Table of ContentsWeek Passage Topic Page

1 Matthew 5:1—2 The Crowds 3

2 Matthew 5:3—5 The Small 7

3 Matthew 5:6—8 The Pure 15

4 Matthew 5:9—12 The Sons 20

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The Beatitudes And he opened his mouth and taught them, saying:

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

“Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.

“Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.

“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.

“Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.

“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.

“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons[a] of God.

“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

“Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

Matthew 5: 3-11 (NIV)

Week 1: The CrowdsMatthew 5: 1-2

Matthew 22:37-40 (NIV)37 Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’[a] 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’[b] 40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”

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Bible is a book about ____________ then about __________.

Book of Matthew:

Who wrote it?

When?

Who was the audience?

Major themes:

Sermon on the Mount

Matthew 5:1-2

NIV-5 Now when Jesus saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His Diciples came to him, and he began to teach them.

ESV- Seeing the crowds, he went up on the mountain, and when he sat down, his disciples came to him. And taught them saying:

Now when

God always has perfect ___________________.

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When I __________________ in God’s timing, I know I’m not

___________________.

Jesus saw the crowds

23 Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues,proclaiming the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people. 24 News about him spread all over Syria,and people brought to him all who were ill with various diseases, those suffering severe pain, the demon-possessed, those having seizures, and the paralyzed; and he healed them. 25 Large crowds from Galilee, the Decapolis,[a] Jerusalem, Judea and the region across the Jordan followed him.

Crowds

Inner Outer

________________________ ________________________

________________________ ________________________

Evalutaing our _____________________ when approaching Jesus

is the beginning to a real relationship with Him.

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He went up on a mountain

Mountains-

Transitions-

Matthew 4:8- Jesus was tempted Matthew 15: 29-healings Matthew 17:1 Transfiguration Matthew 24:1Mount of Olives Matthew 28: 16 Great Commission

Moses: Exodus out of Egypt Passed through the Red Sea Organized 12 tribes Mount Sinai- law

Jesus Out of Egypt Baptized with water 12 disciples Up on the Mount- fulfillment

Jesus is the better _________________________!!!!!

And SAT DOWN

Psalm 110: the Lord says to my Lord…sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet.

Jesus was claiming His seat on His _______________________.

Disciples came to him.

Drawing close to _____________________ is how you know you

are His ____________________.

And he opened his mouth

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Opposite of open = ____________________

Do we have a closed mindset to kingdom of heaven?

Taught them saying-first sermon after positing himself as fulfillment of law.

Reflection Questions

1. What part of the crowd are we? Are we on the “in” crowd that comes to Jesus, or are we outsiders just kind of hanging around for various reasons?

2. What mountains are we looking at or climbing up? Are there mountains in your life where you have forgotten that Jesus is Lord over?

3. Do we keep our mouths closed about who we are and what our purpose is? What are ways we can change that in our daily lives this week?

Week 2: The SmallMatthew 5:3-5

Day 1

Read Matthew 5:3-11

1. Which beatitude is the most clear to you?

2. Which beatitude is the most confusing? Why?

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3. Look up the word blessed. Write your own definition below:

4. Why do you think Jesus started His longest recorded sermon with a list of blesseds?

5. Think back to the crowds who were following Jesus. Did you decide which one you belonged to? Are you an onlooker who watches Jesus or a disciple who draws near to hear his teachings? Before you move on, take some time and pray that God opens your heart and ears to hear what He wants to show you over the next few weeks.

Day 2

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”

1. What does this passage say belongs to those who are poor in spirit?

2. Look up the following passages:

Psalm 70:4-5

Psalm 109:22-31

Psalm 69:32-36

Psalm 86:1-4

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Blessed-

What kind of poverty is David talking about in these verses?

3. Why do you think Jesus started off with this particular beatitude?

4. Webster’s dictionary defines poor as “little or no means to support oneself.” Use this definition to define “poor in spirit” in your words.

5. Considering the people in the crowds, how do you think they would respond to hearing Jesus’ words of being poor in spirit?

6. What comes to your mind when you think about the Kingdom of Heaven?Look up Matthew 6: 9-10 and write it in the space below.

7. Read

Matthew 13:44-48

Mark 4: 26-29

Matthew 19:23-24

After reading what these passages say about the Kingdom of Heaven, describe the Kingdom of Heaven in your own words.

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In the introduction we discussed the theme of present hope and glory and future hope and glory. Why is this important to understand before we move on to the next beatitude?

8. What does this beatitude teach us about God?

God is: __________________________.

Day 3

“Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted”

1. Read

Deuteronomy 34:8

Genesis 50:10

Psalm 32:3-5

Psalm 51:16-17

2. There are two different kinds of mourning occurring in these verses. What are they?

_______________________________________________

_______________________________________________

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The Greek word for comfort is Parakoles

Para- call someone for help; Kaleo- called alongside to help

God comes along side to help us!!

3. What are some reasons we mourn?

4. Now Read 2 Corinthians 7:9-11 & James 4:4-10

What is the result of the mourning in these passages?

Day 4

“For they shall be comforted”

1. Read Matthew 11: 28-29 & 2 Corinthians 1:3-7

What do these passages say about comfort?

2. Now Read Revelation 2: 1-4

What does this say to how will Jesus comfort us?

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3. Are you sensitive to your sin? Does is grieve you and cause you to mourn? If so, have you allowed God to comfort you or are you still holding onto shame and guilt?

4. If you have never grieved your sin, ask the Lord to help you have proper perspective. You can trust God. He says He will comfort you. Write some thoughts below.

5. Rewrite the second beatitude in your own words in the space below.

6. What does this beatitude teach us about God?

God is ________________________.Day 5

“Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.”

1. Read Philipians 2:1-9How did Jesus demonstrate meekness?

It helps to truly understand a word by looking at the opposite meanings. Find some antonyms of the word meek and write below.

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Meek is defined as “not inclined to anger or resentment, patient, & mild.

2. Looking at all angles of a word, consider how our culture views the meek?

3. How does our culture cultivate attitudes of entitlement and resentment?

4. When do you struggle with entitlement and resentment? What makes you the angriest? What kind of people annoys you?

Using the King James Version, read & identify what belongs to the meek.

Psalm 25:9: __________________________

Psalm 22:26: __________________________

Psalm 149:4: __________________________

Isaiah 29:19: __________________________

5. In what way will the meek inherit the Earth?

6. Considering the opposite meaning of meek, how can entitlement, anger and resentment keep you from inheriting the earth?

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7. This is the heart thing… we can’t become “meek” without Christ. Take some time to seek the Lord asking Him to show you areas/relationships where entitlement and resentment are holding you back from walking in meekness and confess them. Place thoughts below:

8. Remembering what blessed means, rewrite the third beatitude in your own words in the space below.

Week 1 Reflection

It’s important to pay attention to what God is doing. What are your biggest take a ways from this week’s study time? What has the Lord shown you?

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Week 3: The PureMatthew 5:6-8

Day 1

“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.”

1. Fill in the blank. You are what you ___________________.

How does this also apply to spiritual matters?

2. Read through the beatitudes in your appendix. Underline where you find the word righteousness.

3. Look up righteousness in the dictionary. Write the definition below.

4. Read the following passages about righteous.

Matthew 5:20

Matthew 5:45

Matthew 6:1

Matthew 6:33

Based on these passages, can we obtain our own righteousness? YES NO

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Righteousness

5. 1 Corinthians1: 30-31 “It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God-that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. Therefore, as it is written: “Let him who boast, boast in the Lord.”

Take some time to reflect on how you live your life. Do you live it based on Christ’s righteousness or your own? What motivates you? What discourages you? Journal your thoughts in the space below.

Day 2

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1. Read John 6: 25-71

Look at verse 63 and fill in the blanks.

The Spirit gives _________________________ ; the flesh counts

for ______________________________.

2. Why do you think Jesus calls himself the Bread of Life?

3. Read: John 4:4-14

What does Jesus call himself in these passages?

4. Often times we waste our time and “appetite” on things that do not lead to life, that never satisfy. What desires or attitudes do you have in your life that cannot satisfy? List some below and bring them before the Lord and ask Him to make you hunger and thirst for Him.

5. What does this beatitude tell us about God?

God is _______________________.

Day 3

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“Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.”

1. How do you define mercy?

2. Read James 2:12-13

How does it say we should speak and act?

3. Read Matthew 23:23-25What are the weightier matters mentioned in verse 23?

_______________ _______________ _______________

4. How does Jesus describe the Pharisees? Use your own words.

5. Who in your life do you struggle to show mercy? How can you change your perspective to allow space for mercy to increase in your life? Spend some time in prayer asking God for help on how to be merciful.

6. What does this beatitude tell us about God?

God is ________________________.

Day 4

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“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.”

1. Do you think it’s possible to be “pure in heart?”

2. Read 1 John 5-10. What does this say about sin?

3. Knowing we can’t be without sin, what do you think it looks like to “pure in heart?”

4. Read Matthew 6:19-23. Why do you think only the pure in heart will “see God?”

5. Where in your life do you struggle to be pure in heart? How important are your eyes when it comes to purity of heart?

6. Read Psalm 51:10. Who cleanses the heart? What is our role in the process?

7. What does the beatitude tell us about God?

God is ________________________.

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Week 4: The SonsMatthew 5:9-12

Day 1

“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.”

1. This is the 7th beatitude. Why do you think the beatitude about peacemakers is far “down the list?”

2. Read 2 Corinthians 5:11-20. What does this tell us about our roles as peacemakers?

3. Think back to “blessed are the merciful.” What connection is there between showing mercy and being a peacemaker?

4. Define peacemaker using the dictionary. Also include synonyms and antonyms.

5. Think about your sphere of influence. What ways can you be a peacemaker in those settings?

Day 2

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Peacemaker:

Synonyms-

Antonyms-

“for they will be called sons of God”

1. Considering what peacemakers are called, is being a peacemaker optional? Why or Why not?

2. Read Galatians 4:6-7

What are some benefits of being called son of God? Write some thoughts below.

3. 1 John 3:10-11 describes two indicators of children of God. List them below.

________________________________________________

________________________________________________

4. Who in your life do you struggle to make peace with? List them below. Spend some time in prayer asking God to reveal to you anything that is hindering peacemaking from happening.

5. Rewrite the 7th beatitude in your own words.

Day 3

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“Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of Heaven.”

1. Read Matthew 5: 10 -11. What comes to your mind when you read these verses? Write some thoughts below.

2. This is the final beatitude. What does it have in common with the first?

3. Now compare vs 6 & 10. What do they have in common?

4. Why does Jesus say we will be persecuted?

5. Read 1 John 3:13. Have you ever been persecuted or mocked for “righteousness” sake? How did that experience affect you? If you have never been insulted or mocked, why do you think that is? Write some thought below.

Day 4

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“Rejoice and be glad because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”

1. Read James 1:2 & Matthew 5: 12. How does scripture say we are to respond to persecution and trial?

2. Is this a natural way to respond to trial? Yes NO

What is the opposite of natural? ______________________

What does this make you think about? Write some thoughts below?

3. Using the King James Version AND NIV, read 2 Timothy 2: 11-13 and fill in the blanks.

If we ____________ with him,

we will also ____________ with him;

if we ____________

we also ____________ with him.

If we ____________ him,

He will also ____________ us;

If we are ____________,

He ____________ faithful,

For he cannot disown himself.

4. What do you think Jesus is trying to tell us in the last beatitude? Explain below.

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5. Rewrite the last beatitude using your own words.

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Day 5

1. Looking back at the beginning of this study, which beatitude made the most impact on you and why?

2. Which beatitude became the most clear to you?

3. Which one challenged you the most? Which one of these do you need to start applying to your life?

4. Has your understanding of what it means to be a follower of Christ changed over the study? How?

5. What do the beatitudes tell you about God? Fill in the blank.

God is _________________________.

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Dear Heavenly Father,

I thank you for the person doing this study. I thank you and trust that you are in their lives, drawing them closer to you. Continue to change their desires to want you more than anything. Thank you for your word and for Jesus. Thank you that you never leave us or forsake us. Thank you for faithfulness. I pray that from this study on, your daughter is more amazed with you than she was before. I pray the you are larger in her life, mind, and heart than you were before. I thank you for what you are doing in her life and for the fruit that will come from her obedience to study your word. You are everything, Jesus. Thank you so much,

In Jesus’ name I bless this friend with all the authority I have in Jesus Christ.

Amen.

Appendix A

Matthew 5 English Standard Version (ESV)

The Sermon on the Mount

5 Seeing the crowds, he went up on the mountain, and when he sat down, his disciples came to him.

The Beatitudes

2 And he opened his mouth and taught them, saying:

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[a] 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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Matthew 5 New International Version (NIV)

Introduction to the Sermon on the Mount

5 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.

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