Teacher's Guide

The King and His Kingdom

Jesus in the Gospel of Matthew

Each gospel writer presents Jesus from different perspectives. Matthew focuses on the royal nature of the Lord and how He established His Kingdom here on earth. Our course will examine Jesus as King and the nature of His Kingdom.

The Kingdom Character

In this lesson on the Beatitudes, we will note the differences between the imputed righteousness of Christians in the Kingdom and those who seek to be right by upholding the "law."

Teaching Strategy

The focus of this lesson is the introduction of the Sermon on the Mount and a section known as, “The Beatitudes.” Of special note in this lesson is the difference between the understanding of the members of God’s Kingdom and those only seeking to uphold a legalistic righteousness. Note: Given the complexity and importance of this lesson, instructors should consider presenting it in two sessions.

Student Learning Outcomes

  • Know: Comprehend God’s view of true happiness as compared to that considered by those in the “world”.
  • Feel: Appreciate the spiritual nature and outward view of true happiness.
  • Do: Practice the lifestyle described by the Lord in the Sermon on the Mount.

Body of the Lesson

1.0 - Review of previous lessons
2.0 - The Kingdom of the King
3.0 - What constitutes true happiness
4.0 - How Kingdom dwellers relate to the law
4.1 - Relationship with God
4.2 - Relationship with others
5.0 - The way of life

Discussion Questions

Below are suggested questions to use during the guided discussion portion of the lesson. There are also suggested responses to questions to help students grasp the various concepts. These are provided to assist the discussion and are not considered as "right or wrong" responses.

1. Complete the following sentence as given in the text associated with this lesson and explain its meaning:
"Jesus' Kingdom exists wherever His will is done."

There will be a variety of responses but look for those that indicate an understanding that our Lord's Kingdom is a spiritual Kingdom and thus one that is eternal in nature and one that supersedes geopolitical entities, places and cultures. The physical numbers of citizens is not considered. Rather, the Kingdom of God exists in the hearts of those who have obeyed our Lord through faith.

2. How does Jesus compare true happiness to what the world considers true happiness?

Jesus begins the Sermon on the Mount by stating nine elements of true happiness. Each of these symbolize a life of humility (poor in spirit), repentance (those that mourn), meek (a gentle and self-controlled spirit), thirst for righteousness (God's way, not ours), merciful, peacemakers, persecuted for the sake of righteousness.

True happiness (blessedness) is based on God's will being accomplished through and in us regardless of consequences. One may exhibit any number of these characteristics, but as stated in the last, "for the sake of righteousness" must be the reasoning for it. To do otherwise, although admirable, does not do so for the sake of fulfilling our Lord's will.

3. Read Matthew 5:17-48 and discuss how Kingdom citizens relate to the law and how citizens of God's Kingdom demonstrate the character of our King.

Citizens in God's Kingdom must live according to a righteousness that exceeds the righteousness, especially self-righteousness of those in the world. The righteousness of God is what His citizens crave and find. It is through obedience that we demonstrate our faith and love for the Lord, Jesus Christ.

Murder – Jesus explains how this violation begins with anger and resentment towards others. He teaches that by avoiding the beginning of murder which is anger and hatred in our hearts towards others, we also avoid what these thoughts and feelings can lead to. If we don't resist the beginning of sin we will then be guilty for what that anger eventually conceives and gives life to.

Adultery – The custom had become very easy for a man to divorce his wife. The cause was selfishness and hidden desires of the heart. Jesus, therefore, emphasizes that adultery begins with the heart where both sin and faith are conceived.

Vows – Jesus teaches that if we are citizens of God's Kingdom then we have an honest heart. True obedience requires love and honesty and requires no oath for validation.

Justice – Jesus teaches that mercy is a greater response than retaliation. When we forgo our sense of justice, we exhibit love for others, especially those whom we perceive to have offended us.

Humility – Jesus teaches that love underscores all that God the Father has done, and what the citizens of His Kingdom show. The concepts He teaches help us to focus on the well being of others rather than a life constantly focused on self.

4. How do citizens in God's Kingdom demonstrate their relationship with God?

Our relationship with God is not demonstrated exclusively through adherence to rituals and traditions. We practice obedience towards God (vs. 1-4), communicating through prayer that is not done to impress others (vs. 5-18), and trust in God to provide all we need to faithfully serve Him (vs. 19-34).

5. How does Matthew 7:1-12 express how citizens in God's Kingdom demonstrate His will in our relationship with others?

We are to treat people in everything, the same way we want them to treat us (vs. 12).

6. What does Matthew 7:13-29 teach us as the way of life for citizens in God's Kingdom?

Note: In this section, Jesus states that those who hear and act upon His words are wise. To hear is to go beyond physical reception of sound. It is to assign the meaning as Jesus intends and allow it to cause you to act as He wills. A corollary to this is in Acts 2:41, "So those who received his words were baptized…" In this passage, they not only heard what Peter said, but they received it. This means they internalized it, accepted it, and clearly acted as God wills by obeying through their repentance and baptism. The result was they entered into a saved relationship with God.

The "way" is not the way the world expects or takes. It is not an easy calling, yet one that will be rewarded during and after with an ever-growing relationship with God. It requires taking a narrow pathway that is focused on God's way, not man's. We are to live and teach the truth of God's way thus producing fruit acceptable to God, we are to go beyond hearing by actually doing what God asks of us.

7. How can you use this lesson to grow spiritually and help others come into a relationship with Jesus?

Our true spiritual growth begins as we seek and obey God's will. All too often this is contrary to what we or others think is important. If we are to be disciples of Jesus and citizens in His Kingdom, then we must obey Him rather than others.

Note: The following are additional questions related to the lesson.

8. What benefit do we receive from the Sermon on the Mount?

Answers will vary. The intent of the question is to see how the Sermon on the Mount teaches us characteristics of Kingdom citizenship. Jesus explains God's view in areas that we may have come to misunderstand.

We learn 5 key points:

  1. True happiness
  2. Attitudes towards the Law (God's word)
  3. Relationship with God
  4. Relationships with others
  5. Life in the Kingdom.
9. How do the Beatitudes show God's view of happiness?

The concepts related by Jesus in the Beatitudes are not physical (temporal) in nature but spiritual and get to the heart of who we are and should be seen as citizens of God's Kingdom. These characteristics are seen in Jesus and should be seen in us as His disciples.

10. As citizens of God's Kingdom, how do we relate to His will (Matthew 5:17-48)?

We honor life, purity, truthfulness, justice and humility.

11. How do we exercise our relationship with God (Matthew 6:1-4)?

We seek to please God, not men. We pray to communicate with God, not to be seen by men. We trust God to meet our needs.