Discussion Questions
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How might the “Beatitudes” be expressed in relationships within the Christian community? Have you seen them expressed well or poorly? Explain.
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3 Replies
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Somewhat a mix of all that was discussed – in my community there is a clear leaning toward the expectancy of the beatitudes, yet the everyday challenges exposes many weaknesses in maintaining fluency.
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The beatitudes are a comprehensive portrait of the Christian’s character. The Christians does not insulate himself or herself from the world with its sorrows and pain. The Christian is active within the community, showing mercy, be open and transparent when dealing with other. The Christian pursues the path of peace, opposes slander and persecution of others. I’ve seen those who take their walk and representation of Christ very serious. I’ve seen them endure the pain of following the path of peace and taken the high road to live humbly before God. On the other hand, I’ve seen those within the Christian community also, who talk the talk but don’t walk the walk.
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An example of how the Beatitudes might be expressed in Christian community relationships would be to show each other mercy. I like the Message translation which says, “You’re blessed when you care. At the moment of being ‘care-full’, you find yourselves cared for.” It is a mutual experience of being merciful and receiving God’s mercy through our brother’s and sisters.
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What are some common characteristics shared within the “Beatitudes?” What applications can we make from discerning the meaning and purpose of the “Beatitudes?”
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3 Replies
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I believe that carrying out the expectations of what Christ challenges us with, commands us to do, like rebuking, forgiving, humility regardless, is what we all need to strive toward, consistently.
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We are to recognize our spiritual poverty, be genuinely sorrowful over sin, willingly repent, hunger to be like Christ and be okay with others seeing us as we want God to see us. We can discern that this teaching from Jesus concerning the characteristic of the citizen of the kingdom is not meant for a select few. It is meant for all. Every Christians, citizen of the kingdom is expected to have and live out these characteristics.
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I think one of the common characteristics within the Beatitudes is love. Love may be seen in someone being merciful and meek both inwardly and towards others. Another common characteristic may be perseverance as people work for peace in a hostile world and as Christians continue in the Faith even though they face persecution.
For me, the applications I hope to make are to pray for God’s help to grow in the characteristics of the Beatitudes and to remember these words of Jesus in every day life.
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What made Christ’s description of the blessed person so radical and unexpected?
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3 Replies
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Very radical words spoken in Biblical times, but so relevant even today, we see all the time that truly blessed people are not of this world.
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Christ challenges the standards of the world by congratulating those whom the world most pities. Christ calls the world’s rejects blessed.
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Christ’s description of the blessed person is radical and unexpected because He does not refer to worldly characteristics and material gain but rather spiritual qualities and the blessings of God.