Part II, Living your life well
Interactive studies around the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7)
Introduction
The Sermon on the Mount can be seen as the summation of Jesus’ teaching; instructions to live our lives well with God and others in three chapters full of instructions in high density. Unpacking it in its original meaning is crucial in order to de able to understand and apply it today. The graphic on the previous page illustrates my approach to this unpacking and application. In six sessions we will skim the surface and attempt to dig deeper at some crucial intersections. The seminar is interactive with work done in table groups and individually. The overview beneath outlines he main ingredients, but is not exhaustive. Depending on the audience other modules can be added and the ones listed can be tailored to meet the needs/questions of the participants.
Description and expected outcomes of the seminar/course.
1. Their world, Our world
Understanding the context and dynamics of the world the original recipients of Jesus’ teachings lived in. Sketching parallels for, and application with our modern world. Understanding our own context.
Outcome: The student understands the crucial importance of the original context and knows how to use those principal dynamics to sketch his/her own context in order to define a realistic application.
2. The Kingdom of God
What does it mean to live under the reign of God and in what ways does the Kingdom manifest itself in our world? Contrasting current thoughts and ideas and establish our position. We will interact on the various positions/choices we have regarding how we relate to, and respond to the world, taken from the various groups/factions that existed in the New testament times.
Outcome: The student has a working understanding of the reign of God and is able to adjust expectations to a realistic and relevant level, and also understands the motives that decide how he/she relates to and interacts with the world.
3. The Jesus way
What is the purpose of Jesus teaching and in what way does the purpose define our understanding and application of His teaching? Understanding the patterns in Jesus teaching and linking it to our behavior and motivation. Decide in what way this changes our view and approach of life and work.
Outcome: The student understands the way of Jesus and deals with the ingrained flight or fight position most Christians are led to believe to take a stand on, and is able to make adjustments in his/her approach and application.
4. The Blessing
What does it mean to be blessed? What ideas, thoughts and applications were triggered in the minds of the original recipients and what does this mean for our understanding of being blessed? Who is blessed and why? How do I qualify for His blessing?
Outcome: The student is able to explain the concept and historic understanding of “blessing” and is able to adjust his/her understanding to an appropriate and actionable approach.
5. Briars of the Cotton Patch
A documentary on the life and work of Clarence Jordan, followed by a discussion and exploration on how we can or should apply the teachings of Jesus. Is there anything I would need to change in my priorities and actions today?
Outcome: A historic and ongoing application of the Sermon on the Mount in our modern world will inspire the student and trigger some deep soul searching, and thinking to connect it to actionable steps in his/her own life.
6. The Lord’s prayer
In view of what we discovered so far, what can we say about the Lord’s prayer and in what way does it connect to our lives and practices? What are the consequences for us when we pray? How does it connect to the context of Jesus’ teaching, the world in which the recipients lived and how does it call us to action?
Outcome: The student has a deeper understanding of the historic and current purpose and place of the Lord’s prayer. The student is able to practically connect the prayer to his/her life.
[email protected]
Interactive studies around the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7)
Introduction
The Sermon on the Mount can be seen as the summation of Jesus’ teaching; instructions to live our lives well with God and others in three chapters full of instructions in high density. Unpacking it in its original meaning is crucial in order to de able to understand and apply it today. The graphic on the previous page illustrates my approach to this unpacking and application. In six sessions we will skim the surface and attempt to dig deeper at some crucial intersections. The seminar is interactive with work done in table groups and individually. The overview beneath outlines he main ingredients, but is not exhaustive. Depending on the audience other modules can be added and the ones listed can be tailored to meet the needs/questions of the participants.
Description and expected outcomes of the seminar/course.
1. Their world, Our world
Understanding the context and dynamics of the world the original recipients of Jesus’ teachings lived in. Sketching parallels for, and application with our modern world. Understanding our own context.
Outcome: The student understands the crucial importance of the original context and knows how to use those principal dynamics to sketch his/her own context in order to define a realistic application.
2. The Kingdom of God
What does it mean to live under the reign of God and in what ways does the Kingdom manifest itself in our world? Contrasting current thoughts and ideas and establish our position. We will interact on the various positions/choices we have regarding how we relate to, and respond to the world, taken from the various groups/factions that existed in the New testament times.
Outcome: The student has a working understanding of the reign of God and is able to adjust expectations to a realistic and relevant level, and also understands the motives that decide how he/she relates to and interacts with the world.
3. The Jesus way
What is the purpose of Jesus teaching and in what way does the purpose define our understanding and application of His teaching? Understanding the patterns in Jesus teaching and linking it to our behavior and motivation. Decide in what way this changes our view and approach of life and work.
Outcome: The student understands the way of Jesus and deals with the ingrained flight or fight position most Christians are led to believe to take a stand on, and is able to make adjustments in his/her approach and application.
4. The Blessing
What does it mean to be blessed? What ideas, thoughts and applications were triggered in the minds of the original recipients and what does this mean for our understanding of being blessed? Who is blessed and why? How do I qualify for His blessing?
Outcome: The student is able to explain the concept and historic understanding of “blessing” and is able to adjust his/her understanding to an appropriate and actionable approach.
5. Briars of the Cotton Patch
A documentary on the life and work of Clarence Jordan, followed by a discussion and exploration on how we can or should apply the teachings of Jesus. Is there anything I would need to change in my priorities and actions today?
Outcome: A historic and ongoing application of the Sermon on the Mount in our modern world will inspire the student and trigger some deep soul searching, and thinking to connect it to actionable steps in his/her own life.
6. The Lord’s prayer
In view of what we discovered so far, what can we say about the Lord’s prayer and in what way does it connect to our lives and practices? What are the consequences for us when we pray? How does it connect to the context of Jesus’ teaching, the world in which the recipients lived and how does it call us to action?
Outcome: The student has a deeper understanding of the historic and current purpose and place of the Lord’s prayer. The student is able to practically connect the prayer to his/her life.
[email protected]
