Ephesians 4:31-32 states, “Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ, God forgave you.”
In embracing the lessons of the Beatitudes, we can gradually transform our hearts and minds as we let go of bitterness, rage, and anger and create space for love, joy, and peace to flourish within us. We can cultivate a spirit of forgiveness and learn to respond to adversity with grace and humility.
During this second part of this two-episode series about the Beatitudes, Lee Ann discusses the rest of the Beatitudes and the benefits of teaching these amazing blessings to children:
- Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy:
- Our world today doesn’t show mercy, but it shows condemnation; in pursuing success, we see ruthless competition.
- The world doesn’t show mercy because it doesn’t understand compassion – it can’t empathize with others.
- The great reversal tells us that we can choose to show compassion, even when it is not reciprocated.
- Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God:
- God’s word tells us that the heart is wicked – we see this wickedness that dwells in those who are not saved.
- The great reversal is that we are to love our enemies because we are pure in heart as Christ dwells within us.
- Help your child understand what a pure heart is and how those who want pure hearts must fight against the desire to sin daily.
- Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God:
- The great reversal we witness is Jesus not engaging in verbal or physical combat when most people would automatically fight back verbally or physically when attacked.
- Jesus told Judas, “Do what you came for, friend,” and told Peter to put his sword away; this is a great example when teaching our children what to do when or if a bully attacks.
- Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven:
- The world will teach our children that it is not a blessing to be persecuted and that there is nothing good about it.
- Worldly righteousness refers to moral or ethical conduct that is widely accepted or valued by society, unlike spiritual or divine righteousness, which is based on principles and values by the word of God and the actions of Christ.
Lee Ann elaborates on the following benefits of teaching your children the Beatitudes:
- They teach children to have humility, mercy, peacemaking, and righteousness.
- They help guide them in making the right choices and treating others with respect and compassion.
- They learn to identify with those suffering or in need, promoting a sense of empathy, compassion, and a desire to help and support others.
- They help develop strong character traits such as meekness and kindness, which promote inner strength, resilience, and virtue.
- They teach children the importance of striving for peace and seeking reconciliation.
- They gain a deeper understanding of God’s love and God’s desire for a relationship with them. They help children to develop a personal connection with God, fostering spiritual growth and providing a foundation for their faith journey.
References: “Teaching the Beatitudes,” by Sunday School Zone & “20 Beatitudes Activities for Middle School,” by Brittany Ray.
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