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Beatitudes of Promise Class #3

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Beatitudes of Promise Class #3 Beatitudes of Promise Class #3 Background: As one moves through the Beatitudes one gets a greater feel of the paradoxes that each verse implies. Many only see the positive and negative statements that play against each other. But if one really looks hard at the text, one begins to see what Jesus is really trying to do. He is trying to get us to see what it really means to follow Him. Take for instance our verse for today, “Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.” (Matthew 5:5) Being meek is one of the marks that most people say characterizes Christianity. But does it really? Was Jesus calling us to become meek? And if one does take on this characteristic, does that automatically guarantee some of kind of reward here on earth? Or does this reflect a spirit that is to prevail within those who follow Jesus? Does this inheriting mean more than something here on earth? When one starts to look at these Beatitudes as life changing attitudes, do these beatitudes begin to alter who we are and how we walk in our faith? We will pursue these questions in our study today. 1. Dictionary.com. defines “meek” as one-humbly patient, quiet in nature, overly submissive, compliant, spiritless, tame. How does that fit into your definition of “meek?” How does the Good News Translation change your thinking about the beatitude? (Happy are those who are humble; they will receive what God has promised!) Why do you think this translation is more in line with what Jesus is trying to teach? 2. Another view of meekness takes on the view of “seeing other’s interests advance of one’s own.” (Carson, 20) How do the following references support this view? Genesis 13:5-11; Numbers 12:10- 13; John 3:30 (KJV better translation); Matthew 11:28-30. 3. During the Lenten Season we again see as Franzmann (37) comments, “Jesus Himself goes this ‘meek’ way of serene and confident dependence on God . .” How does Matthew 21: 7-8; John 13:4-5; Matthew 26:26-29, 45-46; share this idea of meekness in the Lenten season? How does it change your view of Jesus being meek and mild? 4. The world view is to get all you can in life. Carson (21) writes, “The meek man sees himself and all others under God, since he is poor in Spirit, he does think more highly of himself then he ought.” How do the following passages support this thought? 2 Corinthians 10:1; Galatians 5:22-26; Colossians 3:12-14; James 1:19-21; 1 Peter 3:15-17. 5. This beatitude has an Old Testament reference to Psalm 37. The verses in question are 11, 22, 29, 34. What is this land that the Psalmist is referring to? Does it correspond to the Old Testament view of land or the New Testament view showing us a different view? 6. How does this land tie into John 14:1-4? How does this help us prepare for Easter? 7. The contrast of this beatitude to Matthew 5:3 was shared by Kittel (649) in his commentary. Have you ever thought that the poorness in the Spirit was the proper way to be meek? How does this relate to our Lenten walk and preparation? References: Carson, D.A.; Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount; Global Christian Publishers, Grand Rapids, MI; 1999. Franzmann, Martin, H; Follow Me: Discipleship According to Saint Matthew; Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis, MO; 1961. Kittel, Gerhard; Theological Dictionary of the New Testament; W.M. B. Eerdmans Publishing, Grand Rapids, MI; 1976. Lenski, R.C.H.; The Interpretation of St. Matthew’s Gospel; Augsburg Publishing House, Minneapolis, MN. 1964. .
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