What is the force of the imagery that appears throughout the Sermon? Does it reinforce or distract from the ethical teaching?
Of the law and prophets, Jesus says, “I have come not to abolish but to fulfill” (5:17b). How do you understand the relationship of Jesus’ teachings in Matthew to the ethical teachings found in the Old Testament?
What is the image of Jesus that emerges from this summary of his teaching?
Application Questions:
What are the fundamental values or virtues that you take from the Sermon on the Mount?
Should we look for ourselves in the Beatitudes (5:1-11)? Is there a particular category of the “blessed” with which you identify?
What are the most challenging teachings of Jesus in the Sermon?