General
What does the word Beatitude mean?
It comes from a latin word that means blessed.
Blessed are the meek,
for they shall inherit the earth.
Blessed are the peacemakers,
for the shall be called children of God.
The greek word that is translated as blessed can also be translated to what word/s?
Happy or Fortunate
What does the word pure mean?
Clean, not mixed with anything else.
In what book of the Bible are the beatitudes found?
Matthew
Blessed are pure in heart,
for they shall see God.
Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness sake,
for theirs is the kingdom of God.
What does it mean to be "poor in spirit"?
Humble is the most likely meaning of this phrase. Whether humble in attitude or humble in circumstances.
What does the phrase "pure in heart" mean?
It describes someone who has good intentions or good character.
Jesus uses the beatitudes as an introduction to what?
The Sermon on the Mount
Blessed are the merciful,
for they shall receive mercy.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they shall be filled/satisfied.
What do we use to help us understand difficult words or passages in the Bible?
Context!!
Although Jesus says peacemakers are children of God, he says he comes not to what?
"bring peace, but a sword"
What was Matthew's job?
Tax collector
Blessed are the poor in spirit,
Who will see God?
The pure in heart
One beatitude tells us the pure in heart will see God. What person in the Bible saw God?
Moses. He saw the back of God because God told him seeing him in his full glory would kill him.
What did Jesus say his disciples could expect when they went to tell people the gospel?
Persecution. Telling people about the gospel of peace was going to put them in the middle of conflict.
The kingdom of heaven
Blessed are those who mourn,
for they shall be comforted.
What group or groups of people does it say "theirs is the kingdom of heaven"?
The poor in spirit and the those are persecuted for righteousness' sake.
What does it mean to be merciful?
In Matthew the word mercy is used to describe someone forgiving a debt owed to them by another person. Mercy can also mean having compassion on someone who is suffering. Forgiving someone even if they don't deserve it.
People react differently to hearing the word of God. What parable did Jesus tell to demonstrate this point?
The parable of the sower. Some people when they are persecuted fall away and don't keep the faith.
In what region was Jesus traveling and teaching?
Galilee
for they will inherit the earth.
Blessed are the meek
for they will receive mercy.
Blessed are the merciful
What parable did we read to help us understand what Jesus meant by mercy?
The parable of the unforgiving servant in Matthew 18
Name two examples of types of context we can use to help us understand the Bible.
Historical context- when, where
Literary context- language, type of writing, other references in the same book.
Cultural context- traditions, believe