Kingdom Confusion, Part 1: The Beatitudes & The Me-Attitudes
Welcome to the first week of our new series Kingdom Confusion. This week, Pastor Pete Stearns covers the Beatitudes and challenges us to consider how they influence our everyday lives.
1. When you hear the word “blessed” what comes to mind? Where do we see that word in our culture, and how is it used?
2. Pete shared that “blessed” in the context of the Beatitudes meant “aligned with God’s Kingdom.” How does that change your definition or thinking?
3. Read Matthew 5:1-12. How have you traditionally read this passage? Is it convicting or encouraging? What parts have stuck out to you?
4. Watch the Primer Podcast for this week.
5. Pete talked about how reflections are always influenced by distortions. In the same way, the picture of the “Kingdom of God” that we have on earth is always impacted by personal distortions. During the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus was talking to a crowd of people who were impacted by some of the same distortions we are impacted by today. Read over these and share with your group which of these distortions is most tempting for you:
Pharisees – Perfection
Sadducees – Prosperity and Popularity
Zealots – Power and Control
Essenes – Preservation and Protection
6. Over time, distortions create separation, which creates confusion. Read over these “Kingdom Confusions” and discuss where we might find ourselves or our Christian culture falling into their trap:
Blessed is the one who always does the right thing… For they will be deserving of God’s Love.
Blessed is the one who pleases people and compromises for the greater good… For they will be rewarded both in heaven and on earth.
Blessed is the one who fights for what they believe… who stands up to those who disagree… who takes and eye for an eye… for they will win the culture war.
Blessed is the one does not engage, who separates from the culture and protects their safety and comfort… For their way of life will not be disrupted.
7. Pete shared that if the Beatitudes feel comfortable to you, you're probably reading them wrong. What does that evoke in you? Why are we tempted to read our Kingdom Confusions as right, while seeing everyone else’s as clearly wrong?
8. Pete shared that the Beatitudes are like a “practice uniform” in that they:
Provide Unity by marking us as citizens of heaven rather than political affiliations, career paths, cultural backgrounds or other external affiliations.
Lead us towards Intentional Transformation as they remind us that our lives are not are own.
Are an Attractive Witness as our community provides a radical alternative to the kingdoms of the world.
Discuss this impact as a group. Which of these three (above) do we need the most in our culture today?
9. Read over the paraphrased version of the Beatitudes below, and talk about the radical implications of each one. How might they have the unifying, transformational, and attractive characteristics discussed above?
The Beatitudes
Blessed are those who have nothing to their name… or perhaps claim nothing as their own… For their only hope, comfort and security are found in heaven.
Blessed are those who recognize the depth of their own sin and mourn for those around them who both knowingly and unknowingly ache for a savior… For God will redeem them completely.
Blessed are those who have surrendered their emotions and their ways to the indwelling of Gods Holy Spirit, those who are marked by its fruit… For the world will see them and want to know more!
Blessed are those who have an unsatisfiable longing for nothing but God… a craving that cannot be ignored, put on hold or suppressed… For God will never cease to bring them satisfaction.
Blessed are those who seek to see the world through the eyes of others, to enter into their pain, sorrow and anger so that they might pour out unconditional mercy and love upon them… For that is what Christ has done for us.
Blessed are those who’s motives are never self seeking… who have nothing to gain from their actions, ideologies and politics… For they will be aligned with the Kingdom of God.
Blessed is the one who always seeks to reconcile with others, who leaves the comfort and the safety of the ninety-nine to restore the one… For this is the very work of God.
Blessed are you when you are condemned, belittled, forgotten and disgraced for acting this way… For this will be a sign that you are a citizen of the Kingdom of heaven.
(*Video available after Sunday services)
