I want to recommend one particular Bible target to read: The Sermon on the Mount, Book of Matthew chapters 5-7.

My suggestion is to focus on it for a month or more, where you read the whole 3 chapters (@ 18 minutes), re-read them and continue to meditate on them throughout that whole period. I personally chose to hear it being read to me in different Bible versions (i.e: ESV > NLT > The Message…) over days, again and again. Finally, I also encourage watching some of the video resources below to add to your reflections and understanding. 

Think of The Sermon On The Mount as Jesus’ inaugural address in which he is portraying his vision for his kingdom as he kicks off the beginning of his kingdom breaking forth on earth. In essence, Bible teacher Jen Wilkin says, "Jesus is telling his followers exactly what they can expect, both to redirect wrong expectations and to shape a positive vision of the kingdom." In this sermon we see how Jesus views the blessed life, which as seen for an earthly mindset looks more like a cursed life than a blessed one. "It's clear that to be a devoted follower of Christ will mean the very things Jesus indicated in the Sermon: rejection, persecution and the daily renewal of our commitment to follow where He leads" (Jen Wilkin). So let these sermon truths cause you to think anew and differently about what it means to be a follower of Jesus. 

And let this Sermon on the Mount pursuit lead you to ask a bunch of new questions to consider and ponder:

• What is His kingdom like? How is it different than earthly kingdoms?

• What are the values and priorities of those living in this kingdom?

• What are the subjects of this kingdom like? What characterizes how they think, act, react and live? What are the distinguishing character qualities they display?

• How do I position myself before God as I seek to follow this call? 

• And many more question that will come forth…

Consider doing this practice together with your spouse and a group of friends. There's power in doing it with others as  there’s increased insight, accountability, motivation and synergy that magnifies its impact and brings us deeper in understanding and in living out God's call.

• ARTICLE: What is the Sermon On The Mount? (Jesus Film Project)

• ARTICLE: The Sermon on the Mount Is Not an Impossible Standard to Make Us Feel Bad (Crossway)

• ARTICLE: 10 Things You Should Know about the Beatitudes (Crossway)

• ARTICLE: Why Study The Sermon On The Mount? (The Gospel Coalition) 

• ARTICLE: The Majesty Of The Teacher On The Sermon On The Mount (Desiring God)

• ARTICLE: Preaching Values In The Sermon On The Mount (Preaching Source)

• ARTICLE: What Jesus Teaches About The Good Life (Bible Project)

• PODCASTS SERIES: Sermon on the Mount Podcasts (Bible Project)

• Dallas Willard: "The Sermon on the Mount is a call to people to take seriously the question of what it means to be a follower of Jesus Christ."  &  "The Sermon on the Mount is a comprehensive guide to life in the kingdom of God, revealing the character of God and the path to true human flourishing."

• Timothy Keller: "The Sermon on the Mount is not just a set of moral teachings. It is the unveiling of the King and His kingdom. It is a picture of life in the reign of God."

• Scott McKnight: "The Sermon on the Mount is a summary of what conformity to Jesus looks like."

• Jen Wilkin: "The Beatitudes are not a ladder for us to climb to earn God's favor, but a reflection of the character of Christ we are called to emulate. "

• David Platt: "The Sermon on the Mount is not simply a code of ethics or a set of rules, but a new way of life, a life empowered by the Holy Spirit."

• Max Lucado: "The Sermon on the Mount is Jesus' blueprint for authentic Christian living, a call to radical discipleship that transforms every aspect of our lives."

• Kevin DeYoung: "Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount urges us to choose the right way to live and stick to it.." 

• Rob Bell: "The Beatitudes are not about getting into heaven some day; they're about embodying heaven's values here and now."

• John Calvin: "The Sermon on the Mount is a mirror wherein we may discern our own imperfections and weaknesses, and find guidance for a life transformed by the grace of God." 

• Chris Castaldo: "The Beatitudes expose the pernicious lies we have internalized while portraying the life God intends for His people... [In it,] Jesus is describing the man or woman who belongs to His Father's kingdom and therefore lives according to God's heart." 

• Henri Knowen: "The Beatitudes are invitations to live a life of radical vulnerability and dependence on God, where our weakness becomes avenues for encountering divine grace." 

• Elyse Fitzpatrick: "The Sermon on the Mount reveals the heart of God for His people, calling us to radical dependence on Him, deep humility, and extravagant grace toward others."   &  "The Beatitudes remind us of our need for God's grace and mercy, inviting us to find true satisfaction and fulfillment in Christ alone rather than in worldly pursuits."

• Martin Luther: "The Sermon on the Mount does not tell us what we must do, but what we must be. It demands not the outward deed, but the inward spirit."

• Joachim Jeremias:"What Jesus teaches in the sayings collected in the Sermon on the Mount is not a complete regulation of the life of the disciples, and it is not intended to be; rather, what is here taught is symptoms, signs, examples, of what it means when the Kingdom of God breaks into the world which is still under sin, death, and the devil. Jesus says, in effect: I intend to show you, by means of some examples, what the new life is like, and what I show you through these examples you must apply to every aspect of life. You yourselves should be signs of the coming Kingdom of God, signs that something has already happened. Through every aspect of your lives, including aspects be­yond those of which I speak, you should testify to the world that the Kingdom of God is already dawning. In your lives rooted and grounded in the "basileia," the Kingdom of God, the victory of the Kingdom of God should be visible."

• Oswald Chambers: "The Sermon on the Mount is not a set of principles to be obeyed apart from identification with Jesus Christ. The Sermon on the Mount is a statement of the life we will live when the Holy Spirit is getting his way with us."

To Summarize These Quotes:

The Sermon on the Mount is a powerful call to live an authentic Christian life, offering a guide to life in God's kingdom. It challenges believers to reflect on what it means to follow Jesus, revealing both the King and His kingdom. The Beatitudes in the sermon showcase Jesus' character, emphasizing that they are not a means to earn God's favor but a model for discipleship based on full reliance on God and guided and empowered by Holy Spirit. This sermon highlights the need to choose the path of love, embodying heaven's values now, and exposing our flaws and sins while guiding us to live in alignment with God's heart. It calls for radical vulnerability, dependence on God, and extending grace to others, leading to an inward transformation that reflects the Kingdom of God breaking into our world. Ultimately, the Sermon on the Mount invites us to a life of true human flourishing, deeply rooted in God's character, grace, and love.