“Beatitudes: Upside Down Values”

B I B L E  B I T S  &  B I T E S
Devotional Activities for Families – Week of April 25-May 1, 2022

2022 Theme: “Doing Life with Jesus”
Week 17: “Beatitudes: Upside Down Values”
Weekly Bible Bite: Matthew 5:3-12

Video lesson:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wxWCspyE7lg (ODB Films – The Beatitudes – for older children)
https://www.youtube.com/c/douglastalks (Douglas Talks - check out the many videos, including a section on the Beatitudes all beginning with “Blessed…”)

Jesus introduced his famous ‘Sermon on the Mount’ with a list of beatitudes. But as Jesus told people how to be blessed by God, they might have had a hard time believing that these beatitudes were right…they seemed upside down. Jesus was telling people the attitudes they should have to live according to God’s principles…but they seemed all wrong!

Blessed are the poor…
Blessed are those that mourn…
Blessed are the humble…
Blessed are those that hunger and thirst…
Blessed are the merciful…
Blessed are the pure…
Blessed are the peaceful…
Blessed are the persecuted…!

Jesus’ words must have shocked his audience…this isn’t the kind of thing they heard every day…or any day for that matter. Jesus was determined to show people a new way of living…a better way…Gods way!

Family goal:
How can you ‘live in peace’ with others this week (see verse)?
[Be sure to pick a measurable goal involving a task so that children will know when they have completed it.]

Weekly verses:
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.”

Family activities:
• Make a poster with the hanging monkey picture to remind you of Jesus’ beatitudes.
• Create a BEE-attitude mobile using the template of the hive and honey bees

Prayer:
Thank you, God that Jesus told us the kind of attitudes we should have. His list is very different than what we hear on television or even from our friends and family at times. Help us to have the kind of attitudes that make you happy.