Matthew5; Luke 6
"Blessed Are Ye"
Opening Song: "I'm trying to be like Jesus" (Children's Songbook, 78)
Opening Prayer:
Scripture: Matthew 5:19 Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teachthem, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
Attention Activity:
Before the lesson, wrap a box with a picture of a castle inside. Show your family the gift. What is this? Have your family open the package and hold up the picture of the castle inside. This castle represents the kingdom of heaven. Just like we have been given presents, we also have been given great blessings. What are some blessings we have? Jesus taught us that if we do certain things we will be blessed with the kingdom of heaven!
Lesson:
Jesus gave a talk he gave called "The Sermon on the Mount." We will learn about it today. "President Thomas S. Monson spoke of the Sermon on the Mount and the Galilean hillside where it took place: “Here it was that the greatest person who ever lived delivered the greatest sermon ever given—the Sermon on the Mount” (“The Way Home,” Ensign, May 1975, 15). As the Savior began His Galilean ministry, He declared that “the kingdom of heaven is at hand” , and then in the Sermon on the Mount taught doctrines and principles of righteousness that govern the lives of those who belong to His kingdom and lead to happiness and eventual perfection." (New Testament Student Manual)
In The Sermon on the Mount, Jesus gave a list of things we should be along with a list of blessings if we demonstrate each trait. These are called the Beatitudes. Read Matthew 5: 1-10. We are going to learn more about the Beatitudes by playing a game.
Beatitudes Game:
Have the following cards printed onto card stock and cut out. Your family will take turns trying to match the beattitude to the blessing it corresponds with in the scriptures. When someone makes a match, explain that beatitude.
"President Harold B. Lee taught that the poor in spirit are “those who are spiritually needy, who feel so impoverished spiritually that they reach out with great yearning for help” (New Testament Student Manual)
“Blessed Are They That Mourn”
President Harold B. Lee explained that “they that mourn” relates to those who mourn over their sins: “‘And again, blessed are all they that mourn’ (3 Nephi 12:4; see also Matthew 5:4). … He is talking about repentance. He is talking about the promise that will come to whom? All who would ‘come down into the depths of humility’ and have been baptized and have received the gift of the Holy Ghost. (New Testament Student Manual)
“Blessed Are the Meek”
To be “meek” means to be “Godfearing, righteous, humble, teachable, and patient under suffering. The meek are willing to follow gospel teachings” (Guide to the Scriptures, “Meek, Meekness"). Meekness does not imply weakness; rather, as Elder Neal A. Maxwell of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles taught, meekness is “kindnessand gentleness. It reflects certitude, strength, serenity; it reflects a healthy self-esteem and a genuine self-control” (New Testament Student Manual)
“Blessed Are They Which Do Hunger and Thirst after Righteousness”
The Greek word that was translated as “filled” also means “to feed or fatten an animal in a stall” and connotes the idea of eating until completely satisfied. This helps us understand the Lord’s promise to those who hunger and thirst after righteousness—He will feed them spiritually until they are completely satisfied. (New Testament Student Manual)
“Blessed Are the Merciful”
This is one of the many times the Savior taught that the way we treat others affects how God will treat us. The prophet, Joseph Smith, placed mercy in the context of forgiving others: “Ever keep in exercise the principle of mercy, and be ready to forgive our brother on the first intimations of repentance, and asking forgiveness; and should we even forgive our brother, or even our enemy, before he repent or ask forgiveness, our heavenly Father would be equally as merciful unto us” (Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith [2007], 392–93).
“Blessed Are the Pure in Heart”
While serving as a member of the Seventy, Elder Gerald N. Lund explained that a pure heart is free from contamination and open to the Holy Spirit: “In the Sermon on the Mount, the Savior said, ‘Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God’ [Matthew 5:8]. If something is pure, it is not polluted or tainted by things which do not belong to it. Purity of heart is certainly one of the most important qualifications for receiving inspiration from God. While none of our hearts are perfect, the more diligently we strive to eliminate impurity, or push out things which do not belong there, the more we open our hearts to the Holy Spirit” (“Opening Our Hearts,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2008, 33).
"Blessed Are the Peacemakers"
When serving as an apostle, President Nelson said, "Now, as members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, what does the Lord expect of us? As a Church, we must “renounce war and proclaim peace.”As individuals, we should “follow after the things which make for peace.”We should be personal peacemakers. We should live peacefully—as couples, families, and neighbors. We should live by the Golden Rule." ("Blessed Are the Peacemakers," Oct. 2002)
"Blessed Are They Which Are Persecuted for Righteousness’ Sake"
"It is inevitable that members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints find themselves looked upon with suspicion by many today. The prophets have said that in the last days persecution will come again. But we have the assurance that persecution will not destroy the Church." ("The Beatitudes" Ensign, 1987)
At the end of Matthew 5:48 it says, "Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect." This seems like a big scary thing--Jesus commanding us to be perfect. But he also gave us a pretty amazing list of things to work on to help us become perfect. Because of the atonement we can become perfect through Christ as we practice and live the beatitudes.
Closing Song: "Keep the Commandments" (Children's Songbook, 146)
Closing Prayer:
Refreshment:
Keeping with the "bee" theme click here for the recipe for Honey Nut Marshmallow Treats!
