Matthew 5

Book of Matthew: Chapter 5

The Beatitudes (Matthew 5:1-12)

Introduction

The Sermon on the mount is one of the most enduring and most loved teachings of Jesus' ministry. This radical teaching went against the popular rhetoric that said our 'good deeds' were enough for God. However, this series of 9 truths point to a God who cares about our internal transformation and personal relationship with our Creator, more than the acts we can do for Him.

Activities

Jigsaw Puzzle (Sunday school Zone)
The Beatitudes Poster (Sunday school Zone)
Beatitude bookmarks (Sunday school Zone)
Colouring pages (The Colouring Pages)
Folding paper activity (Etsy - pay to download resource)
What are the beatitudes? (Children's Ministry Deals)
"Bee-Attitudes" Poster (Biblewise)

Teaching curriculum

If you're looking for a longer teaching series on the Beatitudes for children, then have a look at the Kid's Travel Guide to the Beatitudes by Group Publishing. It has 13 sessions, and provides some fun object lessons and activities for each of the beatitudes.

Beatitudes cards

An idea for some great little cards to help explain the beatitudes in child-friendly language. The full instructions can be found on the Flame Creative Children's Ministry website here.

Visio Lectio

A great illustration from Visio Lectio, shared with permission.
PNG Download
Download w/ background

Read the story

You can find today's story in:

Beginners Bible: Jesus Teaches on a Mountain, p.318

Colouring Sheet

In light of current events in Ukraine, the Archbishops of Canterbury and York have asked that Sunday 27th February is used as a day of prayer for peace. Flame Creative have put together a colouring sheet
For the colouring sheet on its own, click here.
For the colouring sheet with the Archbishops' prayer for Peace in Ukraine, click here.

Media

Salt and Light (Matthew 5:13-16)

This gospel reading is given as part of the Sermon on the Mount, and challenges us to bring about change in the lives of others.

Activities

Light of the World Playdough Mat (Flame Creative Kids)
Lantern Craft (Flame Creative Kids)
Paper and Oil Suncatchers (Flame Creative Kids)
Night Light (Nothing but Country)
Glow Art (Play at Home Mom)
Salt Dough Tea Lights (Emma Owl)
Glow Jar (Pastor on Brooks)

Light Sensory Box

You will need a plastic container with a clear smooth opaque lid (clear lids don't work as well), and with fairy lights inside. Pour some play sand on the top, and encourage kids to write messages and draw pictures

Intergenerational resource

An intergenerational resource looking at how the character of Jesus can be reflected in our own lives. Free download from https://intergen.org.au/

Salt and light questions

I wonder, what might we use salt for?
If salt is for seasoning, flavouring, zest, purifying, cleansing, cooking, what does it mean for christians to be 'salt in the world?'
What is the role of light in the world? Why do we need it?
I wonder why Jesus wanted to talk about light?

Jesus says that we are the light of the world (we often remember that Jesus is the light of the world). We are the ones who reflect and shine Jesus in the world.
What does Jesus mean when he asks us to shine our light before others?

Visio Lectio

Thanks to Rev Sarah West from Visio Lectio for this beautiful illustration
PNG Download
Download w/ background
Terms of Use

Gospel Conversations

Thanks to the Diocese of Dunedin for another great conversation about this gospel passage! We start off the Year of Matthew by plunging right into Jesus' central block of teaching in Matthew's Gospel: the Sermon on the Mount. Kelvin gives us the sort of introduction to Matthew which will make you look at every gospel reading this year differently, and then he, Lisa and John joyfully explore what it could mean to be Salt and Light to the world.

Jesus reminds us that we're ready to make a difference and join in with what God is doing in the world. But how are we going to do this well?

Justice

To 'shine' in the world, God's people must be on the side of justice and practice kindness and generosity.

Media

Family Matters (Matthew 5:21-37)

This tricky passage from Matthew can be a difficult one to preach on! With teaching on anger, adultery, divorce, and the vows we make. With sensitivity for those in your church or group, you may wish to summarise this passage to teaching about how God cares about our relationships, and how we treat our family.

Anger

In this passage in Matthew 5, Jesus talks about how it was important for people to examine their hearts before presenting a sacrifice at the altar. You can imagine how a sacrificial offering may become token, without any remorse or self-reflection, as God is given a sacrifice of duty.

While we may not have to offer the same sacrifice (anyone have any doves?), we can reflect on the things we do out of duty and obligation, without examining our motives or intentions.

Visio Lectio

An illustration from Rev. Sarah West from Visio Lectio, shared with permission.
PNG Download
Download w/ background
Terms of Use

Gospel Conversations

This is one of those very uncomfortable Gospel readings which leaves us all realising how far we fall short of Jesus' teaching, and how very much in need of grace we are. Gillian, John and Gary join Michael to together re-claim that grace, however much the challenge to us all remains.

You have heard it said...

In the Gospel Conversation above, Rev. Gillian picks up the line that Jesus says: "You have heard it was said..., but I I tell you that..." This is a real challenge for us to think about what we have heard the world saying, and what Jesus may speak into it.
E.g. You have heard it said that:

the poor deserve to be poor
young people are lazy
millennial are weak
foreigners are unwelcome

But what I tell you is... what God says is... blessed are the poor, the last will be first.... the young people are incredible... the weak are made strong in me.... I am a God of welcome and belonging.
This could be a really good brainstorm for today's verses.

Confession + forgiveness

This could be a good opportunity to talk about the value of confession - both in our church services, and our personal prayer time. Pete Grieg defines confession as "We admit to God, to ourselves and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs."

And confession goes hand in hand with forgiveness - verses 23 & 24 "“So if you are presenting a sacrifice at the altar in the Temple and you suddenly remember that someone has something against you, go and be reconciled to that person."

Love your enemies (Matthew 5:38-48)

An eye for an eye! Love your neighbour as yourself! The gospel reading today is another part of the Sermon on the Mount, and gives us a great opportunity to talk about abundant generosity, both in what we have and how we love well.

Gospel Conversations

Another great Gospel Conversations from the Diocese of Dunedin. We continue on through the difficult, challenging, yet grace-filled words of Jesus in his "sermon on the mount". This week we are dealing with Jesus' teaching on our response to injustice, the directive to love our enemies, and the impossible statement that we are to be perfect. Peg, Damon and Anne join Mike in discovering how we might best interpret these teachings in the light of Jesus' love and grace.

Visio Lectio

An print from Rev. Sarah West from the Diocese of Auckland, shared with permission
Visio Lectio website
PNG Download
Download w/ background
Terms of Use