The Bridge Church
Happiness According to Jesus - The Humble and Hungry
August 11, 2024
Locations & Times
Englewood SKY Academy
871 S River Rd, Englewood, FL 34223, USA
Sunday 9:00 AM
Sunday 10:30 AM
Blessed (Greek: Makarios) - happy, privileged, favored by God, fulfilled
The beatitudes are Christ-like characteristics that the Holy Spirit produces in followers of Christ.
1. Happy people are humble people
Greek “Praus” – strength under control
2. Happy people hunger and thirst for righteousness
Righteousness - the holy standard of God, fully embodied in Jesus.
Positional Righteousness – righteousness received by faith in Christ.
Positional Righteousness – righteousness received by faith in Christ.
Personal Righteousness – righteousness we pursue because we have received Jesus’ righteousness.
“There is a god shaped vacuum in the heart of every person, and it can never be filled by any created thing. It can only be filled by God, made known through Jesus Christ.” Blaine Pascal
MY NEXT STEP TODAY IS:
I need to receive Jesus Christ as my personal Savior for the first time.
https://thebridgevenice.churchcenter.com/people/forms/500390
I need to be baptized.
https://www.thebridgevenice.com/baptism
I need to attend Starting Point.
https://www.thebridgevenice.com/starting-point
I need to join a serve team.
https://www.thebridgevenice.com/serve
I need to join a small group.
https://www.thebridgevenice.com/bridge-groups
I need to receive Jesus Christ as my personal Savior for the first time.
https://thebridgevenice.churchcenter.com/people/forms/500390
I need to be baptized.
https://www.thebridgevenice.com/baptism
I need to attend Starting Point.
https://www.thebridgevenice.com/starting-point
I need to join a serve team.
https://www.thebridgevenice.com/serve
I need to join a small group.
https://www.thebridgevenice.com/bridge-groups
Dig Deeper:
1. Read Matthew 5:1-4. Looking back at last week, how would you answer, “What is happiness according to Jesus”?
2. How are the beatitudes produced in us? How is this different from following rules in our own strength?
3. Read Matthew 5:5-6. What immediately stands out to you in this passage?
4. Read Matthew 5:5. Look up different translations of this passage. What words are used instead of humble?
5. What image does the word “meek” or “gentle” bring to your mind? How is that different than what is described in this passage?
6. Moses was called the “meekest” man that ever lived. Looking back on the Exodus series, share a few examples in which Moses was meek in terms of being humble. Then, share a few examples of how Moses was not “weak”.
7. The Greek word “praus” used in this passage means strength under control. Why is the word humility used in our English translation?
8. Describe humility in your own words.
9. Describe someone you know who exhibits strength under control. How do they act? Would you consider this person humble?
10. How is our humility impacted by our relationship with Jesus? How are showing humility and trusting in Jesus related to one another?
11. Read Matthew 11:29. How is a yoke a symbol of partnership? How does humility play a part in this situation?
12. Reread Matthew 5:5. What is the blessing of this beatitude? What does it mean to inherit the earth?
13. Read Matthew 5:6. What does it mean to hunger and thirst for righteousness? Define both the righteousness we received by faith in Christ (positional righteousness) and the personal righteousness being spoken about in this beatitude?
14. Remember a time when you were seeking to be filled by something in this world that didn’t satisfy you. Describe what it felt like when you realized it wouldn’t do what you were hoping it would.
15. Read 2 Corinthians 5:21. How does the finished work of Christ on the cross allow us to be made right (righteous) with God?
16. Read Psalm 63:1. What does it look like to eagerly seek God?
17. Reread Matthew 5:6. What is the blessing of this beatitude? How does hunger and thirst for righteousness fill us in a way nothing else can?
18. How are the beatitudes a form of worship?
19. How did Jesus exemplify these beatitudes while living on this earth?
20. Looking back on the first four beatitudes, who is the attention ultimately focused on? Why? How can we daily live out these beatitudes in order for God to receive all the glory?
Live It Out:
This week, memorize these two beatitudes and reflect on them.
1. Blessed are the humble, for they will inherit the earth. How do you know you are growing in humility and meekness? How do you respond to correction? Do you welcome it or reject it? Have you recently said, “I am not going to be the one to apologize. I am not asking for forgiveness.” The Bible says pride only breeds quarrels. If you are holding on to pride, pray to God for the fruit of the spirit (Galatians 5:22-23). Surrender to Him all hurts or strongholds that have been impacting your relationship with Him and with others.
2. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. This week, carve out time to spend with God. Read His Word. One of the most important meetings of your day is your personal worship with God. One of our discipleship steps at The Bridge Church is to worship God faithfully every day and every week. You need the rhythm of daily time with God through reading the Word and in prayer! Make this a priority this week, knowing that through this your hunger and thirst for Him will increase even more, and you will be filled.
1. Read Matthew 5:1-4. Looking back at last week, how would you answer, “What is happiness according to Jesus”?
2. How are the beatitudes produced in us? How is this different from following rules in our own strength?
3. Read Matthew 5:5-6. What immediately stands out to you in this passage?
4. Read Matthew 5:5. Look up different translations of this passage. What words are used instead of humble?
5. What image does the word “meek” or “gentle” bring to your mind? How is that different than what is described in this passage?
6. Moses was called the “meekest” man that ever lived. Looking back on the Exodus series, share a few examples in which Moses was meek in terms of being humble. Then, share a few examples of how Moses was not “weak”.
7. The Greek word “praus” used in this passage means strength under control. Why is the word humility used in our English translation?
8. Describe humility in your own words.
9. Describe someone you know who exhibits strength under control. How do they act? Would you consider this person humble?
10. How is our humility impacted by our relationship with Jesus? How are showing humility and trusting in Jesus related to one another?
11. Read Matthew 11:29. How is a yoke a symbol of partnership? How does humility play a part in this situation?
12. Reread Matthew 5:5. What is the blessing of this beatitude? What does it mean to inherit the earth?
13. Read Matthew 5:6. What does it mean to hunger and thirst for righteousness? Define both the righteousness we received by faith in Christ (positional righteousness) and the personal righteousness being spoken about in this beatitude?
14. Remember a time when you were seeking to be filled by something in this world that didn’t satisfy you. Describe what it felt like when you realized it wouldn’t do what you were hoping it would.
15. Read 2 Corinthians 5:21. How does the finished work of Christ on the cross allow us to be made right (righteous) with God?
16. Read Psalm 63:1. What does it look like to eagerly seek God?
17. Reread Matthew 5:6. What is the blessing of this beatitude? How does hunger and thirst for righteousness fill us in a way nothing else can?
18. How are the beatitudes a form of worship?
19. How did Jesus exemplify these beatitudes while living on this earth?
20. Looking back on the first four beatitudes, who is the attention ultimately focused on? Why? How can we daily live out these beatitudes in order for God to receive all the glory?
Live It Out:
This week, memorize these two beatitudes and reflect on them.
1. Blessed are the humble, for they will inherit the earth. How do you know you are growing in humility and meekness? How do you respond to correction? Do you welcome it or reject it? Have you recently said, “I am not going to be the one to apologize. I am not asking for forgiveness.” The Bible says pride only breeds quarrels. If you are holding on to pride, pray to God for the fruit of the spirit (Galatians 5:22-23). Surrender to Him all hurts or strongholds that have been impacting your relationship with Him and with others.
2. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. This week, carve out time to spend with God. Read His Word. One of the most important meetings of your day is your personal worship with God. One of our discipleship steps at The Bridge Church is to worship God faithfully every day and every week. You need the rhythm of daily time with God through reading the Word and in prayer! Make this a priority this week, knowing that through this your hunger and thirst for Him will increase even more, and you will be filled.
Reading Plan:
Monday: Matthew 5:1-4
Tuesday: Matthew 5:5-6
Wednesday: Matthew 11:29, Galatians 5:22-23, 2 Corinthians 5:21
Thursday: Psalm 63
Friday: Psalm 107
Saturday: John 6:35, John 4:13-14
Monday: Matthew 5:1-4
Tuesday: Matthew 5:5-6
Wednesday: Matthew 11:29, Galatians 5:22-23, 2 Corinthians 5:21
Thursday: Psalm 63
Friday: Psalm 107
Saturday: John 6:35, John 4:13-14