This week we began studying one of Jesus' most significant teachings which is referred to as The Sermon on the Mount. This week's lesson focused on the Beatitudes where Jesus says, "Blessed are those who..." This would be a very controversial teaching because it points to an upside down kingdom where the poor will be made rich, those in grief will be glad, and the last will be first. You can find the passage in Matthew 4:23-5:26 or Story 91 of the Gospel Story Bible. Use the teaching notes below to help guide discussion and download this week's Family Worship Guide to aid you as you lead your children in worship at home.

The character of a believer—To open his Sermon on the Mount, Jesus described a meek, humble, and merciful people who thirst for righteousness. These people are peacemakers; they are gracious even in the midst of persecution and suffering. This passage describes the character of genuine Christians. In Leviticus 18:3, sometime after delivering Israel from the Egyptians, God instructed Moses to tell the people to differ from the people of Canaan. Instead of walking in the statutes of the pagans, Israel was to follow God’s rules and God’s ways. Of course, for the most part, Israel drifted from faithfulness and obedience. Jesus spoke of another people in this passage who would be faithful to God’s rules and God’s ways. Though genuine Christians often fail, they progress toward becoming more and more like Christ. Christians long to live righteous lives because of the new birth. And, because of the Holy Spirit’s power, they do. The Beatitudes are a banner under which they rally, and in this passage, Christ holds the standard high. He fulfilled the law for Christians. Now they look to follow him by living obedient lives.

The influence of a believer—The people of God are to stand out among the nations. We are to be salt, bringing the savor of life to the world. And we are to be light, bringing truth in the midst of darkness. Jesus is the light of the world; his Word is truth. In 1 Samuel 8:19–20 the people complained to Samuel that they wanted a king so they could be like the other nations. This people, who were called to be different from those in the land of Canaan, longed to be like the pagans around them. As Christians we are to take up once again the charge to be a people set apart for God. No one will notice us if we live sinful lives like the rest of the world. If we live holy, joyful, humble, and merciful lives for Christ, and if we speak of Christ, we will be different from the people around us. We will be like a light shining in the darkness; we will be like salt on bland food.

The righteousness of a believer—The Ten Commandments list God’s laws and the standard of obedience for believers. Lest a person think he can fulfill the law on his own, Jesus went to the heart of the law in the Sermon on the Mount. He explained that men break the command against murder not only when they kill but also when they become angry. The law requires perfect obedience. Apart from Christ, we have no hope to accomplish this. Jesus, however, fulfilled the law and lived a perfectly obedient life. In fact, the whole Old Testament pointed to and was fulfilled in Christ’s coming. He did not murder and was never sinfully angry. We obey because Jesus gave us a righteous standing, not so we can earn a righteous standing. If we had to be perfect, and then made one mistake, there would be little reason or hope to go on living for God. Jesus lived a perfect life in our place. Even when we fail and become angry with a Christian brother, we can reconcile and get help from God’s Spirit to be more righteous next time. 

How does today’s Bible story fit into God’s greater plan of redemption?

Jesus, in Matthew 5:17, said that he came to fulfill the law and prophets. Look at Isaiah’s words: “But he was wounded for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his stripes we are healed” (Isaiah 53:5). Jesus’ death on the cross fulfills those words.

When you add up all of the prophecies that point forward to the sacrifice of Jesus, it is truly amazing that he fulfilled them all.

Jesus would be the one to fulfill the righteous life he described in the Beatitudes. We need not strive to obey Jesus’ words in the Sermon on the Mount to earn God’s favor; we strive to obey because we have already been forgiven and made righteous. Now, free of the condemnation of the law, we can follow the way of the law by following Jesus. If we should fall into sin, we need not be condemned. Instead, we confess our sin, and by the blood of Jesus our sins are covered.