Lesson 4. Sayings of Jesus

• Religious education
• Upper Secondary (Key Stage 4)
• Lower Secondary (Key Stage 3)
• BTEC, GCSE

 Sayings of Jesus

The Beatitudes of Jesus, as described in the Gospel of Matthew (5:3–12) and Luke (6:20–23), are among the most well-known parts of His teachings. They form the core of the Sermon on the Mount and emphasize the values of the Kingdom of God. In these teachings, Jesus presents a reversed world order, in which those who are poor, mourning, and oppressed are blessed in the Kingdom of God.

Christmas

Good Friday

Pentecost

Ascension Day

Easter

Outpouring of the Holy Spirit

The Birth of Jesus

Jesus' return to heaven

The crucifixion of Jesus

The Resurrection of Jesus

Learning Objectives

• You know the name and the content of the most important speech of Jesus.
  
• You know the content of the Beatitudes and can translate them to our time.
  
• You can explain the term "Kingdom of God."
  
• You know the meanings of the "I am" statements and what consequences these statements had.

The Sermon on the Mount

The Sermon on the Mount is one of the most well-known and influential speeches 

of Jesus.

It is considered one of Jesus' most important teachings on ethics and morality.

Het bevat veel van zijn centrale leringen over het Koninkrijk van God en hoe zijn volgelingen moeten leven.

The Sermon on the Mount summarizes the core of Jesus’ ethical teachings and offers a blueprint for the lives of His followers. It emphasizes the inner attitude of the heart, love for others, humility, mercy, and justice as the true characteristics of the Kingdom of God.

The term "Beatitudes" comes from the Latin word "beati", which means "blessed". In English Bible translations, they are often called the "Beatitudes", derived from the Latin "beatus". These terms refer to the statements Jesus made at the beginning of the Sermon on the Mount, in which He praises those who display certain virtues or find themselves in particular circumstances. They are called Beatitudes because they speak of those who are happy or blessed—not based on material wealth or worldly power, but on spiritual values and virtues that God cherishes.
 

The Beatitudes

Being blessed or happy, therefore, has nothing to do with money or power.

The term 'Beatitudes' comes from the Latin word 'beati', which means 'blessed'.

They are called 'Beatitudes' because they speak about those who are happy or blessed, as they do the things that are good in God's eyes.

De Bergrede vat de kern van Jezus' ethische leringen samen en biedt een blauwdruk voor het leven van zijn volgelingen. Het benadrukt de innerlijke houding van het hart, liefde voor anderen, nederigheid, barmhartigheid en rechtvaardigheid als de ware kenmerken van het Koninkrijk van God.

De term "zaligsprekingen" komt van het Latijnse woord "beati", wat "gezegend" betekent. In de Engelse bijbelvertalingen worden ze vaak de "Beatitudes" genoemd, afgeleid van het Latijnse "beatus". Deze termen verwijzen naar de uitspraken die Jezus deed aan het begin van de Bergrede, waarin hij degenen prijst die bepaalde deugden vertonen of in bepaalde omstandigheden verkeren. Ze worden "zaligsprekingen" genoemd omdat ze spreken over degenen die gelukkig of gezegend zijn, niet op basis van materiële welvaart of wereldlijke macht, maar op basis van geestelijke waarden en deugden die God waardeert.
 

Which Beatitude speaks to you the most, and why?

Give two examples of people or groups who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness in our time.

Let students look it up if needed.

Christians persecuted in certain countries.

(Source: https://www.opendoors.com)

Christians are persecuted in various parts of the world for their faith, often facing discrimination, violence, or imprisonment.

Human rights activists

Activists who advocate for human rights are often threatened, harassed, and persecuted by authoritarian regimes that see their work as a threat to their power.

Journalists

Journalists who report critically on corruption, abuse of power, and human rights violations are often threatened, intimidated, and even killed by governments or criminal gangs.

What is another name for the 'Sermon on the Mount'?

1. The rules of conduct
2. The ten commandments
3. The sermon of God's Kingdom
4. The Beatitudes

The Kingdom of God

The term "the Kingdom of God" refers to God's reign in the hearts of people 

and in the world.

Jesus wanted people to understand that this kingdom is here and now available to everyone who believes and tries to live as God desires.

It is a world in which people are loving, honest, and kind, and where God's will is done.

At His return, Jesus will definitively establish the Kingdom of God and will set all wrongs right.

Then there will be peace, justice, and perfect harmony throughout the whole world.

By "the Kingdom of God," Jesus meant a way of life in which God is in charge. It is a world where people are loving, honest, and kind, and where God's will is done. He wanted people to understand that this kingdom is here and now available to everyone who believes and tries to live as God desires.

God?

What does "Kingdom of God" mean?

1. The place where God is, so in heaven
2. A land ruled by spiritual leaders
3. A place where people live as God desires
4. That is a literal place on earth

Parable / Comparison

Examples from everyday images and situations make it easier for people to understand and remember His message.

Similar to a metaphor. (comparison using "like" or "as")

Listen to the story and answer the questions on the next slide.

You can have the narrator read this story aloud. But you could also tell it yourself.

Answer the following questions:

1. Why did Jesus tell this parable?

2. What does the treasure in this parable symbolize?

1. By telling the story of the treasure in the field, Jesus emphasized the idea of sacrificing everything for the Kingdom of God and finding joy and fulfillment in following God's will.

2. The treasure in the parable of the treasure in the field symbolizes the Kingdom of God. It represents the priceless value and joy found in knowing and following God's will. Finding the treasure stands for discovering the true wealth and fulfillment available to those who seek the Kingdom of God and want to be part of it.

 

The Kingdom of God becomes Visible in Jesus

If you want to get an idea of the Kingdom of God, you should look at the life of Jesus.

Jesus not only shows the way to the Kingdom of God, but He is also the way.

When we consider Jesus as a parable of the Kingdom of God, we see that His life, His words, and His deeds reveal something about the nature of that kingdom. Here are some ways in which Jesus Himself is a parable of the Kingdom of God:

Love and Grace: Jesus’ loving and gracious attitude toward sinners and outsiders shows that the Kingdom of God is a place of love, forgiveness, and grace.

Healing and Restoration: Jesus’ healings and restorations of the sick, broken, and oppressed demonstrate that the Kingdom of God is a place of healing, restoration, and liberation.

Justice and Mercy: Jesus’ fight against injustice, His advocacy for the poor and oppressed, and His plea for mercy show that the Kingdom of God is a place of justice and mercy.

Humility and Service: Jesus’ humble service, as seen in Him washing His disciples’ feet, shows that the Kingdom of God is a place where the great serve and where humility is valued.

Redemption and Hope: Jesus’ death and resurrection show that the Kingdom of God is a place of redemption, hope, and eternal life for all who believe in Him.

In short, Jesus Himself is a parable of the Kingdom of God because He shows us what that kingdom looks like and how we can be part of it by following Him.

God?

How can you see the life of Jesus as a parable of the Kingdom of God?

1. By studying His family background
2. By imitating His style of clothing
3. By pursuing His wealth and power
4. By following His actions and teachings

"I Am" Statements

These statements emphasize that Jesus is connected to God 

and that He is involved with people.

These statements of Jesus refer to the name used in the Old Testament when God reveals Himself to Moses at the burning bush. In Exodus 3:14, God says to Moses: "I am who I am."

The meaning of this name is difficult, but it refers to God being eternal and unchanging, and that His presence in the lives of His people will always be there.

By calling Himself by the "I am" name, Jesus declares that He has the same divine nature as the God of the Old Testament.

He claims the attributes and authority of God Himself. This makes His "I am" statements extraordinarily powerful and is one of the reasons why they had such a profound impact on His contemporaries.

The "I am" statements of Jesus refer to the name of God used in the Old Testament when God revealed Himself to Moses at the burning bush. In Exodus 3:14, God says to Moses: "I am who I am." This statement is rendered in Hebrew as "Ehyeh asher ehyeh," which can be translated as "I will be what I will be" or "I am the one who is." The meaning of this name is complex, but it refers to God’s eternal, self-existent nature, His unchanging character, and His presence in the lives of His people.

By identifying Himself with the "I am" name, Jesus declares that He has the same divine nature as the God of the Old Testament. He claims the attributes and authority of God Himself. This makes His "I am" statements extraordinarily powerful and is one of the reasons why they had such a profound impact on His contemporaries and remain relevant to believers today.

Why does Jesus emphasize His divine identity and relationship with humanity?

1. To impress His followers
2. To show that He is the best teacher
3. To attract the attention of the Romans
4. To show that He is God

Examples of the

 'I Am' Statements

These are statements in which He emphasizes His divine identity 

and relationship with humanity.

I am the light of the world: Jesus says that whoever follows Him will not live in darkness, but will have the light of life.

I am the good shepherd: Jesus describes Himself as the good shepherd who lays down His life for His sheep.

I am the way, the truth, and the life: Here, Jesus emphasizes that He is the only way to God.

The "I am" statements of Jesus are powerful declarations in which He emphasizes His divine identity and relationship with humanity. Here are some examples:

I am the bread of life: Jesus says this in John 6:35, where He declares that whoever comes to Him will never hunger, and whoever believes in Him will never thirst.

I am the light of the world: Jesus says this in John 8:12, proclaiming that whoever follows Him will not walk in darkness but will have the light of life.

I am the door: In John 10:9, Jesus says He is the door; whoever enters through Him will be saved.

I am the good shepherd: Jesus describes Himself as the good shepherd who lays down His life for His sheep, as stated in John 10:11.

I am the resurrection and the life: Jesus speaks these words in John 11:25, promising that whoever believes in Him will live, even if they die.

I am the way, the truth, and the life: This statement from Jesus, found in John 14:6, emphasizes that He is the only way to God.

I am the true vine: Jesus compares Himself to the vine and His followers to the branches who must remain in Him to bear fruit, as mentioned in John 15:1-5.

Each "I am" statement reveals an aspect of Jesus' divine nature and the relationship He desires to have with those who believe in Him.

What are 'I am' statements in the context of the life of Jesus?

1. Statements in which He describes His journeys
2. Statements in which He emphasizes His human side
3. Statements in which He names His favorite food
4. Statements in which He emphasizes His divine identity

Why would the religious leaders have decided that Jesus had to die?

Because He claimed to be equal with God.

How would you rate your effort in today's lesson?

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