Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount

(Matthew 5-7; Luke 6)

Dear families,

The Sermon on the Mount is one of the most well-known and recognizable sermons in all of history. The truth it contains, however, is quite polarizing, calling people into a new way of life that runs counterintuitive to our sin nature.

When Jesus taught His followers the ways of His Father’s kingdom, He shared truths meant to guide them in repentance, obedience, and love for God and one another. Much of what Jesus shared in the Sermon on the Mount reinforced the reality that God’s ways are not like those of the world (Isaiah 55:8⁠–9). Life in God’s kingdom runs opposed to the world’s wisdom, but the God who created us knows how we can flourish in the world He made—by seeking the Lord as our greatest treasure and submitting to His authority.

Jesus declared that those who seek God’s kingdom first will experience His loving provision, both in this lifetime and for all eternity. The way of the kingdom is not by means of earthly power but by Christlikeness; it’s not by ruling over others but by submitting to God’s rule over our lives. Jesus declared that our faith is meant to impact every detail of our lives—from surrendering our will to His (Matthew 6:10), taking our worries to Him (Matthew 6:25), and building our lives on the foundations of His Word (Matthew 7:24⁠–27).

In His Sermon on the Mount, Jesus spoke to people who knew what it was like to be hungry, dismissed, and oppressed. While the scribes and Pharisees hoped to achieve righteousness by rigorously obeying the law, Jesus explained that He came to earth to fulfill the law—to make the way for His followers to be counted as righteous by faith in Him alone. Through faith, we receive new hearts that help us obey our Father.

This week, lead your children to see that the ways of the kingdom become our ways when we surrender our plans to God’s will. Pray that they will desire to live as He lived through the transformative power of the Holy Spirit in their lives.

Check out The Gospel Project At Home for resources designed to help you lead a family worship experience as well as suggestions for morning and evening prayer times and family activities. 

FAMILY TALKING POINTS

STORY POINT

This is the main point to emphasize from today’s Bible story.

• Preschool: Jesus taught about God’s kingdom.
• Kids: Jesus taught how people in God’s kingdom live.

CHRIST CONNECTION

This is the big idea of how this week’s Bible story points to Jesus.

• Babies & Toddlers: When we follow Jesus, He saves us from sin and shows us how to live.  
• Younger Preschool: Jesus taught people how to live God’s way. When we follow Jesus, He helps us live in a way that makes God happy.
• Older Preschool: Jesus taught how people live in God’s kingdom. Jesus came to save His people from sin and change how they live. When people follow Jesus, He changes their hearts so they can live in a way that honors Him.
• Kids: Jesus taught how people in His kingdom have hearts that love God and love others. But because of sin, no one always does what is right and good. When we trust in Jesus, God forgives our sin and changes our hearts so we can live in ways that glorify Him.

BIG PICTURE QUESTION & ANSWER

This is an important biblical truth that your child will encounter each week of this unit. 

• Younger Preschool: What did Jesus teach when He was on earth? Jesus taught about God and His kingdom.
• Older Preschool: What did Jesus teach when He was on earth? Jesus taught about God and His kingdom.
• Kids: What did Jesus teach when He was on earth? Jesus taught about God and His kingdom. He taught that all Scripture is about Him.

KEY PASSAGE

This is a Bible verse that relates to what your child will encounter each week of this unit. 

• Babies & Toddlers: Shine your light so others see your good works and give glory to God. Matthew 5:16
• Younger Preschool: Shine your light before others so they see your good works and give glory to God. Matthew 5:16
• Older Preschool: “Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:16
• Kids: “Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:16

** Next week: John the Baptist in Prison (Matthew 11; 14; Mark 6; Luke 3; 7)