week of 7/9

Unit 23  Session 1

DISCIPLES ARE BLESSED

MATTHEW 5

Jesus has called His disciples to live in such a way as to reveal God's glory to the world.

As people waited for the Messiah, they expected Him to bring the promised blessings of the covenant - wholeness, a restored land, health, and prosperity. When Jesus came and brought healing over sickness and cared for people's needs, many associated His actions with being blessed. What Jesus brings in His blessing, however, is greater than physical wellness and material prosperity. When Jesus blesses His followers, He brings the saving rule and reign of the kingdom of God to them while they wait for the consummation and restoration of all things.

Points to consider:

✞   Jesus' disciples are blessed.

     * Why is it difficult to see 

        suffering as a blessing?

     * What values seen in the 

        Beatitudes do you need to 

        display more of in your life? 

✞   Jesus' disciples are the salt of the earth.

     * In what ways can we be 

        salt in the world?

✞   Jesus' disciples are the light of this world.

     * In what ways do people hide 

        the light of Christ?

     * How do we make sure we are 

        shining our light for God's glory 

        and not our own?