A Sunday School Lesson On The Beatitudes

Here is a Sunday school lesson on the Beatitudes.

The Poor in Spirit

Matthew 5:3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”

I believe that Jesus is talking about those who are poor in spirit or downtrodden in life but this doesn’t exclude the poor of course because they may be in this same company. Those who are poor in spirit are in a state of utter dependence on God for their sustenance. They do not depend upon themselves but upon God. It is those who depend upon God who will inherit the Kingdom of Heaven.

Do you feel you are poor in spirit?

Describe who is “poor in spirit?”

Those who Mourn

Matthew 5:4 “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.”

Jesus could be speaking about those who mourn over their sinful condition in front of a holy God. He could be implicitly talking about those who mourn over the world’s state that is without God or does not know Him. They may be mourning over those of their own family that are not saved and they could be mourning with those who are grieving over a loss or those without salvation. It could be all of these or a few of these.

Who will comfort the mourning?

What does “mourn” mean to you based upon Scripture?

The Meek’s Inheritance

Matthew 5:5 “Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.”

We know for sure that God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble (James 4:6), however meekness is not weakness; by definition it is strength under control. Moses was said to be one of the meekest men on earth (Num 12:3), but he was certainly no weakling. The meek are also submissive to authorities and gladly live under God’s authority. They are gentle and humble but this doesn’t mean that they let people walk all over them. The meek are those who will be future kings and priests in the coming kingdom of heaven. The world generally ridicules the meek for the most part.

Do most people think meekness is weakness?

Did you used to think that way?

Hunger and Thirst for God

Matthew 5:6 “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.”

David said in the Psalms that he thirsted after God like a deer pants for water (Psalm 42:1). They are they who are seeking to do the right thing in all circumstances, regardless of how painful it is. They obey God and leave all the circumstances up to God. They also hunger for the Word of God (the Bible) and thirst after His righteousness. When they dine on the Word of God, they get filled with His teachings. The get into the Word of God and the Word of God gets into them. They are both satisfied and filled.

What do you most hunger for?

What does “thirsting for righteousness look like?

Mercy to the Merciful

Matthew 5:7 “Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.”

Those who are merciful receive mercy. There is a special gift of mercy that some express in a readiness to forgive even the most grievous of sins. Some churches have more former felons in them because of certain people who love others unconditionally, regardless of their past. They also accept the repentant back with open arms and do not hold grudges. They pray for those who despitefully abuse and use them. They can expect God’s full measure of mercy because they are never more like God when they give love that is undeserved, unmerited, unearned and unexpected.

Has anyone ever shown you mercy?

Do you customarily show mercy to people who don’t deserve it (like us, i.e. Rom 5:8-10)?

Seeing God

Matthew 5:8 “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.”

These are those who live out the Word of God in their lives may be the most pure of heart. There is purity in obedience and this is greater than sacrifice to God. This is where others can see the invisible God by looking at the attributes of a Christian. In people with a pure heart, God is made even more visible by their lives. For the pure at heart, seeing God will become a reality as they will see Him face to face in the kingdom of heaven. We also know that we will see God someday, face to face (Rev 21:3; 22:4).

Is being pure in heart something you pursue?

Do you think about seeing God someday?

The Sons and Daughters of God

Matthew 5:9 “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.”

These are those who seek to preserve the peace between fellow human beings. They don’t spread gossip, which tends to fan the flames of argumentative people. They tend to give people the benefit of the doubt and pray for those who hate them. They will be called the sons of God because they now have peace with God (Rom 5:1). The peacemakers will live in the New Jerusalem which will someday live up to its true meaning: Jeru (king of) Salem (peace).

Have you played the role of peacemaker before?

What did you do to calm things down?

Blessed for being Hated

Matthew 5:10 “Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”

These are those who testify about the gospel of Jesus Christ and receive back in their bosom scorn, ridicule, and rejection but it doesn’t matter because they take the Great Commission seriously and witness to the world about Jesus Christ Who came to save those who repent and trust in Him. They will be in the kingdom of heaven and will receive their reward there for those whom they have pointed to Christ. The persecuted are the salt the gets out of the shakers.

Is participating in the Great Commission going to bring persecution?

Does it feel like a blessing at the time you’re being persecuted?

Blessed for Insults

Matthew 5:11 “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.”

These are the ones that are made fun of and insulted because of Jesus. When they walk into the room, the language or dirty jokes often cease. They are talked about behind their back. They are looked at with disgust and they’re often all kinds of false rumors spread about them. This is on account of Jesus’ teachings that we hold to and share with others.

What does it feel like being lied about?

Has that happened to you?

On behalf of Who are they persecuting you?

In Good Company

Matthew 5:12 “Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you. “

It’s difficult to rejoice at the moment, but we can rejoice when we realize that we are in great company because they also persecuted Jesus and the prophets. We join good company like those prophets of old, including the apostle’s Paul, Peter, and John. We ought to express joy because we are counted worthy to endure the shame for His sake (Acts 5:41). We have rewards waiting for us in heaven because of this. That ought to make it easier to endure the humiliation.

What type of rewards might God give some after Jesus returns?

Does it ever feel like you’re alone when you’re being persecuted?

Conclusion

I urge you in your study to look at all of the Bible verses and read them aloud in the class so that you can get the most out of this lesson on the Beatitudes because these verses have powerful truths in them and those who read and do them will receive many blessings, most of all, that of seeing God and receiving eternal life, and to me, that is the most beautiful thing that I can think of to look forward too.

What is the one thing you most look forward to in the kingdom?

What has changed in your understanding about the Beatitudes after this study?

Article by Jack Wellman

Jack Wellman is Pastor of the Mulvane Brethren Church in Mulvane Kansas. Jack is also the Senior Writer at What Christians Want To Know whose mission is to equip, encourage, and energize Christians and to address questions about the believer’s daily walk with God and the Bible. You can follow Jack on Google Plus or check out his book Teaching Children the Gospel available on Amazon.