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We start a new series: Kingdom Character… 31 Days of Living the Sermon on the Mount. In this article: the introduction
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The Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5–7) is the longest continuous teaching of Jesus recorded in the Gospels. It is not a collection of random sayings but a carefully woven tapestry describing life in the Kingdom of God. Jesus begins with blessings that turn the world upside down, moves through teachings that pierce the heart deeper than the Law, teaches us to pray and live with single-hearted devotion, and ends with a call to decision: Will we build our lives on the Rock of His words or on the sand of self-rule?
For centuries, these chapters have been called the greatest sermon ever preached. They have inspired saints, reformers, and ordinary believers to live lives marked by humility, purity, love, and courage. They are not rules to keep by sheer effort, nor lofty ideals to admire from a distance. They are an invitation to transformation. Jesus describes not what we must achieve, but who we become when His Spirit dwells within us.
In shaping this book, I have drawn insight from both traditional biblical study and voices who have emphasized the practical, inner transformation these chapters bring. Their wisdom underscores what we already see in Jesus: that Kingdom life begins in the heart and overflows into every corner of daily living.
This devotional is designed to walk you through the Sermon on the Mount in 31 days. Each day will lead you to a single passage, a reflection rooted in Jesus’ teaching, and an application for your life. It is my prayer that as you journey through these pages, you will not only understand Jesus’ sermon more deeply but also live it more fully—as a citizen of His Kingdom, shaped by His Spirit, and transformed into His likeness.
How to Use This Book
This 31-day devotional is designed for both personal reflection and group study. Each day follows the same rhythm:
Scripture: A verse or short passage from Matthew 5–7 (World English Bible translation).
Reflection: A short meditation (around 200 words) that explores the meaning of the text and its relevance for life in the Kingdom of God.
Prayer: A guided prayer to bring the theme before God.
Practice for Today: A concrete action to help you embody the teaching.
Journaling Prompt: A question or reflection to guide your writing or inner processing.
Closing Blessing: A spoken command of encouragement, echoing the biblical style of imperatives such as “Be strong and courageous.”
Pray as You Go: A brief breath prayer you can carry throughout the day.
Here are a few ways you might engage this devotional:
Daily rhythm: Read each day’s devotion in the morning. Pray, reflect, and carry the breath prayer with you. In the evening, return to the journaling prompt.
Group setting: Use each day’s Scripture, reflection, and journaling prompt as discussion starters.
Extended study: Read the entire Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5–7) each week while working through the devotions. This will help you see the larger flow of Jesus’ teaching.
Above all, remember: these devotions are not about doing more but about being transformed. The Kingdom life Jesus describes is not achieved by human striving but received through the Spirit. As you walk through these 31 days, invite Him to reshape your desires, renew your vision, and anchor your life in Christ, the Rock who never fails.