NOTES: 1] MT portrays Jesus as the new Moses [EX19:3-6]. His new order is largely a re-stating, summing up, & fulfilling of what God's already set in motion through the Prophets. 2) William Barclay (ad loc) says the 'Beatitudes' are congratulations on a present state of affairs, not a future hope.

WARMING UP: When we use the word 'bless' in conversation, does it sometimes ring hollow?

TREASURES OLD & NEW: Identify God at work in anything that's happened this week? .

EXPLORING GOSPEL:

1-3        How do we balance the fact that Scripture points to God as being 'on high', & so many important things in it happen on a mountain, with our personal experience of God being among us?
            Are we so rich in God that we can feel God's Rule in our life, whatever our social standing or financial situation? Why might LK report Jesus saying 'poor' & MT 'poor in spirit'?

4            Have we ever felt blessed when we were grieving for someone? Is blessedness in mourning a matter of finding God present in our grief? Is there blessedness in knowing a loved one is 'safe in the arms of Jesus'? Do we ever grieve for the death of qualities like right & justice & goodness in the world? Do we find blessedness when someone makes them present?

5            If the root meaning of meekness /gentless, etc. is 'having our passions under control' (Barclay), do we qualify for congratulations / blessedness on this score?

6            Does our legal system deliver God's righteousness & justice? Can there be any blessedness till it does?

7            Are we more likely to act mercifully, or pityingly, in day to day situations? More likely to put a coin in someone's hat, or do something about their plight? Which is the outcome of mercy, & which of pity (See MIC 6:8)

8            Would we be disbelieving, given deep satisfaction, or simply be embarrassed, if someone told us we were 'pure in heart'? How would we define that quality in another person?

9            Is there some situation within our reach which needs a peace-maker, & where we could become that peace-maker, as distinct from a peace talker?

10          Can we think of anything so provocative that we could do in God's name that would inevitably bring persecution from someone, but blessing from Someone Else?
              After this 'check list', how blessed, congratulated do you feel?
 
 

NOTES: 1] Ch.6 is a kind of 'hinge' in the growth & development of the church. 2] In v.4, 'serving the word' in the original is our word 'deacon'. 3] 'Blasphemy' (v.11) means speaking against God. It can be used as a catch-one catch-all ploy!

WARMING UP: If we were to paint a picture of the first part of this story, which colours would predominate?

TREASURES OLD & NEW: Identify God at work in anything that's happened this week?

EXPLORING ACTS:

1-7        Do we long for the days when 'disciples were increasing in number', or do we belong to a successful church? What makes a church successful? In whose eyes? How do we handle complaints of one kind or another in our congregation / denomination? Do we have some outreach to those in need similar to that exercised here? Is any 'practical' help we provide more likely to be directed toward the 'faithful' or to others outside our ranks? Is that the way it ought to be? Who determines this? What determines it?
              Is what we read here the beginning of the 'organisation church'? How do we select people to do designated jobs & / or exercise specific ministries in our congregation / denomination? Can we really divide ministries up the way the apostles do here? Shouldn't we all be prepared & willing to both 'wait on tables' & 'pray & serve the word'? (See N.2 above.)
              Is specialisation in church ministry (all ministry) a matter of God's will, practicality, last resort, or a necessary evil?
              How many kinds of ministry can we think of that involve laying hands on someone?
              How do we deal with converts to or from our church? Are they a good thing, a bad thing, a matter of indifference...?

8-15       Are we used to discerning people 'full of grace & power' among our ranks? What is actually involved in discerning? How used are we to experiencing 'wonders & signs' in our midst? Is it just that there are different kinds / different degrees of 'wonders & signs'?
               Are we much in the habit now of disagreeing to the point of argument with those of other faiths, or fellow-Christians, because their beliefs or practices are different from ours? What about current Christian - Muslim tensions? How do we discern which beliefs or practices are non-negotiable? Where does tolerance begin & end? Is hearing someone speak 'with wisdom & the Spirit' something we expect as a matter of course in our church circles?
               How is it that otherwise 'good' people can feel so strongly against someone over an issue that truth goes out the window? But we wouldn't act like that, would we? Have we? How much does it worry us when 'customs handed to us' by someone are threatened with change?
               Have we ever seen anyone's face 'like the face of an angel'? Is it a term anyone would use of us? Why? Why not?