Sermon on the Mount: The Beatitudes

Passage

Familiarize yourself with the following:

Matthew 5: 1-12; Luke 6:20-26

Large crowds of people began following Jesus because of the things he was doing and teaching. Seeing the crowd, Jesus went up to the side of a mountain, sat down, and began teaching them. This set of teaching is known to us as the Sermon on the Mount. In the book of Matthew, Jesus began his teaching with a segment known as The Beatitudes. In this portion of Jesus’ teachings he shows us that certain attitudes will yield to us certain results. If we want the things of God then we must act in ways that are meek, merciful, peaceful, and pure in heart (and so on…). He ends this segment with an encouragement to those who are persecuted, reminding them that the prophets of old were persecuted in the same way.

Object Lesson:

Supplies Needed:
• Jar with lid
• Water
• Oil
• Food coloring
Directions:
1. Fill the jar half full with water. The water represents the people world; people who do not know God.
2. Fill the water the rest of the way with oil. The oil represents Christians; people who know and love God.
3. Add food coloring. It should mix with the water and not the oil.
4. Explain to the children that in the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus was telling people that if they loved God they needed to behave differently. They needed to be IN the world, but not OF the world. When the food coloring was added, it went into the water and became part of the water. You can no longer tell the difference between the water and the drops of color. They are the same. Jesus says that it is the same with people who are of the world. The color did not stick to the oil. Jesus says that it should be the same with people who belong to God and are IN the world, but not OF the world. The attitudes listed in this section of Jesus’ sermon show us how we can be IN the world and not OF it.

Memory Verse:

Matthew 5:3

Blessed are the pour in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Jesus Connection:

We are all called to be like Christ. It can be hard to grasp how we can accomplish this feat. In this list of beatitudes we can see several ways that we can become more like Jesus. Each of the beatitude has a perfect example in the life of Jesus. The rewards that come with each beatitude we also see played out in Jesus. If we strive to attain these attitudes in our life, we will naturally become more holy, as He himself is holy. (1 Peter 1:16)

Songs

The Beatitudes

Blessed are the poor in spirit,
Theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are the poor in spirit,
Theirs is the kingdom of God.

Blessed are the ones who mourn,
They will be comforted.
Blessed are the ones who mourn,
They will be comforted.

Blessed are the meek in spirit,
They will inherit the earth.
Blessed are the meek in spirit,
They will inherit the earth.

Blessed are the pure in heart,
They will see God.
Blessed are the pure in heart,
They will see God.

Blessed are the peacemakers,
They will be sons of God.
Blessed are the peacemakers,
Call them the sons of God.
Blessed are the peacemakers.
Blessed are the pure in heart.

Games/Activities

Beatitudes Panorama

Supplies Needed:
• A large roll of paper (or 8 large pieces of paper)
• Colors
• The 8 beatitudes writing on slips of paper
Directions:
• The children will help you make a panorama of the beatitudes that can be hung on the classroom wall.
• Roll out the paper. If you do not have a paper roll, lay out 8 pieces of large paper.
• Give each child a beatitude that is written on a slip of paper. If you have more than 8 children, put them in small groups to work together. If you have less than 8 then some children may have more than one.
• Have the children write their beatitude on their section of the paper. Then, have them draw a picture of what they think that particular beatitude means. They may want to write down a short description of their picture on the bottom of the paper.
• It may be a good idea to have some practical examples ready for each beatitude, to give them an idea of what they can draw. Encourage the children to talk together to come up with ideas.

Crafts

Blessed Wreath

Supplies Needed:
• Paper plates
• Colored paper
• Pencils
• Scissors
• Stick glue
• A list of the beatitudes
Directions:
1. Create a list of the beatitudes that is large enough for the children to read easily. Display this in a prominent place in the classroom.
2. Give each child a paper plate and 8 pieces of colored paper. Have them trace their hands on each of the pieces of paper and cut them out.
3. On each of their hand cut-outs have them write a different beatitude.
4. In the center of the paper plates write the words: Blessed Are…
5. Glue the hands around the rim of the paper place with the fingers pointing outward and the words facing up.

Coloring Page