Opening

What is a blessing? Do you know of a blessed person? What do they have or what makes you think they are blessed? Name a bible character
that God blessed. Today we learn about the blessing that comes when we obey the word of God.

Bible Story

● When Jesus was on earth He loved teaching people, people followed Him wherever he went. Sometimes He would sit them down and begin teaching about the kingdom of God. Jesus was a good teacher, sometimes He used stories and sometimes he used parables, to make people understand what he was teaching. He taught people to love one another, to be merciful to others, to forgive others, to be generous, to be kind to others, to be humble etc.
● In our story today Jesus went to the mountain side and sat down with his disciples and began teaching them the beatitudes. So what is a beatitude?
● Beatitude is a saying of Jesus; it is any of the eight blessings announced by Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount. Here are the eight beatitudes:
1. Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven
2. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted
3. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth
4. Blessed are the those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled
5. Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy
6. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God
7. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God
8. Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

● The beatitudes are beautiful, clear and full of wisdom. They point us to God, who is our source of blessing, and source of strength to live right.

● To be blessed according to how Jesus taught is different from what people today say is to be blessed. Jesus spoke of a condition of the heart, an attitude that is not self-seeking or self-gratifying. Jesus teaches us to focus on being right in relationship with Him and with others above all else in order that we may be blessed.
○ It is important to start by acknowledging what Jesus meant when He used the word ‘blessed’ throughout this teaching. The original Greek word used for ‘blessed’ was makarios. This word can also mean happy, joyful, or blissful. Uneasy way to explain what Jesus was trying to say to a child could be to point out the difference between being happy and being joyful. Being happy is like eating a piece of candy. It is wonderful while the candy is in our mouth, but once the sweet flavor is gone that’s it. Being joyful is like being full  after eating your favorite meal. Not only did you enjoy eating the food, but now you feel full and satisfied. When Jesus uses the word ‘blessed’, He is talking about being full and satisfied with the contentment that comes from knowing God.
● As we learn about beatitudes, ask God to give you strength to trust Him, to enable you to live righteously.

Questions

1. What are the fruits of the Holy Spirit? Galatians 5: 22, let the children mention them randomly.
2. Why should we bear these fruits of the Holy Spirit? To show we love Jesus and help others become friends with Jesus.
3. What are the different fruits you as a person think you have? Let the children mention them.
4. Why do you think we should submit to Jesus in order for us to bear these fruits? Align this with John 15: 5, it is only through the help of the Holy Spirit.
5. What are you going to do as a person to bear fruits? Let the children answer randomly.