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?