quarter three guide€¦ · can see beyond conflict to the amazing things that result from showing...

BLESSED TO BLESSED TO

BEBEQ U A R T E R T H R E EQ U A R T E R T H R E E

G U I D EG U I D E

TOC

Though I never really considered being anything

other than a pastor, I've often thought the job of a conductor must be

interesting. To understand the strengths and challenges of so many

different instruments and people and then help them work together

to make something beautiful is a special calling. In fact, it has a lot in

common with being a pastor—or a Christian, for that matter.

God’s people are called to be peacemakers: men and women who

can see beyond conflict to the amazing things that result from showing

love to their neighbors. Such love becomes truly possible for those who

know the Prince of Peace personally and carry His Spirit within. As

we continue this journey through the Beatitudes together, think about

all the ways He’s been faithful to make you a better person since you

received new life in Him.

The apostle Peter urged the early church to “grow in the grace and

knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (2 Pet. 3:18). It’s only

through Him, and the grace of a Spirit-filled life, that you can become

all you’re meant to be—for His glory. I pray that as you study Christ’s

words, you’ll see the world around you become more like a harmonious

symphony because of His love shining in you.

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L I V I N G F A I T HFinally Home

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e all want to belong—to be seen, known, and wanted. Whether

at school, at work, or in some other social situation, it’s natural

to seek the pleasure of being accepted and well-liked. But

sometimes this requires us to compromise our preferences or

even our values. The pressure to fit in can feel especially intense in today’s world,

as we encounter seemingly perfect images on social media, the news, and TV and

assume we must measure up.

Yet as we follow Jesus, we’re reminded that there’s much more to our story than

the things we do on this

earth. Sometimes, in our

pursuit of righteousness and

union with the Lord, we have

to do things that make us

unpopular—that go against

the zeitgeist. We’re called to

do His will, and that requires

us to actively live out our

faith. Sometimes that means

entering into conflict or

difficult situations in order to

seek His peace and justice.

And in this volume of Blessed

to Be, we’ll consider qualities

of the Christian life that do

exactly that.

We’ll begin this quarter by

asking what it means to be pure in heart and how that helps us see and experience

God. From there, we’ll consider what it means to be peacemakers—children of God

and imitators of Christ. We’ll end the quarter by considering the importance of

answering the divine call to righteousness, even if the cost to us is great.

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WMemorizing the Beatitudes

This year, we are memorizing a section of the Sermon on the Mount, practicing a few verses at a time. And when we put them all together, we’ll have memorized the Beatitudes! Our quarterly guides provide the verses you need to focus on for each month. This quarter, we’ll practice …

“ Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” —Matthew 5:8-10 (ESV)

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JULYJULYB L E S S E D T O B EB L E S S E D T O B E

P U R EP U R E

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I n one way or another, purity is an

important issue in just about every

culture around the world. So when

Jesus spoke about purity of heart, it was a

concept His audience was already familiar

with. Yet His manner of speaking in the

Sermon on the Mount is distinct, perhaps

even startlingly so. He cares about the

posture of our hearts—the quality of our

innermost thoughts and feelings. And the

promise to the pure in heart is significant:

“They shall see God” (Matt. 5:8).

Moses, David, and so many others in

the family of God sought to “see the Lord.”

To see God is to encounter His presence,

and we do that when we seek Him above

all else. Perhaps, then, the pure in heart

are those who recognize that while His

other gifts are good, God Himself is the

ultimate blessing.

As we contemplate the Lord’s words

this month, ask yourself what it means to

pursue oneness with God in everything

you do. What does it mean for your life to

be aligned with His vision, even in your

most inward places—and to have no other

loves before Him?

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affects everything—our thoughts, words, and actions. And even if we

present ourselves as holy and righteous to the people around us, God

knows us in our deepest, most inward places. The Lord summed it up

when He told Samuel, “God sees not as man sees, for man looks at the

outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart” (1 Sam. 16:7).

Jesus did not come to the world to help us get over some bad habits

and become more diligent in our prayers and community service. He

cares deeply about who we are—not just how we behave—and desires

for us to seek after Him. Like the psalmist, may we all proclaim, “You

are my Lord; I have no good besides You” (16:2).

The condition of our heart

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Memorize You’ll see a selection from the Bible each week, as a reminder to work on memorizing the Beatitudes. This month you’ll focus on the bold verse:

Heavenly Father, thank You for calling me to seek Your presence. I know that Your heart is for me, and I pray You would help me seek Your goodness in everything I do. Guide me by the Holy Spirit—orient my heart and mind toward Your Son Jesus above all else. I know that with You all things are possible. Let me remember and reflect Your promises in my life. Amen.

Pray Use this prayer, or let it inspire one in your own words, as you move through the weekly reflections in the following section.

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“ Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.” —Matthew 5:8 (ESV)

Memorize

Especially with today’s technology and social platforms, it’s easy to manipulate

how people perceive you. Do your outward behaviors reflect your inward feelings

and desires? As you pray, consider what it means to seek after God's goodness in

everything you do, from your most private thoughts to the rhythms of your daily life.

Try This

of purification, some kind of filtration or extraction comes to mind. And

in the context of Christ’s words, this can be a helpful analogy, because

it’s true: In seeking purity of heart, we learn to filter out what doesn’t

bring us closer to the Lord. Instead of chasing after temporary comforts

or occupying our mind with worldly values, we learn what we’re supposed

to care for and how to do so.

And yet learning to care isn't the overarching goal at all. In fact, there are

moments we’re called not to care—relying on the Holy Spirit's wisdom

in discerning what’s needful and what isn’t. We create space and set

aside time to be still so we can hear God, and also so we’ll eventually be

able to recognize opportunities to see Him with the eyes of the heart.

In seeking more depth in our relationship with God, we may notice a shift

in our desires and priorities. It’s possible we’ll become less concerned

with what we want, prioritizing instead what He wants for our life. As we

pursue God’s will, we’ll become more attuned to our own heart’s longing

for Him—and for the good of all He has created.

When we think

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Memorize

Picture Jesus joining you in everything you do—as you converse with coworkers, sit

in traffic, shop for groceries, put children to bed, or walk your dog. How does this

change the way you think about your experiences?

Try This

theologian Søren Kierkegaard gave a sermon called Purity of Heart

Is to Will One Thing. Later turned into a book, his sermon outlines

the obstacles, costs, and importance of willing that one thing—the

goodness of God—for all eternity. In other words, to be pure in heart is

to pursue the Lord with singular, uncompromised devotion.

Psalm 24 defines a “pure heart” as one that stays away from falsehood

and deceit (v. 4). After all, to deceive is to will two things—what you

are actually doing and what you want people to think you’re doing.

So the pure in heart seek the face of the Lord (v. 6) in order to look

upon His goodness. And it’s in this pursuit that we’ll come to know His

presence—in the study of His word, the experience of His grace and

comfort, and the anticipation and awe of His glory.

The 19 th- century

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Memorize

Jesus told the Pharisees that the great commandment is to “love the Lord your God

with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind” (Matt. 22:37).

Take time this week to reflect on those words. He isn’t asking for part of our heart

or some of our devotion. He wants all of it. As you meditate on His words, ask the

Lord to reveal what it would look like for you to pursue Him with all your heart, soul,

and mind.

Try This


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purity with sterility—germ-free, scrubbed clean, sanitized. And when we

read Scripture, we’re inclined to interpret it in a similar way, which is

the approach the Pharisees took. This idea comes from Leviticus—God

gave His people the Law so that they might better understand how

to be holy. In an effort to avoid sin, the Pharisees isolated themselves

and cast unwarranted judgment on the people around them. Instead of

seeing their own sin and inviting God to truly cleanse and heal them,

they became legalistic and fearful. But cleanliness is meant to reflect

the importance of being without sin—in other words, without spiritual

contamination.

Purity can also mean that things aren’t blended—that they maintain their

integrity. In the context of Jesus’ ministry on earth, it means we must

wholly and completely seek His will, recognizing that only His way—

along with all it requires of us—is what makes us truly pure.

We often associate

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Memorize

After preaching the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus healed a leper by touching him

(Matt. 8:1-3). Under the laws of the time, this would have meant Jesus was defiled

and would have had to go through ritual purification. But by His touch, the leper was

made clean, and Jesus was not defiled. In your time with the Lord this week, pray the

words of the leper, “Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean” (v. 2).

Try This


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by TIM RHODESTIM RHODESphototgraphy by AUDRA MELTONAUDRA MELTON

was one of the most

significant days of

Hasna’s life, but she

doesn’t remember much

about it. Mostly just feelings of joy, and how her

cramped living conditions couldn’t contain them.

She had been living as a single mother in Cairo,

Egypt, for over five years when the long-awaited

notice came: Her refugee status had been

approved. After years of living day to day in the

fog of irresolution, she knew her children finally

had a chance at a better life.

That very day, half a world away, David and Debbie

Alsobrook were preparing for a weekly small group

meeting at their home. Debbie had arranged the bottled

water and soft drinks along her high-top kitchen counter

while David finished setting up a sandwich buffet. Their

large Atlanta church had encouraged its small groups to

serve those in need throughout the city at least once a

year. And each time the group helped at a soup kitchen

or homeless shelter, they increasingly realized how

disconnected they were from the people they had fed or

provided with warm clothes and toiletries. Tonight, they

wanted to bring their concerns to the small group and

brainstorm ways to do more—to get closer.

During the back and forth, while the group ate their

sandwiches, someone suggested they could work together

at a refugee resettlement organization, where churches

and volunteer groups typically spend a six-month period

coming alongside a specific refugee family starting a new

life in the United States. Ultimately, it was this conversation

that, months later, led to the Alsobrooks and their small

group adopting Hasna’s family as their own.

When the fellowship group met Hasna and her children,

little could be said between them other than simple greetings.

Though they didn’t share a common language, the families

received each other in open and mildly guarded arms.

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J U L YW E E K F I V E

and again to seek the Lord. We read of Moses asking to see God’s

glory (Ex. 33:18), and David praying to “gaze upon the beauty of the

Lord” (Ps. 27:4 NIV). We, too, yearn for His presence and hunger

for His goodness. But sometimes we don’t know where to begin—or

how to maintain a spiritual practice that will help us experience His

presence. It’s understandable that seeing God might feel unattainable

and intimidating, since we’re surrounded by distractions and obstacles

to overcome.

We have to trust Jesus’ promise that in Him, all things are possible

(Matt. 19:26) and that He atoned for our sin “to redeem us from all

lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession”

(Titus 2:14 ESV). You don’t have to figure it all out right away—often,

this trust develops over time with continued practice: small steps of

seeking, praying, and turning to God’s Word. And as John promises,

one day “we will see Him just as He is” (1 John 3:2).

Scripture tells us again

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Initially, Hasna and her children were awed by the

resources provided to them. They were shocked,

for instance, to find their first apartment in the

United States completely furnished by the small

group. While Hasna was deeply thankful, she

was also cautious, wondering what the catch was

or when the service would end. She was even

slightly suspicious of the generosity itself: Why

on earth would anybody, especially complete

strangers, help her family?

With every trip to the doctor or ride to a

job interview, with every legal document the

group helped her complete, shields of fear and

skepticism slowly fell away. Through deliberate

interactions, the Alsobrooks were able to show

the love and peace of Christ in small, personal

ways. Random phone calls and periodic visits

morphed into holiday gatherings, sharing meals,

and doing daily life together.

Though this single mother had witnessed

unspeakable violence and heartbreaking loss,

Hasna’s love for her children gave her strength

to start a new life. And for the first time, she saw

herself surrounded by a loving, supportive com-

munity. With a sense of security growing, she no

longer thought only of survival. She could begin

to dream of a future.

As a result, Hasna found the courage to

approach the Alsobrooks with an opportunity to

apply for a house through Habitat for Humanity.

Together, they filled out copious application

forms and questionnaires. The idea that Hasna

and her family could finally have a safe, peaceful

home they could call their own—after years

of uncertainty and at times even fear for their

lives—was almost unfathomable. Submission

of the paperwork was followed by months of

waiting. During this time, Hasna’s resolve was

strengthened by the prayers and encouragement

of the Alsobrooks and others in the small group.

Eventually, the news came: Out of thousands of

applicants, Hasna’s family was one of the five

households chosen to be a recipient.

On the first day of construction, scores of

neighbors and volunteers from the Alsobrooks’

church greeted Hasna and her children. Close

friends and acquaintances assisted in every

step of the construction, pouring concrete and

hammering boards together to create the frame.

For the Alsobrooks, the most powerful

moment came when the home was dedicated.

The traditional planting of a dedication tree

typically involves the family digging and

planting. But the Alsobrooks were there, too—

each shoveling out a portion of dirt and helping

to place the sapling in the hole. “It represents

that we’re family, and the tree will grow as the

family does over time,” David said. Intended as

a tangible symbol welcoming Hasna and her

children to the community, the tree in this case

also testifies that the community is already part

of the family’s life.

Hasna had never dreamed such powerful

feelings of peace would someday supersede her

worry. She never imagined a day would come

when she wouldn’t have anxiety about her

children’s immediate needs. So when she was

handed the keys to her new house, she held them

high for all to see, then held them to her heart.

Hasna and her children were home at last.

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W h y o n e a r t h w o u l d a n y b o d y, e s p e c i a l l y c o m p l e t e s t r a n g e r s , h e l p h e r f a m i l y ?

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Memorize

In 2018 a group of researchers asked more than 500 American Christians to visualize

God’s face. It was a new approach to understanding how our own experiences affect

the way we think of the Lord. The study found that overwhelmingly, participants saw

God’s face as attractive, intelligent, and loving. Imagine what it would be like to see

His face. How does it make you feel? You might be excited, happy, hesitant, or even

fearful. As you reflect, write down your thoughts, and ask God to reveal Himself to

you in new ways.

Try This


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W R A P - U P

This monthThis month, we examined the idea of purity, specifically in the sense of being

pure in heart. We considered what it means to seek the presence of God, from

both an earthly and an eternal perspective.

As we look ahead, continue to seek the Lord’s presence, drawing nearer to

Him and praying to become more like Him. Next month, we’ll explore how we can

imitate His peace—and what it means to be children of God as we make peace

with the world around us.

One More Look

As we end this month and look ahead to the next, take a moment to think about these questions. You can answer them in your head, write your thoughts in a journal, or discuss them with your friends or small group.

SJ HAS YOUR UNDERSTANDING of purity changed this month? If so, how?

SJ HOW WOULD YOU DEFINE seeing or encountering God?

SJ WHAT ARE THE QUALITIES OF SOMEONE who is pure in heart? Can you think of examples from the Bible or your own life?

Questions for Reflection

In our year-long project of memorizing the Beatitudes, this month you learned:


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IF YOU DON’T THINK YOU NEED

GOD’S POWER IN ORDER TO REMAIN

PURE, YOU ARE DECEIVING YOURSELF.

YOU NEED HIS INTERVENTION

EVERY MOMENT OF EVERY DAY.

Charles F. Stanley, The Spirit-Filled Life

AUGUSTAUGUSTB L E S S E D T O B EB L E S S E D T O B E

P E A C E M A K E R SP E A C E M A K E R S

F or many of us, the word peace

conveys inner tranquility or an

outward absence of conflict, but

neither of these things is possible all of the

time. We might even find that we cannot

picture what living in such a state is like.

Sometimes peace is easier to understand by

considering its absence. Every day, messages

of division and discord from the surrounding

culture crowd our thoughts and influence

our conversations. To whom do we listen?

Whom do we trust? Understandably, the

work of cultivating peace in the midst of all

this chaos can feel overwhelming.

But we’re not called to be peacemakers

in our own strength. Jesus Himself invites us

to join Him in that work—His work, which

is accomplished according to His goodness

and faithfulness. This month, we’ll consider

how to become people who engage with

conflict appropriately and seek resolution.

Peacemaking isn’t easy, yet we know one

thing for certain: Jesus promises we will

blessed if we pursue it.

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many qualities of the Messiah, such as Wonderful Counselor, Mighty

God, and—an important one for understanding who He is—Prince of

Peace (Isa. 9:6). It’s a powerful reminder of our redemption in Him,

that “God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting

their trespasses against them, and He has committed to us the word of

reconciliation” (2 Cor. 5:19).

Jesus’ death and resurrection tell a story of God making peace with lost

and fallen humankind. As we await His return, He extends an invitation

to be part of His work by building bridges and seeking reconciliation

with other people. And we look to His example, especially when the

work is difficult. The thing about peacemaking is that we can do it only

when there is first a deep change within us. The grace that reconciles

us to God is the same grace we extend to others by making peace in

the world around us.

The Bible describes

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Heavenly Father, thank You for calling me Your child. Remind me today of my redemption in You. Please guide me to create and seek peace in everything I do. Let me think of myself less and of Your goodness more. I pray for Your grace and strength to help me desire and cultivate peace for everyone around me. Amen.


In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus tells us how to begin the work of making peace:

“Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons

of your Father who is in heaven” (Matt. 5:44-45). This need not be complicated—we

can start by simply greeting one another (v. 47). This week, consider how you can

begin the practice of peacemaking. Maybe it’s by saying a prayer for the good of

someone you don’t get along with—for you both to have peace in your lives. Or by

offering a simple hello to a person you’d usually avoid. As you pray, ask the Lord to

put a longing for peace in your heart.

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“ Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.” —Matthew 5:9 (ESV)

Memorize

Try This

Jesus’ own life that the work of making peace is difficult—and even

dangerous. At every turn, He met with opposition: He was accused of

being a glutton and a drunkard (Luke 7:34), blaspheming (Matt. 9:3;

Mark 2:6-7), and being possessed (Matt. 12:24; Mark 3:22; John 8:48).

As if those examples weren’t discouraging enough, His own family

didn’t believe Him (7:5). As you seek to follow His example, take heart—

the very people Jesus sought to love responded to Him with hostility

and ridicule, yet He overcame even the darkest experiences. And the

remarkable outcome is that we were offered reconciliation with God.

Being an agent of peace with the people around you doesn’t mean that

you’re perpetually calm. Instead, it means you recognize God’s grace

and strength are what equip you to cultivate goodwill and harmony. As

this awareness grows in you, so will your desire for peace with—and for—

those around you.

We can see from

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Memorize

Throughout these past months, you’ve considered how the Beatitudes relate to one

another. As you pray this week, think specifically about how the qualities we’ve

examined so far might help you become a peacemaker. For example, ask the Lord to

show you when to be meek and merciful in your interactions. Or meditate on how

purity of heart or poverty of spirit helps you create peace. Is peacemaking part of

your pursuit of righteousness? Do you seek peace because you’re grieved? You might

consider writing in a journal or having a discussion with a trusted friend as you

contemplate these things.

Try This

we should be careful not to mistake peacemaking for “minding our own

business” or avoiding conflict at any cost. The kind of peacemakers

Jesus speaks about live with a much more active mindset, consistently

seeking resolution, justice, and reconciliation.

In his Studies in the Sermon on the Mount, scholar and minister

Dr. D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones suggests practical ways to go about

making peace, which include both finding opportunities to make

peace and learning not to speak. This latter idea doesn’t mean being

silent but, rather, learning when to speak so that we don’t contribute

to discord. Or, in the words of James, it means being “quick to hear,

slow to speak and slow to anger” (1:19). Lloyd-Jones suggests tangibly

meeting needs and taking initiative to offer peace, as well as being

selfless, approachable, and lovable.

In reading the Beatitudes,

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Lloyd-Jones identifies several ways to be a peacemaker: 1) Learn not to speak;

2) view every situation in the context of the gospel; 3) go out of our way to look for

methods of making peace; and 4) spread peace wherever we are. This week, think

of a few things you could do to put these into practice. It might be as simple as

choosing not to have the last word in a disagreement or tangibly providing relief for

someone’s distress or misfortune.

Try This

“For they shall be called sons of God,” He isn’t prescribing a formula for

how to become a child of God. He’s telling us that a peacemaker is a

child of God. And we become children of God (and makers of peace) by

trusting Christ to lead us—in other words, by faith in Him: The Gospel

of John says it this way: “As many as received Him, to them He gave

the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His

name” (1:12).

Paul uses the phrase “God of peace” twice in his letter to the Romans

(15:33; 16:20). It’s a quality that should also characterize believers,

since children take after their Father—a God who loves peace and

makes peace. And as members of His family, we can take great

comfort in that.

When Jesus says,


Memorize

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W R A P - U P

For some of us, thinking of God as “Father” is reassuring and affirming. But the

reality is that we live in a fallen world and, for whatever reason, there are many

of us who have a complicated relationship with our earthly father. Some of us don’t

have a relationship with him at all. And this can affect the way we think of our

heavenly Father.

Take time over the next few days to think of some qualities of God the Father—

for instance, that He is a creator, provider, and source of wisdom and peace. You

might write a list in your journal or mark Bible verses. As you pray, meditate on

these, and ask God to guide your understanding of what it means to be His child.

Try This This month,This month, we contemplated what’s involved in being peacemakers and

considered some ways we might practically go about making peace. We also

reflected on the nature of God and what it means to be His children.

As we look ahead, consider your desire for peace and your pursuit of God’s

righteousness. Our righteousness is for Jesus’ sake, and we’ll take time next month

to more closely examine what that means.

One More Look

As we end this month and look ahead to the next, take a moment to think about these questions. You can answer them in your head, write your thoughts in a journal, or discuss them with your friends or small group.

SJ WHAT DOES IT MEAN FOR MEMBERS of Christ’s body to be peacemakers in the world? How might this shape your life, both within and outside the church?

SJ ARE THERE SPECIFIC CONTEXTS WHEN IT IS GODLY to enter into conflict? Why or why not? Can you think of any examples?

SJ WHAT CONCRETE STEPS could you take to make peace?





Memorize

Charles F. Stanley, Finding Peace

SEPTEMBERSEPTEMBERB L E S S E D T O B EB L E S S E D T O B E

R I G H T E O U SR I G H T E O U S

A godly, peaceful person is never a person who compromises with evil

in any form it may take. Peace is not passive—

it is positive, motivating,and exhilarating.

R ecent reports show that

intolerance and persecution of

Christians—including physical

attacks and denial of basic human rights—

are on the rise around the world. This is

exactly the kind of suffering Jesus talks

about in the Beatitudes: mistreatment for

righteousness’ sake and for seeking to do

His will.

In the West, most of us have not

experienced this type of violence or

oppression. We’re more accustomed

to harassment due to perceptions of

hypocrisy or judgmental thoughts.

Yet persecution has been a part of

Christianity’s story since its beginning.

This month, we’ll examine Jesus’ promise

to those who are persecuted for their

righteousness. We’ll also consider how,

in such circumstances, we might imitate

the apostles, rejoicing that we have been

deemed “worthy to suffer” for His name

(Acts 5:41).

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S E P T E M B E R

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considering what it means to hunger and thirst for righteousness—

namely, to desire holiness and justice in everything we do. Jesus tells us

that we will be satisfied in this pursuit, but then He also tells us that we

will be persecuted for it. That’s a little jarring, isn’t it? Understandably,

the thought makes us uncomfortable. But maybe we should take it as

encouragement instead. In fact, knowing that persecution is part of the

Christian experience, we can even do some self-assessment when we

aren’t experiencing this kind of suffering.

On the other hand, if we ever question whether being persecuted for

righteousness’ sake is worth it, we should remember that the kingdom

of heaven is ours. Jesus did warn us to be concerned if people have only

good things to say of us (Luke 6:26). But at the same time, we should be

mindful not to bring unnecessary suffering into our life.

We ended last quarter

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Heavenly Father, thank You for sending Your Son to suffer for me. I know there is nothing more precious than knowing You, and I pray that I would be united with You—both now and for eternity. Guide me to make choices that are honorable to You, Lord. I am blessed to know that You are with me in both joy and suffering. Help me imitate Your righteousness in all I do. Amen.


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S E P T E M B E R

W E E K O N E S E P T E M B E R

W E E K T W O

“ Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” —Matthew 5:10 (ESV)

Memorize

Think about the promises in each statement of the Beatitudes. For example, the

promise of Matthew 5:10—“theirs is the kingdom of heaven”—is the same as the one

offered to us in verse 3. How are they related? In addition to telling you about the

Christian life, do these promises tell you anything about God’s nature?

Try This

of a righteousness that exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees

(Matt. 5:20), it seems a daunting task. You might recall that the

Pharisees in particular were thought of as the spiritual elite of their

day—a group where a kind of perfectionism dominated their lives and

teachings. For everyday people trying to live in obedience to God,

these men were a hard act to follow. So Jesus’ audience, in hearing

that they needed to surpass the righteousness of the Pharisees,

would have felt He was asking them to accomplish the impossible.

Here, it’s important to remember the only path to true righteousness is

through Jesus. Keeping this in mind, we begin to see what the Lord was

really saying in Matthew 5: We're to outperform the Pharisees not on

their terms but according to another standard entirely—one based solely

on the Lord Himself rather than good behavior or rule following. In other

words, a pursuit of righteousness is empty without a pursuit of Jesus.

John’s gospel tells us that when we do what is right in order to glorify

God, people will likely respond in one of two ways: persecution and

hate, or interest and conversion. Of course, we always hope for a

positive response. But when that’s not what happens, we can take

comfort in this: Though we suffer hardship because of our calling to

remain faithful to the ways of Jesus, we know He walks with us through

it all and will never leave us.

When Jesus speaks

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S E P T E M B E R

W E E K T W O

John 3:20-21 says, “For everyone who does evil hates the Light, and does not come

to the Light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. But he who practices the truth

comes to the Light, so that his deeds may be manifested as having been wrought in

God.” Take time this week to examine your behaviors, relationships, and heart. Ask

the Lord to reveal opportunities to grow in your pursuit of His righteousness—and to

strengthen you in the face of opposition to your faith.

Try This


Memorize

we see many examples of two people seeking to do the same thing—one

in the right way and the other in the wrong way. That’s precisely why

Jesus often called out the Pharisees for their “by the book” behavior:

Many cared deeply about following God but were so obsessed with

checking the boxes required to be good, holy, and righteous that they

missed the big picture—and their Messiah.

Sometimes we misunderstand that the Pharisees were criticized and

corrected not for their rigidity but for their self-elevation and the

resulting hypocrisy. It was their motivations that Jesus challenged—a

challenge we should feel, too. More often than we’d like to admit,

we do the right thing in the wrong way, or with the wrong intentions.

Perhaps we could all benefit from a more earnest desire to obey God.

In the Gospels,

S E P T E M B E RW E E K T H R E E

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S E P T E M B E R

W E E K T H R E E S E P T E M B E R

W E E K F O U R

Think about your own experience with faith. What lessons can you learn from the

Pharisees? Consider things like expectations about eternal life and whether your

outward behaviors match your inward thoughts and desires. This week, ask the Lord

to transform your heart and help you align your motivations with His will.

Try This


Memorize

means sharing in all He experienced, including His rejection and

persecution. It means seeking to imitate God’s righteousness and

pursue His will, though at times God-pleasing behavior will cost us—

especially when the world doesn’t understand or respect it.

In Philippians 3, Paul shares how, in order to gain Christ, he was willing

to lose everything—his status, his righteousness under the law, and his

role as a persecutor of the church (vv. 4-11). The persecutor became

the persecuted for the sake of union with Jesus. But keep in mind that

if we are united with Him, we truly possess the kingdom of heaven.

To be united with Christ

S E P T E M B E R

W E E K F I V E

S E P T E M B E R

W E E K F O U R

Sharing in the life of Christ means we also share in His suffering, death, and

resurrection. When you think of counting everything as loss in order to gain Christ,

how do you feel? Take time this week to meditate on what it truly means to know

Jesus and the power of the resurrection. Ask the Lord to help you better understand

the role suffering plays in your relationship with Him. In praying, you can also ask

Him to give you a vision for how you might be a blessing to those who are the source

of your pain (1 Pet. 3:9).

Try This


Memorize

is to live with the goal of doing God’s will—even if we are part of a

culture that disregards or rejects Him. In fact, to follow the Lord’s

example means praying for the grace to forgive those who slander,

deride, and persecute His followers. Speaking about those who nailed

Him to the cross, Jesus said, “Father, forgive them” (Luke 23:34). And

in Acts, the dying Stephen cried out, asking the Lord to forgive the

people who stoned him (7:58-60).

To seek God’s will includes loving our enemies—being more merciful

to them than they would ever be toward us. (See Luke 6:27-38.) This is

how suffering for righteousness’ sake leads to the kingdom of heaven—

it’s a promise that reminds us we belong to God and His blessing is

ours, if only we will let Him guide us.

To be righteous

42 43

As we end this month and look ahead to the next, take a moment to think about the questions in this section. You can answer them in your head, write your thoughts in a journal, or have a discussion with your friends or small group.

SJ EXPLAIN WHAT IT IS TO SHARE in Christ’s life and death. How does this impact your pursuit of righteousness?

SJ HAS YOUR UNDERSTANDING OF PERSECUTION changed as you’ve grown in your faith? In what way?

S E P T E M B E R

W E E K F I V E

At first, Matthew 5:10 (“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’

sake”) might seem different from the verses we have examined so far. Yet it follows

the same pattern as the verses that precede it—each statement in the Beatitudes

includes a condition of the heart or way of being and a promised result when we

embody the trait described.

As you pray this week, consider the life Jesus outlines in the Beatitudes. How

might poverty of spirit lead to persecution? Ask God to help you focus on His

kingdom and how you can more fully flourish within it.

Try This

S E P T E M B E R

W R A P - U P

This month,This month, we examined what it means to be righteous and to be

persecuted for righteousness’ sake. We considered these ideas in the context of

the Pharisees’ righteousness and also looked at what it is to be united with Christ

in His suffering.

As we look ahead, continue to pray and contemplate the role of persecution in

spiritual growth. In our final quarter, we will look to examples of those who have

been persecuted for their faith. We’ll also explore what Jesus had in mind when

He used the expressions “salt of the earth” and “light of the world.”

One More Look




44 45


Memorize

wice in the gospel of Matthew, a voice from heaven calls down and speaks

of Christ: “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well-pleased” (3:17; 17:5).

In both of these moments—at the Lord’s baptism and transfiguration—Jesus'

followers hear and experience God. They are reminded of His nature as

Father and of Christ’s role as Son in fulfilling the divine will.

This quarter, we began by understanding what it means to be pure in heart and, as a

result, to see God and experience His presence. We continued by contemplating who we

are as children of God—peacemakers seeking to imitate Christ. Finally, we considered

how righteousness, persecution, and suffering are part of our life in Christ.

Looking ahead to the final volume of this year’s ministry guide, keep thinking about

what it means to blessed. We’ll build on what we’ve learned so far, by exploring how we can:

SJ Rejoice when facing persecution.

SJ Be the salt of the earth.

SJ Be light in the world.

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One More Look

This quarter, you memorized a section of the Sermon on the Mount as part of our year-long project. The bolded text is what you’ve learned so far:

“ Seeing the crowds, he went up on the mountain, and when he sat down, his disciples came to him. And he opened his mouth and taught them, saying: ‘Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

"' You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people’s feet. You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.’” —Matthew 5:1-16 (ESV)

47

The Father will do The Father will do what is good, loving, what is good, loving,

and righteous on and righteous on your behalf because your behalf because

He is holy and always He is holy and always does the right thing.does the right thing.

CHARLES F. STANLEY, PRAYER: THE ULTIMATE CONVERSATION

Scripture quotations, unless otherwise notated or quoted from a secondary source, are from the New American Standard Bible, 1995 update, © The Lockman Foundation, 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995. Scripture quotations marked “ESV” are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Quotations marked “NIV” are from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. The “NIV” and “New International Version” are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.™ www.zondervan.com

JESUS’ VERY PRESENCE

WILL FREE YOU, EMPOWER

YOU, AND CAUSE YOU TO

BE TRANSFORMED INTO A

PERSON WHO IS PURE,

HOLY, AND COMPLETELY

CLEANSED IN YOUR SOUL.

CHARLES F. STANLEY, THE SOURCE OF MY STRENGTH

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PAID IN TOUCH

MINISTRIES, INCPO Box 7900Atlanta GA 30357

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