Be-atitudes:poor in spirit

Introduction

Open

Life group, particiaption, safety, discussion/prayer groups at the end

Ice breaker

Soccer ball questions

640pm-Teaching and questions

Matthew written to Jewish audience about 70ad

Jesus is tlaking to his disciples and to a multitude

Beatitudes are part of the sermon on the mount and the name for them comes from the latin word blessedness

Matthew 5:1–3 “1 And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him: 2 And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying, 3 Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”

God blesses

Word bless in greek (Makorios) comes from the name of an island off the coast of Greece. The people of that island did not have to leave the island. it had everything they needed to sustain life. They were sustained by the island so they were Makorios or blessed by the island.

This is important the word for blessed means sustained.

Question: Someone in their own words describe how that understanding is different than how we typically approach the idea of being blessed.

After telling what God will do, Jesus describes who it will be done to.

Those who are poor in spirit

Some of you may know what it means to be poor. I do. I look back and see that however at the time I don’t know if I realized it.

My grandparents on my dads side defintely didn’t have much money.

THey are the ones who taught me to make and eat poor food.

I need 2 volunteers.

ketchup and cheese sandwich, peanut butter and syrup

Question: Any meals in your childhood that were kind of odd but you enjoy?

Grew up thinking money was bad

Poor in America isn’t the same as poor in Jesus’ time. no safety nets

Poor in Jesus time meant the people woudl not survive without the voluntary charity of the people.

Question: With that understanding, would someone share in their own words, doesn’t have to be fancy, what it means to be poor in spirit?

Tony Evans: A person who is poor in spirit understands that if god doesn’t act out of charity and give them what they need to live life as it is meant to be lived, they are going to starve to death spiritually.

Question: If a person is w/o money and is poor but fails to acknowledge it, could they receive what is needed to get help?

This is like the church of Laodicea

Revelation 3:17–22 “17 Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: 18 I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see. 19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent. 20 Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. 21 To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne. 22 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.”

Group question: What do we need to to recieve the help we need spiritually?

Question: Has there been a time in your life when you found yourself spiritually bankrupt?

Acknowledgement leads to reception. of what though? The kingdom

The word theirs in the verse is in the emphatic form meaning only the poor in spirit are receiving the kingdom

Kingdom in GReek word Basileia, means rule or authority.

Question: How many rulers are ina nation or kingdom? What happens if another rises up? Beingg poor in spirit is giving up the right to rule what is rightfully God’s

Question: What are some spiritual a.k.a. emotional battles that can be overcome through JEsus? CAn you share a time you went through one and how you overcame? REspectfully keep it short

To groups: What area o your life do you need to acknoweldge your spiritual neediness?