The Good Life: Blessed are the Poor in Spirit
Sermon Study Questions
July 4/5, 2015
The Good Life: Blessed are the Poor in Spirit
Sermon Study Questions
July 4/5, 2015
1. When you think about what it means to be “living the good life,” what
are some of the things that come to mind?
1. When you think about what it means to be “living the good life,” what
are some of the things that come to mind?
2. Read Matthew 5:1-12. In this part of the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus
describes the characteristics that will be found in God’s people. We will be
focusing on the first of these this week, but list below all eight of these
character traits.
2. Read Matthew 5:1-12. In this part of the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus
describes the characteristics that will be found in God’s people. We will be
focusing on the first of these this week, but list below all eight of these
character traits.
3. a. Which of these traits do you think are especially true in your life?
3. a. Which of these traits do you think are especially true in your life?
b. Which trait do you think is least true of you?
b. Which trait do you think is least true of you?
4. What does the word “blessed” mean?
4. What does the word “blessed” mean?
5. After hearing the sermon, how has your understanding of the term “poor
in spirit” changed?
5. After hearing the sermon, how has your understanding of the term “poor
in spirit” changed?
6. Read the following passages and briefly describe how “poor in spirit” is
reflected in each one:
6. Read the following passages and briefly describe how “poor in spirit” is
reflected in each one:
Isaiah 57:15, 66:2
Matthew 9:11-13
Matthew 25:35-36
Mark 5:21-24a, (35-42)
Mark 5:24b-34
Luke 21:1-4
Revelation 3:17-18
Isaiah 57:15, 66:2
Matthew 9:11-13
Matthew 25:35-36
Mark 5:21-24a, (35-42)
Mark 5:24b-34
Luke 21:1-4
Revelation 3:17-18
7. What are some other words that you would now use to describe “poor in
spirit?”
7. What are some other words that you would now use to describe “poor in
spirit?”
8. Jesus promises that the blessing for those who are “poor in spirit” is the
“kingdom of heaven.” What does this mean?
8. Jesus promises that the blessing for those who are “poor in spirit” is the
“kingdom of heaven.” What does this mean?
9. Do you think that being “poor in spriit” is a characteristic that you can
willingly develop, or is it more of a response that one has to circumstances
in life? Explain your answer.
9. Do you think that being “poor in spriit” is a characteristic that you can
willingly develop, or is it more of a response that one has to circumstances
in life? Explain your answer.
The Good Life: Blessed are the Poor in Spirit
David Anderson
July 4/5, 2015
The Good Life: Blessed are the Poor in Spirit
David Anderson
July 4/5, 2015
Text: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
- Matthew 5:3
Text: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
- Matthew 5:3
1. ________________ is better than ____________________
1. ________________ is better than ____________________
2. ___________ is not always ____________________ - Matthew 25:35; Luke 21:1-4
2. ___________ is not always ____________________ - Matthew 25:35; Luke 21:1-4
“Now a man came up to Jesus and asked, ‘Teacher, what good thing must
I do to get eternal life?’ …Jesus replied, ‘…If you want to enter life, obey the
commandments.’ …All these I have kept,’ the young man said, ‘What do I still
lack?’ Jesus answered, ‘If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions
and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow
me.’ When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had
great wealth.” – Matthew 19: 16-22
“Now a man came up to Jesus and asked, ‘Teacher, what good thing must
I do to get eternal life?’ …Jesus replied, ‘…If you want to enter life, obey the
commandments.’ …All these I have kept,’ the young man said, ‘What do I still
lack?’ Jesus answered, ‘If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions
and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow
me.’ When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had
great wealth.” – Matthew 19: 16-22
3. Poor in spirit is the _______________ of _________________________ - John 12:49
3. Poor in spirit is the _______________ of _________________________ - John 12:49
“By myself I can do nothing…” – John 5:30a
“By myself I can do nothing…” – John 5:30a
4. It can be a ___________________ to __________________________
- 2 Chronicles 20:12, 15b; Mark 5:25-34
4. It can be a ___________________ to __________________________
- 2 Chronicles 20:12, 15b; Mark 5:25-34
“And a woman was there who had been subject to bleeding for twelve
years. She had suffered a great deal under the care of many doctors and
had spent all she had, yet instead of getting better she grew worse….She
thought, ‘If I just touch his clothes, I will be healed.’ Immediately her bleeding
stopped and she felt in her body that she was free from her suffering.”
- Mark 5: 25-26, 28-29
“And a woman was there who had been subject to bleeding for twelve
years. She had suffered a great deal under the care of many doctors and
had spent all she had, yet instead of getting better she grew worse….She
thought, ‘If I just touch his clothes, I will be healed.’ Immediately her bleeding
stopped and she felt in her body that she was free from her suffering.”
- Mark 5: 25-26, 28-29