The Beatitudes

Discussion Questions: “The Beatitudes”

1.       Introduction to the Sermon: (Read the outlined in black Matthew 5:1-2 and Luke 6:17-20a):  In Matthews’s version, what is this sermon commonly called? And why? ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

2.       In Luke’s version, what is the sermon commonly called? And why?  _________________________________________________________________________________________

3.       Who was the primary audience Jesus was teaching? __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

4.       #1. The poor and poor in spirit.  (Read the verses outlined in red: Matthew 5:3, Luke 6:20b, and Luke 6:24) Who are the “poor in spirit?”  ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

5.       How are they poor spiritually? ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

6.       If the word blessed is supposed to mean happy, how are the poor happy in spirit? ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

7.       Luke 6:20b:  Blessed are you poor.  Why does Jesus bless the poor?  ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

8.       Is the blessing for everyone who is poor? ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

9.       Luke 6:24: Woe to the rich.  What is the warning to the rich? ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

10.   What is the reward for the poor in spirit or the poor? ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

11. #2 Those who mourn or weep.  (Read the verses outlined in green: Matthew 5:4; Luke 6:21b and Luke 25b) Who are the people that mourn or weep? Or, more importantly, why do we mourn or weep? ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

12.   What are the different ways people react when they are mourning?  _________________________________________________________________________________________

13. What does it mean to be comforted? ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

14.   Luke 6:25b:  Woe to those who laugh.  What is the warning to those who laugh?   What does it mean if we laugh now, you will mourn and weep later?  Is it wrong to be happy and laugh about things? (Read again Luke 25b) ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

15.   #3 The meek.  (Read the verse outlined in orange: Matthew 5:5) Who are the meek? Or what does it mean to be meek? ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

16.   What does it mean that the meek will inherit the earth?  ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

17. #4 The hungry and thirst for righteousness (Read the verses outlined in purple: Matthew 5:6, Luke 6:21a, and Luke 6:25a).  Matthew’s version states those who hunger and thirst for righteousness.  Luke’s version mentions who hunger “now.” What does Jesus mean to “hunger and thirst for righteousness?” ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

18.   How are those who hunger for righteousness filled? ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

19.   Luke 6:25a: Woe to those who are full.  What is the warning to those who are full?  Moreover, what are they full of? ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

20.   #5 The merciful (Read the verse outlined in gray: Matthew 5:7)  Who are the merciful? ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

21.   How will they obtain mercy? ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

22.   #6 The pure in heart.  (Read the verse outlined in dark red: Matthew 5:8) Who are the pure in heart? ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

23. Whom will see God? ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

24.   #7 The peacemakers.  (Read the verse outlined in yellow: Matthew 5:9) Who are the peacemakers? ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

25.   Why will they be called the sons of God? ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

26.   #8 The persecuted (Read the verse outlined in brown: Matthew 5:10) Describe someone who is persecuted for righteousness. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

27.   What is the reward of the kingdom of heaven? ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

28.   Jesus’ Blessing to you (Read the verse outlined in blue:  Matthew 5:11-12 and Luke 6:22-23) ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

29.   Their reward – ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

30.   Luke 6:26: Woe to those who speak well of you.  What is the warning to those who speak well of you?  Moreover, what did their fathers say to the false prophets? ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________