1. In your own understanding, what is a blessing?
2. When have you been most blessed? (Beyond your family and your faith?)
3. Do you feel this generation has been more or less blessed than those who have come before?

 

Going Deeper

Read Deuteronomy 7:12-13.

¹² Wherefore it shall come to pass, if ye hearken to these judgments, and keep, and do them, that the Lord thy God shall keep unto thee the covenant and the mercy which he sware unto thy fathers:

1. How does God promise to bless Israel? Cattle, sheep, goats etc.…
2. What does Israel need to accomplish for these blessings to be realized? Faithfully follow the laws of the LORD, or trust God more than any other source in life.
3. Why would God bless the Israelites this way? Such wealth would have been seen as divine favor.
4. What would a comparable list look like in modern terms? Would you want to be blessed that way?

 

Read Matthew 5:1-12. 

5 And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him:

² And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying,

³ Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

⁴ Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.

⁵ Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.

⁶ Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.

⁷ Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.

⁸ Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.

⁹ Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.

¹⁰ Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

¹¹ Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.

¹² Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.

 

5. Who are the blessed in this passage? Those in need, who long for God.
6. How does the Kingdom of Heaven factor into blessings? The Kingdom is the place where God and man live in proper relationship.  This is the place of blessing.
7. What is God’s aim in blessing people? God answers their needs in life to highlight their greatest need is for the presence of Christ.

 

Read Jeremiah 17:7-8. 

 Blessed is the man that trusteth in the Lord, and whose hope the Lord is.

⁸ For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and that spreadeth out her roots by the river, and shall not see when heat cometh, but her leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit.

 

8. Who are the blessed in this passage? V.7 those who trust and hope in the LORD. 
9. How can our “roots” reach deep into the water? We recognize our life is part of God’s plan. We take strength and assurance from God’s Will.
10. The trees near the river are not bothered by the heat and their leaves stay green.  How is it possible for Christians to stay “green” in hard times? Faith in Christ.

 

Read James1:12.

¹² Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.

 

11. Who does God bless in this passage? Those who patiently endure.
12. What is the reward promised? Crown of life. Why would we care about this reward in Heaven? The crown is a reflection of life we are entrusted with in eternity.
13. What areas of life have you had to “patiently endure?”

 

Take it home

1. Can you recognize a blessing from God once a day?
2. How can you bless a person at least once a day?
3. Can you bless God (give thanks) for one part of your life today?