The Bridge Church
Happiness According to Jesus - The Peacemakers and Persecuted
September 1, 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."
"happy, privileged, favored by God, fulfilled."
Peacemaker vs Peacekeeper
Peace (eirēnē)- peace between individuals; harmony; security, safety, prosperity
Maker (poieō)- to make, cause, or produce
Peace (eirēnē)- peace between individuals; harmony; security, safety, prosperity
Maker (poieō)- to make, cause, or produce
Being a peacemaker is one of the most Christ-like things that you can do.
True happiness is found by those who unceasingly remember who it truly comes from.
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 5:1-8. Of all the beatitudes we’ve looked at so far in this series, which one has resonated with you the most? Why?
2. Do you see happiness differently after going through this series? If so, how?
3. Describe a time in your life when you thought that something other than Jesus would equate to consistently more happiness. What was it? Did it make you happy ongoing?
4. Looking back over this series, we’ve learned that blessed in Greek means “happy, privileged, favored by God, fulfilled.” How do the beatitudes express this definition?
5. Read Matthew 5:9-12. How do these beatitudes compliment those before them? Why this order?
6. Read Matthew 5:9. What is the difference between a peacemaker and a peacekeeper? What is the goal of a peacemaker? What is the goal of a peacekeeper? Where is the attention focused in either scenario?
7. Read Colossians 1:19-20. How did Jesus exemplify being a peacemaker while living on this earth?
8. Read Matthew 5:9 again. Why are peacemakers called sons of God? By whom are they called that? How does that bless the peacemaker?
9. Read Romans 12:18. Describe what this looks like. Who are we supposed to live at peace with? What should we put second (or third, or fourth, or tenth) below focusing on living at peace with everyone?
10. Read Matthew 5:10. Is persecution inevitable for someone who is a follower of Jesus Christ? Explain your answer.
11. What other beatitude also says, “for the kingdom of heaven is theirs”? How might these two beatitudes be associated? How does the order of the beatitudes play a part in this repetition?
12. Describe the difference between actual persecution and experiencing trouble in life.
13. Define righteousness. What does “persecution because of righteousness” look like?
14. Read 1 Peter 4:12-16. Summarize this passage.
15. Discuss a time when someone has been surprised by persecution, or even being subject to judgement or anger from someone who doesn’t share your Christian viewpoint. Why do you think he/she was surprised?
16. Discuss a time when someone you know has truly been persecuted for his/her faith. Where does this person live? Is this a part of his/her daily life? How does this person respond?
17. Why are the last two beatitudes important to live out simultaneously?
18. How can we daily live out these last two beatitudes in order for God to receive all the glory?
Live It Out:
True happiness is found by those who unceasingly remember who it truly comes from. This week, reflect back on all the beatitudes listed below. After doing so, write out what it looks like to do the opposite of this beatitude. Then, assess where you are in living out the beatitudes. Do you more resemble the beatitude or the opposite example of it? Pray to God to do a work within you. Make intentional choices to live a life where you are close to God in your daily walk, knowing that He is the one who gives us the strength, power, wisdom, and discernment to live a “blessed” life.
1. Blessed are the poor in spirit, for the kingdom of heaven is theirs.
2. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
3. Blessed are the humble, for they will inherit the earth.
4. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
5. Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.
6. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
7. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.
8. Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for the kingdom of heaven is theirs.
1. Read Matthew 5:1-8. Of all the beatitudes we’ve looked at so far in this series, which one has resonated with you the most? Why?
2. Do you see happiness differently after going through this series? If so, how?
3. Describe a time in your life when you thought that something other than Jesus would equate to consistently more happiness. What was it? Did it make you happy ongoing?
4. Looking back over this series, we’ve learned that blessed in Greek means “happy, privileged, favored by God, fulfilled.” How do the beatitudes express this definition?
5. Read Matthew 5:9-12. How do these beatitudes compliment those before them? Why this order?
6. Read Matthew 5:9. What is the difference between a peacemaker and a peacekeeper? What is the goal of a peacemaker? What is the goal of a peacekeeper? Where is the attention focused in either scenario?
7. Read Colossians 1:19-20. How did Jesus exemplify being a peacemaker while living on this earth?
8. Read Matthew 5:9 again. Why are peacemakers called sons of God? By whom are they called that? How does that bless the peacemaker?
9. Read Romans 12:18. Describe what this looks like. Who are we supposed to live at peace with? What should we put second (or third, or fourth, or tenth) below focusing on living at peace with everyone?
10. Read Matthew 5:10. Is persecution inevitable for someone who is a follower of Jesus Christ? Explain your answer.
11. What other beatitude also says, “for the kingdom of heaven is theirs”? How might these two beatitudes be associated? How does the order of the beatitudes play a part in this repetition?
12. Describe the difference between actual persecution and experiencing trouble in life.
13. Define righteousness. What does “persecution because of righteousness” look like?
14. Read 1 Peter 4:12-16. Summarize this passage.
15. Discuss a time when someone has been surprised by persecution, or even being subject to judgement or anger from someone who doesn’t share your Christian viewpoint. Why do you think he/she was surprised?
16. Discuss a time when someone you know has truly been persecuted for his/her faith. Where does this person live? Is this a part of his/her daily life? How does this person respond?
17. Why are the last two beatitudes important to live out simultaneously?
18. How can we daily live out these last two beatitudes in order for God to receive all the glory?
Live It Out:
True happiness is found by those who unceasingly remember who it truly comes from. This week, reflect back on all the beatitudes listed below. After doing so, write out what it looks like to do the opposite of this beatitude. Then, assess where you are in living out the beatitudes. Do you more resemble the beatitude or the opposite example of it? Pray to God to do a work within you. Make intentional choices to live a life where you are close to God in your daily walk, knowing that He is the one who gives us the strength, power, wisdom, and discernment to live a “blessed” life.
1. Blessed are the poor in spirit, for the kingdom of heaven is theirs.
2. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
3. Blessed are the humble, for they will inherit the earth.
4. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
5. Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.
6. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
7. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.
8. Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for the kingdom of heaven is theirs.
Reading Plan:
Monday: Matthew 5:1-4
Tuesday: Matthew 5:5-8
Wednesday: Matthew 5:9-12
Thursday: 1 Peter 4:12-16
Friday: Romans 12:18
Saturday: Colossians 1:19-20
Monday: Matthew 5:1-4
Tuesday: Matthew 5:5-8
Wednesday: Matthew 5:9-12
Thursday: 1 Peter 4:12-16
Friday: Romans 12:18
Saturday: Colossians 1:19-20