Session Three: Blessed Are Those Who Mourn
In Unit Three we are looking at how we live as members of the Kingdom of God. Last time we looked at the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives. Now we are going to look some famous sayings from Jesus’ longest sermon. These titles are from the New International Version of the Bible.
In this session, we’ll explore:
What repentance means.
What difference it makes to us and how we live.
1. Reflect
Read Matthew 5: 4
‘To be “poor in spirit” is to be convicted of one’s sin, whereas to ‘mourn’ is to be contrite for it.’
John Blanchard
What do you think this saying means?
How does it relate to being poor in spirit?
2. Read
Paul had written a letter to the Corinthian Church pointing out some errors in the way that they were conducting their lives. How is it that can sorrow be a good thing?
What does repentance look like? Why does it matter?
Why is the difference between repentance and self-pity?
What result is this meant to produce in our lives?
We can never pay for the things that we have done wrong but how does this passage make repentance and a contrite heart more real?
Thinking about what you have just read in Numbers, how does Zacchaeus demonstrate that he is one who mourns?
What does this passage tell us about taking responsibility for problems that we have caused?
Need help? Here are some hints…
1. Real repentance and a contrite heart stems from a recognition of the importance of repentance. It’s not about getting ourselves off the hook but about a change in our relationship with God.
2. There is always a temptation to wallow in self-pity if we are caught out doing something wrong. God does not show us our failings so that we are left in guilt; He does it so that we will repent and change. The enemy wants us to feel defeated and lost. God wants us to be forgiven and empowered.
3. This is not about buying our way out if trouble but it is about taking responsibility for our failure and sin; and acknowledging that they have consequences even if we are forgiven for them.
4. Whether we are at fault or not, this passage encourages us to keep short accounts with the people around us so that we have right relationships with them and the Lord.
3. Act
We often use the phrase ‘Taking a daily inventory’ to think about taking responsibility for our sin. In other words, taking time to reflect on what has gone well each day and in what ways we have failed. Often these are the kinds of things that we might record in a journal.
Look back at Galatians 5:13-26 which you studied in unit 3.1. Look at the fruit that the Holy Spirit is producing in your life.
Look at each of the different aspects and use this to help you reflect on your day
How have I shown love to people?
Was I unloving to anyone?
Have people seen my joy today? If not, what got in the way of it?
How has peace been part of my life? Did anything happen to cause me to lose it? What was my part in that?
Was I patient? Did anything happen that caused me to lose my patience?
Would anyone say that I was kind or good? In what ways was I unkind?
Was I faithful to the Lord and others?
Did I keep my word with everyone?
Did I demonstrate gentleness and self-control? Did I speak harshly to anyone?
Do I owe amends to anyone as a consequence of these reflections?
4. Pray
For anything that is on your heart from this last exercise.
