Sessions 8-9: Sermon on the Mount

Session 8: Sermon on the Mount Part I - The Beatitudes

Jesus started teaching people about God and how to live. Everywhere he went, many people followed him to listen to him. One of his most well known teachings was called the Sermon on the Mount. Let's read Matthew 5 and/or watch the following video:

Video: Sermon on the Mount

Source: Crossroad Kids' Club on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ze7w3-BL3OM

Discuss

Jesus taught us many things at the Sermon on the Mount. One of the things he covered was The Beatitudes. Let's focus on the Beatitudes for Session 8.

What are Beatitudes?

Beatitudes are Jesus' teachings on how we should live, to have a blessed life on earth and in heaven. They teach us the Christian values which will lead us to experience God's joy, peace and blessings.

Discuss each of the beatitudes and what they might mean to the kids:

1) Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven

The poor could refer to literally poor people (who don't have much money and are in need of basic necessities), as well as spiritually poor people (people who acknowledge their need and total dependence on God). The reward here is the kingdom of heaven. Do we rely on ourselves? Or are we totally dependent on God?

2) Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted

Those who mourn could refer to anyone who is sad, or who have lost someone they love. Jesus promises that these people who suffer will be comforted. When we are sad, do we seek solace in Jesus? When we see others who are sad, are we compassionate towards them?

3) Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the land

The meek refer to those who are humble and patient. Those who choose to resolve conflicts peacefully, without violence. How do we resolve conflict with friends and family members? Do we easily get offended by others because of our pride?

4) Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied

Those who hunger for righteousness are those who want justice in the world, they will be satisfied. Do you see any injustices happening in school or in your community? Is there something we can do about it? Are we always respectful and fair to people we meet?

5) Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy

To be merciful is to be kind, have compassion, and to be forgiving. When one is merciful, God will show them mercy as well. How do we respond when someone is unkind to us or hurts us? Are we able to forgive others? Do we keep track of mistakes which others make?

6) Blessed are the pure of heart, for they will see God

This can refer to little children, who are often innocent and pure of heart. Or people who focus on God and put Him first in all situations. In all we do, do we put God or ourselves first?

7) Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God

We are all children of God, and Jesus asks us to bring peace to the people around us, to their community, to the world. Let's start in our family and amongst our friends in school. How can we promote peace and understanding at home and in school? In the way we behave, do we show love to others, so that they can see Jesus in us?

8) Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven

This refers to those who do what is right, even when they are persecuted (hurt or mocked for it). Even if they suffer for it, they can be happy because they have the kingdom of heaven to look forward to. Do you sometimes find it difficult to do something that you know is right (e.g. standing up for a classmate who's being bullied)?

9) Blessed are you when men revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven

This refers to those who stand up for Christ, even when they are persecuted. It can be difficult sometimes to stand up for our faith and what Jesus teaches us. Are we shy to proclaim our faith in front of our friends - are we afraid of being teased or ridiculed?

The beatitudes teach us what we must be like. How can we put some of these into practice in the coming weeks?

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Session 9: Sermon on the Mount Part 2 - God is our Father

During the Sermon on the Mount, one of the most important things which Jesus taught us is that God is our loving father, who wants to be close to us and have a relationship with us. He taught us how to have a relationship with God through prayer. Read Mathew 6 and/or watch the following video:

Video: The Lord's Prayer

Source: Sharefaith kids on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MRJdY37W2dg

Discuss:

Do you pray? When and how can we pray?

We can pray anywhere and anytime! We can sing and praise God in song, we can thank him for his blessings, we can talk to him about our problems, and we can ask him for help when we're troubled or scared. He is our heavenly father and is always ready to listen to us. But it's not just a one way conversation of us talking - we should have some quiet time for him to speak to us. Sometimes he speaks to us through the bible, or through other people as well.

We can also say the Lord's Prayer - that Jesus taught us. St Augustine called it the perfect prayer. Through the Lord's Prayer, Jesus teaches us the key themes which we should include in our prayer to God:

1) We are a family, and God is our Father

"Our Father, who art in heaven" - We start off the prayer by acknowledging God as our Father in heaven. We are part of the family of God, and God is not a distant God, but our father who loves us.

2) We revere and hold God holy. We should respect him and hold him in awe.

"Hallowed" (or Holy) be thy name"

3) Our ultimate goal is not on earth, and my life is not about me. But the ultimate focus should be God's will, and our destination is God's kingdom.

"Thy kingdom come, they will be done, on earth as it is in heaven"

4) We petition for our needs to be met

"Give us this day our daily bread"

5) We repent and ask for forgiveness, and we need to forgive others

"And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us"

6) We need God's grace and strength in everything we do

"Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil"

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Jesus also teaches us that God our father loves us so much, and knows each of us individually, that he already knows what we need, even before we ask it. Therefore we should not worry or be anxious. Read Matthew 6:25-34 and/or watch the following video:

Video: Do Not Worry

Source: Saddleback kids on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PG1LjFO99dA

Discuss:

What do you worry about? What can we do when we're worried or anxious?

Perhaps we're worried about our grades, what our friends think of us, or our family situation. Whatever it is, we can bring our troubles to God and ask him for help.

In Matthew 7:7-12, Jesus reminds us that even earthly fathers would give their children good things when they ask for it. And how much more our heavenly father who loves us would want to shower us with blessings and good things. He reminds us to "Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find, knock, and it will be opened to you".

We should remember though that God only wants to give us what is good (and sometimes what we ask for, may not be what's best for us). We need to trust in him to do what's best for us.

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There are many other lessons which Jesus teaches us in the Sermon on the Mount. These include how to be charitable, not to judge others, how to live our lives and loving our enemies. Spend some time reading the rest of Matthew 5-7 together.