Lesson: Sermon on the Mount: Attitudes

To Remember: What we think is as important as what we do

Vocabulary

Love: Putting someone else first
Diligence: dedication, continuous and responsible effort

Lesson - Matt 5:21-22
Jesus taught in the Sermon on the Mount about our thoughts and attitudes. The Jews knew it was wrong to kill someone, but they didn't think it was wrong to be angry with another.

Matt 5:21-22 Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment: But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.

In this lesson, Jesus taught them that not only were their words and action regulated by law, but their thoughts were also. He taught that holding a grudge or wishing someone harm was just as bad as hurting them. This is because what we think inspires what we do.

Matt 15:18-19 But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man. For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies:

Gen 6:5 says God destroyed the earth in the flood because every thought the people had was evil. But how can we control what we think? Sometimes, anger, jealousy, envy, etc come to our hearts unbidden. What we must do is recognize them and force ourselves to think differently. When we are mad, we must think calmly. When we are jealous, we must put ourselves in their shoes. We cannot nurse a grudge, or we will be punished ourselves.

Memory Work

PK: Matt. 5:8 "Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God."
readers: Prov. 4:23 "Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life."

Acting Out: Demonstrate how you should act in the following situations:

Your sister gets a beautiful new toy for her birthday that you wanted.
While talking to a boy in class, you get in trouble, but he doesn't. He smirks at you.
Your friend is angry, and says mean things that hurt your feelings.
A new kid in class is being picked on - by your friends.

Sing Be careful little eyes, Fruit of the Spirit (click for song lyrics and tunes)

Games by Loree Brown

Chill Out! a game for learning anger management contributed by Loree Brown
Power to Choose - a game for learning anger management and self-control by Loree Brown
Cope! a game to review choosing positive responses to negative feelings by Loree Brown
Self-Control Lesson and Game - teach positive responses to negative situations by Loree Brown

True or False

It is wrong to ever feel anger. F (even Jesus was angry at times)
It is wrong to hold a grudge against someone. T
We can control our attitudes towards others. T
I can hate someone, as long as no one knows. F (God knows)
Jealousy is to be mad that someone has what I want. T (also called envy)

Discussion: Ways to keep anger in check: (try to get students to list some themselves)

count to ten
think about nice things the person has done for you
think how Jesus would handle the situation
walk away - don't stomp off - just cool off, avoid a bully or argument
talk to a friend about it - asking them to help you calm down
practice a memory verse or books of the Bible to take your mind off it
offer to help the person you're upset with
sing a song
think of all they reasons they might have upset/hurt you accidentally (benefit of doubt)
PRAY

What is the meaning of love? Is it just a warm, fuzzy feeling? No. The word love is a verb. It means to do something; to put someone else first. It means doing things for others instead of yourself. It means giving others the benefit of the doubt, putting yourself in their shoes, and forgiving them - even if they don't "deserve" it. It means being nice to people who have hurt you, as well as those that love you. Paul describes what love does:

1 Cor. 13:4-8a Charity suffers long, and is kind; charity envies not; charity vaunts not itself, is not puffed up, Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeks not her own, is not easily provoked, thinks no evil; Rejoices not in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; Bears all things, believeth all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Charity never fails: ...