Red-Letter Teachings

Thesis

The “red-letter” teachings are the words of Jesus himself—recorded in the Gospels in red letters in many Bibles. These teachings are our foundation. We focus on what Jesus actually said, not on later interpretations, traditions, or doctrines. This page organizes key teachings by theme to help you find guidance on specific topics.

Why Red-Letter Focus Matters

Our movement is built on Jesus’ words, not on what others have said about him. The red letters are our source of authority and our guide for action. Every teaching here connects directly to practical action in our lives, communities, and political engagement.

“Everyone therefore who hears these words of mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man, who built his house on a rock.” - Matthew 7:24

Key Teachings by Theme

Compassion and Care for the Poor

Core Teaching:

“For I was hungry, and you gave me food to eat. I was thirsty, and you gave me drink. I was a stranger, and you took me in. I was naked, and you clothed me. I was sick, and you visited me. I was in prison, and you came to me… Most certainly I tell you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.” - Matthew 25:35-40

What Jesus Teaches:

Serving the poor, sick, and imprisoned is serving Jesus himself
Care for the marginalized is not optional—it’s central to following Jesus
Our actions toward the “least of these” reveal our faith

Action Steps:

See Serve the Poor for practical guides
See Matthew 25 for detailed exploration
Visit the sick and imprisoned
Provide food, water, and clothing to those in need
Welcome strangers and immigrants

See Also: Serve the Poor, Matthew 25, Policy

Materialism and Wealth

Core Teaching:

“Don’t lay up treasures for yourselves on the earth, where moth and rust consume, and where thieves break through and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven… For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also… No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other; or else he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You can’t serve both God and Mammon.” - Matthew 6:19-24

What Jesus Teaches:

Wealth accumulation is incompatible with serving God
Our treasure reveals our heart
We cannot serve both God and money
Trust God for our needs, don’t be anxious about material things

Action Steps:

See Reject Materialism for practical guides
See Jesus on Wealth for detailed exploration
Live simply and generously
Reject wealth accumulation as a life goal
Trust God for your needs
Use resources to serve others

See Also: Reject Materialism, Jesus on Wealth, Action

Forgiveness and Debt

Core Teaching:

“Forgive us our debts, as we also forgive our debtors.” - Matthew 6:12

“The servant therefore fell down and knelt before him, saying, ‘Lord, have patience with me, and I will repay you all!’ The lord of that servant, being moved with compassion, released him, and forgave him the debt. But that servant went out, and found one of his fellow servants, who owed him one hundred denarii, and he grabbed him, and took him by the throat, saying, ‘Pay back what you owe!’… Shouldn’t you also have had mercy on your fellow servant, even as I had mercy on you?” - Matthew 18:26-33

What Jesus Teaches:

We are called to forgive debts as we have been forgiven
Debt forgiveness is not metaphorical—it’s a practical call to economic justice
Unforgiveness reveals a lack of understanding of God’s mercy

Action Steps:

See Forgive Debts for practical guides
See Jesus on Forgiveness for detailed exploration
Forgive personal debts when possible
Support debt relief programs
Work for economic structures that reduce exploitation
Advocate for policies that address predatory lending

Power and Service

Core Teaching:

“You know that the rulers of the nations lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. It shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you shall be your servant. Whoever desires to be first among you shall be your bondservant, even as the Son of Man came not to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” - Matthew 20:25-28

What Jesus Teaches:

Leadership means service, not domination
The greatest are those who serve
Power is to be used for others, not for self
Authority comes through service, not coercion

Action Steps:

See Political Engagement for practical guides
See Jesus and Power for detailed exploration
Use power and influence to serve others
Reject leadership that dominates
Practice servant leadership in all areas
Support leaders who serve rather than dominate

See Also: Political Engagement, Community, Policy

Justice and Mercy

Core Teaching:

“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint, dill, and cumin, and have left undone the weightier matters of the law: justice, mercy, and faith. But you ought to have done these, and not to have left the other undone.” - Matthew 23:23

What Jesus Teaches:

Justice and mercy are the weightier matters
External religious practice without justice and mercy is empty
We must prioritize justice and mercy in all we do

Action Steps:

See Policy for how to work for justice
See Practice Mercy for daily practices
Prioritize justice and mercy in your actions
Work for justice in your community
Show mercy to those who need it
Advocate for policies that promote justice

See Also: Policy, Practice Mercy, Action

Love of Enemies

Core Teaching:

“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who mistreat you and persecute you, that you may be children of your Father who is in heaven.” - Matthew 5:43-45

What Jesus Teaches:

We are called to love our enemies, not just our neighbors
Love means action—blessing, doing good, praying
This is how we become children of God
This applies to personal enemies and political enemies

Action Steps:

See Practice Mercy for practical guides
See The Sermon on the Mount for the full context
Pray for those who oppose you
Do good to those who hate you
Refuse to participate in “us vs. them” thinking
Build bridges with those you disagree with

The Kingdom of God

Core Teaching:

“The time is fulfilled, and the Kingdom of God is at hand! Repent, and believe in the Good News.” - Mark 1:15

“But seek first God’s Kingdom, and his righteousness; and all these things will be given to you as well.” - Matthew 6:33

What Jesus Teaches:

The Kingdom of God is here and coming
We are to seek the Kingdom first
The Kingdom is about God’s will being done on earth
It’s not just about the afterlife—it’s about transformation now

Action Steps:

See Action for how to live out the Kingdom
See Community for building Kingdom community
Seek God’s Kingdom in all you do
Work for God’s will to be done on earth
Build structures that reflect Kingdom values
Join with others seeking the Kingdom

See Also: Action, Community, Policy

How to Study Red-Letter Teachings

Read the Gospels - Read Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John regularly
Focus on Jesus’ words - Pay special attention to what Jesus says
Look for themes - Notice recurring themes and patterns
Connect to action - Every teaching connects to practical action
Study in community - Discuss with others who are trying to live these teachings

Practical Application

Daily Practice

Read a passage from the Gospels each day
Focus on Jesus’ words (the red letters)
Ask: What is Jesus teaching here?
Ask: How does this apply to my life?
Ask: What action does this call me to?

Weekly Practice

Study one theme in depth
Find all the red-letter teachings on that theme
Connect them to practical action
Share what you’re learning with others

Monthly Practice

Read through one Gospel completely
Focus on the red-letter teachings
Create action plans based on what you read
Join a study group or community

Connection to Action

Every red-letter teaching connects to practical action:

Compassion for the Poor → Serve the Poor
Materialism and Wealth → Reject Materialism
Forgiveness and Debt → Forgive Debts
Power and Service → Political Engagement
Justice and Mercy → Policy, Practice Mercy
Love of Enemies → Practice Mercy, Political Engagement
The Kingdom → All action pages