Jesus’s Teaching

Written response errors Preform vs. PERform Gods vs. God’s Capitalization in sentences Pronoun antecedents (who are he & they?)

Parables A short, allegorical story – Placing 2 things side by side – Every element stands in for something else Ordinary, everyday life used to illustrate the Kingdom of God – How to explain something so different? – Jesus as creative & understandable

Parable Themes Six major themes from the parables – Many others, your book highlights six God’s Kingdom is for All – Strength of the Kingdom (the Mustard Seed) – Must be open to it (Sower)

Themes, cont’d Sinners are Welcome – Luke’s Gospel – Concern for the lost (the Lost Sheep, the Lost Coin, the Lost Son) Search until it is found – Forgiveness of sins – Deep, abiding love that cannot be lost Grace

Themes, cont’d Salvation – A new day has come: a New Covenant – New wine needs new wineskins – A wedding feast where the groom is now present Belief & Repentance – Believe in the Gospel & stop living selfishly – Hearing God‘s Will = Doing God’s Will

Themes, cont’d Preparation for Judgment – Kingdom is for the least, the humble & the poor – Separation of the good from the bad – Heaven = eternal communion – Hell = eternal separation – Entering God’s Kingdom means faith, which means love, which means action Rejoice in the Good News

Sermon on the Mount Matthew’s Gospel: up on a mountainside – Images of Sinai – Central foundation of Christian understanding

The Beatitudes 8 statements of morality for happiness – “Blessed are the poor in spirit” - humility – “Blessed are they who mourn” – mourn sin – “Blessed are the meek” – gentleness – “Blessed are they who hunger & thirst” – God’s justice – “Blessed are the merciful” – Forgiveness – “Blessed are the clean of heart” – total commitment to God – “Blessed are the peacemakers” – Loving & peaceful – “Blessed are those persecuted for righteousness”

Christian living in the Sermon Salt of the Earth & Light of the World – Make a difference in the world – Salt flavors food, disciples must improve the world for the better – Light gets rid of darkness Love triumphs over sin Lead others to God by being good

New Standard of Law Old Law is preparation for Jesus – Jesus fulfills the need for the Law New Law is the New Covenant of Jeremiah – Written in hearts, not stone External obedience is not enough – Change the heart

Commandment of Love “The greatest commandment” is a different story Love the enemy & do not seek revenge – Forgive trespasses – Break the cycle of violence – All people are our brothers & sisters “be perfect, just as your heavenly Father is perfect” (Mt 5:48) – Impossible for humans alone

More Teachings Have a Right Attitude – Do the right thing for the right reasons – Winning glory and honor for yourself are not the right reasons – Don’t call attention to doing the right thing Other requirements – Don’t put yourself above others; the “Golden Rule”; trust in God alone – World will not change until we do

Seven Heavenly Virtues Two lists of Seven Virtues Canonical Virtues vs. Popular list Popular list more varied – Many connected to the Beatitudes – Opposite the Seven Deadly Sins

Seven Deadly Sins Seven root causes of sin – Not distinct sins themselves, but the thought behind them Pride as the worst – Most subtle & hardest to resist

SinBehaviorVirtue PridePiety & giving creditHumility GreedPhysical possessionsCharity SlothEffort & ActivityDiligence WrathDealing with other peopele Patience LustSexual behavior & attitudes Chastity EnvyFriendship & loyaltyKindness/Gentleness GluttonySelf-control & staying within means Temperance