Bible study 6

In this study, we discussed the beatitudes and the Salt and light passage found in Matthew 5:1-16.  Here is the link http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+5%3A1-16&version=ESV

Discussion Questions:

What do you think Jesus is trying to say with the beatitudes?

Which Beatitudes confuse or challenge you?

What is meant by meek?

What is meant by poor in spirit?

What do you think is significant of the last beatitude?

What does salt of the earth mean and how does that challenge us?

Why do we let our light shine before others?

Summary thoughts: The Sermon on the Mount is a call to discipleship.  To wrestle with the sermon on the mount is to realize the unbelievable call toward holiness and action.  That call can only be realized by the grace of God which is realized in the beatitudes.  They show that God will turn our weakness into strength and that we need only look toward God and see him as satisfying and loving.  That begins the transformation process that starts with poor in spirit and ends with being persecuted for Christ's sake.  Once we have realized the depth of our spiritual poverty, we then are able to realize the riches of God's love and become salt of the earth.