Introduction and Ice Breaker
Name some of your funny coping mechanisms or ways of escape in times of mourning.
Themes to Consider
Grief as a part of life
The nature of being BLESSED - makarios - happy, fortunate, the highest type of well-being - the state of the gods in greek culture
Mourning over: our sin, our nation's sin, death
Comfort through the Person of Christ, the Body of Christ, the resurrection of Jesus
Discussion Questions
What are you mourning over right now?
Is the idea of congratulating one who is mourning offensive to you?
Where do you go for comfort when you are mourning?
Can you name ways the Body of Christ has been a comfort to you?
Of the following three, which can you relate to most? Comfort through the Person of Christ, the Body of Christ, the resurrection of Jesus.
Guided Prayer
Silence / Remove distractions as much as you can and spend two minutes (time it, if helpful) in silence, noticing your body, your emotions and thoughts. Perhaps use a simple phrase to pray silently so that you stay focused.
Adoration / We have a Savior who died in our stead. Who knows suffering and pain, who can relate to our mourning. Express your gratitude to Jesus for his incarnation and understanding.
Confession / Confess how you may believe your mourning, loss and struggle cannot be redeemed or used as blessedness by God.
Thanksgiving / Thank God for his sacrifice, his costly love of us.
Supplication / Intercede for those in our world who are mourning
Our schools and teachers
The poor and vulnerable
Victims of oppression and injustice
Supplemental Content
The Beatitudes, in particular, are not teachings of how to be blessed... They are explanations and illustrations, drawn from the immediate setting, of the present availability of the Kingdom through personal relationship with Jesus. They single out cases that provide proof that, in him, the rule of God from the heavens truly is available in life circumstances that are beyond all human hope. —Dallas Willard
Jesus is not suggesting that these are simply timeless truths about the way the world is, about human behaviour. If he was saying that, he was wrong. Mourners often go uncomforted, the meek don’t inherit the earth, those who long for justice frequently take that longing to the grave. This is an upside-down world, or perhaps a right-way-up world; and Jesus is saying that with his work It’s starting to come true. This is an announcement, not a philosophical analysis of the world. It’s about something That’s starting to happen, not about a general truth of life. It is gospel: good news, not good advice. —NT Wright
