"BLESSED ARE YOU!"

Matthew 5:1-12

Key Verse 5:11, 12

1. Read vs.1, 2. This passage distinguishes "the crowds" from "His disciples". In what respect are the disciples different from the crowds (4:19)? Put yourself in the position of the disciples of Jesus' day. In what respect might their lives not have been "glamorous" (10, 11; Jn 16:33)? Is it going to be different in our own generation (Mat 10:22; 24:10)? 

2. Skim through vs. 3-12. How many times is the word "blessed" repeated? What does "blessed" mean? Why do you think Jesus employed this adjective repeatedly? Why is it important for us to know that the life of a disciple is a "blessed" one? 

3. Read v. 3. What does "poor in spirit" mean (Luke 18:9-14)? Why is this quality important for a disciple? 

4. Read v. 4. The word "mourn" indicates that the disciples' life is not always filled with laughter, but rather on most occasions the opposite might be true (Rm 7:24; Jn 16:20). Yet why does Jesus say that they are blessed (Lk 6:25; Mt 24:50)? 

5. Read v. 5. What does "the meek" mean? In what respect is it not always easy for the meek to make it through in a competitive world? Yet, why is it that the meek will inherit the earth (Isa 30:15)?

6. Read vs. 6-8. What does this passage tell us about additional fruit that comes out of the life that follows Jesus? 

7. Read vs. 9-12. What does it mean to live as a "peacemaker"? How many times is "because of" repeated? What does this phrase suggest to us about the real reason why people end up persecuting or speaking ill of a peacemaker? How did "they" treat "the prophets" of the past? Why does Jesus talk about these prophets?