043 The Sermon on the Mount - A Bible Story for Children

Matthew 5-7; Luke 6:17-49

These wonderful cures were talked about all over Galilee, and people from Jerusalem and the rest of Judea, from the towns near the seacoast and from faraway Syria, came to listen to Jesus. People with every kind of disease crowded around him, hoping to be cured.

One afternoon, seeing a huge group of people, Jesus climbed to the top of a hill. The apostles sat around as he spoke to the people. He taught them this:

• "Blessed are the poor, for the kingdom of God is theirs.

• "Blessed are those who are sad, for they shall be comforted.

• "Blessed are the gentle, for the whole world shall belong to them.

• "Blessed are those who hunger to see justice done, for they shall be satisfied.

• "Blessed are the kind and good, for kindness and goodness shall be shown to them.

• "Blessed are the pure in hear, for they shall see God.

• "Blessed are those who make peace, for they shall be called the children of God.

• "Blessed are those who suffer for what is right, for the kingdom of heaven is theirs."

In silence everyone listened to Jesus' words. He spoke for a long time. "I have not come to strike down the laws Moses gave to the people of Israel and the words of the great prophets, but to tell you that you must follow all of them and do still more.

"You have been told that if someone hurts you, hurt him in return--an eye for and eye, a tooth for a tooth," Jesus said to the crowd. "But I tell you not to strike back at the man who does wrong to you. If someone hits you on one cheek, turn the other cheek to him. If he takes away your coat, give him your shirt, too.

"You have been taught to love your neighbor and hate your enemy. I tell you to love your enemies as well as your neighbors. Do good to those who hate you; wish good luck to those who wish you bad.

"Pray for those who treat you unfairly. Give something to everyone who asks you. Treat others the way you want them to treat you.

"It is not hard to be good to the people who love you, so do not expect to be rewarded for that.

"Do not count on the treasures you store up on earth, for they will wear out or be stolen by thieves. No, place your faith in good acts that can be stored in heaven. And do not worry about what food you will eat or what clothes you will wear. The birds do not worry about where their food comes from, yet God feeds them. The lilies in the fields do not worry about how they look, but King Solomon in all his glory did not look more splendid. If God feeds the birds and dresses the fields, surely he will take care of every person. Trust him.

"Do not judge other people, saying what they do is wrong, and you will not be judged. Forgive others, and God will forgive you. Give, and much will be given to you. Let there be no limit to your goodness, for God's goodness has no end. And do not make a great fuss over your good acts and call them to everyone's attention. Keep your kindness a secret, and God will see them.

"When you pray, pray quietly, by yourself. God knows what you want even before you ask him, so say a few simple words like this:

• Our Father, who is in heaven, may your name be honored.
• Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth, as it is in heaven.
• Give us this day our daily bread.
• And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
• And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil, for yours is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.

When Jesus finished speaking, the people were amazed. He spoke like a man with true knowledge, not like a teacher who repeated the words of others.

Category: Children's Bible Stories