Selected Reading

Matthew 5:1-6

Matthew 5:1-6 1Now when he saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, 2and he began to teach them saying: 3"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. 5Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. 6Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.

马太福音5:1-6 1 耶稣看见这许多的人，就上了既已坐下，门徒到他跟前来。 2 他就开口教训他们说， 3 虚心的人有福了， 因为天国是他们的。 4 哀恸的人有福了， 因为他们必得安慰。 5 温柔的人有福了， 因为他们必承受地土。 6 饥渴慕义的人有福了， 因为他们必得饱足。

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

1. When you hear the word “poor,” what comes to mind?

2. What do you think it means, to be “poor in spirit”?

3. Why would these people be blessed?

Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.

1. When do people mourn?

2. How do you feel when you see others mourn?

3. Do people always mourn when they’ve done something wrong?

4. Who will comfort those who mourn? Why? (See Isaiah 57:15)

Isaiah 57:15 For this is what the high and lofty One says-he who lives forever, whose name is holy: I live in a high and holy place, but also with him who is contrite痛悔 and lowly in spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly and to revive the heart of the contrite.

在至高至聖的所在、也與心靈痛悔謙卑的人同居、要使謙卑人的靈甦醒、也使痛悔人的心甦醒。

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

1. Describe people who are meek.

2. How do most people view those who are meek?

3. Why do you think Jesus said that these people would inherit the earth? What did He mean?

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

1. What are most people in the world hungry or thirsty for?

2. Why would people hunger and thirst for righteousness?

3. What did Jesus mean by “they will be filled”?

A Time to Reflect

1. Do you see yourself spending most of your time seeking the blessings of this world? Have you been satisfied by the things you have been seeking?

2. Are you far from the blessings Jesus mentioned in this lesson? What do you long for the most?

Memory Verse

Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 5:3)