Jesus' Teachings and Parables: Gospel of Matthew Key Concepts

What is "Kingdom of Heaven/God"

God's rule in our hearts and in heaven/earth

What is a discourse

A teaching

What is the Sermon on the Mount

Jesus' most famous sermon/teachings

What are the Beatitudes

Blessings that describe what will happen to those in God's kingdom

What does "meek" mean

Humble/self-controlled (not weak)

What is a parable

A short story told by Jesus with spiritual meaning

What does it mean that Jesus was authentic

He practiced what he preached

What does it mean that Jesus pursued people

He was willing to teach and preach to anyone

How did Jesus show he loved life and related to people

He enjoyed things like wedding feasts; enjoyed wedding feast, he enjoyed eating and drinking so much that people accused him of being drunk

What does it mean that Jesus used colorful, down-to-earth language

He used language people could understand; “Do not let your right hand know what your left is doing”

What does it mean that Jesus spoke with authority

He spoke as if he had direct authority from God

What does it mean that Jesus was a brilliant debater

He could outsmart his opponents and wouldn't fall for tricks

How many major discourses are in the Gospel of Matthew

5

Which is the longest and most important of these discourses

Sermon on the Mount

What is the overall theme of the Sermon on the Mount

How to live in the Kingdom of God

Which OT character does Matthew link Jesus to

Moses

How does Jesus display His authority in the Sermon on the Mount

He interprets and deepens/changes the law instead of just saying it

What is the standard of human behavior in Mt 5:48

To be "completely perfect"

What do the Beatitudes emphasize as a whole

Happiness comes from God, not earthly goods

What does it mean to be "poor in spirit"

Knowing you need God

What does the word "meek" mean

Self-controlled and humble

What does "meek" NOT mean

Weak

What are some recurring ideas in Matthew 6-7

Humility, trust in God, inner goodness, don't judge others unfairly, don't be hypocritical

How does the Woman Caught in Adultery illustrate Mt 7:1-5

We should be merciful, recognize our own sins, help others, and not judge harshly or hypocritically

What does Jesus tell the Apostles to say and do (10:5-8)

Spread the gospel and believe in it

What attitude should the Apostles show if someone rejects their message (10:14)

Don't try to make them understand—the Holy Spirit will ultimately help the person convert

What does Jesus teach about priorities (10:34-39)

God comes first, even before family or personal safety

What does the root Greek word for parable literally mean

To throw alongside

Why does this meaning make sense for understanding parables

We have to really think about a parable to truly understand it

Why did Jesus speak in parables

To reveal truths in a way that made sense to his people

In the Parable of the Sower, what does the seed represent

The Word of God

In the Parable of the Sower, what does the path soil represent

Ignores the word

In the Parable of the Sower, what does the rocky soil represent

Learns it but doesn't follow

In the Parable of the Sower, what does the thorny soil represent

Distracted

In the Parable of the Sower, what does the good soil represent

Hears, understands, and lives out the word

In the Parable of the Weeds Among the Wheat, what do the weeds represent

Sinners

In the Parable of the Weeds Among the Wheat, what does the wheat represent

God's followers

What will happen to the weeds at the end

God will separate the weeds from the wheat and throw the weeds away

Aspects of Gods kingdom:

- here now

- of a loving God WHO IS FATHER

- for everyone

- a free gift that we cannot earn

- the church begins God's kingdom

- united by the Holy Spirit

- involves a life of service