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Yesterday’s Bible study focused on Matthew chapters 5, 6, and 7, exploring Jesus’ teachings on blessings, true happiness, and spiritual maturity. We began with three warm-up questions to get everyone reflecting:
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Matthew 5 – Jesus talks about true happiness and blessing. Participants shared what a “blessed life” means to them personally.
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Matthew 6 – Jesus warns against doing things just to be seen by others. We discussed why it’s easy to care about people’s opinions and how to focus instead on what God sees.
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Matthew 7 – Jesus compares two builders, one wise and one foolish. We explored what it means in daily life to “build your house on the rock.”
Afterward, participants played an online matching game on Wordwall Game about the Beatitudes, which helped reinforce the lessons in an interactive way. Each person then shared their favorite Beatitude and explained why it resonated with them.
I highlighted Matthew 5:48 as the key verse summarizing chapters 5, 6, and 7, emphasizing that “perfection” is not about flawless purity but about spiritual maturity—something we can grow in every day through love.
We also discussed themes from chapters 6 and 7, including hypocrisy, wisdom, and building a strong foundation in faith. Finally, we read and reflected on four devotionals I wrote based on these chapters, connecting the scripture to practical, daily life applications.
In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus begins with words that seem upside down to the world: “Blessed are the poor in spirit… Blessed are those who mourn… Blessed are the meek.” These are not the qualities most people celebrate. Yet in God’s kingdom, true blessing comes not from strength or status, but from humility, mercy, and a heart that longs for Him.
Each Beatitude is both a promise and a challenge. The poor in spirit are promised the kingdom, the mourners find comfort, and the meek inherit the earth. Jesus reminds us that real joy is not rooted in possessions or power, but in the nearness of God and the hope of His kingdom.
Today, take a moment to reflect: where do you see yourself in the Beatitudes? Are you in mourning, needing God’s comfort? Are you hungry for righteousness, longing for justice in your life or in the world? Or perhaps you are called to be a peacemaker in a season of conflict.
The good news is that Jesus meets us in all of these places. His blessing is not for the perfect but for the humble who trust Him. May we walk today with the assurance that in Christ, we are blessed beyond measure—even when life feels hard.
Prayer: Lord, help me to see blessing the way You see it. Shape my heart to live in Your kingdom values, finding joy and strength in Your promises. Amen.
Jesus ends this section of the Sermon on the Mount with a startling command: “Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” At first, these words can feel overwhelming. How can we possibly be perfect like God?
Here, “perfect” points to maturity and completeness—living fully in God’s love. Jesus calls us not to flawlessness, but to a wholeness that reflects the Father’s heart. In the verses before, He speaks about loving not only our friends but even our enemies. This is the radical love of God: inclusive, gracious, and unending.
To be perfect is to grow daily in love. It means choosing forgiveness over bitterness, kindness over judgment, and peace over conflict. Perfection in Christ is a journey of becoming whole, not an instant achievement.
Today, ask yourself: where is God inviting me to grow in love? Who in my life needs grace, patience, or compassion? Remember, perfection is not about our strength but about God’s Spirit shaping us into Christ’s likeness.
Prayer: Lord, help me walk in Your love today. Shape me into the person You want me to be, reflecting Your mercy and grace in all I do. Amen.
Jesus warns His disciples: “Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them… when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets… and when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites.”
The word hypocrisy comes from the image of an actor wearing a mask. Hypocrisy is putting on a show—doing the right things for the wrong reasons. In Matthew 6, Jesus challenges us to examine the motives behind our faith. Do we give, pray, or serve to receive praise from people, or to honor God?
True discipleship is not performance but relationship. God sees what is hidden. He knows our hearts and delights when we live with sincerity. The reward He offers is far greater than human applause—it is His presence and peace.
Today, pause and ask: where might I be wearing a “mask” in my faith? Am I more concerned with how others see me than with how God sees me? Jesus calls us to authenticity, to a faith lived quietly, humbly, and honestly before Him.
Prayer: Lord, remove any mask I wear in my faith. Teach me to give, serve, and pray with a pure heart—seeking only Your approval and living for Your glory. Amen.
Jesus closes the Sermon on the Mount with a vivid picture: “Everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.”
Wisdom is more than knowledge—it is truth put into action. Many people hear God’s Word, but Jesus says wisdom comes when we obey it. The storms of life will come—trials, disappointments, loss—but the one who has built on Christ will stand firm. The difference is not in the weather but in the foundation.
We often look for wisdom in books, advice, or experience, but true wisdom begins with listening to Jesus and living out His words. Choosing forgiveness over revenge, trust over fear, and obedience over pride is what anchors us on the Rock.
Today, reflect: what foundation am I building on? Am I merely hearing Jesus, or am I living by His teaching? Wisdom is not perfection, but daily choosing to trust and follow Him.
Prayer: Lord, help me build my life on Your Word. Give me wisdom not only to hear but to obey, so that when the storms come, I will stand firm in You. Amen.
Rev. Marvel Souza
You are invited to join our next Bible Study!
📖 Topic: Reflections on the Teachings of Jesus
🗓 Date: Wednesday, September 10
⏰ Time: 5:00 PM
📍 Location: Jason Lee Memorial United Methodist Church (discipleship room)
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