Spend some time just relaxing with the Lord. We’ve looked at a lot of our own brokenness this week. That can be painful and downright hard.

Sit and listen to the Father speak His love, His acceptance, and His compassion over you.

Memorization Verse:

Matthew 5:3-4 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.”

• Read Matthew 5:7-12 several times slowly, aloud (or listening to your phone read). Just soak in Jesus’ words. Ask the Holy Spirit to pop out a word or phrase for you to pay attention to—this is often how He speaks to us.

• Is there a word or phrase that really pops out to you as you read this morning?
• Why do you think the Spirit drew your attention to that today?

Pray for whatever or whoever the Spirit brings to your mind.

Memorization Verse:

Matthew 5:3-4 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.”

• Read Matthew 5:11-12

A casual read through Hebrews chapter 11 will show you the many prophets and people that were persecuted and killed for the sake of the kingdom.

• In your own life (or someone close to you), have you seen yourself be insulted or lied about because of Jesus or your faith?
• When something has been hard in life, how have you been able to praise Jesus instead of being sullen?
• Does praising Jesus mean that you are fake and not angry or sad? How does this work in real life?

Memorization Verse: Matthew 5:4 “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.”

• Read Matthew 5:10

Most of the time that I get into trouble for something, it is something that I have done. Here is a person who is doing what is right, but still getting persecuted.

• Has there been a situation in your own life where you were persecuted?
• What is the difference between a person being persecuted for doing what is right versus being persecuted for doing something wrong?

The Poor in Spirit and the Persecuted get “the Kingdom of Heaven”.

• What kind of reward do you picture this being?

Memorization Verse: Matthew 5:4 “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.”

• Read Matthew 5:9

What is a time in your life that you saw someone “working for peace”?

Peace making does not mean smoothing over things that are wrong just to avoid conflict. The work involved in peace is often challenging and hard, a lot of listening and praying for understanding. But we are rewarded by being called children of God!

• What are opportunities you have to bring peace in a situation around you? It’s a special thing to be called God’s child. We are all created in His image, but He reserves this family distinction or those who’ve asked Jesus to pay the penalty for their sins and to be the King of their lives.

Spend some time reflecting when you made this decision.

Memorization Verse: Matthew 5:4 “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.”

• Read Matthew 5:8

What do you think a pure heart looks like?

Pure is defined as: not mixed or adulterated with another substance. Free from contamination.

What kinds of things get mixed into your heart that are not pure?

I often think that a pure heart is like glasses that we put on to change our vision. Purity in heart allows us to see the way that God sees, to see Him at work, and to value the things that He values.

• How does a pure heart enable us to see God?

• Read Matthew 5:7

I read a definition of merciful: someone who has compassion for other people, especially when in a position to punish them or treat them poorly.

• All of us are in various positions of power related to others. When has someone powerful in your life shown you mercy?
• Think of/ share a time this week when you had power but chose to show mercy (or perhaps you did not show mercy but could have).
• How can the power that you have be used for good?

Memorization Verse:

• Matthew 5:4 “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.”