#1: Beatitudes
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Matthew 5:3-12 ESV
3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
5 “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.
6 “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.
7 “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.
8 “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
9 “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.
10 “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11 “Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. 12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
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TAKE IT IN
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Identify EIGHT TYPES of “the blessed” according to this text and share ideas about what each of them might mean. ​​
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Both the first beatitude (v.3) and the last beatitude (vv.10-12) which opens and closes the passage promise the same thing: “The Kingdom of God”. What does the Kingdom of God have to do with the blessed?
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DIG IT
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What do you think ‘blessedness’ means? What’s the benefit of being ‘the blessed’?
What are some common misunderstandings of blessedness?
[Go Deep] Look up Romans 5:1 and think about the peace that the passage is teaching about. How is it different from our common perception of peace? How do we become peacemakers in the fullest sense?
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LIVE IT
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Now that we've relearned the concept of blessedness, how does it affect your perspective on your own life? Do you consider yourself to be blessed?
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Which of the eight types of blessed people described in the Beatitudes do you resonate with, and which ones do you want to develop further in your own life? What specific steps can you take to cultivate this growth?
#2: Salt and Light
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Matthew 5:13-16 ESV
13 “You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people's feet.
14 “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.
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TAKE IT IN
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Check Matthew 5:1 and consider Jesus' audience. In his teaching, In his teaching, Jesus says “You are…” the salt of the earth (v.13) and the light of the world (v.14). Why is this significant?
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DIG IT
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What does ‘the salt of the earth’ mean? Think about its various traits and uses.
What does "the light of the world" mean? Who is the light of the world according to John 8:12? How does this connect to Jesus' call for us to be a light?
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What does “a city set on a hill” have to do with us being a light?
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LIVE IT
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How are you currently living as the salt and light in the communities you belong to? Are you savory salt or tasteless salt, a light under a basket or on a stand? Share any challenges you have faced.
Talk about what your Christian club can do to be an exposed/visible light for other students in your school context.
#3: Fulfilling the Old Testament
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Matthew 5:17-20 ESV
17 “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. 18 For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished. 19 Therefore whoever relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 20 For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.
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TAKE IT IN
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An iota is the smallest Hebrew letter that looks like a dot: (') What do you think Jesus means by “not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished”?
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Who were the scribes and Pharisees in Israel during Jesus’ time, and why did Jesus mention them?
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DIG IT
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“The Law and the Prophets” refers to the Mosaic law of the Pentateuch and the Prophetic Books, thus the Old Testament. What do you think Jesus means when he says he came “to fulfill” the Law and the Prophets?
What is Jesus demanding in v.20? Can anyone meet this condition to enter the Kingdom of Heaven on their own?
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LIVE IT
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Why is it important for Christians to read the Old Testament?
We have learned that no religious observances will get us into heaven. If so, why do we attend church, read the Bible, pray, and serve others?
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#4: Love Your Enemies
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Matthew 5:38-48 ESV
38 “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ 39 But I say to you, Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. 40 And if anyone would sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. 41 And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. 42 Give to the one who begs from you, and do not refuse the one who would borrow from you.
43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. 46 For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? 47 And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? 48 You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
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TAKE IT IN
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Have you heard of “An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth” before? What does it mean? What is the significance of Jesus’ teaching against this phrase?
What does God making “His sun rise on the evil and on the good”, and sending “rain on the just and on the unjust” tell us about God’s character?
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DIG IT
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Why are Christians called to love our enemies? Why do you think Jesus tells us to be perfect as the Father? (vv.45, 48)
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What does Jesus challenge us to do in vv.46-47 that is radically different from how the rest of the world operates?
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LIVE IT
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Is there anyone you think you could never forgive? Also, who are some people whom you’ve never sought to care for or love? Share your story as much as you feel comfortable.
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What might loving this enemy look like in your life? Do you think there is even a possibility? If you have tried forgiving them before, what measures have you taken to love them? What could your first step be?
#5: Giving to the Needy
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Genesis 3:8-24 ESV
1 "Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven. 2 "Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. 3 But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4 so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
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TAKE IT IN
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When do you use the word ‘hypocrite’?
What is Jesus warning us?
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DIG IT
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Why do you think Jesus says those who are praised by others already have received their reward?
What does “do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing” really mean?
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LIVE IT
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Have you ever found yourself desiring people’s affirmation more than God’s reward before? Share your experience.
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Plan a service event for the needy as a club.
#6: No One Can Serve Two Masters
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Matthew 6:19-24 ESV
19 “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, 20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
22 “The eye is the lamp of the body. So, if your eye is healthy, your whole body will be full of light, 23 but if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light in you is darkness, how great is the darkness!
24 “No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.
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TAKE IT IN
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How does laying up treasures on earth and heaven compare?
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What does Jesus mean when he says “The eye is the lamp of the body”? Why is He talking about an eye all of a sudden? Listen to your leader’s explanation for v.22-23.
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DIG IT
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What do you think Jesus means when he says “Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also?"
Do you think we can love both God and money? Why or why not?
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[Go Deep] When do we witness money becoming a master of someone? Any examples around us or in our society?
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LIVE IT
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Can you identify what laying up treasures on earth might look like for you at this stage of your life? How about laying up treasures in heaven? How do they differ practically?
Who is your true master today at this moment? How are you serving him/her/it?
#7: Do Not Judge
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Matthew 7:1-5 ESV
1 “Judge not, that you be not judged. 2 For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you. 3 Why do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? 4 Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when there is the log in your own eye? 5 You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye.
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TAKE IT IN
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Why does Jesus tell us not to judge?
What does Jesus teach to do in v. 5 instead of judging others?
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DIG IT
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Why do you think it is so easy to focus on other people’s problems but fail to recognize our own shortcomings?
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Think about the difference between judgment and discernment. How can we avoid judging but discern carefully?
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LIVE IT
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Sadly, Christians are known by the world for judging others. Why do you think we are seen this way when Jesus teaches us not to judge?
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Taking a few minutes individually, think of at least three people you judged recently and ask for God’s forgiveness. How will you change how you see them or treat them? If you can, share without naming names.
#8: True Discipleship
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Matthew 7:13-27 ESV
13 “Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. 14 For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.
15 “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. 16 You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thorn bushes, or figs from thistles? 17 So, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit. 18 A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Thus you will recognize them by their fruits.
21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ 23 And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’
24 “Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. 26 And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. 27 And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it.”
28 And when Jesus finished these sayings, the crowds were astonished at his teaching, 29 for he was teaching them as one who had authority, and not as their scribes.
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