You are the salt of the earth; but if salt has lost its taste, how can its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything, but is thrown out and trampled under foot. You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid. No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven. —Matthew 5:13-16

Week 1: The Kingdom of Heaven is where what

wants done is done.

Heaven is a different place, a better place, a real place, a place where God rules and life is as God wants rather than as humanity has constructed. —Dr. Amy Jill Levine

Week 2: Jesus sets up an ideal community with God as loving

of us all.

Jesus provides new “fences” or guidelines for living into the

of the Kingdom of Heaven.

To be a disciple means less about believing in a set of propositions and more about acting upon God’s Word as interpreted by Jesus. —Dr. Levine

This Week: Who We Are…Salt and Light (Matthew 5:13)

“You are the salt of the earth” is not a command but a

.

Salt is a preservative. Salt is a seasoning. Salt is needed for

.

Salt is never the main dish. Salt makes things

.

The disciples do not exist to show off their taste or color; they exist not for themselves but for the world. The disciples are to season, to color, to make more alive the world. Their very presence is a blessing. —Dr. Levine

Salt was and is

. The monthly payment to Roman soldiers, called salarium, was made in salt.

In the same way we live in the new “blessed” community of heaven, our

has changed.

We now walk in the

of Jesus. (John 8:12)

Salt and light do not point to

. (Matthew 5:14)

A Warning and Instruction on How to Give to Charity and How to Pray

Beware of practicing your piety before others

Reveal Answer

to be seen by them… —Matthew 6:1

It is not are we seen doing a good deed, but are we doing a good deed in order to be seen. —Dallas Willard

In Jewish tradition, supporting the

is a central commandment. (Deuteronomy 15:10-11)

The Eight Levels of Charity by Jewish Teacher Maimonides (1138-1204)

1. Unwilling
2. Willing but
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3. To give only after being
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4. Giving to the poor
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   the request comes
5. Reveal Answer
   , but the beneficiary knows
6. When the benefactor knows the recipient, but the recipient does not know the
   Reveal Answer

7. Benefactor and recipient do not know each other’s

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   . *This was Jesus’ approach.

   The Jerusalem Temple had such a system: the righteous would contribute what they could, and the poor would take what they needed. No one felt ashamed. —Dr. Levine

8. Enter into a

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   or provide a financial base so that the person in poverty becomes financially secure.

The concern is for

; the one who is generous today may be in need tomorrow.

has something to give; needs are met, and everyone pitches in to help.

Prayer should be focused on

, not on the one offering the prayer. (Matthew 6:5-6)

Prayer does not require a

. God can make any place holy.

Jesus criticizes two kinds of praying: 1.

off. 2. Attempting to

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God. (Matthew 6:7-8)

Jesus is looking not only at the action but also at the motive behind it. Dr. Levine

Action Steps

Always be unfailingly kind, even to people who are

.

Reveal Answer

as if you fully recognize that your enemy is also in the image and likeness of God.