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Showing posts with the label beatitudes

New Testament Tales - Jesus' Teaching

Jesus’ Teaching 1. What are the beatitudes? 2. How did Jesus make the law even stricter? 3. How did Jesus make the law gentler? 4. When did Jesus disagree with the customary law? 5. What methods of teaching did Jesus use? 6. How did Jesus include women in his teaching? 7. How did Jesus include foreigners in his teaching? 8. How did Jesus include helpers in his ministry? 9. How did Jesus make it clear he wasn’t just a good man? 10. How often did Jesus prophesy his death? The Beatitudes are often viewed as Jesus’ ministry manifesto. The rules of his culture demanded that one could only be “right” with God if one obeyed all the laws; obedience to law was ensured by couching each rule in others that protected people from accidental disobedience. Jesus, by contrast, suggested we can tell we’re right with God by what we are (by our attitudes), rather than what we do. Of course, that makes it harder to judge whether our neighbor is right with God, but as Jesus says, “Judge not.” One problem w...

Easter Bible Studies - Third Week in Lent

The Beatitudes The Poor in Spirit: Jesus promises the kingdom of heaven to the poor in spirit ( Matthew 5:3 ). When he told the parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector ( Luke 18:10-14 ), which one of them was poor in spirit? However rich in blessings we are, we should still recognize that we are sinners. Those who Mourn: Jesus promises comfort those who mourn ( Matthew 5:4 ). When Lazarus died, Martha and Mary must both have mourned (John 11:17-44). Who does Jesus offer more comfort to? Those who acknowledge his current power, or those who condemn his failure to use his power? The Meek: Jesus says the meet will inherit the earth ( Matthew 5:5 ). A centurion asked Jesus to heal his servant ( Matthew 8:5-13 ). He didn’t consider himself worthy to take Jesus out of his way. Instead of demanding, he acknowledged Jesus’ right to demand. Is that meekness? Those who Hunger and Thirst for Righteousness: Those who hunger and thirst for righteousness will be filled ( Matthew 5:6 ). The cro...