“Upside Down Thinking”

YEAH! Church - Sunday, May 1, 2022

"Doing Life with Jesus”
Today’s Lesson - “Upside Down Thinking”

Video Story/Resource:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ze7w3-BL3OM (Crossroad Kids’ Club – The Sermon on the Mount)

The Beatitudes
Matthew 5:3-12, NLT
“God blesses those who are poor and realize their need for him,
for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.
4 God blesses those who mourn,
for they will be comforted.
5 God blesses those who are humble,
for they will inherit the whole earth.
6 God blesses those who hunger and thirst for justice,
for they will be satisfied.
7 God blesses those who are merciful,
for they will be shown mercy.
8 God blesses those whose hearts are pure,
for they will see God.
9 God blesses those who work for peace,
for they will be called the children of God.
10 God blesses those who are persecuted for doing right,
for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.
11 “God blesses you when people mock you and persecute you and lie about you and say all sorts of evil things against you because you are my followers. 12 Be happy about it! Be very glad! For a great reward awaits you in heaven. And remember, the ancient prophets were persecuted in the same way.”

We might be tempted to not even try to live out the beatitudes because they are too difficult! But these aren’t just the high and lofty thoughts of some writer…this is a list Jesus provided to explain how to best live. The beatitudes tell us how to live according to God’s principles…the things he thinks are most important. That fact doesn’t make the beatitudes any easier to live by, but we should be serious about trying to change our attitudes to match the list Jesus gave. They should become part of our goals for living; we should want to have the attitudes that are most pleasing to God. Then we too, can truly learn to be happy.

Engage:
• Jesus said that being poor can be a blessing. How?
• We often hear that if you want something, you should just take it or work to become better than others. So, why would Jesus tell us to be humble?
• Jesus wants us to work for peace. What do we do if someone just wants to be our enemy?
• Jesus tells us that we can be happy and glad when we are persecuted for his sake, but that sounds ridiculous! What did Jesus base this on?

Weekly verse:
Romans 12:17-18, NLT – “Never pay back evil with more evil. Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honorable. Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone.”

2022 Theme verses:
Colossians 2:6-7, NLT – “And now, just as you accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord, you must continue to follow him. Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness.”

Prayer – Dear God, thank you that you know best how we should live—how we should talk, act and even the attitudes we should have to truly please you and to be truly happy. Help us to learn your best way!
~ Pastor Jane