To Be or Not To Be Attitudes

An Interactive Study of the Beatitudes as recorded in Matthew 5:1-12

Developed for Kappa Phi by Jorja Davis

jorja.davis@gmail.com

Purposes:  To encourage aspiration and adherence to the new standards of the New Covenant as Christ exclaimed them to His disciples.  To encourage reflection and action based on a deeper understanding of the qualities of character evident in Christ-centered, Spirit-filled living as exclaimed by Christ and perceived by Paul.

Background Statement:

Blessedness is not something that we can seek directly; rather it is a by-product of a certain quality of life.  The Beatitudes give us a compendium of those qualities.  We must remember though that the acquisition of these characteristics, while important in living out our faith, is not a means of salvation.  Salvation remains a free gift based on belief not on works of any kind.  However, the Beatitudes are the essence of Christ's teaching to the inner circle of His disciples that they might work intelligently and effectively.  With the attainment of these characteristics, through the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives, we will find, with the disciples, true blessedness:  the joyous thrill and radiant gladness of the Christian life.  That joy and gladness, that bliss, is serene and untouchable.  It is independent of all the chances and changes of life, and comes only from walking up the mountainside and sitting at the feet of the Savior to hear from him the triumphant shouts of congratulations for what we are and encouragement for what we are to be.

Gathering Time:

As participants arrive, give each person one or several of the following scriptures to read with instructions to define the word "blessed" on a chalkboard or large piece of paper.  Psalm 1:1;  32:1;  40:4;  41:1;  65:4;  89:15;  112:1;  Isaiah 32:20;  Matthew 11:6;  Luke 6:22;  11:28; 12:37;  John 20:29;  James 1:12;  Revelation 14:13;  19:9;  22:7

The Be Attitudes:

Divide into small groups.  Divide some or all of the 8 Beatitudes among the groups.  Give each group the some or all of the appropriate groupings of scripture to help them choose a word or phrase which best defines the behaviors Christ is asking of His disciples.

v.3     Proverbs 16:19; Isaiah 66:2; Psalm 34:6; Psalm 9:18; Psalm 35:10; Psalm 68:10; Psalm 107:41; Psalm 132:15

v.4     Genesis 37:34; Psalm 51:17; I Samuel 16:1;  Nehemiah 8:9; Ecclesiastes 3:4; Isaiah 3:26; Jeremiah 4:28; Matthew 9:15; Luke 6:25; James 4:9

v.5     Psalm 22:26; Psalm 25:9; Psalm 37:11; Psalm 111:6; Psalm 149:4; Isaiah 29:19; Numbers 12:3; Proverbs 16:32

v.6     Luke 1:53; Isaiah 55:1; Luke 15:17; Romans 10:10; Luke 6:25; Deuteronomy 32:24

v.7     James 2:13;  Matthew 18:35; Matthew 6:12-15;  Genesis 19:16; Deuteronomy 4:31; Psalm 86:5; Proverbs 3:3; Micah 6:8; Luke 6:36

v.8     Psalm 24:4; Proverbs 22:11; Isaiah 1:16 Psalm 19:12; I John 3:3; Jeremiah 4:14; II Timothy 2:21; James 4:8

v.9     Romans 15:33; II Corinthians 13:11; I Thessalonians 5:23; Hebrews 13:20;  Proverbs 12:20; Romans 14:19; Mark 9:50 Titus 1:6

v.10-12  I John 3:7; I Peter 4:14; Hebrews 11:32-40; Matthew 5:12; Matthew 6:1; Daniel 12:3; I Corinthians 3:14; Daniel 3:19-25

The Not To Be Attitudes:

Brainstorm words or phrases with the opposite meanings of "blessed" and each of the 8 Be Attitudes.

The Measuring Stick:

Through discussion compare and contrast the 8 Be Attitudes and/or the 8 Not To Be Attitudes with the Rosary of Graces or the Fruits of the Spirit as recorded in Galatians 5:22.

Application: 

Provide paper and envelope or blank card and envelope for each individual.  Each individual should write themselves a letter of encouragement and accountability using the following or similar statements depending on the options used, seal it in the envelope and address the envelope to themselves.  In three months mail the envelops to each individual.

To adhere to Christ's words I

To me "blessed" means

I aspire to a life of blessedness and

The Be Attitude Jesus is congratulating me for

The Be Attitudes are most evident when

The Be Attitude Jesus is encouraging me to work on

I challenge myself to

The Not To Be Attitude Jesus is encouraging me to discard

The Not To Be Attitudes are most evident when

The Fruit(s) of the Spirit

I challenge myself to

Closing Hymn:  The United Methodist Hymnal #585 - This Little Light of Mine

Closing Prayer:  The United Methodist Hymnal #392 - Prayer for a New Heart