cut the fabric or butcher paper into banner-size pieces. 3. Write each beatitude on its own banner with a fabric pen or with fabric paint. 4. Design/draw pictures that you feel represent the beatitude and glue them (if made of felt or fabric) onto the banner. 5. Attach or sew on tassels, if desired. 6. Attach the dowel rod onto the banner for hanging. Close: Collect the banners and display them in the church or meeting room for all to enjoy. 14 Lesson 18 jesus teaching (the sermon on the mount) Weaving Our Faith, YEAR 1 ACTIVITY