JesusWalk® Publications

The Sermon on the Mount:
Jesus' Manifesto for Disciples

An 184-page book by Dr. Ralph F. Wilson


Book front cover | back cover

Manifesto: "a written statement declaring publicly the intentions, motives, or views of its issuer."

The Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7) is Jesus' most definitive statement of the principles of Kingdom living.

In this study we'll seek to understand Jesus' radical teaching within its context of first century Judaism – then translate the principles into our own lives today. If we can understand what Jesus meant and absorb that into our spirit, we can grow to become the kind of disciples that make Him proud.

The Sermon on the Mount provides an ethical and philosophical framework that can help us order our lives as Christ followers. But organized religion has domesticated Jesus and watered down his message, providing a low-dose familiarity that can make us immune to Jesus' full-strength teaching. Here we allow Jesus' uncompromising message to both shame us and enflame us to become part of a Christ-committed counter-culture to challenge the present world order.

This examination of Jesus' manifesto in the Sermon on the Mount, with its provocative discussion questions, provides an excellent 13-lesson study for personal enrichment, for use by small groups and classes, and for sermon preparation by teachers and preachers.

Brief Table of Contents

  Preface
  Introduction
I. Kingdom Citizens (5:1-16)
  1. Paradoxical People: the Beatitudes (5:1-13)
     What Is the Kingdom of Heaven that Jesus Proclaims? (Excursus 1)
  2. Witnessing People: Living as Salt and Light in the World (5:13-16)
      The Religion of the Pharisees (Excursus 2)
II. The Kingdom and the Spirit of the Law (5:17-48)
  3. The Spirit of the Law and Reconciliation  (5:17-26)
      Did Jesus Believe in Hell? (Excursus 3)
  4. Adultery, Lust, and the Spirit of Marriage (5:27-30)
  5. Divorce and the Spirit of Marriage (5:27-32 with 19:1-12)
     Loving Your Enemies Case Study: Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. (Excursus 5)
  6. The Spirit of Truthfulness and Love (5:33-48)
III. Piety in the Kingdom (6:1-18)
  7. Giving, Prayer, and Fasting (6:1-8, 16-18)
     Verses on How God Looks at the Poor (Excursus 6)
  8. The Lord's Prayer (6:9-15)
IV. Materialism and the Kingdom (6:19-34)
  9. Temptation to Idolatry (6:19-24)
  10. Temptation to Worry (6:25-34)
V. Discernment in the Kingdom (7:1-29)
  11. Judging Self and Others (7:1-6)
  12. Asking in Faith (7:7-12)
  13. Discerning the True Way (7:13-29)
Appendices
  Appendix 1. Question Handouts for Group Participants (may be duplicated at no extra charge)
  Appendix 2. Songs and Hymns Based on the Sermon on the Mount and Related Themes
  Appendix 3. Inductive Bible Study Questions for the Sermon on the Mount (downloaded separately in PDF format)
  Appendix 4. Readers Theater Scripts for the Sermon on the Mount (downloaded separately in PDF format)

You can purchase this book either as an e-book or a printed book.

  Sermon on the Mount: The Jesus Manifesto, by Ralph F. WilsonPaperback format, $15.95, must be ordered through Amazon.com.  The paperback book has 184 pages and is 7.5" x 9.25". ISBN: 979-8864001110. ASIN: B0CKVQQDTD

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Copyright © 2025, Ralph F. Wilson. <pastor@joyfulheart.com> All rights reserved. A single copy of this article is free. Do not put this on a website. See legal, copyright, and reprint information.

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Jesus' Parables for Disciples, by Dr. Ralph F. Wilson
Discipleship for New Believers


In-depth Bible study books

You can purchase one of Dr. Wilson's complete Bible studies in PDF, Kindle, or paperback format -- currently 48 books in the JesusWalk Bible Study Series.

Old Testament

  1. Abraham, Faith of
  2. Jacob, Life of
  3. Moses the Reluctant Leader
  4. Joshua
  5. Gideon
  6. David, Life of
  7. Elijah
  8. Psalms
  9. Solomon
  10. Songs of Ascent (Psalms 120-134)
  11. Isaiah
  12. 28 Advent Scriptures (Messianic)
  13. Daniel
  14. Rebuild & Renew: Post-Exilic Books

Gospels

  1. Christmas Incarnation (Mt, Lk)
  2. Sermon on the Mount (Mt 5-7)
  3. Luke's Gospel
  4. John's Gospel
  5. Seven Last Words of Christ
  6. Parables
  7. Jesus and the Kingdom of God
  8. Resurrection and Easter Faith
  9. Apostle Peter

Acts

  1. Early Church (Acts 1-12)
  2. Apostle Paul (Acts 11-28)

Pauline Epistles

  1. Romans 5-8 (Christ-Powered Life)
  2. 1 Corinthians
  3. 2 Corinthians
  4. Galatians
  5. Ephesians
  6. Philippians
  7. Colossians, Philemon
  8. 1 & 2 Thessalonians
  9. 1 &2 Timothy, Titus

General Epistles

  1. Hebrews
  2. James
  3. 1 & 2 Peter, Jude
  4. 1, 2, and 3 John

Revelation

  1. Revelation
  2. Conquering Lamb of Revelation

Topical

  1. Glorious Kingdom, The
  2. Grace: Favor for the Undeserving
  3. Great Prayers of the Bible
  4. Holy Spirit, Disciple's Guide
  5. Humility
  6. JesusWalk: Beginning the Journey
  7. Lamb of God
  8. Listening for God's Voice
  9. Lord's Supper: Disciple's Guide
  10. Names and Titles of God
  11. Names and Titles of Jesus

Pastor Ralph Wilson's books are available in paperback and Kindle from Amazon.com.
My books are available in paperback and Kindle from Amazon.