Bible Study Notes 3/3/2026

WORD ALIVE! BIBLE STUDY ^©2026

Journey To Bethlehem and Beyond – Post Advent / Winter Series

Concord Baptist Church of Boston in Milton – Conley Hughes, Jr., Senior Pastor

Quiet Time: Max Lucado, Because of Bethlehem: Love Is Born, Hope Is Here, 2020

Lesson 11

 3 March 2026

Matthew 5:13-26, NLT:

In Lesson 10, we began looking at the Beatitudes of Jesus. These are a group of ethical teachings for which blessings are the consequence of living by their precepts. We continue in Lesson 11, with clusters of saying, in which Jesus gives “strong ethical commands and their consequences. Jesus is more concerned that we build our lives on the foundation of spiritual and moral principles He gives us. These strong teachings also are the reactions of Jesus to the errant misapplication of Scriptures by some religious leaders during His era!

Verses & Explanations for Matthew 5:13-26, NLT

Observe     Interpret     Apply

(Verses 13-15) — Being an effective disciple:

¹³ “You are the salt of the earth. But what good is salt if it has lost its flavor? Can you make it salty again? It will be thrown out and trampled underfoot as worthless.  ¹⁴ You are the light of the world – like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. ¹⁵ No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house.

(Verse 16) — Being genuine and present as a disciple:

¹⁶ In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.

(Verse 17) — Jesus reveals the purpose of Scripture:

¹⁷ Don’t misunderstand why I have come. I did not come to abolish the law of Moses or the writings of the prophets. No, I came to accomplish their purpose.

(Verses 18-19) — Every detail of Scripture, necessary:

¹⁸ I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not even the smallest detail of God’s law will disappear until its purpose is achieved. ¹⁹ So if you ignore the least commandment and teach others to do the same, you will be called the least in the Kingdom of Heaven. But anyone who obeys God’s laws and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of Heaven.

(Verse 20) — A Righteous life is better than one of rituals:

²⁰ But I warn you – unless your righteousness is better than the righteousness of the teachers of religious law and the pharisees, you will never enter the Kingdom of Heaven! 

(Verses 21-22) — Sin begins with the intent of the heart:

²¹ You have heard that our ancestors were told, ‘You must not murder! If you commit murder, you are subject to judgment. ²² But I say, if you are even angry with someone, you are subject to judgment if you call someone an idiot, you are in danger of being brought before the court. And if you curse someone, you are in danger of the fires of hell.

(Verses 23-24) — Reconciliation within avoids outward displays of anger and sinful behavior:

²³ So if you are presenting a sacrifice at the altar in the Temple and you suddenly remember that someone has something against you, ²⁴ leave your sacrifice there at the altar. Go and be reconciled to that person. Then come and offer your sacrifice to God.

(Verses 25-26) — Settle disputes with others quickly:

²⁵ When you are on the way to court with your adversary, settle your differences quickly. ^25b Otherwise your accuser may hand you over to the judge, who will hand you over to an officer and you will be thrown in prison. ²⁶ And if that happens, you surely won’t be free again until you have paid the last penny.”

The Key Idea:

What We Believe!    

1.                        “Your word is a lamp to my feet  and a light to my path!”— Psalm 119:105