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Today's study passage focuses on a section of Scripture known as the Beatitudes. Commentary in the NLT Study Bible offers this insight into this powerful section of Scripture: "Jesus calls men and women to follow him as he proclaims the message of the kingdom of Israel. … The Beatitudes describe the lifestyle and character of a follower of Jesus." In stark contrast to the dog-eat-dog system of the world, the Beatitudes reflect values of God's eternal kingdom.

Matthew 5:1-10

1. What are the characteristics of someone who prospers and rises to the top in today's world? How do these characteristics differ from those found in the Beatitudes?
   
2. What do people potentially sacrifice by striving to live out values espoused in the Beatitudes?
   
3. What are the rewards for those who seek to live out the values espoused in the Beatitudes?
   
4. What can happen if we reduce the Beatitudes to a list of rules we work hard to follow? (See Matt. 23:1-28.)
   
5. What must precede our attempt to live by the Beatitudes—by the values of God's eternal kingdom? (See Matt. 7:15-20, Phil. 2:12-13, Eph. 4:21-24.)

Ask God to help you discern areas in which you have bought into the world's value system; then ask him to daily fill you with his Spirit, empowering you to live by the values of his kingdom.

Matthew 5:1-10

1 One day as he saw the crowds gathering, Jesus went up on the mountainside and sat down. His disciples gathered around him, 2 and he began to teach them.

3 "God blesses those who are poor and realize their need for him,
for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.
4 God blesses those who mourn,
for they will be comforted.
5 God blesses those who are humble,
for they will inherit the whole earth.
6 God blesses those who hunger and thirst for justice,
for they will be satisfied.
7 God blesses those who are merciful,
for they will be shown mercy.
8 God blesses those whose hearts are pure,
for they will see God.
9 God blesses those who work for peace,
for they will be called the children of God.
10 God blesses those who are persecuted for doing right,
for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.

Copyright © 2010 by the author or Christianity Today International/Men of Integrity magazine.
Click here for reprint information on Men of Integrity.

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Prayer for the Week

Father in heaven, forgive me for the times I have bought into the values that govern this world; help me to commit myself to values that are eternal.

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