Superbook

Lesson:

Jesus teaches us how to live as followers of Christ.

Extras

• Character Profiles

  • Jesus (Sermon on the Mount)

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    Jesus (Sermon on the Mount)

    

    Jesus taught what it meant to live as His follower in the Sermon on the Mount. After this sermon, a Roman centurion pleaded with Jesus to heal his young servant. Jesus was amazed by the officer's faith and spoke healing to the servant. The young man was healed that very hour!

    • Bible References

      • Matthew 5:3

  • Matthew

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    Matthew

    

    Matthew was a tax collector whom Jesus called to be a follower. Matthew immediately left His work and hosted a banquet at his home for Jesus and invited many of his tax collector friends. Matthew became one of the twelve apostles. Matthew was sad like the other apostles when they could not cast an evil spirit out and Jesus said they lacked faith. However, as Jesus sent His disciples out, Matthew 's faith is strengthened when he and Andrew pray for a leper who is then healed! All of the disciples rejoice at their success when they return to Jesus.

    • Bible References

      • Matthew 9:9
      • Matthew 4:18-22
      • Matthew 9:9-13
      • Luke 5:27-32
      • Mark 2:14
      • Mark 2:13-17
      • Matthew 10:3

  • Centurion

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    Centurion

    

    The Roman centurion cared for his young servant who was paralyzed and in great pain. He knew Jesus had the power to heal him if He would only speak the Word. Jesus was amazed at the centurion's faith and told His followers that He had not seen such great faith in all of Israel! Because the centurion believed, the servant was healed that very hour!

    • Bible References

      • Matthew 8:10

  • Judas, Son of James

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    Judas, Son of James

    

    Judas, son of James, was one of Jesus’ twelve disciples that were with Him when He delivered the Sermon on the Mount. Judas, along with the other disciples, sat on the mountainside with Jesus as He preached the Sermon on the Mount. That day, the disciples learned what it truly meant to follow Jesus and be His disciple. Judas also witnessed how Jesus spoke a Word to heal the Roman centurion’s servant while commending him for his great faith. Judas, son of James, in not to be confused with Judas Iscariot, who betrayed Jesus.

    • Bible References

      • Matthew 5:1
      • Luke 6:16
      • Matthew 10:3
      • Mark 3:18
      • John 14:22
      • Acts 1:13

  • Peter

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    Peter

    

    Peter was one of Jesus’ twelve disciples. Peter was a fisherman on the Sea of Galilee. When Jesus called Peter to follow Him, Peter's life took a completely different direction. He became a “fisher-of-men." Peter was the disciple who climbed out of the boat to walk to Jesus, and he was also the first disciple to recognize Jesus as the Messiah. Peter later became the leader of the emerging church.

    • Bible References

      • Matthew 16:18
      • Matthew 16:17
      • John 1:42
      • Mark 1:21
      • John 1:44
      • Matthew 16:17-19
      • Mark 1:29-31
      • Matthew 8:14-15
      • 1 Corinthians 9:5
      • Luke 5:10
      • Matthew 4:18-20
      • Mark 3:14-16
      • Mark 1:36
      • Luke 22:32
      • Matthew 14:28
      • Matthew 18:21
      • Matthew 16:13-17
      • John 18:10
      • Luke 22:31-34
      • John 21
      • Acts 2:14-41
      • Acts 3:12-26
      • Acts 3:1-11
      • Acts 5:12-16
      • Acts 12:6-19
      • Acts 10
      • Acts 15
      • Galatians 2
      • 1 Peter 1
      • 2 Peter 1

  • James

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    James

    

    James most likely would have been with the other disciples in Jerusalem when they questioned Peter about entering Cornelius' home. James was the son of Zebedee, and older brother to John. Jesus came to James and John and told them to follow Him and be fishers of people! James and his brother John were one of Jesus' twelve apostles. They were nicknamed the "Sons of Thunder" by Jesus. James, John, and Peter were called Jesus' inner circle and were the closest to Jesus of all the apostles. James was the first apostle to die as a martyr when he was killed by King Herod Agrippa in A.D. 44.

    • Bible References

      • Matthew 4:21
      • Matthew 10:2
      • Mark 3:17
      • Acts 1:4-14
      • Matthew 4:18-22
      • Luke 9:51-56
      • Mark 9:2
      • Mark 5:37
      • Luke 8:51
      • Mark 14:33
      • Matthew 26:37
      • Mark 10:37-38
      • Acts 1:4-14
      • Acts 12:1-2

  • John (Young)

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    John (Young)

    

    Before Jesus called him to be a disciple, he was a fisherman (Matthew 4:18-22, Mark 1:16-20). John’s relationship with Jesus was so close that he was called “the disciple Jesus loved.” John wrote the Gospel of John, 1 John, 2 John, 3 John, and Revelation.

    • Bible References

      • John 13:34-35
      • Matthew 4:18-22
      • Mark 1:16-20
      • Mark 5:37
      • Luke 9:28-29
      • Mark 3:17
      • John 19:26-27
      • John 20:31
      • Revelation 1:9-11

• Adventure Guide

  • 

    Gizmo's Bible Adventures - Your New Journey with God

  • 

    The Sermon on the Mount - Family Discussion Guide

• Q & A

  • Now, that I have made the decision to follow Christ, how should I live?

    Soon after Jesus chose His disciples, He sat down on a mountainside to teach them like He had not done before. As crowds gathered, Jesus revealed what it really meant to follow Him. He spared no words as He spoke about many things; from being blessed to being persecuted for believing in Him.
    
    They learned about God’s Kingdom; how to endure, love, be a light, pray, give, and trust God--plus so much more. (Matthew 5-7).
    
    Jesus concluded His sermon in Matthew 7:24 by talking about not only hearing but doing all He said. “Anyone who listens to My teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock.” Jesus laid a solid foundation for His follows to live as He lived on the earth. That foundation still stands strong for us to begin building on today.
    
    In Jesus' day, the crowds continued to multiply as word got out about His teaching and the miracles He performed. Many times the Bible records when Jesus took His hand-picked disciples aside to spend time with them. In these times he opened up their understanding of something He had done or spoken, like a parable, or kingdom concept. (Mark 6:31; 3:7, 20; Luke 18:31; Mathew 17:1).
    
    Today’s life is busy; very busy. But, just as in Bible times, Jesus desires to spend time with His followers—US! It is important for us to take time to be alone with Jesus to listen to His gentle voice and to read His Words. He will give direction and insight that we desperately need to live as He did on Earth. 1 John 2:5-6 says: “But those who obey God’s word truly show how completely they love Him. That is how we know we are living in Him. Those who say they live in God should live their lives as Jesus did.”
    
    
    Discover God's love and plan for you

    • Matthew 5:1

  • Is it possible to live like Christ by my own strength?

    In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus laid out what it meant to live life as He did. Jesus never committed sin while on the earth; He followed God’s Word perfectly. And, that is the standard for us. In Matthew 5:48. Jesus said, “Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.”
    
    Well, how can we do that? We can’t—the Bible says that there is none who is perfect or righteous—not even one! (Romans 3:10). Uh-oh; that’s not good; is it hopeless for us? Yes, it is—on our own. Jesus tells us very clearly in John 15:5 that without Him we can do nothing. However, in that same verse, He says if we remain attached to Him, we can produce much fruit! In other words, we can do the things that please God. When Jesus left the world to return to heaven, He sent us a Helper—the Holy Spirit, so that we could live victoriously in this world. He is our teacher and helper. John 14:16 says, “But when the Father sends the Advocate as My representative—that is, the Holy Spirit—He will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I have told you.” Isn’t that amazing? God helps us to live as Christ lived!
    
    The Holy Spirit will also help us to pray as Jesus did; unselfishly and according to God’s will. When we don’t know how or what to pray, He will help us! (Romans 8:26).
    Remember, Jesus said that attached to Him we will produce good fruit. Galatians 5:22-25 tells us that the Holy Spirit produces God’s fruit inside us! “But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things! Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to His cross and crucified them there. Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives.”
    
    Wow; that is a lot of help he is providing, right? It is essential that we follow the Holy Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives to live like Christ. Is that easy? No it isn’t; we will make mistakes and we will fail at times. But, God has provided forgiveness and support for that too! (1 John 1:9; 2:1). He will restore us, so we can continue on our journey with Christ.
    
    Zechariah 4:10 tells us to not despise small beginnings. God rejoices to see us begin our new walk with Jesus. He knows that following Christ is a process and it takes time as we grow and learn. God wants us to be successful, and He has given us His Spirit to overcome the world! (1 John 4:4).
    
    
    Discover God's love and plan for you

    • Romans 3:10

  • As a follower of Christ in this world, what should I seek after?

    In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus said: “Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be. (Matthew 6:20-21). Well, what exactly does this mean to us?
    
    Have you heard the old phrase, “You can’t take it with you”? This refers to the fact that we all leave “empty handed” when our time is done on this earth. We cannot take our possessions with us. Job said basically the same thing in Job 1:21: "I came naked from my mother's womb, and I will be naked when I leave.” How sad and tragic for a person whose focus is solely on accumulating as much as possible in this world and not the things of God that will last. Jesus wants us to set the right priorities and concentrate on God’s things to make them our treasure.
    
    Paul talked about working toward an eternal reward in Colossians 3:23–24. “Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. Remember that the Lord will give you an inheritance as your reward, and that the Master you are serving is Christ.” Eternal rewards are talked about in many Bible passages. (Matthew 10:41; 2 Timothy 4:8; Revelation 22:12; Matthew 10:42; Hebrews 6:10; 1 Corinthians 3:8).
    
    In Luke 12:15, Jesus warned: "Beware! Guard against every kind of greed. Life is not measured by how much you own." It isn’t about who has the most “stuff”; it’s about the spiritually rich life that we can live in God’s kingdom now and in the future.
    
    In Colossians 3:1-4, Paul told us what to focus on as we follow Christ: “Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand. Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth. For you died to this life, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God. And when Christ, who is your life, is revealed to the whole world, you will share in all His glory.” Now, that is a reward worth waiting for! In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus told us that when we seek God first, we will have all that we need. “Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and He will give you everything you need.” (Matthew 6:33). In the book of Psalms, David instructed us to set our heart on God. “Take delight in the LORD, and He will give you your heart's desires.” When we make God our treasure, His desires will be our desires and we will have all that we need in abundance— in this life, and forever in heaven. (Psalm 37:4).
    
    
    Discover God's love and plan for you

    • Matthew 6:20

  • How can I trust that God will provide what I need?

    Jesus taught us in Sermon on the Mount that God doesn’t want us to worry about the things we need in this life. Instead, He wants us to trust Him. In Matthew 6:8, Jesus said, “Don't be like them, for your Father knows exactly what you need even before you ask Him! Unlike others who don’t know God, we can take comfort in knowing that He knows us inside and out and is aware of all that we need. Think of that… even before we ask.
    God’s knows our needs, but He wants us to come to Him as a child to His father out of love, trust, and dependence. In the Lord’s Prayer, Jesus taught us to pray, “Give us this day our daily bread.” (Matthew 6:11). That means all we need for that day; emotionally, physically, and spiritually. God wants us to trust that He is our source in all cases—every day.
    
    David said in Psalm 38:9: “You know what I long for, Lord; you hear my every sigh.” God has not changed, He hears even our sighs and thoughts.
    Jesus taught us more about this in Matthew 6:25-34: “That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn’t life more than food, and your body more than clothing? Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to Him than they are? Can all your worries add a single moment to your life? And why worry about your clothing? Look at the lilies of the field and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, He will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith?
    
    “So, don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God, above all else, and live righteously, and He will give you everything you need.” “So, don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.”
    
    God does not want us to be consumed with worry; instead, He wants us to concentrate on His things; His will, plan, and purpose. If we do these things, His promise to us is that He will provide! One of God’s many names is Jehovah-Jireh. It means, “The Lord Will Provide.” (Genesis 22:14). This is what Abraham called God when He provided the ram for him to sacrifice instead of his son, Isaac. God knew exactly where Abraham was, and what he needed at the exact time. (Genesis 22:1-19).
    
    God loves us so much that He provided forgiveness and reconciliation to Himself through Jesus’ death on the cross. (Romans 4:25). If He was willing to do that; won’t He provide for every other need we have? David declared in Psalm 84:11, “For the LORD God is our sun and our shield. He gives us grace and glory. The LORD will withhold no good thing from those who do what is right.”
    
    
    Discover God's love and plan for you

    • Matthew 6:8

  • Does it matter what my motive is for doing a good deed?

    Good deeds are important, but all good deeds are not the same. They must be done for the right reasons. It is important for God to receive the attention and praise—not us.
    
    In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus said in Matthew 6:1-2: "Watch out! Don't do your good deeds publicly, to be admired by others, for you will lose the reward from your Father in heaven. When you give to someone in need, don't do as the hypocrites do--blowing trumpets in the synagogues and streets to call attention to their acts of charity! I tell you the truth, they have received all the reward they will ever get.” If applause is what we want, it will quickly fade away.
    
    On the other hand, If we do good deeds with a humble heart to bring praise to God, these rewards last forever! Jesus said in Matthew 5:16: “Let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father. Did you notice that the spotlight must be on God—not on us. In Matthew 23, Jesus talked about the hypocrisy of the Pharisees. In verse 5 He said, “Everything they do is for show.”
    
    Motive matters to God. Why are we doing what we do? He studies our hearts to see what motivates us. Proverbs 16:2 says: “People may be pure in their own eyes, but the LORD examines their motives.” May all that we do be for His glory and not ours!
    
    
    Discover God's love and plan for you

    • Matthew 6:1