AGENDA – FOLLOW ME

OPENING PRAYER - Heavenly Father, we thank you for this opportunity to read and study Your Word. Please guide our thoughts and open our hearts to understand the truths You want to reveal. In Jesus' name, Amen.
AUDIBLE READ THE SCRIPTURE ALOUD – JESUS IS BAPTIZED
TRAIL CROSSING - The Gospel of Mark does not depict Jesus' encounter with Satan. Jesus is just said to be with wild beasts, leaving the reader to imagine what that might have looked like. If you want to compare them, the other temptation narratives are found in Matthew 4:1-11 and Luke 4:1-13.
AUDIBLE READ THE SCRIPTURE ALOUD – JESUS BEGINS HIS MINISTRY
AUDIBLE READ THE SCRIPTURE ALOUD – JESUS CALLS DISCIPLES
POINT OF INTEREST - Nazareth was a tiny town in Galilee. One of the surest things that we know about the Jesus of history is that he was from Nazareth. No one would have made up that detail.
AUDIBLE READ THE SCRIPTURE ALOUD – JESUS CREATES CONTROVERSY AND GARNERS FAME
AUDIBLE READ THE SCRIPTURE ALOUD – SERMON ON THE MOUNT
TRAIL CROSSING - When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain; and after he sat down, his disciples came to him. Then he began to speak, and taught them, saying: TRAIL CROSSING This passage, commonly called Sermon on the Mount, is found only in the Gospel of Matthew. The Gospel of Luke contains many of the same teachings but in a much shorter form. For a fun exercise, compare this section to Luke 6:17-49, commonly called the Sermon on the Plain.
SCENIC VIEW - Jesus repeatedly reaffirms Mosaic law in the Gospel of Matthew, and he frequently quotes the Old Testament. Jesus is clear that he did not come to replace or throw out the Old Testament but to build on and fulfill it.
POINT OF INTEREST - Luke 6:36 records this thought: Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful." How are mercy and perfection related?
AUDIBLE READ THE SCRIPTURE ALOUD – JESUS TEACHES THROUGH PARABLES
SCENIC VIEW - Many scholars think that this explanation of the meaning of the parable is a later interpretation. The original parable would have been told without any explanation, leading to the puzzlement expressed by the disciples. What other explanations could be given for the meaning of the various soils in the parable?
AUDIBLE READ THE SCRIPTURE ALOUD – THE GOOD SAMARITAN
POINT OF INTEREST - The lawyer asks Jesus who to love. Jesus replies with how to love.
AUDIBLE READ THE SCRIPTURE ALOUD – THE PARABLE OF TWO SONS
AUDIBLE READ THE SCRIPTURE ALOUD – THE RICH MAN AND LAZARUS
SCENIC VIEW - Here Jesus tells a parable, a story, about a rich man and a poor person named Lazarus. This is not the same Lazarus that Jesus raises from the dead. For that story, read John 11:1-44.
AUDIBLE READ THE SCRIPTURE ALOUD – THE SHEEP AND THE GOATS
SCENIC VIEW - John's Gospel does not contain many parables. fabulous stories come from Matthew, Mark, and Luke.
Scripture Citations 
LUKE 3:2b-6 | 4:14-22a | 10:25-37 | 15:1-2, 11-32 | 16:19-31 
MARK 1:9-13, 16-20 | 2:23-3:6 | 4:1-20 
JOHN 1:43-51 
MATTHEW 4:23—5:24, 27-32, 38-48 | 6:19-34 | 7:24-39 | 25:31-40
QUESTIONS FOR THE JOURNEY 
1.	What common themes emerge in this selection of Jesus' teachings? How are they different from what you remember? How are they the same? 
2.	Jesus' actions and teaching led to a lot of conflict with the religious authorities of the day. What is at the heart of their disagreement in these texts? 
3.	Do you think Jesus focuses more on behavior or belief? Which do you think is more important? Why? 
4.	The last two parables depict scenes of judgment. Many are surprised to learn that Jesus spoke more about Hell than Paul the Apostle. Does this surprise you? Why or why not? 
5.	The interpretation of the parable of the sower seems to suggest that Jesus sometimes taught in parables so that people would NOT understand. What do you think of this explanation? Do you find it problematic? Why or why not? 
6.	In response to questions or criticism, Jesus often tells stories. Why do you think Jesus teaches in this way? What stories (biblical or otherwise) have been important in your life of faith?
It sounds like you are diving deep into the Gospels! Exploring these teachings often reveals a much more radical and complex figure than the "Sunday School" version many of us grew up with.

Here is a breakdown of those themes and tensions:

1. Common Themes and Reflections
Across the teachings of Jesus, a few "pillars" consistently emerge:
•	The Upside-Down Kingdom: Wealth, status, and religious pride are devalued, while humility, poverty of spirit, and "becoming like a child" are elevated.
•	Internal vs. External: Jesus consistently moves the goalposts from outward ritual to the hidden intentions of the heart.
•	Urgency: There is often a "now or never" quality to his message regarding repentance and the Kingdom of God.
The Contrast: Many are surprised by how confrontational Jesus is. We often remember "Gentle Jesus, meek and mild," but the texts show someone who was physically disruptive in the Temple and biting in his sarcasm toward the elite. The "sameness" usually lies in the core message of love and grace, which remains the anchor.

2. The Heart of the Conflict
The friction with religious authorities (like the Pharisees and Sadducees) usually boiled down to Authority and Interpretation.
•	The "Weighty" Matters: The authorities focused on the letter of the Law (meticulous tithes, Sabbath rules). Jesus focused on the spirit (mercy, justice, and faith).
•	Identity: By claiming the authority to forgive sins or reinterpret the Sabbath, Jesus was essentially claiming to be equal with God, which the authorities viewed as the ultimate blasphemy.
3. Behavior vs. Belief
This is a classic "chicken or the egg" dilemma.
•	Jesus’ Focus: In the Gospels, Jesus seems to focus heavily on fruit (behavior). He says, "By their fruits you will know them."
•	The Link: However, for Jesus, behavior is simply the "outflow" of the heart. You cannot have "right behavior" without a transformed "belief" or internal orientation.
•	Perspective: Many find behavior more important because it impacts the "neighbor," while others argue belief is more important because it is the only thing that can actually sustain long-term change in behavior.
4. The "Hell" Statistics
It is often a shock to realize Jesus spoke about judgment more than Paul did.
•	Why it surprises: We associate Paul with "doctrine" and Jesus with "love."
•	Why it makes sense: In the cultural context, Jesus was a Jewish prophet. Jewish prophets often used vivid, apocalyptic imagery (like Gehenna) to warn about the consequences of injustice and rejecting God’s path. For Jesus, the stakes of how we treat one another were eternal.
5. Parables as a "Veil"
The idea that Jesus spoke in parables to prevent understanding (Mark 4:11-12) is one of the most difficult passages in the New Testament.
•	Is it problematic? Yes, it feels exclusionary.
•	The Alternative View: Some scholars argue that parables act as a "sieve." They require humility to understand. If someone is arrogant or looking for a reason to argue, the story remains just a story. To those seeking truth, the story opens up. It’s not about God hiding the truth, but about the truth being hidden from those who don't actually want it.
6. Why Tell Stories?
Jesus likely used stories because they are "sneak attacks" on the human heart.
•	Defense Mechanisms: When someone lectures us, we get defensive. When someone tells a story, our guard drops. We identify with a character before we realize the "moral" of the story is directed at us (think of the Prodigal Son or the Good Samaritan).
•	Personal Impact: Stories like the Parable of the Talents or even secular stories like Les Misérables (themes of grace vs. law) often stay with us longer than a list of rules because they provide a "mental map" for how to live.
NEXT STEPS 
•	Read Luke's version of the sermon on the mount (6:17-49). How is it different from Matthew's version (5-7)? Which do you like more? Why? 
•	This is just a small selection of teachings that Jesus gave. What important ones are missing? What important ideas about Jesus are not present here?
It is fascinating to place these two "Sermons" side-by-side. While they share a core DNA, the "vibe" and focus of each reflect the unique perspectives of Matthew and Luke.

1. Luke’s "Sermon on the Plain" vs. Matthew’s "Sermon on the Mount"
The most immediate difference is the geography: Matthew’s Jesus goes up a mountain (reminiscent of Moses receiving the Law), while Luke’s Jesus comes down to a "level place" to stand among the people.

Feature	Matthew (5-7)	Luke (6:17-49)	
The Audience	Primarily Jewish (focuses on fulfilling the Law).	Diverse/Gentile (focuses on social equity).	
The Beatitudes	"Blessed are the poor in spirit." (Spiritualized)	"Blessed are you who are poor." (Literal/Material)	
The "Woes"	None.	Contains four "Woes" (warnings to the rich and well-fed).	
Length	Long, poetic, and comprehensive.	Shorter, punchier, and more direct.	

Which is "better"?
•	The case for Matthew: People often prefer Matthew because it feels more "complete" and poetic. It provides a deep spiritual blueprint for the internal life.
•	The case for Luke: Others prefer Luke because it is grittier and more challenging. Luke’s Jesus doesn't just want your "spirit" to be right; he wants to know why you have plenty while your neighbor is hungry. It feels more grounded in the physical reality of human suffering.

2. What’s Missing?
Because this is a specific selection of ethical teachings, several massive components of Jesus' identity and message are left out:
•	The "I Am" Statements: In the Gospel of John, Jesus makes cosmic claims about himself ("I am the bread of life," "I am the light of the world"). These are missing from the ethical sermons, which focus more on how we should act rather than who he is.
•	Miracles and Power: These texts show Jesus as a Teacher, but they don't show him as a Healer or an exorcist. In the full Gospel accounts, his authority came not just from his words, but from his power over nature and sickness.
•	The Cross and Resurrection: These teachings are "lifestyle" instructions, but they don't mention the central event of Christianity: his death and rising. Without that context, Jesus can seem like just another "moral philosopher" rather than a "Savior."
•	The Holy Spirit: Jesus eventually teaches that his followers cannot actually do these hard things (like loving enemies) on their own—they need the "Helper" or the Spirit, which isn't the focus of these specific chapters.

3. Ideas Not Present
The "Sermon" texts can sometimes give the impression that Jesus was primarily concerned with rules for living. What is often missing is the Relational Aspect.
In other parts of the Gospels, we see Jesus eating with tax collectors, befriending outcasts, and showing that the "Kingdom" is about a relationship with God as "Abba" (Father), not just a new set of higher hurdles to jump over.

CLOSING PRAYER - Lord, thank you for this time of study and for Your Word. As we leave, please help us to carry the truths we've learned into our daily lives and to live out Your teachings. May we continue to grow in faith and reflect Your love to others. Amen.