1. What is the one key idea of this chapter. pay attention to the title of the chapter!
"For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God" Romans 8:14. This quote basically sumarizes the key theme of this chapter which is called to be like Christ. Matthew in his Gospel to his Jewish-Christian audience, presents Jesus as a teacher and introduces many guidlines Jesus gives us. We are introduced to Jesus' geneology and his relationship with Abraham and David. It was also important to recognize that Matthew's central calue was their journey with God. This is what Jesus calls us to do in Matthew's Gospel, bring God into our lives so that we can experience the Kingdom of God. In Matthew's Gospel we see Jesus tempted in the desert which reminds Matthew's audience of the time when their ancestors were in the desert. Jesus also introduces his values in the famous scene, "The Sermon on the Mount." Here is where the Beatitudes are taught and his message to all of his disciples. So we see the key theme of this chapter is called to be like Jesus and Jesus introduces this to us through his actions and the Beatitudes.
2. Write about two major ideas you want to remember. Write a short paragraph on each clearly stating the idea and then telling why you want to remember it.
Ohe major idea that I would like to remember is the historical interpretation of Matthew's Gospel including his audience and background. We are told that Matthew's audience consists of Jewish-Christians. In order to present Jesus' teachings correctly so his audience would better understand, Matthew begins his Gospel with the geneology of Christ showing the relationship with Abraham and David. Matthew then goes on showing how Jesus was the fulfillment of the covenant that Yahweh made with their ancestors and that Jesus was the Messiah. The blending of insites of the Old Testament had a particular connection with the Jewish Christians. Especially during this time when they we being excommunicated for not assisting in the war with the Romans. I want to remember this idea because it helps me understand the situations and scenes Matthew uses in his Gospel of Jesus.
Another main idea that I would like to remember is the theological interpretation of Matthew's Gospel. As we explore the temptation narrative, we are introduced to the blending of sin and the devil into ordinary life. This narrative showing the stregth of Jesus as he denied the devil's temptations, stregthens the hearts and the minds of the Jewish Christians on their constant fight against temptation and sin. This narrative would also have reminded Matthew's audience of the time when their ancestors had been in the desert. We see God's power in this narrative and the struggle between good and evil. The values of Jesus can also be strongly seen at the Sermon on the Mount. This location is where Jesus introduces the Beatitudes and God's true loving message to all of the world. I would like to remember this because it helps me find the deeper message of the Gospel, what Jesus wants the world to do and what he wants wants me individually to do.
3. One image that captures the chapter for you.
4. One significant question you have from this chapter. It can be intellectual or personal.
It seems as though the Beatitudes were written to apply to peolple that lived 2,000 years ago; how do we interpret them to apply to us today, in the year 2006?
5. Nominate an organization that is living the Gospel in today's world. Provide a link and tell how the organization lives the Gospel.
My parents began a charity about 5 years ago after my mother lost her best friend, Missy Toigo, to melanoma skin cancer. My parents and Missy's family was going through a terribly rough time. My mother, the founder of Melanoma Hope Network, decided to create a charity helping those with skin cancer find doctors, trials, and help for their cancer. Each year the Melanoma Hope Network hosts a trivia night fundraiser and golf tournament fundraiser in order to better improve the ways they can help skin cancer patients, their families and doctors with this deadly form of cancer. My parent's accomplishments have traveled on a global level; they have received emails from people in Africa, Asia and Europe. This terrible event of losing a friend has turned into a positive experience that helps others fight skin cancer. I admire the way my mom thought how to make a positive out of a devastationg situation. I believe this charity lives the Gospel each day because they are acting and making a difference in the world much like Jesus would have loved them to do. They are caring for their neighbor and living a life of love, generosity, compassion, and courage everyday.
Remember where sunscreen when you go outside and never go to tanning beds!