Tyler and Hannah in Thailand: VABC LifeGroup "The Beatitudes" Part 1

We have made some changes to LifeGroup at VABC: later start time, different location, more casual discussion time, and shorter, more practical teaching—complete with "life application homework."

The goal is to make group more engaging and beneficial for the students. For this blog then, I will do a quick write up on what we discussed, and then give the "homework assignments," hopefully those reading this will find it beneficial as well. (It will also allow the students to review the week's discussions.)

As I was preparing for group this week I asked God what he wanted me to take the students through next. In my daily bible ready on that day I was reading through the sermon on the mount and the beatitudes stuck out more than usual, so I have decided that is were we will go next, each week we will discuss one of the beatitudes, exploring its meaning and how to apply it to our daily lives. This weeks beatitude is found in Matthew 5:3 - "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."

What does it mean to be "poor in spirit?" Think about it for a moment. Is Jesus telling us that those who are weak, think poorly of themselves, or have little self-confidence are blessed? I do not believe this is what Jesus meant. Nicky Gumble (creator of the Alpha training series) says this:

"Being spiritually desperate for God - 'Blessed are the poor in spirit’ (v.3a). The word for ‘poor’ means ‘begging … dependent on others for support’. Here, it means being brought low or weakened to come to the place of realizing the need to depend on Jesus. ‘You’re blessed when you’re at the end of your rope’ (v.3a, MSG). The poor in spirit are blessed because, through what Jesus has come to make possible, ‘theirs is the kingdom of heaven’ (v.3b)."

In other word, to be "poor in spirit" is recognizing that only through Christ are our needs met. There is nothing else in this life that will fulfill our needs, wants, or desires. Another reading of this verse than could be, "Blessed are those who are desperate for God and rely on him for everything, for they shall be sustained, satisfied, never in need."

Through out history, the Christians of great exploits are those who have come to rely on God or everything. Even the missionaries I work with are examples of this: as each of them have come to the point where they recognize that it is only through God—not their supporters and churches—that their needs are met. Yes, God will use our supporters and churches as the instruments of His provision, but everything we need is found in God. Learning to trust in God as our provider frees us from having to try and gain the approval of others; we are free from the fear of rejection because we know that God takes care of us. To quote Dr. Al's book "On to Perfection": "I (God) will do what I said I will do, if you will live like my promises are true."

1. Gratitude - nothing helps us recognize and appreciate a gift more than thanking the person who gave it to us. So this week during you daily prayer time spend a moment or two purposefully thanking God for His provision.

2. Building of Faith - It can be very difficult to change our mindset and to recognize that God is our provider. One thing that helps is being in a position where only God can provide and trusting that he would. So this week ask God to show you an opportunity to put your faith into action, a faith stretching experience. Maybe he will ask you to put more money than you normally would in the offering; or maybe to bless someone who has less than you, even though you already have very little. Or maybe he will have you commit to something that you do not think you can do. Now I am not telling you to go and give all your money away this week, no, instead your are to simply find a way to exercise your faith and do it.

3. Next week preparation - read the next beatitude and come up with something that it is saying to you. Matthew 5:4 "Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted." What is Jesus saying here?