Verses: Matthew 5:13-20

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How to use this Bible Study

If you are in a group: Complete the sections that have a white background together. The sections with a peach background should be completed individually. Then come back together and talk about what you have read.

If you are doing a solo devotional: Read through as usual, and use the discussion questions as a journaling prompt.

Summary

This is the second of six sessions where we will talk about three chapters in Matthew that are referred to as The Sermon on the Mount.

In today’s reading we are going to learn why Jesus came to Earth. Jesus talks about “God’s Law”. The people he is speaking to at this time would have understood that he was referring to the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20) and the 613 laws the Jewish people were given to follow. These laws covered all aspects of life, including: marriage, diet, arguments, treatment of others, and more. The Laws given to the Israelites (Jewish People) were more than a set of rules. They were a promise. The promise between God and his people was: if you keep the law, God will take care of you.

In Leviticus 26:3-14 MSG it says: “If you live by my decrees and obediently keep my commands, I will send the rains in their seasons, the ground will yield its crops and the trees of the field their fruit… You’ll have more than enough to eat and will live safe and secure in your land. I’ll make the country a place of peace – you’ll be able to go to sleep at night with out fear. I’ll get rid of the wild beasts. I’ll eliminate war… I’ll make sure you prosper… But if you refuse to obey me, and won’t observe my commandments, I’ll step in and pour on the trouble.”

Every time a law was broken, a person had to make a sacrifice to make their relationship with God right.

This relationship with God was exhausting. And the Israelites constantly walked away from God’s laws.

Now, we are going to read the next section of the Sermon on the Mount. Keep this understand of Jewish law in mind as you read.

Before You Read

Before beginning your reading pray:

“Dear God, thank you for giving me this time to focus on your word and understand you more deeply. Please remind me of these verses as I move through my week. Amen.”

While you are reading, keep a pen and paper close by to write down:

Questions you have about words, actions or people
Things that you think are interesting
Thoughts about how you would have reacted
Connections between other Bible passages you have read before

Read Exodus 20:1-17

Where to find it: Exodus is in the Old Testament. It is the second book in the bible, after Genesis and before Leviticus.

What you just read are the Ten Commandments, it is commonly referred to as the moral law. These are the most simple version of God’s laws. After God gives Moses the ten commandments, he gives a series of more laws and punishments, these are known as the ceremonial law. The verses below are just a few of those ceremonial laws. Remember, the purpose of these laws are to keep God’s people in good standing, so they can talk to God and receive God’s gifts of an easy and peaceful life.

Read Exodus 22:21-30

Read Matthew 5:13-20

Where to find it: Matthew is in the New Testament. If you open your bible to the middle it will be in the right half of the book. It is between Malachi and Mark.

Summarize the main point in Matthew 5:13-16:

Summarize the main point in Matthew 5:17-20:

[19]Obviously, the law applies to those to whom it was given, for its purpose is to keep people from having excuses, and to show that the entire world is guilty before God. [20]For no one can ever be made right with God by doing what the law commands. The law simply shows us how sinful we are.

Romans 3:19-20 NLT

What part of the reading today was new or enlightening to you?

Discussion Questions

What does it mean to be the salt of the Earth?
Would your coworkers or neighbors readily identify you as a follower of Jesus?
What does it mean to be a light to others?
Which part of today’s reading was most challenging?
How often do you use your time and resources to be God’s “light” to others?
When Jesus says that he “comes to complete the law, not demolish it” do you think he is referring to the moral law (ten commandments) or the ceremonial law or both?
Do you think the Old Testament laws are still necessary or relevant?
Do you instruct your children on God’s commands? What would it look like to actively teach
them God’s word?
How are we guilty of relaxing God’s commands?