READINGS &
QUESTIONARIES
readings & questionaries
include the following titles
readings on a just society
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readings in jeremiah
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readings in the new testament epistles
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(archive of past readings can be found below the latest reading)
reading/ questionary: new testament gospels
sermon on the mount questionary 30
matthew 6.25-27
25Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment? 26Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they? 27Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature?
This questionary is our 31st focused on the Sermon on the mount.
Jesus began his Sermon on the Mount with the Beatitudes (5.1-12, questionaries 1-9). In 5.13-16, Jesus briefly discussed the responsibility of discipleship (questionary 10). Then, in 5.17-6.18 (questionaries 11-28), Jesus focused on the fulfillment of the law and what fulfilling the law entailed in his mind. With verse 6.19, Jesus shifted his attention to the relationship between the disciple and life’s materialistic, economic, and temporal needs.
1. In verse 25, Jesus counsels to “take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Jesus will speak again of “taking thought” in verses 27, 28, 31, and 34.
? What does Jesus mean by “taking thought”?
The Greek word can mean, “to be anxious,” “to brood over,” “to give ponderous thought to,” “to be intent on,” “to strive for.”
? How does this meaning influence your answer to the previous question?
? How anxious are you about temporal matters?
? How much careful thought do you put into temporal matters?
? How much careful thought do you put into your temporal matters compared to careful thought about God and the things of God?
? How well, then, are you observing this counsel concerning your attention to temporal matters?
2. Jesus asks, “Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?”
? How do you answer this question? Why?
? What more is there to life?
? What matters get priority in your thoughts, actions, plans, etc.?
3. Jesus asks that his disciples consider “the fowls of the air,” that “sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them.”
? How do you feel about being asked to consider birds and others of the animal kingdom and how they survive as you consider your own survival? Does it seem the same to you? Why do you answer as you do?
? How seriously do you take Jesus’ counsel?
? Do you think of God as feeding birds and other animals?
? Can you consider God feeding you as He does them? Why or why not?
4. Jesus asks, “Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature?”
? What does Jesus imply with this question?
? How much in control are we, really, of our materialistic needs and of our temporal life?
? In general, how reasonable and accurate do Jesus’ observations and counsel found in these verses seem to you? Why do you answer as you do?
? How does your response to Jesus’ observations and counsel impact your attitudes and actions concerning temporal matters?
This questionary is our 31st focused on the Sermon on the mount.
Jesus began his Sermon on the Mount with the Beatitudes (5.1-12, questionaries 1-9). In 5.13-16, Jesus briefly discussed the responsibility of discipleship (questionary 10). Then, in 5.17-6.18 (questionaries 11-28), Jesus focused on the fulfillment of the law and what fulfilling the law entailed in his mind. With verse 6.19, Jesus shifted his attention to the relationship between the disciple and life’s materialistic, economic, and temporal needs.
1. In verse 25, Jesus counsels to “take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Jesus will speak again of “taking thought” in verses 27, 28, 31, and 34.
? What does Jesus mean by “taking thought”?
The Greek word can mean, “to be anxious,” “to brood over,” “to give ponderous thought to,” “to be intent on,” “to strive for.”
? How does this meaning influence your answer to the previous question?
? How anxious are you about temporal matters?
? How much careful thought do you put into temporal matters?
? How much careful thought do you put into your temporal matters compared to careful thought about God and the things of God?
? How well, then, are you observing this counsel concerning your attention to temporal matters?
2. Jesus asks, “Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?”
? How do you answer this question? Why?
? What more is there to life?
? What matters get priority in your thoughts, actions, plans, etc.?
3. Jesus asks that his disciples consider “the fowls of the air,” that “sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them.”
? How do you feel about being asked to consider birds and others of the animal kingdom and how they survive as you consider your own survival? Does it seem the same to you? Why do you answer as you do?
? How seriously do you take Jesus’ counsel?
? Do you think of God as feeding birds and other animals?
? Can you consider God feeding you as He does them? Why or why not?
4. Jesus asks, “Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature?”
? What does Jesus imply with this question?
? How much in control are we, really, of our materialistic needs and of our temporal life?
? In general, how reasonable and accurate do Jesus’ observations and counsel found in these verses seem to you? Why do you answer as you do?
? How does your response to Jesus’ observations and counsel impact your attitudes and actions concerning temporal matters?
reading/ questionary: new testament gospels
sermon on the mount questionary 30
matthew 6.22-24
22The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light. 23But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness!
24No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.
This reading and questionary is our 30th focused on the Sermon on the mount.
Jesus began his Sermon on the Mount with the Beatitudes (5.1-12, questionaries 1-9). In 5.13-16, Jesus briefly discussed the responsibility of discipleship (questionary 10). Then, in 5.17-6.18 (questionaries 11-28), Jesus focused on the fulfillment of the law and what fulfilling the law entailed in his mind. With verse 6.19, Jesus shifted his attention to the relationship between the disciple and life’s materialistic, economic, and temporal needs.
1. This reading is the second that addresses the relationship between disciples and materialism.
? What counsel do you find in these verses for your own life as you consider your priorities related to the “treasures of upon earth” and “treasures in heaven”?
2. Jesus says that “if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light.”
? How does this relate to one’s priorities related to materialistic and spiritual concerns?
? How do temporal concerns tend to dilute our spiritual energy and divide our focus?
3. After discussing eyes that are “single,” Jesus immediately addresses eyes that are “evil.”
? What do you think when you consider that in Jesus’ mind “single” and “evil” are opposites?
? One antonym of “single” would be “divided. How is a mind that is divided between treasures on earth and treasures in heaven “evil” and “full of darkness”? Why do you answer as you do?
? How single is your mind? What reasons do you have for answering as you do?
4 Jesus comes back to the matter of a divided mind, heart, and will in verse 24.
“No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.”
? What is mammon?
? What does it mean to “serve” either God or riches?
? Why can the two, God and riches, not be “served” at the same time?
? How do riches become an idolatrous God that is served as only the only true God is to be served?
24No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.
This reading and questionary is our 30th focused on the Sermon on the mount.
Jesus began his Sermon on the Mount with the Beatitudes (5.1-12, questionaries 1-9). In 5.13-16, Jesus briefly discussed the responsibility of discipleship (questionary 10). Then, in 5.17-6.18 (questionaries 11-28), Jesus focused on the fulfillment of the law and what fulfilling the law entailed in his mind. With verse 6.19, Jesus shifted his attention to the relationship between the disciple and life’s materialistic, economic, and temporal needs.
1. This reading is the second that addresses the relationship between disciples and materialism.
? What counsel do you find in these verses for your own life as you consider your priorities related to the “treasures of upon earth” and “treasures in heaven”?
2. Jesus says that “if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light.”
? How does this relate to one’s priorities related to materialistic and spiritual concerns?
? How do temporal concerns tend to dilute our spiritual energy and divide our focus?
3. After discussing eyes that are “single,” Jesus immediately addresses eyes that are “evil.”
? What do you think when you consider that in Jesus’ mind “single” and “evil” are opposites?
? One antonym of “single” would be “divided. How is a mind that is divided between treasures on earth and treasures in heaven “evil” and “full of darkness”? Why do you answer as you do?
? How single is your mind? What reasons do you have for answering as you do?
4 Jesus comes back to the matter of a divided mind, heart, and will in verse 24.
“No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.”
? What is mammon?
? What does it mean to “serve” either God or riches?
? Why can the two, God and riches, not be “served” at the same time?
? How do riches become an idolatrous God that is served as only the only true God is to be served?
reading/ questionary: new testament gospels
sermon on the mount questionary 29
matthew 6.19-21
19Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: 20but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal. 21For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
This reading and questionary is our 29th focused on the Sermon on the mount.
Jesus began his Sermon on the Mount with the Beatitudes (5.1-12, questionaries 1-9). In 5.13-16, Jesus briefly discussed the responsibility of discipleship (questionary 10). Then, in 5.17-6.18 (questionaries 11-28), Jesus focused on the fulfillment of the law and what fulfilling the law entailed in his mind.
1. Now, with verse 6.19, Jesus shifts his attention to the relationship between the disciple and life’s materialistic, economic, and temporal needs. This discussion with continue through verse 34 (questionaries 29-33).
? How do you feel about Jesus devoting such a large block of his sermon to the issue of materialism and the disciple’s response to it?
? Why is this so important to Jesus?
2. Jesus speaks against “lay[ing] up for yourselves treasures upon earth.”
? What is the nature of “treasures upon earth”?
? What is meant by “laying up” for oneself treasures upon earth?
? What does “laying up treasures upon earth” look like? What actions would be indicative of ones doing so?
? Where do you stand in this “laying up treasures upon earth”?
3. On the other hand, Jesus advocates for “lay[in] up for yourselves treasures in heaven.”
? What is the nature of “treasures in heaven”?
? What is meant by “laying up” for oneself treasures in heaven?
? What does “laying up treasures in heaven” look like? What actions would be indicative of ones doing so?
? Where do you sand in this “laying up treasures in heaven”?
4. Jesus consistently maintains that what we do outwardly is a reliable sign about what we are on the inside. Here, Jesus suggests that what we “treasure” is indicative of who we are.
? What do you treasure most—heaven’s benefits or earth’s?
? Does the preponderance of your thoughts, your use of your time, etc. support your answer to the previous question?
? How much energy and time do you employ in the pursuit of heaven’s benefits as opposed to earth’s materialistic offerings?
? What do you see as the proper balance?
? Have you reached a proper balance? Why do you answer as you do?
This reading and questionary is our 29th focused on the Sermon on the mount.
Jesus began his Sermon on the Mount with the Beatitudes (5.1-12, questionaries 1-9). In 5.13-16, Jesus briefly discussed the responsibility of discipleship (questionary 10). Then, in 5.17-6.18 (questionaries 11-28), Jesus focused on the fulfillment of the law and what fulfilling the law entailed in his mind.
1. Now, with verse 6.19, Jesus shifts his attention to the relationship between the disciple and life’s materialistic, economic, and temporal needs. This discussion with continue through verse 34 (questionaries 29-33).
? How do you feel about Jesus devoting such a large block of his sermon to the issue of materialism and the disciple’s response to it?
? Why is this so important to Jesus?
2. Jesus speaks against “lay[ing] up for yourselves treasures upon earth.”
? What is the nature of “treasures upon earth”?
? What is meant by “laying up” for oneself treasures upon earth?
? What does “laying up treasures upon earth” look like? What actions would be indicative of ones doing so?
? Where do you stand in this “laying up treasures upon earth”?
3. On the other hand, Jesus advocates for “lay[in] up for yourselves treasures in heaven.”
? What is the nature of “treasures in heaven”?
? What is meant by “laying up” for oneself treasures in heaven?
? What does “laying up treasures in heaven” look like? What actions would be indicative of ones doing so?
? Where do you sand in this “laying up treasures in heaven”?
4. Jesus consistently maintains that what we do outwardly is a reliable sign about what we are on the inside. Here, Jesus suggests that what we “treasure” is indicative of who we are.
? What do you treasure most—heaven’s benefits or earth’s?
? Does the preponderance of your thoughts, your use of your time, etc. support your answer to the previous question?
? How much energy and time do you employ in the pursuit of heaven’s benefits as opposed to earth’s materialistic offerings?
? What do you see as the proper balance?
? Have you reached a proper balance? Why do you answer as you do?
reading/ questionary: new testament gospels
sermon on the mount questionary 28
matthew 6.16-18
16Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. 17But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face; 18that thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father which is in secret: and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly.
We opened our series of questionaries focused on Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount with 9 questionaries on the Beatitudes. This questionary is our 28th focused on the Sermon on the mount.
1. In verses 17-20, Jesus suggested that he had come to “fulfill” the law and that fulfilling the law entailed something more than what the Pharisees taught and did. Jesus then addresses various aspects of “the law” and how they are truly “fulfilled (5.21-26, 5.27-30, 5.31-32, 5.33-37, 5.38-42, 5.43-48, 6.1-4, 6.5-15, 6.16-18). Jesus introduces the first six examples of fulfilling the law with “Ye have heard that it hath been said…” or some variation on it. That formula is not found in this reading, but the reading continues to explore how Jesus’ view of fulfilling the law differs from and goes beyond that often practiced.
? How does Jesus’ admonition concerning fasting go beyond fasting as it is often practiced?
2. As with doing good (6.1-4), and praying (6.5-15), in addressing fasting, Jesus addresses the problem of religion being about self-righteous and self-promotion more than actual devotion to God and commitment to the betterment of others.
? How do you feel about religion when it is used for purposes of self-promotion and self-righteousness?
? How do and can you avoid this type of religion in your own life?
3. Obviously, doing good (alms) should primarily be focused on benefiting others than promoting oneself either with God or man. As we pointed out in our 7th reading on 6.9-13, Jesus’ consistent use of the plural in his prayer (us, us, us…) suggest that prayer is intended to be used predominantly for others’ benefit.
? How do you use fasting to benefit others?
? How does the following passage relate to fasting as a means to benefit others rather than ourselves? How might it have influenced Jesus’ own view of fasting as expressed in here in Matthew?
“Wherefore have we fasted, say they,
and thou seest not?
wherefore have we afflicted our soul,
and thou takest no knowledge?
Behold, in the day of your fast ye find pleasure,
and exact all your labours.
Behold, ye fast for strife and debate,
and to smite with the fist of wickedness:
ye shall not fast as ye do this day,
to make your voice to be heard on high.
Is it such a fast that I have chosen?
a day for a man to afflict his soul?
is it to bow down his head as a bulrush,
and to spread sackcloth and ashes under him?
wilt thou call this a fast,
and an acceptable day to the LORD?
Is not this the fast that I have chosen?
to loose the bands of wickedness,
to undo the heavy burdens,
and to let the oppressed go free,
and that ye break every yoke?
Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry,
and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house?
when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him;
and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh?” (Is. 58.3-7)
? How is everyday mistreatment of others a contradiction of the true meaning of fasting?
? How do you feel about fasting being less about how much or when one eats and more about the just, respectful, and loving treatment of others?
We opened our series of questionaries focused on Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount with 9 questionaries on the Beatitudes. This questionary is our 28th focused on the Sermon on the mount.
1. In verses 17-20, Jesus suggested that he had come to “fulfill” the law and that fulfilling the law entailed something more than what the Pharisees taught and did. Jesus then addresses various aspects of “the law” and how they are truly “fulfilled (5.21-26, 5.27-30, 5.31-32, 5.33-37, 5.38-42, 5.43-48, 6.1-4, 6.5-15, 6.16-18). Jesus introduces the first six examples of fulfilling the law with “Ye have heard that it hath been said…” or some variation on it. That formula is not found in this reading, but the reading continues to explore how Jesus’ view of fulfilling the law differs from and goes beyond that often practiced.
? How does Jesus’ admonition concerning fasting go beyond fasting as it is often practiced?
2. As with doing good (6.1-4), and praying (6.5-15), in addressing fasting, Jesus addresses the problem of religion being about self-righteous and self-promotion more than actual devotion to God and commitment to the betterment of others.
? How do you feel about religion when it is used for purposes of self-promotion and self-righteousness?
? How do and can you avoid this type of religion in your own life?
3. Obviously, doing good (alms) should primarily be focused on benefiting others than promoting oneself either with God or man. As we pointed out in our 7th reading on 6.9-13, Jesus’ consistent use of the plural in his prayer (us, us, us…) suggest that prayer is intended to be used predominantly for others’ benefit.
? How do you use fasting to benefit others?
? How does the following passage relate to fasting as a means to benefit others rather than ourselves? How might it have influenced Jesus’ own view of fasting as expressed in here in Matthew?
“Wherefore have we fasted, say they,
and thou seest not?
wherefore have we afflicted our soul,
and thou takest no knowledge?
Behold, in the day of your fast ye find pleasure,
and exact all your labours.
Behold, ye fast for strife and debate,
and to smite with the fist of wickedness:
ye shall not fast as ye do this day,
to make your voice to be heard on high.
Is it such a fast that I have chosen?
a day for a man to afflict his soul?
is it to bow down his head as a bulrush,
and to spread sackcloth and ashes under him?
wilt thou call this a fast,
and an acceptable day to the LORD?
Is not this the fast that I have chosen?
to loose the bands of wickedness,
to undo the heavy burdens,
and to let the oppressed go free,
and that ye break every yoke?
Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry,
and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house?
when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him;
and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh?” (Is. 58.3-7)
? How is everyday mistreatment of others a contradiction of the true meaning of fasting?
? How do you feel about fasting being less about how much or when one eats and more about the just, respectful, and loving treatment of others?
reading/ questionary: new testament gospels
sermon on the mount questionary 27
matthew 6.14-15
14For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: 15but if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
We opened our series of questionaries focused on Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount with 9 questionaries on the Beatitudes. This questionary is our 27th focused on the Sermon on the mount.
1. In verses 17-20, Jesus suggested that he had come to “fulfill” the law and that fulfilling the law entailed something more than what the Pharisees taught and did. Jesus then addresses various aspects of “the law” and how they are truly “fulfilled (5.21-26, 5.27-30, 5.31-32, 5.33-37, 5.38-42, 5.43-48, 6.1-4, 6.5-15, 6.16-18). Jesus introduces the first six examples of fulfilling the law with “Ye have heard that it hath been said…” or some variation on it. That formula is not found in this reading, but the reading continues to explore how Jesus’ view of fulfilling the law differs from and goes beyond that often practiced.
? How does Jesus’ statement found in today’s reading go beyond what is normally thought of as fulfilling the law?
2. After teaching his disciples how to pray with what has come to be known as “The Lord’s Prayer,” Jesus offers this commentary on prayer. It begins with the connective word, “for.”
? What does the “for” tell you?
Of all the elements of Jesus’ prayer he comments on just one: “forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.”
? Why do you think he focused on forgiveness?
? How does our willingness to forgive impact the efficacy of our prayers?
We opened our series of questionaries focused on Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount with 9 questionaries on the Beatitudes. This questionary is our 27th focused on the Sermon on the mount.
1. In verses 17-20, Jesus suggested that he had come to “fulfill” the law and that fulfilling the law entailed something more than what the Pharisees taught and did. Jesus then addresses various aspects of “the law” and how they are truly “fulfilled (5.21-26, 5.27-30, 5.31-32, 5.33-37, 5.38-42, 5.43-48, 6.1-4, 6.5-15, 6.16-18). Jesus introduces the first six examples of fulfilling the law with “Ye have heard that it hath been said…” or some variation on it. That formula is not found in this reading, but the reading continues to explore how Jesus’ view of fulfilling the law differs from and goes beyond that often practiced.
? How does Jesus’ statement found in today’s reading go beyond what is normally thought of as fulfilling the law?
2. After teaching his disciples how to pray with what has come to be known as “The Lord’s Prayer,” Jesus offers this commentary on prayer. It begins with the connective word, “for.”
? What does the “for” tell you?
Of all the elements of Jesus’ prayer he comments on just one: “forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.”
? Why do you think he focused on forgiveness?
? How does our willingness to forgive impact the efficacy of our prayers?
reading/ questionary: new testament gospels
sermon on the mount questionary 26
matthew 6.9-13 (part 7)
9After this manner therefore pray ye:
Our Father which art in heaven,
Hallowed be thy name.
10Thy kingdom come.
Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
11Give us this day our daily bread.
12And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
13And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil:
For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.
We opened our series of questionaries focused on Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount with 9 questionaries on the Beatitudes. This questionary is our 26th focused on the Sermon on the mount and the 7th in which we explore what has come to be called, “The Lord’s Prayer.”
1. In verses 17-20, Jesus suggested that he had come to “fulfill” the law and that fulfilling the law entailed something more than what the Pharisees taught and did. Jesus then addresses various aspects of “the law” and how they are truly “fulfilled (5.21-26, 5.27-30, 5.31-32, 5.33-37, 5.38-42, 5.43-48, 6.1-4, 6.5-15, 6.16-18). Jesus introduces the first six examples of fulfilling the law with “Ye have heard that it hath been said…” or some variation on it. That formula is not found in this reading, but the reading continues to explore how Jesus’ view of fulfilling the law differs from and goes beyond that often practiced.
? How does Jesus’ view of prayer differ from and go beyond that often practiced?
2. We have explored The Lord’s Prayer in six previous questionaries. In this questionary, we reflect on one more aspect that we have previously ignored. In the passages that heads this reading, we have emphasized several words through bold print.
? Why do you think we have highlighted these words?
? What is the importance of Jesus consistently using plural pronouns (our, us) rather than singular (my, me)?
? Is this merely a matter of Jesus including himself in a “group” prayer, or is there some other significance to the plural rather than singular pronouns?
? What might God hear in a prayer that is all about I, me, my?
? How much of your prayer life is focused on yourself and your needs/wants, and how much is focused on others’ needs/wants?
? What is the balance between these?
? What do you think and feel when you consider that by his choice of plural pronouns Jesus was reminding his disciples that their prayers must seek the good of others as well as themselves?
? What would it mean, for example, for you to spend time in prayer asking that others avoid temptation and falling into the evils of this world?
? How can you make your prayers about others as well as about yourself?
Our Father which art in heaven,
Hallowed be thy name.
10Thy kingdom come.
Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
11Give us this day our daily bread.
12And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
13And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil:
For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.
We opened our series of questionaries focused on Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount with 9 questionaries on the Beatitudes. This questionary is our 26th focused on the Sermon on the mount and the 7th in which we explore what has come to be called, “The Lord’s Prayer.”
1. In verses 17-20, Jesus suggested that he had come to “fulfill” the law and that fulfilling the law entailed something more than what the Pharisees taught and did. Jesus then addresses various aspects of “the law” and how they are truly “fulfilled (5.21-26, 5.27-30, 5.31-32, 5.33-37, 5.38-42, 5.43-48, 6.1-4, 6.5-15, 6.16-18). Jesus introduces the first six examples of fulfilling the law with “Ye have heard that it hath been said…” or some variation on it. That formula is not found in this reading, but the reading continues to explore how Jesus’ view of fulfilling the law differs from and goes beyond that often practiced.
? How does Jesus’ view of prayer differ from and go beyond that often practiced?
2. We have explored The Lord’s Prayer in six previous questionaries. In this questionary, we reflect on one more aspect that we have previously ignored. In the passages that heads this reading, we have emphasized several words through bold print.
? Why do you think we have highlighted these words?
? What is the importance of Jesus consistently using plural pronouns (our, us) rather than singular (my, me)?
? Is this merely a matter of Jesus including himself in a “group” prayer, or is there some other significance to the plural rather than singular pronouns?
? What might God hear in a prayer that is all about I, me, my?
? How much of your prayer life is focused on yourself and your needs/wants, and how much is focused on others’ needs/wants?
? What is the balance between these?
? What do you think and feel when you consider that by his choice of plural pronouns Jesus was reminding his disciples that their prayers must seek the good of others as well as themselves?
? What would it mean, for example, for you to spend time in prayer asking that others avoid temptation and falling into the evils of this world?
? How can you make your prayers about others as well as about yourself?
reading/ questionary: new testament gospels
sermon on the mount questionary 25
matthew 6.9-13 (part 6)
9After this manner therefore pray ye:
Our Father which art in heaven,
Hallowed be thy name.
10Thy kingdom come.
Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
11Give us this day our daily bread.
12And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
13And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil:
For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.
We opened our series of questionaries focused on Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount with 9 questionaries on the Beatitudes. This questionary is our 25th focused on the Sermon on the mount and the 6th in which we explore what has come to be called, “The Lord’s Prayer.”
1. In verses 17-20, Jesus suggested that he had come to “fulfill” the law and that fulfilling the law entailed something more than what the Pharisees taught and did. Jesus then addresses various aspects of “the law” and how they are truly “fulfilled (5.21-26, 5.27-30, 5.31-32, 5.33-37, 5.38-42, 5.43-48, 6.1-4, 6.5-15, 6.16-18). Jesus introduces the first six examples of fulfilling the law with “Ye have heard that it hath been said…” or some variation on it. That formula is not found in this reading, but the reading continues to explore how Jesus’ view of fulfilling the law differs from and goes beyond that often practiced.
? How does Jesus’ view of prayer differ from and go beyond that often practiced?
2. Jesus ends his exemplary prayer with “For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.”
? What purpose does this end to prayer have?
? What are we rally saying when we end prayer with a focus on God, His rule, His power, and His glory?
? How is this end to prayer reflected in your prayers?
? How can you incorporate it into your prayers more meaningfully?
Our Father which art in heaven,
Hallowed be thy name.
10Thy kingdom come.
Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
11Give us this day our daily bread.
12And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
13And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil:
For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.
We opened our series of questionaries focused on Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount with 9 questionaries on the Beatitudes. This questionary is our 25th focused on the Sermon on the mount and the 6th in which we explore what has come to be called, “The Lord’s Prayer.”
1. In verses 17-20, Jesus suggested that he had come to “fulfill” the law and that fulfilling the law entailed something more than what the Pharisees taught and did. Jesus then addresses various aspects of “the law” and how they are truly “fulfilled (5.21-26, 5.27-30, 5.31-32, 5.33-37, 5.38-42, 5.43-48, 6.1-4, 6.5-15, 6.16-18). Jesus introduces the first six examples of fulfilling the law with “Ye have heard that it hath been said…” or some variation on it. That formula is not found in this reading, but the reading continues to explore how Jesus’ view of fulfilling the law differs from and goes beyond that often practiced.
? How does Jesus’ view of prayer differ from and go beyond that often practiced?
2. Jesus ends his exemplary prayer with “For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.”
? What purpose does this end to prayer have?
? What are we rally saying when we end prayer with a focus on God, His rule, His power, and His glory?
? How is this end to prayer reflected in your prayers?
? How can you incorporate it into your prayers more meaningfully?
ARCHIVE OF PAST READINGS/QUESTIONARIES
OLD TESTAMENT
genesis-song of solomon |
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psalms 1-50 |
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psalms 51-100 |
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psalm 101-150 |
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isaiah |
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jeremiah-lamentation |
|
ezekiel-malachi |
|
NEW TESTAMENT
matthew |
|
mark |
|
luke |
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john |
|
acts-revelation |
|
BOOK OF MORMON
1 nephi-mosiah |
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alma |
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helaman-moroni |
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DOCTRINE AND COVENANTS & PEARL OF GREAT PRICE
doctrine & covenants/ pgp |
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JUST SCRIPTURE
o.t. genesis-ecclesiastes |
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o.t. isaiah-malachi |
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new testament |
|
book of mormon |
|
dc & pgp |
|
ATONEMENT
atonement readings & questionaries by series |
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atonement readings and questionaries by topic |
|