Here are some questions based on last Sunday’s sermon text (Matthew 5:1-12), in case they’re helpful to you for personal growth or group discussion…

• As the “introduction” to the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7), the Beatitudes (5:1-12) describe the blessed life of the Kingdom of Heaven, which is the good news (gospel) that Jesus preaches (4:17). The Beatitudes primarily describe the blessed life of the King of Heaven, the Lord Jesus himself. Jesus is the Blessed One who is “poor in spirit” (v. 3), because he rejects the way of self-confidence, and depends entirely on his Father for all of his life—his only treasure is God. Can you think of times when Jesus demonstrates his dependence on the Father? What does it say about God that the incarnate-yet-fully-divine Son of God would be so dependent on the Father?

• There is nothing blessed about poverty, in itself. The true blessing is in the possession of the Kingdom of Heaven. The true blessing is being able to relate to the Blessed One. Do you see poverty of spirit as an opportunity to meet Jesus, to know what it’s like for God to be a human being in this world? Would you describe yourself as “poor in spirit,” like Jesus is? Do you acknowledge your complete dependence on God for life? Do you confess your spiritual bankruptcy before him, your need for his mercy and grace? Or would you consider yourself a self-confident, self-reliant, self-sufficient person who doesn’t see how a relationship with God is relevant to your life? Does God’s blessing means he rescues you from difficult circumstances? Can you believe that God’s blessing rests upon you even if you suffer and die? Why might one believe such a thing?

• If Jesus is poor in spirit, and if you are poor in spirit, then how do you view other people who are also obviously poor in spirit? How about people who are poor, materially? How about people who are dependent on others for support? Are you okay with being dependent on someone else? Why would that be a struggle for so many people? Is there anything good about being dependent on others?

• FOR THE CHILDREN: Maybe you don’t know it, but you are poor, and you depend on your parents to provide for you and take care of you. In the same way, Jesus depends on his Father for everything, and he never grows out of that. Why do you think Jesus still depends on his Father for everything? You might grow out of your need for your parents to take care of you, but do you think you will always depend on God for life?