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In the ancient world, what key structure made a group of houses into a city? What purpose did it serve? In Genesis 10:8-10 Genesis 10:8-10 Loading... Keep Reading , we see a city builder named Cush conquering people and building cities. For him, what were cities all about? In Genesis 11:1-4 Genesis 11:1-4 Loading... Keep Reading , we see another major city project underway. Why were these people constructing a city? How is the purpose of God’s garden in Eden similar to or different from the purpose of cities operating with the logic of Cain’s city? We might think that God plans to do away with cities altogether, but there’s a twist. What is the surprise of the biblical story as it relates to cities? Why is this significant? Read Matthew 5:1-16 Matthew 5:1-16 The Sermon on the Mount; The Beatitudes

1When Jesus saw the crowds, He went up on the mountain; and after He sat down, His disciples came to Him. 2He opened His mouth and began to teach them, saying,

3“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

4“Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.

5“Blessed are the gentle, for they shall inherit the earth.

6“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.

7“Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.

8“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.

9“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.

10“Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

11“Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. 12Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great; for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

Disciples and the World

13“You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt has become tasteless, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled under foot by men.

14“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; 15nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. 16Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.

Keep Reading . Although Jesus does not focus on cities in this passage, he does describe the ethics of God's Kingdom, and he compares his followers to a city on a hill. How is the mindset in Jesus' “city” different from the mindset in Cain's city and/or Babylon? Take time to discuss other themes, questions, or key takeaways from what you learned about the biblical theme of the city.