SM-II-SYLLABUS

 

The Sermon on the Mount

SM – II 

SM-II-Lesson 8  Concern for Equality 

Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbor, and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them that despitefully use you and persecute you; That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even publicans the same? And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? Do not even the publicans so? Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect. Matthew 5:43-48. 

 

  1. To what references might Jesus be appealing in the statement He makes in verse 43?

 

 

  1. How would the Jews have reached a conclusion that their enemies were to be hated?

 

 

  1. List and explain the meaning behind the four actions that followers of Christ should be engaged in toward their enemies.

 

 

  1. Why should these four actions be engaged in and why? Think verse 45.

 

 

  1. What is the meaning behind verses 46-47?

 

 

6. How can we be “perfect” (v. 48) like the Father?