For The Week of January 30

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All Nations Church

Life Group Study

Matthew 5:1-12

Week of January 30^th, 2022

Study by Wayne Arcand

 

Books have been written on the beatitudes. This study will really only touch on the meaning and application. As we start this study, come before the Lord in prayer, humble your heart and ask him to reveal himself to you through his Word.   This study divides the beatitudes into three groups. Matthew Chapter 5 verses  3 to 5 is the first group, verse 6 will stand alone, verses 7, 8 and 9 will be the second group, verses 10 to 12 will be the last group. I would remind us of 2 Timothy 3:16, (NLT) “All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right.” As we study the Beatitudes, consider how we can apply these truths to our lives.

 

Introduction to the Sermon on the Mount

Matthew 5:¹ Now when Jesus saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, ² and he began to teach them.

The Beatitudes

He said:

³ “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
⁴ Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
⁵ Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.

⁶ Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,  for they will be filled.
⁷ Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.
⁸ Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
⁹ Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
¹⁰ Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

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

 

Before you start the study of the Beatitudes, I would encourage you to read last part of Matthew Chapter 4 to set the context for where Jesus is and what he has been doing.

 

We can have the character of Christ or a  character that resonates with worldly attitudes and views. As we go through this study we will discover what it means to live by the redeemed, transformed nature we have as a child of God, versus what it is like to live according to the old unredeemed nature of the world. You will notice that each of the Beatitudes have a reward for those who have the heart of Christ and a consequence for those who choose not to.

 

 

1. Matthew 5: 3-5:
   1. Verse 3: To be poor in spirit is to be humble, not self-sufficient, to depend on God.
      1. What attitude do I need, to display these characteristics in my life?
      2. How does this contrast to the attitude of the world?

• What changes have to made in a life, to change from the world view of pride in who I am and what I have made of myself, being self-sufficient and independent, to one that displays the characteristics of one who is ‘poor in spirit’?

1. What is the reward for those who are ‘poor in spirit’?
   1. What does this suggest the consequences will be if we do not display this characteristic?

 

1. Verse 4: We can experience sorrow for many reasons. Perhaps we generally think of this verse in connection to the loss of a loved one. But someone who, because of chronic disease or an accident, has lost abilities they once had, can mourn the loss of those abilities. Someone who has sinned against God in their thoughts, words or actions can mourn their weakness in giving in to a sinful action.
   1. How can we change our attitude and/or our thinking to feel comfort when we mourn a loss?
   2. How do we experience comfort?

• How can we show or give comfort to others?

 

1. Verse 5: To be meek is to be gentle, trust in God and not be self-centred.
   1. How do we display an attitude of meekness in our life?
   2. What attitude in the world does this contrast with?

• Can a person who displays the characteristic of meekness be successful in the world? Explain?

1. What is the reward:
   1. For being ‘meek’? Explain your answer.
   2. What does this suggest the consequences will be if we do not display this characteristic?
2. Matthew 5:6:
   1. Those who hunger and thirst for righteousness have a deep desire to be forgiven and to do what God commands.
      1. What is the first step to becoming a person who thirsts for righteousness?
      2. What can we do in our daily lives to enhance this attitude?

 

3. Matthew 5:7-9:
   1. Verse 7: To be merciful implies mercy, compassion, generosity.
      1. Why should we show mercy, be compassionate and generous?
      2. What are some examples of how we can show these attributes in our lives?

• What is the reward:
  1. For being ‘merciful’?
  2. What does this suggest our lot will be if we do not display this characteristic?

 

1. Verse 8: To be pure in heart is to be morally pure, honest and sincere.
   1. What does this mean to you?
   2. How does this impact our relationship with others?

• What is our reward for displaying this characteristic versus the implied consequence of not displaying this characteristic in our lives?

 

1. Verse 9: To be a peacemaker is to make peace, bring about reconciliation, to end bitterness and strife.
   1. Can we be a peacemaker without being at peace ourself?
      1. If you answered no, explain why.
      2. If you answered yes, explain the basis for your answer.
   2. Is this a pacifist or active role?

• How do we do this?

1. How will the peacemakers be known?

 

4. Consider verses 10, 11 and 12:
   1. What are some ways a follower of Jesus can experience persecution?
   2. How does the promise, “Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven”, help us to stand in the face of persecution?

 

For Reflection:

As I was reflecting on the Beatitudes, the words of an old hymn came to mind: Would you be ready if Jesus came today, Would you be ready to follow in His way, Would He take you by the hand or would He have you turn away. Would you be ready if Jesus came today. We tend to live as if we are going to be with the Lord at some point in the future, but we don’t know when our time will come. If you live each day in a way that honours the Lord, you will be able to answer ‘yes’ to the question, ‘would you be ready if Jesus came today?’. Would you be ready?