Purpose
To encourage class members to come unto Christ by applying the principles he taught in the Sermon on the Mount.
Preparation
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Read, ponder, and pray about the following scriptures:
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Matthew 5:1–12. On a mount in Galilee, Jesus teaches the Beatitudes to his disciples.
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Matthew 5:13–16. Jesus declares that his disciples are “the salt of the earth” and “the light of the world.”
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Matthew 5:17–48. Jesus declares that he has come to fulfill the law of Moses, and he teaches a higher law.
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Additional reading: Luke 6:17–36; Joseph Smith Translation, Luke 14:35–37; Mosiah 13:28–35; Alma 34:13–16; 3 Nephi 12; Ether 12:11; Bible Dictionary, “Beatitudes,” 620; and “Sermon on the Mount,” 771–72.
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If you use the attention activity, provide each class member with a pen or pencil and a piece of paper.
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If the following materials are available, use them during the lesson:
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The picture Sermon on the Mount (62166; Gospel Art Picture Kit 212).
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A container of salt and a lamp.
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Suggestion for teaching: Jesus Christ is the Master Teacher. As you study the Sermon on the Mount, notice his teaching methods and look for ways you can emulate him as a teacher.
Suggested Lesson Development
Additional Teaching Ideas
The following material supplements the suggested lesson outline. You may want to use one or more of these ideas as part of the lesson.
1. “A more excellent way” (Ether 12:11)
Invite a few class members to come to class prepared to share ideas about how the teachings in Matthew 5 can help them at home, at school, or at work.
2. The Savior’s teaching about divorce
If you or class members have questions about Matthew 5:31–32, see the fifth additional teaching idea in lesson 14 (see page 60).
3. Video presentation
The second segment of “New Testament Customs,” a selection from New Testament Video Presentations (53914), explains the term schoolmaster, which is used in Galatians 3:24–25 to describe the law of Moses. If you show this segment, discuss how the law of Moses was a schoolmaster to bring the people to Christ.