http://www.rssboard.org/rss-specificationSermon on the Mount eastsunshine.orgMyron Mizellhttp://eastsunshine.orgWed, 22 May 2013 10:15:29 GMTSermon on the Mount Fri, 20 May 2011 16:09:01 GMTAsking in Faith (7:7-12)http://eastsunshine.org/asking-in-faith-77-12Fri, 20 May 2011 05:00:00 GMTMyron MizellMyron Mizell1.        Compare and contrast asking and seeking.

2.       What kind of doors require knocking?

3.       Are these commands or suggestions?

4.       Are there any other teachings by Jesus to help us decide whether these are meant to be one time activities or persistent ones?  (see Luke 11:5-10 and 18:1-6)

5.       If God is for us what are the possible answers to our persistence in following these commands? (Desire vs. need)

]]>http://eastsunshine.org/asking-in-faith-77-12Judging Self and Others (7:1-6)http://eastsunshine.org/judging-self-and-others-71-6Fri, 13 May 2011 05:00:00 GMTMyron MizellMyron Mizell1.        “Judge”            Compare and contrast discernment and condemnation.                                                Of   which do you think Jesus is speaking in this text?

2.       Is it possible that we sometimes use this passage to justify our unwillingness to follow the command of Paul in Galatians 6:1-6?  Share your own experience regarding this.

3.       How does the parable in Luke 18:9-14 apply to this teaching of Jesus?

4.       Is Jesus calling some persons dogs and pigs in verse 6 or is he simply pointing out persons for whom the Gospel will be of no benefit?  (ears to hear?)

5.       Have you sometimes considered persons to be “dogs” or “pigs” to avoid witnessing?

]]>http://eastsunshine.org/judging-self-and-others-71-6Temptation to Worry (6:25-34)http://eastsunshine.org/temptation-to-worry-625-34Fri, 06 May 2011 05:00:00 GMTMyron MizellMyron Mizell1.  Compare and contrast faith and belief.

2.  Use the following scriptures to compare and contrast treasuring (refer to last weeks questions), worrying and providing.

    Luke 12:16-21

    Proverbs 6:6-8

    Proverbs 30: 24, 25

    Genesis 41: 46-57

    Psalms 30: 6, 7

    Psalms 46: 1-3

]]>http://eastsunshine.org/temptation-to-worry-625-34Temptation to Idolatry (6:19-24)http://eastsunshine.org/temptation-to-idolatry-619-24Sat, 30 Apr 2011 05:00:00 GMTMyron MizellMyron Mizell1. If treasure is that which you fear losing or being taken from you (in contrast to giving away), what do you treasure, including non-external goods, e.g. your reputation?

2. How does “laying up treasure in heaven” differ from earning your salvation?

3. When, in your thinking, is “in heaven”? How is “in heaven” right now?

4. What did Jesus treasure? How does that relate to the “easy yoke and the light burden”? Do you see that as a life of abundance?

5. If our heart gives orientation to everything we do, how are our treasure and heart related?

6. How and why do we use a flashlight? What makes a flashlight good? What makes our eyes good in this teaching of Jesus?

7. Contrast “can/cannot” with “may/may not” with reference to verse 24.

]]>http://eastsunshine.org/temptation-to-idolatry-619-24The Lord's Prayer (6:9-15)http://eastsunshine.org/the-lords-prayer-69-15Fri, 22 Apr 2011 05:00:00 GMTMyron MizellMyron Mizell1.       What do you understand the purpose of Jesus in this prayer?

2.       What is the significance of the word “our” in verse 9?

3.       Compare your thoughts of shepherd and father.

4.       How do you conceptualize the reality expressed by  “art in heaven”?

5.       What is your understanding of “name” as used by Jesus in verse 9?

6.       How can God’s name be “hallowed”?

7.       How would explain a king’s kingdom?  Therefore, what is God’s “kingdom”?

8.       What is the attitude expressed in verse 11 and how does that relate to an overfed culture?

9.       Is Jesus suggesting that we earn our forgiveness by our forgiving?  Explain your answer.

10.   Why do you believe Jesus suggests that we petition to be kept from temptation rather than from sin?

N.B.  Please note that the doxology habitually offered in the protestant version of this prayer is not found in the oldest manuscripts.

]]>http://eastsunshine.org/the-lords-prayer-69-15Giving, Prayer, and Fasting (6:1-8, 16-18)http://eastsunshine.org/giving-prayer-and-fasting-61-8-16-18Fri, 15 Apr 2011 05:00:00 GMTMyron MizellMyron MizellGiving, Prayer, and Fasting  (6:1-8, 16-18)

1.       How does “Be careful not to do your acts of righteousness before men” relate to being salt and light?

2.       What are the implications of the word “when” in these verses?

3.       What are your attitudes toward the poor?  Be as honest with yourself as possible.

4.       How difficult is it for you to perform acts of service in secret?  Has even service in secret ever been a source of pride for you?

5.       What are some common ways in which persons “trumpet” their giving in our culture, even in our city?

6.       For those of you who on occasion lead or offer prayer in/for a group, what is your greatest challenge?

]]>http://eastsunshine.org/giving-prayer-and-fasting-61-8-16-18The Spirit of Truthfulness and Love (5:33-48)http://eastsunshine.org/the-spirit-of-truthfulness-and-love-533-48Sat, 09 Apr 2011 05:00:00 GMTMyron MizellMyron Mizell

1.  How would your family and work life be different if your "yes" had always been yes and your "no" had always been no?

2.  There is a debate as to whether Jesus is teaching pacifism in this portion of the sermon.  Was Jesus a pacifist?

3.  How do we reconcile the method of Jesus to deal with evil compared to that of the God of violence as recorded in the writings of the Old Testament?  Hint:  Was the cross violent?

]]>http://eastsunshine.org/the-spirit-of-truthfulness-and-love-533-48The Spirit of Marriage (5:31-32)http://eastsunshine.org/the-spirit-of-marriage-531-32Sat, 09 Apr 2011 05:00:00 GMTMyron MizellMyron Mizell

1.  Why do you think Jesus deals with marriage after having dealt with anger, contempt, and obsessive desire?

2.  Is Jesus calling us to think about marriage and divorce legally or relationally?

3. Is divorce ever the better option?  When?  Why?

4.  How does your understanding concerning marriage and divorce compare with that of Jesus?  (Review Matthew 19:3-9).  Is your view primarily a legal view or  relational one?

]]>http://eastsunshine.org/the-spirit-of-marriage-531-32Adultery, Lust and the Spirit of Marriage (5:27-30)http://eastsunshine.org/adultery-lust-and-the-spirit-of-marriageSat, 02 Apr 2011 05:00:00 GMTMyron MizellMyron Mizell 1. Healthy sexual attraction and lust, what’s the difference?

2. If Jesus is most concerned about the heart, what is his point about gouging out your eye and cutting off your hand?

3. Compare love and desire. On whom is desire focused? On whom is love focused?

4.  If Jesus came to “free the captives” what does this teaching have to do with that mission?

]]>http://eastsunshine.org/adultery-lust-and-the-spirit-of-marriageGospel, Law and Reconciliation (Matt. 5:17-26http://eastsunshine.org/gospel-law-and-reconciliation-matt-517-26Sat, 26 Mar 2011 05:00:00 GMTGary Parnell Gary Parnell Gospel & Law (Matt. 5:17-20)
“How to combine faith with obedience is surely the essential task of the church as it enters the twenty-first century” Dallas Willard

1.  What has been your understanding of the relationship of Gospel and Law?

2.  How much have you heard or thought about obedience lately?

3.  It is clear that Jesus did not come to replace the Law but to fulfill it. Also, it is clear that he expects us to obey it but in a different (non-legalistic) way than the Pharisees and teachers of the law. What does he mean?

4.  Was the "righteousness" of the Pharisees and teachers of the law focused on themselves or others?

Words That Kill and Reconciliation (Matt. 5:21-26)

1. How is it possible to obey this command of Jesus in a non-legalistic way?
2. As Jesus was amongst men was he focused on himself or others?

3.  How is it possible for him to focus on others even when he was “at risk”?

4.  In Christ are we ever truly at risk? (Rom. 8:31-39)

5.  If we truly believe that in Christ we are forever safe and no longer needing to defend ourselves, then, by grace, we can compassionately focus on the other person(s) and their need and thereby fulfill the law of God.

]]>http://eastsunshine.org/gospel-law-and-reconciliation-matt-517-26Intro and the Beattitudeshttp://eastsunshine.org/intro-and-the-beattitudesWed, 23 Mar 2011 05:00:00 GMTGary Parnell Gary Parnell Consider these personal reflections as you begin afresh to engage the teaching of Jesus as found in the sermon on the mount.


How do I really feel about Jesus telling me what to do?
Eager, ambivalent, resistant, suspicious? Why?


Do I believe the teachings of Jesus to be practical in the 21st century?
Why or why not?


Can you think of other scriptures that contain very similar teaching?


How do I feel about the expression, “Only the obedient are faithful”?
Pressure, excitement, freedom? Why?
Can you think of scriptures that support this statement?


The Beatitudes Matt. 5:3-11


How does the world respond to persons with these attributes?


How do I respond to persons with these attributes?
Can you think of other scriptures that are similar in their message?


]]>http://eastsunshine.org/intro-and-the-beattitudesWitnessing People Matt 5:13-16http://eastsunshine.org/witnessing-people-matt-513-16Wed, 23 Mar 2011 05:00:00 GMTGary Parnell Gary Parnell Witnessing People Matt. 5:13-16

1. Contrast “salt & light” and self-righteousness. How are they different?
2. Compare and contrast “salt & light” with “niceness”. How are they similar? How are they different?
3. If being salt and light are simply what ordinary persons who follow Jesus are, what kind of practices can disciples follow to keep their “saltiness”?
4. Do saltiness and light require words or are actions enough? Look to the life of Jesus for the answer.

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