Week 6: Gospel of Matthew: 5:1, 6:25-34

Verse to memorize

“Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow…..Even Solomon in all his splendor was not clothed like one of these.” (NRSV)

Passage

When (Jesus) saw the crowds (following him), he went up the mountain, and after He had sat down, His disciples came to Him. He began to teach them, saying:

Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat, what you will drink, or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds in the sky; they do not sow or reap, they gather nothing into barns, yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are not you more important than they? Can any of you by worrying add a single moment to your lifespan? Why are you anxious about clothes? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow. They do not work or spin. But I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was clothed like one of them. If God so clothes the grass of the field, which grows today and is thrown into the oven tomorrow, will he not much more provide for you, O you of little faith? So do note worry and say, “What are we to eat?” or “What are we to drink?” or “What are we to wear?” All these things the pagans seek. Your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you besides. Do not worry about tomorrow; tomorrow will take care of itself. Sufficient for a day is its own evil.

Questions

1.) Q: In your own words, what is Jesus teaching his disciples? Q: Who are “pagans”? A: Pagan is a word used to describe people who don’t believe in God, don’t know about God — or — who believe in false gods.

2.) Q: Is God active in His creation still? A: Yes, He didn’t create the world and stop. He maintains the world — creation is on-going.

3.) What did Jesus tell His disciples NOT to do? A: Worry. Q: Do you worry? Q: What do you worry about? Q: What does it take to stop ourselves from worrying? A: More faith.

4.) Q: Who was Solomon? A: King of Israel, a son of King David, known for wisdom, organization of the kingdom of Israel, building projects and his wealth. What does God the Father do for the birds and the lilies of the field? A: He feeds and clothes them.

5.) Q: If God takes such good care of birds and flowers, what can we be sure of in regard to us humans? A: He will provide much more for us. We are His greatest creation.

6.) Q: What does Jesus want us to seek first? A: His righteousness. Q: What is God’s righteousness? A: God’s plan for the salvation of all humankind.

Video

Courtesy of The Bible Project