The Way of Jesus. Week 6 - Matthew 5:1-12

OVERVIEW

This week begins looking at Jesus’ Sermon on the mount. Jesus opens with series of blessings (The first word of each verse in 5:3-11 is traditionally translated “Blessed” or “Happy.” This list is sometimes called the Beatitudes because the Latin word beatus means “blessed.”)

The purpose of this section is to:

a) Show that the life that Jesus calls his followers to live are marked by drastically different metrics of success and happiness to that of the world.

and

b) To announce the Good news that in Jesus kingdom work, justice will be done, the suffering and forgotten will be vindicated and the peaceful will be rewarded.

READ:

(Before reading tell group that the first question will be “What phrases or ideas stands out to you as we read these passages”. Ask them to keep this in mind as we read through the passages)

MATTHEW 5:1-12

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.

DISCUSSION

1. What do people wish their lives looked like? What would most people describe as the blessed life?

2. Jesus starts the sermon with nine blessings. Is he describing nine different types of people - who will all be blessed differently - or is he describing one type of person with all nine of these attributes, or is he doing something else?

Discuss it in small groups, and then pool your thoughts.

3. As you read over this list, are there any particular characteristics that Jesus calls blessed that you really struggle to believe are in fact blessed?

Read the following quote:

“Jesus is not suggesting that these are simply timeless truths about the way the world is. If he was saying that, he was wrong. Mourners often go uncomforted, and those who long for justice frequently take that longing to the grave. Jesus is saying that with his work these things start to come true. This is an announcement, not a philosophical analysis of the world. It is gospel—an announcement of wonderful news, of good news, not good advice.” N.T Wright.

4. Can you think of a time in your life when having a gospel perspective of eternity has been a comfort in the midst of circumstances that didn’t leave you feeling particularly blessed?

5. In what was does Jesus model what it is to live a blessed life?

6. What would our church look like if we aspired to be blessed in the way that Jesus lays out rather than pursuing the world’s idea of the good life?

Pray in light of the things that arose during your discussion.