Leader Guide
This week we being a new series focused on Jesus’s Sermon on the Mount, also known as the Beatitudes. One of the key words Jesus uses repeatedly is “blessed.” But what does that really mean? It’s funny how easily we toss around the word blessed—we say it when we get a good parking spot, a free coffee, or a sunny day. But Jesus seems to define blessing in a much deeper—often more surprising—way.
What you will need: A Bible or your Bible app, a notebook, pen, and highlighter. The verses highlighted below are linked so that you can easily access them during your study time.
Jump Start
Leader: This section is designed to get discussions started, examine God’s truth, and apply it to our week. Life Group leaders should not assume everyone in their group is a Christ follower. Because they are taking part in a Life Group, they must have some openness to know more and explore. Pray for the Holy Spirit to work and let Him lead you as well.
1. Share some “silly” blessings that have come your way. (Examples: Found $5 in your pocket, someone paid for your coffee or Chick-fil-A, scored a front row parking space at Target, got an extra chicken nugget.)
2. Read Matthew 5:1-12. What do people usually mean when they say they are blessed? How does that compare to how Jesus uses the word in this scripture?
Leader: Most people associate being blessed with material things, good luck, success, etc. But notice how Jesus flips that idea – He calls the poor in spirit, the mourning, the meek and the persecuted “blessed”. These are heart-level and eternal blessings, not just circumstantial.
3. Which of Jesus’ blessed statements surprise you the most and why? How do kingdom values and blessings differ from worldly blessings? Can you recall a time you allowed bitterness to creep in because life felt unfair?
Leader: Help your group process how Jesus turns cultural values upside down. Bitterness often takes root when we expect God to bless us like the world does. Jesus is reminding us that joy and peace don’t come from our circumstances – they come from being aligned with God’s kingdom.
4. Have you ever felt truly “blessed” during a difficult season in life? What does that look like? Have you known someone that lived a truly joy filled life regardless of their circumstances?
Leader: This is a good place for the door to be opened for your group to be able to share their stories of faith, endurance, and God’s presence in suffering. Even when life was not fair, they still felt blessed and joyful.
5. Action Steps: This is not a list that Jesus gave to be blessed. Rather He was describing the kind of heart that’s open to God and His kingdom. The Beatitudes are both a comfort and a challenge, showing us, that God’s definition of blessing runs much deeper than anything the world can offer.
*Consider the Beatitudes. Which one stands out to you? What would it look like to live that out practically?