The Sermon on the Mount: An Introduction (Matthew 5:1-2; 7:28-29)

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Outline: Matthew 5:1-2; 7:28-29

1.              Authority Anticipated (5:1-2)

2.              Authority Experienced (7:28-29)

Summary: After his baptism and victory over temptations in the wilderness, Jesus chose his first disciples and began his public ministry (Matt. 3-4).  Jesus started teaching, preaching, and healing with the result that his “fame spread” and “great crowds followed him” from virtually every surrounding region (4:25). As the crowds drew near to the mountain, Jesus saw them and took his seat on the mountain (5:1).  And with an air of solemnity and anticipation, the God-Man began to teach (5:2).  By the end of the sermon, the crowds were astonished, awestruck by the message, but more than that, by the Messenger himself (7:28-29).  Why?  Because Jesus taught with a unique, yes even a heavenly authority.  Jesus taught with an unmatched confidence and clarity, a level of dignity and depth that left a deep impression on the hearts of his hearers.

Discussion Questions:

• Describe the context in general and where the crowds come from in particular (cf. 4:25).
• Who is Jesus teaching and where do you see this in the text (hint: there are two groups)?
• How did the crowds respond to Jesus’ sermon (7:28)? Why that response? (7:29)?
• What does this teach us about the uniqueness of Jesus?

Application Questions:

• How should what you learned about Jesus’ authority effect the way you think about and respond to the teaching on the Sermon on the Mount in the weeks and months ahead?
• How have you been responding to the authority of God’s Word as of late?
• Applying the gospel: How should the truth that Jesus alone has authority to forgive sin affect the way we deal with our failures, shame, and guilt?
• Has Jesus’ authority made you bolder in talking to others about the things of God? How can a renewed understanding of Jesus’ authority help you grow in boldness?

Prayer Points:

• Praise Jesus that he alone has authority to forgive your sins and that he has done so!
• Confess to God any failures to honor Jesus’ authority in your life.
• Ask God to help you be regularly astonished by and submissive to his Word. 

Discipleship 101: Be Ready for Your Master’s Return! (Matthew 24:36-51)

 Outline: Matthew 24:36-51

1. What we don’t know (vv.36-41)
2. What we should know  (vv.42-51)

Summary: Jesus’ teachings in Matthew 24 are triggered by his disciple’s questions: “Tell us, when will these things be, and what will be the sign of your coming and the close of the age” (v.3).  In vv.4-35 Jesus emphasizes what it would be like leading up to the moment of his return.  Then, in our passage, vv.36-51, Jesus emphasizes what his coming will be like and how he expects his followers to live in light of it.  Jesus basically tells his followers two things: what they don’t know and what they should know.  We don’t know the day or the hour and therefore many will be caught off guard.  We should know, however, that our Master is most certainly coming back and that we must be ready for his return. 

Discussion Questions:

• How should we process the phrase “nor the Son” in v.36?  Even with that jarring statement, the main point is clear.  So what is the main point of v.36? In light of the main point, how should we think about the claims to know the day and/or hour made by people and groups in our day?
• Jesus compares his coming to the coming of the flood in Noah’s day.  Read Gen. 6:9-7:24 and imagine what it would have been like when the flood came.  What would it have been like for those inside the ark? What about those caught outside the ark?
• Jesus then gives his disciples a modern-day example of normal, everyday activates that will be carried out when Jesus comes back suddenly (v.40).  What are some common activities that people carry out in our day? Now imagine what it would be like if Jesus were to come in such moments. 
• According to v.44, Jesus clearly says, “the Son of Man is coming.  How then does Jesus expect his followers to live in light of this fact?
• What does it mean to “be ready”?

Application Questions:

• Do you (or perhaps someone you know) tend to focus more on what you can’t know than on what you should know?  If so, what changes should be made in your thinking?
• Honestly, how much does the fact of Jesus return shape the way you live your life?
• Most people are not prepared for Jesus’ return.  How should this fact motivate your desire to tell people about Jesus?

Prayer Points:

• Confess to God areas in your life in which you have failed to live in light of your Master’s coming.  Areas that you are more spiritually “asleep” than “awake.” And receive forgiveness from Jesus, your merciful Master  (1 John 1:9).
• Ask God to show you more of what it means for you to be more faithful and ready for your Master’s return.  Ask him to help you to live out what he shows you. 
• Pray that God would help you to believe, to really believe, with more of an absolute certainly that “the Son of Man is coming.”
• Thank God for the gospel and how we don’t have to dread that day but can actually look forward to it.
• Praise Jesus that his words can be trusted and that he will make all things right when he returns.

Discipleship 101: Make More Disciples! (Matthew 28:18-20)

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Outline: Doubts begin to dissolve in the light of…

1.     The Power of the Resurrected Christ (v.18)

2.     The Mission of the Resurrected Christ (v.19-20a)

3.     The Presence of the Resurrected Christ (v.20b)

Summary: Jesus rose from the dead and went to Galilee to meet his disciples, just as he said that he would (26:31-32; 28:6,10,16).  When the disciples encountered Jesus in his resurrected state, they rightly worshipped him as the God-Man (28:17; cf. v.9), but still some of them doubted.  This doubt, however, would start do dissolve in the light of the power, mission, and presence of the risen Christ.  Before Jesus gives the Great Commission, he tells his disciples that he has been given absolutely all authority (v.18; cf. Eph. 1:20-23; Phil. 2:8-11).  Essentially saying, “don’t be afraid to proclaim the gospel to anyone because everyone will have to answer to me.”  Then he tells his disciples their mission: Make disciples of all nations by going, baptizing, and teaching.  This is a massive mission, one that can only be carried out in the strength of God, which is why Jesus then reassures them with the promise that he would be present with them by his Spirit until the end of the age. 

Discussion Questions:

• When Jesus tells his disciples of his absolute power and authority in v.18, what effect do you think Jesus intended for it to have on them?  What effect should this statement have on you, especially in regards to your calling to tell others about Jesus? 
• The Wheel Illustration was used in order to help clarify the central focus of the Great Commission (Make disciples of all nations!) and the three ways it is to be carried out (by going, baptizing, and teaching).  In your own words, try to explain the mission that Jesus gives to us using the wheel illustration.
• People become disciples by believing the gospel, the good news about Jesus and what he did. This is implied in the mission and is made explicit when we look at parallel passages.  Read these parallel passages and reflect on your call to share the gospel in order to make more disciples: Matt. 24:14; Mark 16:15; Luke 24:47.
• What is the meaning of the phrase “all nations”?
• We are to make disciples by going.  What does this entail? (Hint: think “spheres of influence”).
• We are to encourage people who believe the good news about Jesus to be baptized in the singular name of the triune God.  Consider how baptism itself is a dramatization of the good news of the gospel (cf. Rom. 6:4). Have you been baptized as a believer?  If not, Consider being baptized in obedience to this passage.
• How important is it that we not only teach others about Jesus but also teach others to obey Jesus (v.20a)?  What is the difference between the two?  This verse provides a strong biblical basis for accountability.  Are their people in your life who are helping you obey Jesus’ teachings?  If not, respond to this command by making this a more urgent part of your life.  
• In v.20b, Jesus promises his disciples that he would be with them to the end of the age.  How can this be seeing as Jesus is about to ascend to his Father’s right hand and no longer be physically present with his disciples? What effect do you think Jesus intended for it to have on them?  What effect should this statement have on you, especially in regards to the challenges of living on mission? 

Prayer Points:

•  Confess to God any doubt that lingers in your heart and ask him to be at work in you, dissolving any doubts in the light of the power, mission, and presence of the risen Christ.
• Confess any ways that you have failed to live on mission in your various spheres of influence and receive forgiveness and cleansing that flows from Jesus  (1 John 1:9).
• Pray that God would help you to understand the absolute power and authority of Jesus Christ and that it would serve to give you more confidence as you share the good news about Jesus with others.
• Pray that God would brand his mission on your mind and heart and help you to live it out.
• Ask God to help you to be a faithful witness in every sphere of influence that he has placed you in, whether in your home, extended family, church, school, workplace, community, etc.
• Ask God to help you to lovingly, wisely, and diligently pass on the teachings of Jesus by instructing others and helping them to obey the things that they learn.
• Thank God for the privilege it is to be part of the greatest of all causes: following Jesus on his mission to make disciples of all nations.
• Praise Jesus for his absolute power over all things and all people.
• Praise Jesus for the promise of his constant presence in your life as you live on mission.