Bible Study What Jesus Taught. An Introduction following the Sermon on the Mount and other teachings.

[Not_Now.Soon]

This is my first attempt to write a bible study. So with that in mind, I'd like as much feedback as anyone here can offer. The purpose of this bible study is to be a foundation for new Christians who believe in Jesus but are not yet aware of what He taught, or have trouble getting into the bible. And it is for nonbelievers who wish to know what Jesus taught, or who are misinformed about what Jesus actually taught. With that in mind, if anyone has any insight, from being person knowledgeable in the bible to say what could be added or corrected; and to anyone new to the bible that can say if this study helped them, or added more confusion. Outside of that, this is meant as a bible study like other bible studies in this forum. Everyone please read and comment as you would normally do so in other bible studies. Thanks.

 

[Not_Now.Soon]

Jesus in a parable and a lesson showed how important it is to listen and apply what He teaches. Jesus said. "Those who listen to what He says and put it into practice are like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock.But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand.The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash." So with that in mind let's talk about what Jesus taught.

Some of the easiest lessons to read come from Jesus's Sermon on the Mount, because they're are several lessons in that sermon and they are spoken plainly without being in parables. For reference I'll be following along the sermon on the mountian in Mathew 5-7, and a similar sermon in Luke 6, along with verses in few other places as well.

. Scripture references.
Mathew 5:1-12
Now when Jesus saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him,2 and he began to teach them.

He said:

3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 Blessed are those who mourn,
for they will be comforted.
5 Blessed are the meek,
for they will inherit the earth.
6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they will be filled.
7 Blessed are the merciful,
for they will be shown mercy.
8 Blessed are the pure in heart,
for they will see God.
9 Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called children of God.
10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

11 “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

Luke 6:20-26
Looking at his disciples, he said:

“Blessed are you who are poor,
for yours is the kingdom of God.
21 Blessed are you who hunger now,
for you will be satisfied.
Blessed are you who weep now,
for you will laugh.
22 Blessed are you when people hate you,
when they exclude you and insult you
and reject your name as evil,
because of the Son of Man.

23 “Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, because great is your reward in heaven. For that is how their ancestors treated the prophets.

24 “But woe to you who are rich,
for you have already received your comfort.
25 Woe to you who are well fed now,
for you will go hungry.
Woe to you who laugh now,
for you will mourn and weep.
26 Woe to you when everyone speaks well of you,
for that is how their ancestors treated the false prophets.

In Mathew, Jesus taught 8 things for people being blessed. Those who are poor in Spirit, because theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven. Those who mourn, because they will be comforted. Those who are meek, because they will inherit the earth. Those who hunger and thirst for rightousness, because they will be filled. The merciful because they'll be shown mercy. The pure in Heart, because they will see God. The peacemakers, because they will be called children of God. Those who are persecuted because of rightousness, theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Jesus even explains that if you are insulted, perscuted or slandered and lied about, any of those things because of following Jesus. Then even then you are blessed, because that is how the prophets were also perscuted.

Luke also shows Jesus teach about blessings, simular to the blessings in Mathew. But there is also warnings of woe as well. To those who are blessed: there is the poor, because they will have the Kingdom of God. Those who are hungry, because they will be satified. Those who weep, because they will laugh. And blessed are those who are hated, excluded, insulted rejected as evil because of being a follower of Jesus, because that is how our ancestors treated the prophets, and great is your reward in heaven.

Jesus continues though with a warning of woes though. Woe to those who are rich, because they have already received their comfort. Those who are well fed, because they will go hungry. Those who laugh now because they will weep and morn later. And woe to you when people speak well of you, because that is how our ancestors treated false prophets.

These are the teachings from Jesus concerning rewards and warnings. From the blessing in Mathew, they teach how we should be, and from the blessings and warnings in Luke we are taught that in times of suffering, we will be rewarded, and in times of good things, there is justice awaiting us, and seems to speak of the social injustice we have in the world, and the price of being blessed in an unjust world.
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Life Applications

What can we say so far of what Jesus has taught? When we are morning take comfort in that one day our morning will be gone and will be comforted. Give this to those who are morning and need hope of comfort. When we are boastful and proud, remember Jesus's promise to the meek in heart. And do likewise avoid our own boasts, and expecially remove arrogance we hold vocally, or silently. We should seek rightousness. Hunger for it like it's a need to be fufilled. And to be rightous is to follow God. To seek rightousness in the world like wise is to be ready to confront a wrong, and give a correction to it, as well as teach what is taught by God. Leading others to Him so His rightousness can fill them as well. Be merciful with our forgiveness and our helpfulness. Be peacemakers, and both avoid starring up conflict as well as either seeking to resolve conflict or let it resolve it self, if it is nothing you can help at the moment. When we are mocked, slandered or outright perscuted for our faith and our following Jesus. Do not count it as a harm to us. Thank of it as a badge of honor that God would give you the same conditions he gave to his prophets that spoke His message to Isreal and the nations.

But be warned that our riches are also a burden we bear. For those who live in a rich country our riches surpass just our own wealth, but also include how easily we can gain food, shelter or the possessions we desire. Our wealth by income as well as by sitution, should be reason for us to be thankful, and also to share the kindness God has given us to those we can reach, who are less fortunate.

 

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Scripture Reference.
Mathew 5:13-16
13 “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.

14 “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

Luke 6:43-45
43 “No good tree bears bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit.44 Each tree is recognized by its own fruit.People do not pick figs from thornbushes, or grapes from briers.45 A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.

Luke 11:33-36
43 “No good tree bears bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit.44 Each tree is recognized by its own fruit.People do not pick figs from thornbushes, or grapes from briers.45 A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.

Luke 12:35-36
35 “Be dressed ready for service and keep your lamps burning,36 like servants waiting for their master to return from a wedding banquet, so that when he comes and knocks they can immediately open the door for him.

Jesus taught that we are the salt of the earth, but warned that if salt loses it's saltiness, it's worthless. Likewise in Luke's comparable sermon Jesus compaired us to a tree and it's fruit. Saying, "No good tree bears bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit.Each tree is recognized by its own fruit. People do not pick figs from thornbushes, or grapes from briers. A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of."

Jesus also taught that we are the light of the world. But Jesus also said that a light was not meant to be covered, but to be held high to light up everything around it. Comparably in Luke 11, Jesus says a light is not meant to be hidden, and adds on to it saying, "Your eye is the lamp of your body. When your eyes are healthy, your whole body also is full of light. But when they are unhealthy, your body also is full of darkness.See to it, then, that the light within you is not darkness. Therefore, if your whole body is full of light, and no part of it dark, it will be just as full of light as when a lamp shines its light on you." Once more in Luke. In Luke 12 Jesus says, " Be dressed ready for service and keep your lamps burning, like servants waiting for their master to return from a wedding banquet, so that when he comes and knocks they can immediately open the door for him."

It should be pointed out that Jesus elsewhere said He is the light of the world, and also that He is whe way, the life, and the truth. For Jesus to say we are the light is I think a calling to be like Jesus, and an encouragement. In the same way we need to testify for Jesus and not shy away. Be bold to be a light by our actions, and not falter. And be brave to teach when God gives us an oppurtunity. And focus not on darkness but set our eyes on what will fill ourselves with light. Going back to Jesus is the light of the world, for us to also have light in us we need to remember Jesus, and focus on Him.
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Life Applications

What can be said of being the Salt, being of Good fruit, and being a lamp? Each of these things has a positive nature to our actions. Being salt that is still salty hints at our purity, and to not lose what it is that makes us faithful and followers of Jesus. When some things you can do to keep yourself as pure salt is make time for God. In prayer, in worship, in reading the bible, or in fellowship. When you make special time for God be sure that it really is time made for Him without distractions or multitasking. For those of us that are busy and don't have time, we have to make our time with God a special focus for when we have it. Let it be the main focus and God will help keep the purity of our commitment and our being. Our good fruit are our actions. Our actions should be a Testiment to both ourselves and to those around us. Easy ways to have steady and stable actions are to be truthful, be caring and kind, and to put a good effort in both whatever we are doing as well as put an effort in those around us. To be a light that is not hidden is to not be ashamed of our faith. Be bold in it. To be a light also is to shine and let others see. With with Jesus being the light of the world, our being a lamp not only says we remove darkness, but also that we resemble or strive to resemble Jesus. So in everything you learn from reading about Jesus, think if there is any way you can also apply what he says or what He does. Have our deeds be a beacon to give God glory.

 

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Scripture references

Mathew 5:17-20
17 “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.18 For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished.19 Therefore anyone who sets aside one of the least of these commands and teaches others accordingly will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.20 For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven.

Luke 11:37-54
37 When Jesus had finished speaking, a Pharisee invited him to eat with him; so he went in and reclined at the table.38 But the Pharisee was surprised when he noticed that Jesus did not first wash before the meal.

39 Then the Lord said to him, “Now then, you Pharisees clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside you are full of greed and wickedness. 40 You foolish people! Did not the one who made the outside make the inside also? 41 But now as for what is inside you—be generous to the poor,and everything will be clean for you.

42 “Woe to you Pharisees, because you give God a tenth of your mint, rue and all other kinds of garden herbs, but you neglect justice and the love of God. You should have practiced the latter without leaving the former undone.

43 “Woe to you Pharisees, because you love the most important seats in the synagogues and respectful greetings in the marketplaces.

44 “Woe to you, because you are like unmarked graves,which people walk over without knowing it.”

45 One of the experts in the law answered him, “Teacher, when you say these things, you insult us also.”

46 Jesus replied, “And you experts in the law, woe to you, because you load people down with burdens they can hardly carry, and you yourselves will not lift one finger to help them.

47 “Woe to you, because you build tombs for the prophets, and it was your ancestors who killed them. 48 So you testify that you approve of what your ancestors did; they killed the prophets, and you build their tombs. 49 Because of this, God in his wisdom said, ‘I will send them prophets and apostles, some of whom they will kill and others they will persecute.’ 50 Therefore this generation will be held responsible for the blood of all the prophets that has been shed since the beginning of the world, 51 from the blood of Abel to the blood of Zechariah, who was killed between the altar and the sanctuary. Yes, I tell you, this generation will be held responsible for it all.

52 “Woe to you experts in the law, because you have taken away the key to knowledge. You yourselves have not entered, and you have hindered those who were entering.”

53 When Jesus went outside, the Pharisees and the teachers of the law began to oppose him fiercely and to besiege him with questions, 54 waiting to catch him in something he might say.

Next in Mathew, Jesus taught that He did not come to abolish the law or the prophets, but instead to fulfill the law. Jesus said that until the heavens and the earth disappear, everything written of the laws, even the least of them, will last. Until they are all accomplished. With that in mind, Jesus continues that anyone who sets aside even the least of commands, and teaches others to do the same will be the least in the kingdom of Heaven. Anyone who practices and teaches these comands will be great in the Kingdom of Heaven. Jesus warns his audiance though. Unless our rightousness exceeds that of the pharasises and the teachers of religous law we will not enter the kingdom of Heaven.

These are the teachings from Jesus concerning the law, and with that in mind if anyone speaks to you about having God's Grace, or obeying God's law. Know that in your answer we need both. Saved by grace, but directed to follow and be strengthened by God's commands.

As for being more rightous then the Pharisees, in Luke 11 Jesus speaks out against the Pharisees and the religous leaders. First saying that the Pharisees were concerned with outward apearence but were wicked and unclean on the inside. Jesus gave them the correction to be better too. Be generous to the poor and everything will be clean to you. Then continuing on With "Woe to you," Jesus told the Pharisees that they tithe down to the smallest detail but neglect justice and the love of God. He said woe to you, because they love being in the respectful seats in the synagogues and respectful greetings in public but warned them that they are like unmarked graves that people walk over without knowing it.

At this point an expert in religous law said Jesus insulted the experts of law as well. Jesus warned them as well. Saying to the experts of religous law, woe to you. Because they load the people up with burdens they can't carry, then do nothing to help them. Because they build tombs for the prophets, but their ancestors are the ones who killed and perscuted the prophets, showing they are no better. Jesus ended his critism of them by saying they had taken away the key to knowledge. They did not enter, and instead hindered others from entering the knowledge they've studied. After Jesus left, the Pharisees and experts in law stared making plans on how to kill Jesus. Showing Jesus is right by saying they are like their ancestors. This love of respect, hypocrisy, and evil intents are the unrighteousness of the Pharisees and religous experts. They are what we should be warned about and to keep ourselves from.
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Life Applications
The Laws of God are for our benifit, studying them gives a fuller understanding of God's direction and what He wants us to do. Let that be a strength to you, so that the next time you consider your options or feel lost in your faith, you'll have studied the laws God gave in the Old Testiment to give you more direction. Don't let this be a burden to you though. Let it be a joy. Jesus fufilled the Laws By His purity and by His sacrifice. The burdens of the laws have been lifted for those of us who love God and both believe and follow Jesus. So our study can be a continuation for our gratitude and Love for God, and for Jesus.

But that said though remember Jesus's warning about the hypercacy of the Pharisees and religous leaders. Arguably they were the most knowledgable of the people about God's laws, but they did not practice them in earnest. Some laws they ignored, others they put tradition above the laws, and others still they practiced the laws in a way to only be seen by the public. If you let your knowledge be your pride, it may blind you about following what you know and instead focus on how great you are. Avoid this then, that way even if you are weak in the laws and are least in the Kingdom of Heaven, you will still be more rightous then the Pharisees who practiced hypercacy.

 

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Scripture References.

Mathew 5:21-32
21 “You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘You shall not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’ 22 But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will be subject to judgment.Again, anyone who says to a brother or sister, ‘Raca,’ is answerable to the court. And anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell.

23 “Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, 24 leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift.

25 “Settle matters quickly with your adversary who is taking you to court. Do it while you are still together on the way, or your adversary may hand you over to the judge, and the judge may hand you over to the officer, and you may be thrown into prison. 26 Truly I tell you, you will not get out until you have paid the last penny.

27 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’28 But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.29 If your right eye causes you to stumble, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell.30 And if your right hand causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to go into hell.

31 “It has been said, ‘Anyone who divorces his wife must give her a certificate of divorce.’32 But I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, makes her the victim of adultery, and anyone who marries a divorced woman commits adultery.

Mathew 19:3-12
3 Some Pharisees came to him to test him. They asked, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any and every reason?”

4 “Haven’t you read,” he replied, “that at the beginning the Creator ‘made them male and female,’ 5 and said, ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh’? 6 So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.”

7 “Why then,” they asked, “did Moses command that a man give his wife a certificate of divorce and send her away?”

8 Jesus replied, “Moses permitted you to divorce your wives because your hearts were hard. But it was not this way from the beginning. 9 I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another woman commits adultery.”

10 The disciples said to him, “If this is the situation between a husband and wife, it is better not to marry.”

11 Jesus replied, “Not everyone can accept this word, but only those to whom it has been given. 12 For there are eunuchs who were born that way, and there are eunuchs who have been made eunuchs by others—and there are those who choose to live like eunuchs for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. The one who can accept this should accept it.”

Mark 10:2-12
2 Some Pharisees came and tested him by asking, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife?”

3 “What did Moses command you?” he replied.

4 They said, “Moses permitted a man to write a certificate of divorce and send her away.”

5 “It was because your hearts were hard that Moses wrote you this law,” Jesus replied. 6 “But at the beginning of creation God ‘made them male and female.’ 7 ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, 8 and the two will become one flesh.’ So they are no longer two, but one flesh. 9 Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.”

10 When they were in the house again, the disciples asked Jesus about this. 11 He answered, “Anyone who divorces his wife and marries another woman commits adultery against her. 12 And if she divorces her husband and marries another man, she commits adultery.”

Back in Mathew Jesus continues his sermon concerning many aspects written in the laws and expands on them. On murder Jesus confirms that anyone who murders is subject to judgment, but he also says anyone who is angry with their brother or sister is subject to judgment. Even to the point of saying a term of contempt to another is enough to be in the dangers of the court, and calling someone a fool is enough for the fires of Hell. With that in mind Jesus advises us to reconcile our matters quickly with eachother, and if anyone has something against you go to them and resolve it as soon as you think of it.

With regards to adultry, Jesus says not only that we are not to commit adultry, but also that even looking at a person lustfully is committing adultry in our hearts. To this Jesus advises a strong approach. If your eye or your hand cause you to stumble, then out it off of gouge it out. It's better to lose one part of the body then to be thrown into hell. What's this really saying? Have self control. Control your eyes and your hands. If you can't do that then yeah it's better to lose a part of the body then lose yourself. Because of the difficulty of this though, one can also point out our need to be saved, and of our need for Jesus in our hearts, as well as our salvation against our ongoing sin.

Jesus teaches on Divorce. Quoting the law that for a man to divorce his wife, he needs to give her a certificate of divorce. But Jesus continues to say that unless the wife committed sexual immorality, the man causes her to be the victim of adultry. Later in Mathew 19 (and also in Mark 10) Jesus teaches more on divorce with the question of a Pharasise. Jesus taught that Moses permitted the law of divorce because of the hardness of men's hearts, but that this is not how it always was. The rule was for marriage, what God joined together, let no one seperate. And anyone who divorces their wife and marries another commits adultry. Any woman who is divorced and remarries commits adultry. For more information on the matter of divorce and marriage, look into what Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 7, for now though let's move on with Jesus's sermons.
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Life Applications

With each of these lessons Jesus shows a greater debth to the laws and a stricter nature to them. From them it matters not only what we do, but also what we say, what's in our heart, and what's in our lusts. If anyone is like me you will be able to see the stricter nature of these laws as a sign of how much we need help, and how much we really need to rely on Jesus to saving us. On a practical note though, strive to not be angry with anyone, that way you will not have resentment towards them or lash out by our words or our actions. If you know someone is angry with you, do what you can to resolve the issues, and make peace.

With lusts, know your limits and be wary of going past your boundaries. That way if you know your weak in looking at the opposite sex in a longing way, you can try to avoid it like an alcoholic might try to avoid alcohol. If you have a strong love for your spouse keep that as your forfrount of your mind. In these ways you won't put yourself in a bad position to lust after another, and you can be strengthened by your love and commitment to your spouse. If possible avoid divorce and hold marriage as an important relationship. That can mean not getting married right away or at all ok. Or that can mean being patient and persevere in the relationship when it gets difficult. That said divorce is given to us for a reason, if it becomes abusive get out. You are still committed to that relationship as far as these teaching say, so you shouldn't seek to merry anyone else, but don't stay if you or your children are being abused.

 

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Scripture Refrences.

Mathew 5:33-48
33 “Again, you have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘Do not break your oath, but fulfill to the Lord the vows you have made.’34 But I tell you, do not swear an oath at all: either by heaven, for it is God’s throne;35 or by the earth, for it is his footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the Great King.36 And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make even one hair white or black.37 All you need to say is simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one.

38 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’39 But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also.40 And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well.41 If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles.42 Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.

43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighborand hate your enemy.’44 But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,45 that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.46 If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that?47 And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that?48 Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

Luke 6:27-36
27 “But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28 bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. 29 If someone slaps you on one cheek, turn to them the other also. If someone takes your coat, do not withhold your shirt from them.30 Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. 31 Do to others as you would have them do to you.

32 “If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them. 33 And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners do that. 34 And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, expecting to be repaid in full. 35 But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked.36 Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.

With regards to oaths, Jesus first says from the laws in Deuteromony, "you have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘Do not break your oath,but fulfill to the Lord the vows you have made.'" And then continues to say, " But I tell you, do not swear an oath at all: either by heaven, for it is God’s throne;or by the earth, for it is his footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the Great King. And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make even one hair white or black. All you need to say is simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’;anything beyond this comes from the evil one." What can be added to this? It's easy to understand without needing to supported further.

Jesus reminds us of God's law to restrain our anger, and keep justice. To do no more then what is done to you. Reminding His audiance of the law, Jesus says, "You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.' But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also. And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well. If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles. Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you." With some context I've learned, in the days Jesus taught this the Roman Empire laid out the privilege that a Roman soldier could make anyone walk a mile with them and be fine by the law. In order to fill a debt there are laws in the old Testiment that allow a person to collect a person's shirt. Though that law is also supplied that the shirt must be given back to keep the them warm at night if it's their only shirt.

These teachings are important enough to repeat in Jesus's other recorded sermon in Luke 6. Very closely worded they also encompass the next lesson to Love your enemy.

"But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. If someone slaps you on one cheek, turn to them the other also. If someone takes your coat, do not withhold your shirt from them. Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. Do to others as you would have them do to you.

“If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners do that. And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, expecting to be repaid in full. But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful."

In Mathew's sermon, Jesus also adds to pray for those who persecute you, so we can be like children of God. And after compairing God's love to a sinners love who expect something in return, Jesus raises the stakes from not just "be merciful as your Father is merciful." But to also, "Be perfect therefore as your Heavenly Father is perfect."
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Life Applications

In our world where promises are a means of reassurance, try and avoid the need for promises. Have your reassurances be made by standing by what you say, and in time a promise won't be asked for to further reassure someone that you mean it this time. Another reassurance that can replace a promise is before saying what you plan to do, say first "if it's in God's will," followed by what you intend to do. That way you show your intent and what you plan to do, but acknowledge that sometimes things are out of your control. You won't be placed in a sitution that you promised but can't fulfill that way.

As for those who wrong you, two thoughts to help you keep your cool in the face of their assaults. God loves them and yearns for them to find Him and find His love. With that in mind know that your patience and kindness are a small but potentially powerful substitute to a person God loves. It might free them from a cycle of anger and frustration by just not resisting them. These help freeing them from the underlying sin or anxiety that is the root behind it. You do not turn the other cheek for your benifit, but for theirs. That's part of what it means to love your enemy.

 

[Not_Now.Soon]

Scripture References.

Mathew 6:1-4
Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.

2 “So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. 3 But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4 so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

Jesus taught that we should be careful not to act righteously for the sake of it being seen by others. That if we do good things, only to be seen by others then God won't reward us for that. He says it again with regard to giving to the needy. To not be like the hypocrites who give give to the needy only after they announce it and draw people's attention to it. To those people Jesus says they have gotten their reward. Instead, Jesus taught that when you give, do so secretly. Even to the point that your left hand doesn't know what your right hand is doing. That way our Father in Heaven, who sees all secrets, will reward us.
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Life Application

Doing things for others to notice what you do often has a corrupting intent to it. Where it can become not about what you do, but about showing off, holding yourself in pride, even to prove yourself to another. It doesn't have to be as showy as Jesus's descriptions, with music and trumpet playing, but it can be very easy to fall into. There are times when we want to be noticed and we go above and beyond wha we normally do for the attentions of someone we want to date, or for a boss who might give us a raise, or even for a family member who we wish to prove ourselves to. But know that if we act in those ways when those people are around, we are being a hypocrite. Going further then that Jesus recommends that we practice our rightousness and our generosity in privite. Even in secret. That way only God is the one you are doing it for, and He will hold that with His love and His heavenly treasures.

 

[Not_Now.Soon]

Scripture References.

Mathew 6:5-15
5 “And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. 6 But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. 7 And when you pray, do not keep on babblinglike pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. 8 Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you needbefore you ask him.

9 “This, then, is how you should pray:

“‘Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
10 your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
11 Give us today our daily bread.
12 And forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
13 And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from the evil one.’

14 For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.

Luke 11:1-13
11 One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples.”

2 He said to them, “When you pray, say:

“‘Father,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come.
3 Give us each day our daily bread.
4 Forgive us our sins,
for we also forgive everyone who sins against us.
And lead us not into temptation.’”

5 Then Jesus said to them, “Suppose you have a friend, and you go to him at midnight and say, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves of bread; 6 a friend of mine on a journey has come to me, and I have no food to offer him.’ 7 And suppose the one inside answers, ‘Don’t bother me. The door is already locked, and my children and I are in bed. I can’t get up and give you anything.’ 8 I tell you, even though he will not get up and give you the bread because of friendship, yet because of your shameless audacity he will surely get up and give you as much as you need.

9 “So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 10 For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.

11 “Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead? 12 Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion?13 If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”

Next Jesus teaches about Prayer. He gives the same caution regarding prayer as he does regarding giving to the needy. Do not pray publically to be seen by others. For if you do the attention you get will be your reward, but instead pray privitely, behind closed doors. That way God who knows all secrets will reward you. He also said not to pray like the pagan who babble on in their prayers, thinking their many words will add to it. Then Jesus Teaches how to pray. In Luke 11 when asked by His disciples how to pray Jesus teaches a simular prayer as he does here in Mathew's Sermon on the mount. From Mathew Jesus says:

"Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
10 your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
11 Give us today our daily bread.
12 And forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
13 And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from the evil one."


From Luke 11 Jesus teaches,
“‘Father,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come.
3 Give us each day our daily bread.
4 Forgive us our sins,
for we also forgive everyone who sins against us.
And lead us not into temptation.’”

On a side note, it's mentioned in some manuscripts of Mathew, after Jesus says "Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one." That Jesus also adds another aspect to the prayer. "For Thine is the Kingdom, the Power, the Glory forever." Thuse completing the prayer many of us have been taught in church.

"Our Father, who art in Heaven. Hallowed be thy name. Your Kingdom come. Your will be done. On Earth as it is in Heaven. Give us our daily bread. And forgive us our sins as we forgive those who've sinned against us. Do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. For thine is the Kingdom, the Power, the Glory forever. Amen."

 

[Not_Now.Soon]

After each version of prayer that Jesus taught, Jesus taught a bit more concerning prayer, or concerning what was in that prayer. From Mathew, Jesus highlighted on the aspect forgiveness, saying that our forgiveness from God is dependent on our forgiving others. If we don't forgive what another has done to us, God won't forgive our sins. If we do forgive though then our sins will also be forgiven. From Luke 11 Jesus teaches from a parable that if we continue asking God for what we request, He will grant the request.

In fact with regard to prayer, in Luke, Jesus teaches a lesson that is repeated later in Mathew's sermon. "So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened." And to reassure us of God's goodness, Jesus compares God as our Heavenly Father to those of us who are fathers here on earth. Saying, "Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!" Or in Luke, Jesus adds, "If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”

With in mind the promise that by asking it'll be given, seeking you will find, knock and the door will be opened, and God's goodness in giving to us like a father gives to their child; in Mathew, Jesus adds an encouragement for our faith and obedience to God. "So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets."
___________________
Life Applications.

The Lord's Prayer is a very good prayer to get into the habit of saying. Each verse highlight that's an aspect of our faith, or on our needs. "Hallowed be your name, should show us to Honor God, even to Honor His Name. And when we say this it hopefully is recognized as such by us and for our honoring God. "Thy Kingdom come, thy will be done," is a prayer for the hopes we have on God and on His promises, but they are also us praying for and recognizing God's sovernity in our live, on earth, and in Heaven. Jesus when He was about to be taken to the cross prayed and asked God to take this burden from Jesus. But in the end of His prayer, Jesus added that He wanted God's will, not just His own will to be done. This is the perfect and ultimate show of God being sovereign and His will being done above all else. Even to ask for God's will, when we are sure we won't like it.

Then to our needs. Pray for our daily bread. Our daily needs. Also intreasting figuring is Jesus's communion breaking the bread saying this is His body. With that in mind I have heard of people prying for their daily bread with the intent of asking for Jesus in them daily. We are to ask for forgiveness, but with the condition to forgive those who have wronged us. Some things take more time or more effort to forgive. In those times I've found it helpful to ask God to help us to forgive the things that are weighing us down. Be specific in these as much as you are able. God knows what you need forgiving from, and what you are having trouble forgiving. But by being specific you hopefully are helping yourself give it to God and avoid making vague generalizations. "Lead us not into temptations, but deliver us from evil" should be easy to understand and apply. Ask for God's help and depend on Him in the face of evil and temptations around us. To the point of asking Him to keep us from these things. "For Thine is the Power, the Glory, and the Kingdom forever." Acknowledge praise and know that God is in control.

Ask, seek, knock. God listens. Pray often.

 

[th1b.taylor]

You need to slow down and explain how your first lesson, post #2 is applied to one's personal daily, hour by hour life. Better than 98% of the membership of the average Church Membership is not saved and has no idea of how to apply any of this to their lives nor what it means to them.

 

[Not_Now.Soon]

You need to slow down and explain how your first lesson, post #2 is applied to one's personal daily, hour by hour life. Better than 98% of the membership of the average Church Membership is not saved and has no idea of how to apply any of this to their lives nor what it means to them.

One of the critisms I've heard recently form someone trying to challenge the bible is that it is all interptation and everyone interprets it differently, as well as one verse condricts another. I want to combats that perspective by showing what Jesus taught when he spoke plainly without parables that needed interptation.

That said though. Your right. I should add life applications to these as best as I can. Thank you for that insight. What good is a bible study unless it can be applied in our lives.

 

[th1b.taylor]

One of the critisms I've heard recently form someone trying to challenge the bible is that it is all interptation and everyone interprets it differently, as well as one verse condricts another. I want to combats that perspective by showing what Jesus taught when he spoke plainly without parables that needed interptation.

That said though. Your right. I should add life applications to these as best as I can. Thank you for that insight. What good is a bible study unless it can be applied in our lives.

I taught the scriptures to Children and to the elderly for better than twenty years and if you want to hold the attention and get your class to interact you must present them a reason to do that, otherwise they leave.

 

[ezrider]

The Law as it came forth from Mt. Sinai through the words of Moses began with the ten commandment, or the ten, thou shall nots.

The Law as it came forth from Mt. Zion through the words of Jesus began with the ten blessing.

Psalm 133
Behold, how good and how pleasant it is
for brethren to dwell together in unity!
It is like the precious ointment upon the head,
that ran down upon the beard,
even Aaron's beard: that went down to the skirts of his garments;
As the dew of Hermon, and as the dew that descended upon the mountains of Zion:
for there the Lord commanded the blessing,
even life for evermore.

 

[ezrider]

Matthew 5:1-12
And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him: And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying,
Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.
Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.
Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.
Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.
Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.
Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.

 

[ezrider]

Some of the easiest lessons to read come from Jesus's Sermon on the Mount, because they're are several lessons in that sermon and they are spoken plainly without being in parables. For reference I'll be following along the sermon on the mountian in Mathew 5-7, and a similar sermon in Luke 6, along with verses in few other places as well.

The sermon on the mount was the Word of the Law as it came forth from Zion. The law was not hidden, that is why it was spoke plainly.

The parables on the other hand were used to teach the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven. These mysteries were kept hidden, for a reason.

Matthew 13:13-14
Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand. And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive:

 

[ezrider]

Next in Mathew, Jesus taught that He did not come to abolish the law or the prophets, but instead to fulfill the law. Jesus said that until the heavens and the earth disappear, everything written of the laws, even the least of them, will last.

Do you know how Jesus fulfilled the law without having to abolish it? Do you know how the law is fulfilled?

 

[GodsGrace]

You put a lot of work into this NNS.
I know because I've done lessons on the beatitudes for adults.
I encourage you.

It's late here but I will check my notes tomorrow to see if there's anything I could add, but I doubt it.
Just offhand there are 8 beatitudes. The 9th one is just a continuation of the 8th. No big problem.

Wondering

 

[Not_Now.Soon]

I taught the scriptures to Children and to the elderly for better than twenty years and if you want to hold the attention and get your class to interact you must present them a reason to do that, otherwise they leave.

Thankyou again. How do the lessons look now?

 

[Not_Now.Soon]

The Law as it came forth from Mt. Sinai through the words of Moses began with the ten commandment, or the ten, thou shall nots.

The Law as it came forth from Mt. Zion through the words of Jesus began with the ten blessing.

Psalm 133
Behold, how good and how pleasant it is
for brethren to dwell together in unity!
It is like the precious ointment upon the head,
that ran down upon the beard,
even Aaron's beard: that went down to the skirts of his garments;
As the dew of Hermon, and as the dew that descended upon the mountains of Zion:
for there the Lord commanded the blessing,
even life for evermore.

That's intreasting Ezrider. It's good to be able to make the connections between the Old Testiment and the New like this.

Matthew 5:1-12
And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him: And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying,
Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.
Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.
Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.
Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.
Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.
Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.

Thankyou for posing this. I've now edited the posts above to include the scripture Refrences.

The sermon on the mount was the Word of the Law as it came forth from Zion. The law was not hidden, that is why it was spoke plainly.

The parables on the other hand were used to teach the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven. These mysteries were kept hidden, for a reason.

Matthew 13:13-14
Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand. And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive:

As I said before, my original intent for this bible study was to be geared towards new Christians and nonbelievers. To give a solid foundation for what Jesus taught. It is because of this I am leaving out the parables for the it's part. I hope you understand. If I do well later on, and God gives me the ability, I think I'd like to do a second bible study that would be for parables and other lessons Jesus gave in conversations Orin answering questions. For now though that is outside the scope I was trying to address.

That said, I think many of the parables correspond with what He taught in these lessons that Jesus gave in these sermons.

Do you know how Jesus fulfilled the law without having to abolish it? Do you know how the law is fulfilled?

Does the life application segment I added, give enough for what you're asking Ezrider? If not, what would you add or what would you suggest. This is a bible study, so go ahead and give your input too.

 

[Not_Now.Soon]

You put a lot of work into this NNS.
I know because I've done lessons on the beatitudes for adults.
I encourage you.

It's late here but I will check my notes tomorrow to see if there's anything I could add, but I doubt it.
Just offhand there are 8 beatitudes. The 9th one is just a continuation of the 8th. No big problem.

Wondering

Thank you. Looking forward to it.