Poor in Spirit

Grand Lake Church

Read Matthew 5: 1-12 – The Beatitudes.

What does the word “beatitude” mean?

Are The Beatitudes consistent with what the world understands as blessings? If not, in what ways are they different?

A common thread throughout The Beatitudes is humility. Can you see that? Why is humility so important?

Chandler says, “Beatitudes are pronouncements of blessing – objective realities – and not commands that we’re called to rigidly obey. They’re not acts of obedience that we must manufacture ourselves, but they are an ethic that Jesus is working into us.” What does this mean to you? Is this how you’ve always understood The Beatitudes, or is this different?

Chandler describes the first beatitude as an invitation “into the presence of Jesus...to confess your weakness, to confess your need and receive the kingdom. All that’s required of us is to simply come to Jesus.” Do you agree? Why/why not?

This week’s study describes poor in spirit as being (1) at the end of yourself, (2) coming to God with empty hands, and (3) having nothing left in the tank. Chandler paraphrases the first beatitude by saying, “Blessed are they who know they can’t do it on their own.” What does this mean to you?

Matthew bookends The Beatitudes by saying “theirs is the kingdom of heaven” in verses 3 and 10. What does he mean by kingdom of heaven? Are these the attributes you expected of those who receive the kingdom of heaven?

Can you see how The Beatitudes speak of God’s blessings regardless of life circumstances? How does that make you feel?

Prayer for the Week:

Gracious and loving God, help us to truly understand these beautiful blessings you offer each and every one of us. As we study these beatitudes, these blessings, over the next eight weeks, help us to remember that you are working to transform us and instill these characteristics within us. Help us to surrender our lives completely over to you, and allow your Holy Spirit to do this transformative work within us. We confess that we can’t do this work on our own, but we know you can and we trust that you will, if we let you. Thank you, Lord, for being patient with us when we try to do things our own way through our own power. Grant us the humility to confess our need for you. Lord, we love you, we need you, we trust you and we believe in you.

In your mercy, Lord, hear our prayers. Amen.