Wading through life

Scott, Clark and I had our first small group planning voice conference. It was pretty fun. Turn on my cell’s speakerphone, set it in the middle of Scott’s bedroom, and called Clark up. It worked pretty good and we got things hashed out in about an hour. That’s way more productive than normal!

So, here’s the next set of stuff our small group is going to work through. Feel free to join in the dialog…or just think about it. Focus alums will certainly find it familiar.

Check out the Beatitudes in Matt. 5:1-12.

There are two general understandings of what Jesus was getting at when he delivered the Beatitudes. The general interpretation is that he was speaking of conditions which qualify for blessing. We think of them as things we should strive after; i.e. “I need to be more merciful, for then I will obtain mercy.” We set up the equation: me + more mercy = me blessed.

A second understanding is that Jesus was speaking of the extension of his kingdom to people in all life conditions: good or bad. They aren’t necessarily desirable conditions (who wants to mourn or be persecuted?)…but there is hope of “thy kingdom come” in all conditions.

This message was especially refreshing for the crowd Jesus was speaking to, which consisted primarily of people who found themselves in the very situations he spoke of: poor, mourning, meek, persecuted…but also pure in heart and hungry for righteousness. They were blessed?!!?! That was news to them! They hadn’t been told that before…especially by the religious elite.

It helps to know what Greek word for “blessed” was used when recounting Christ’s message. Eulogetos is one origin of “blessed” and means “praised, well spoken of;” it was a compliment. This isn’t the “blessed” Jesus used. He isn’t saying “Good job when you’re a peacemaker…” (though…one could certainly argue that he likes peacemakers…)

The word used by the author of Matthew is makarios, which means “happy, fortunate, well off.” So you could say “You can be happy when you mourn, for you will be comforted.” Or maybe: “You can feel fortunate when you’re persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for yours is the kingdom of heaven.”

Long message short: there is always hope in the Kingdom of God. That’s good news…the gospel! When you sin, there is the promise of forgiveness. When you’re sick, there is the promise of healing. When you’re broke, there is the promise of provision. When you’re tempted, there is the promise of a way out. When you’re confused, there is the promise you’ll hear his voice. When you’re dead, there is the promise of everlasting life. This is the upside-down kingdom, remember?! Things are never as they seem.

Add the beatitudes right in there.

So, with that long intro, we have two short sets of questions:

1. What beatitude speaks to you most? Find scriptures that relate to the topic and reinforce God’s promise in it. How can you stand on the promise? How could it change your life if you did?
2. Recount a time you found yourself in a situation suggested by Jesus in the beatitudes. How did you initially respond? How did God respond? Did you find the promises he offers to be true?

Come prepared to share and discuss.

I just stumbled across the brilliant idea of expanding our small group…to you! We’re shifting gears a bit and developing study questions ahead of time for the group to think through in preparation of our time together. And I thought I may as well spread the wealth.

So, to catch you up a bit, we’re part way through a study of what Jesus had to say about the Kingdom of God. As it turns out, he had a LOT to say about the Kingdom. But at the same time, us church go-ers do a LOT of ‘kingdom’ talk. I tend to think we’re only scratching the surface.

If you really want to be up-to-speed, read Jesus’ kingdom dissertation in Matt. 5-7 (yes, he was successful in defending it; he rose from the dead). And then check out his creative writing approach to kingdom-speak in Matt. 13.

Without further ado, join the dialog! Post thoughts, comments, discussion questions of your own…whatever. Wading Through Life has been one-way communication for too long!

1. If the kingdom of God is TRULY like a valuable pearl or treasure-laden field that a man sells all he has for, are we missing something? Are we not clear of the quality of the pearl or value of the treasure?
2. Is there a better ROI (return on investment) than the kingdom of God? Read Matt. 7 and think through some of the benefits entitled to kingdom residents. They aren’t all glaringly obvious…but they’re there! Also, remember that original investment IS required!
3. What is God asking you to give up for the pearl…the kingdom?
4. Read Matt. 13. Think about the narrow gate. Are you on the path? Does mainstream, status-quo “Christianity” lead people along the path and through the gate? Who did Jesus say was going to pass through the gate? Who wasn’t?
5. What spiritual baggage are you carrying that could make it tough to squeeze through the narrow gate? Are you allowing God to show you the true path to the gate?
6. Think through the commands of asking, seeking and knocking (Matt. 7:7-12). Are they one in the same? Or is it a process to engage?
7. What good gifts does God want to give you? What do you desire that you simply haven’t asked, sought and knocked for?