(The Sermon on the Mount I)
Matthew 5:1-12
Key Verse 5:3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
1. How is Jesus’ idea of being blessed different from our conventional ideas? Who are the poor in spirit and why does the kingdom of heaven belong to them? (3)
2. What is the blessing given to those who mourn? (4) Who are the meek and why is it ironic that they inherit the earth? (5; Matthew 11:29)
3. What is righteousness? (cf. 1 Corinthians 1:30) What does it mean to hunger and thirst for righteousness? (6)
4. How can we be merciful? (7; Matthew 9:13) What does “pure in heart” mean? (8) How can we be peacemakers? (9; 2 Corinthians 5:18-21)
5. Why does Jesus say that those who are persecuted for righteousness are blessed? (10-12) What can you learn from the Beatitudes about the character of those who belong to the kingdom of heaven? In what respect is Jesus the embodiment for all these virtues?