(15–20 minutes, easy setup)
Provide a copy of the Learner Worksheet and a pen for each learner.
Learners will study Matthew 5:17-20 to understand how Jesus affirmed the significance of the Old Testament.
Ask: What purpose do rules serve in our lives? Allow learners to respond, and then draw attention to the ways that rules provide protection and structure in our families and communities. Ask: When we understand the purpose for the rules imposed on us, how does that impact our willingness to follow them? Explain that in today’s passage, Jesus affirmed the importance of the Old Testament. Distribute copies of the Learner Worksheet and pens to learners.
1. Jesus confirmed the validity of the Old Testament (Matthew 5:17-18).
Explain that these verses appear in the Sermon on the Mount, following the Beatitudes and Jesus’ explanation that God’s followers should allow their faith to shine in their lives and bring glory to God. Enlist a volunteer to read Matthew 5:17-18. Create two column headings on the board labeled “LAW” and “PROPHETS.” Ask: What did Jesus mean when He referred to “the Law”? As learners respond, under the “LAW” heading, write the names of the first five books of the Bible (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy). Ask: How were these books significant to the Jewish people? (Possible answers: explained God’s covenant with His people; contained the Ten Commandments; contained all the laws the Jews were to obey; contained instructions for the Tabernacle, the priesthood, and worship; explained the requirements for sacrifices to atone for sin; explained Jewish history; explained how they were to conquer and settle the Promised Land.)
Then, ask: What did Jesus mean when He referred to “the Prophets”? Under the “PROPHETS” column heading, create two subheadings, “Major Prophets” and “Minor Prophets.” As learners call out names of books in the Bible, place them under the correct subheadings. (Major Prophets: Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Daniel; Minor Prophets: Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi.) Lead learners to discuss:
Point out that Jesus confirmed the validity of the Old Testament when He declared His intentions to fulfill every tiny detail written in the Law and the Prophets. Invite learners to complete the first column on the first line on their worksheets with Jesus is the Fulfillment. Encourage learners to work with a partner to complete the second column on the first line of their worksheets. After a couple of minutes, call for responses, making sure to include Jesus is the fulfillment of God’s plan to redeem the world.
2. Jesus confirmed the value of the Old Testament (Matthew 5:19-20).
Enlist a volunteer to read Matthew 5:19. Ask: What two responses to the commandments did Jesus describe? (Either “annulling” or “keeping” the commands.) Ask: What did Jesus mean by “annul”? Invite learners to read this verse from translations other than the NASB to see different explanations. Point out the NIV uses the phrase “sets aside,” the KJV uses the phrase “shall break,” the Message uses the word “trivialize,” and the RSV uses the word “relaxes.” Ask: What happens to the person who “breaks, sets aside, trivializes, or relaxes” God’s Word and leads others to do the same? (They will be called least in the kingdom of heaven.) Ask: In contrast, what happens to the person who practices, keeps, does, takes seriously” the commandments and teaches others to do the same? (They will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.) Ask: At this point in time, how had the Jews responded to the commandments given in the Old Testament? After responses, state that the Jewish religious leaders, such as the Pharisees and Sadducees, had emphasized the importance of keeping the Law as if they were checking off things to do on a divine to-do list, and then proclaiming themselves as righteous when they obeyed God’s commands.
Enlist a volunteer to read Matthew 5:20. Explain that the scribes were responsible for copying and preserving the Old Testament Scriptures and that the Pharisees considered themselves to be experts in the Law. Point out these groups were considered important religious leaders and that the common Jewish people would have looked up to them as such. Ask: Why do you think Jesus’ statement must have shocked those who heard it? After responses, ask: Why is it impossible for us to enter the kingdom of heaven by our own righteousness—by relying on our own ability to obey all of God’s commands? Emphasize that no one other than Jesus has ever been able to fully and completely obey God’s commands. Say: Our failure to obey even one tiny command makes us sinners who deserve God’s judgment. Ask: How is it possible for us to exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees? Point out that this is only possible when we accept that Jesus died to atone for the sins that we have committed and that we can only be considered righteous when we accept Him as our Savior.
Encourage learners to work with a partner to complete the last column on the first line of their worksheets. After a couple of minutes, call for responses, making sure to include I can place my faith in Jesus because He chose to fulfill God’s plan to redeem me.