The Sermon on the Mount: A Lenten Thursday Study with Amy-Jill Levine

This Lent at Westminster, we are walking with Jesus through the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5–7) — listening closely to his most challenging, hope-filled, and transformative words.

While our Sunday worship will carry us from Ash Wednesday through Palm Sunday along this sacred path, Thursdays offer a deeper invitation: space for conversation, questions, learning, and growth.

Thursday Bible & Book Study

Sermon on the Mount: A Beginner’s Guide to the Kingdom of Heaven

By Amy-Jill Levine

Beginning Thursday, February 26

🕥 10:30 AM & 6:30 PM

On Thursdays, we will journey together through Amy-Jill Levine’s Sermon on the Mount: A Beginner’s Guide to the Kingdom of Heaven.

Sessions will be facilitated by Rev. Dennis Peay and Rev. Libbie Taylor, creating space for thoughtful teaching, open conversation, and meaningful engagement with the text.

Levine’s thoughtful and accessible guide helps us hear Jesus’ teaching in its original Jewish context — inviting honest questions, challenging assumptions, and opening the way to fresh insight for both longtime church members and those new to Scripture.

This is not a lecture series. It is an invitation into meaningful dialogue. A place to wrestle with the text.A place to grow in faith as we ask real questions of Jesus’ most famous sermon.

Books are available from the church office for $18.

Study Schedule

Our sessions will follow this rhythm:

Session	Date	Chapter	Scripture
1	February 26	The Beatitudes	Matthew 4:23–5:12
2	March 5	The Extensions	Matthew 5:17–20
3	March 12	Practicing Piety	Matthew 5:13–16; 6:1–8, 16–18
4	March 19	Our Father	Matthew 6:9–15; Deuteronomy 6:4–9
5	March 26	Finding Your Treasure	Matthew 6:19–7:5
6	Holy Week	Living into the Kingdom	Matthew 7:6–27

Why the Sermon on the Mount?

These teachings are not abstract ideals or unreachable commands. They are an invitation into the life of the kingdom of heaven — a way marked by humility, mercy, trust, generosity, courage, and love.

Jesus speaks about anger, reconciliation, prayer, money, worry, judgment, integrity, and obedience. He invites us not simply to admire his words, but to live them.

This Lent, we are asking: What would it mean to actually practice the way of Jesus?

Whether you are new to Scripture or have studied it for decades, this series offers space to deepen your faith and expand your understanding of the kingdom Jesus proclaims.

Come for shared learning. Come for an honest conversation. Come ready to grow.

Learn More from Amy-Jill Levine

Watch this short introduction from Dr. Levine about the Sermon on the Mount:

If you have questions or would like to reserve a book, contact the church office. We would love for you to join us this Lent as we learn the way of the Kingdom together.