So here it is, my Study Guide for the Sermon on the Mount:
Do not be egoistical or self-absorbed.This was a fun and interesting thing to do. Sort of like making your own personal version of The Message. I'd encourage you to try it. If you post your study guide publicly please link to it in the comments so we can see, compare, learn, and be edified. I think someone with more poetry than I or with deeper biblical and theological insights could produce something really powerful and beautiful. It'd also be really cool to see someone turn the Sermon into a poem.
Weep over the pain of this world.
Be gentle, tender and kind.
Wake up wanting to be a better person.
Show mercy to others.
Be sincere, genuine and real.
Work for the cause of peace.
People should notice that you are different, in a good way.
Let go of your anger toward others.
If you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything.
Reconciliation is more important than going to church.
Try to resolve conflicts face to face.
Do not sexually objectify others.
Honor, and do not easily break, your marital vows.
Live with integrity and be true to your word.
Practice non-violence.
Give and serve generously.
Love your enemies and pray for them.
In practicing your faith you should look religionless to the world.
Keep your prayers short.
Forgive.
Do not be materialistic.
Let go of worry.
Stop judging others and take a hard, honest look at yourself.
Guard your heart around the callous, hostile and brutal.
Ask, seek and knock trusting in God to care for you.
Don't follow the spirituality of the crowd. The way of the Kingdom will never be a fad.
Orthopraxy is the test of orthodoxy.
Obedience is where it all starts.
This isn't an academic exercise. This shall be your Rule of Life.
I also think this would be an interesting activity for a bible class or study group to do with people going around and sharing their summarizations aloud (e.g., what does it mean to be "pure in heart"?)
For those wanting to correlate my Study Guide with the textbook, here's the key:
Do not be egoistical or self-absorbed. (5.3)
Weep over the pain in this world.(5.4)
Be gentle, tender and kind. (5.5)
Wake up wanting to be a better person. (5.6)
Show mercy to others. (5.7)
Be sincere, genuine and real. (5.8)
Work for the cause of peace. (5.9)
People should notice that you are different, in a good way. (5.13-16)
Let go of your anger toward others. (5.21-22)
If you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything. (5.21-22)
Reconciliation is more important than going to church. (5.23-24)
Try to resolve conflicts face to face. (5.25-26)
Do not sexually objectify others. (5.27-30)
Honor, and do not easily break, your marital vows. (5.31-32)
Live with integrity and be true to your word. (5.33-37)
Practice non-violence. (5.38-39)
Give and serve generously. (5.40-42)
Love your enemies and pray for them. (5.43-48)
In practicing your faith you should look religionless to the world. (6.1-7,16-18)
Keep your prayers short. (6.7-8)
Forgive. (6.14-15)
Do not be materialistic. (6.19-24)
Let go of worry. (6.25-34)
Stop judging others and take a hard, honest look at yourself. (7.1-5)
Guard your heart around the callous, hostile and brutal. (7.6)
Ask, seek and knock trusting in God to care for you. (7.7-12)
Don't follow the spirituality of the crowd. The way of the Kingdom will never be a fad. (7.13-14)
Orthdopraxy is the test of orthodoxy. (7.15-20)
Obedience is where it all starts. (7.21-23)
This isn't an academic exercise. This shall be your Rule of Life. (7.24-27)
