Golden Rule, Gates, and Trees

Reading Matthew 5-7 in sections often leads to thinking of the various PARTS of the sermon as sound bites rather than seeing it within the context of the WHOLE. Jesus used language and rhetoric in a masterful way to lead his listeners into a fresh revelation of the nature and character of God the Father. The reality is, the Sermon on the Mount is less about how we are supposed to behave as Christians and FAR MORE about who God is!

This week we look at the passage Jesus teaching of the Golden Rule, the narrow and broad gates, as well as the teaching about Good and Bad trees and their fruit.

• What does the Golden Rule teach us about God's law and nature?

• What is the Narrow Gate? Why is the way narrow and difficult?

• What is the broad road leading to destruction? What does Jesus mean by "destruction"?

• What do the two trees (good tree and bad tree) represent?

• Who is being chopped down?