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2011-2012 Study: Beatitudes

 

 
The Beatitudes are some of the most beloved teachings of Jesus, yet they may well be some of the most pointed. In this study, Margaret Aymer, associate professor of New Testament and chair of biblical studies at the Interdenominational Theological Center in Atlanta, invites us to consider the Beatitudes as they might have been heard when Jesus spoke them—during the time of the Roman Empire. While great in many respects, Rome was a cruel and brutal regime that did not stop short of executing anyone who challenged its authority. 
 
Confessing the Beatitudes is aptly named, as we are invited at the end of each lesson to enter into a process of confession. The ancient practice of confession marks Christians as a people who recognize the truth, learn about the truth, and speak the truth—both about God and about ourselves. Through reading the Accra Confession of 2004, and creating our own confessions, we live out our trust in the grace of God through Jesus Christ, as we move from confession to action. 
 
Study guides are available from Circle Leaders, and extras will be available on our first Third Wednesday Bible Study meeting on September 21 (9:30 in Calvin Hall). Here is a brief overview of each lesson (this is taken from one of the handouts available on the Horizons Website (http://horizons.pcusa.org/bible.htm#2011beatitudesresources)



Lesson

Scripture

Focus

One

Matthew 5:3;
Luke 6:20, 24

Honor those who are destitute and hopeless; recognize who we are and who Christ calls us to be

Two
 

Matthew 5:4;
Luke 6:21b; 25b

Honor those who mourn; consider the ways our lifestyles might make others mourn and weep

Three
 

Matthew 5:5;
Psalm 37

Honor those who are humbled, who rely on God and are not arrogant; honor those who face the wicked daily with no recourse except God

Four
 

Matthew 5:6;
Luke 6:21a, 25a;

Honor our sisters and brothers who are famished, knowing they are of special concern to God

Five
 

Matthew 5:7;
Luke 10:25–37

Feel, act, and dedicate ourselves to those in need; see the needs of the world, act upon those needs, and dedicate ourselves to addressing those needs

Six
 

Matthew 5:8;
Psalm 24;
Psalm 51: 1–12

Honor (and strive to become) those who are willing to wrestle with God and be changed; consider our own complicities in those unjust systems of economic globalization; live prophetically in our individual and corporate lives

Seven
 

Matthew 5:9;
James 2:15–16

Honor (and strive to become) peacemakers, living into our identity as children of God; bring violence against one another to an end; work for the cessation of all forms of violence

Eight
 

Matthew 5:10;
13:20–21;
Romans 8:31–39

Honor (and strive to become) those who follow Christ even in the face of persecution, for the sake of justice; trusting that, in times of trial, the Spirit of God will be with us

Nine
 

Matthew 5:11–12;
23:29–36;
Luke 6:22–23

Honor (and strive to become) those who live into the
outrageous joy that marks us as citizens of the dominion of heaven, brothers and sisters of Christ 

 

 

PW Statement of Purpose

Forgiven and freed by God in Jesus Christ, and empowered by the Holy Spirit, we commit ourselves

  • to nurture our faith through prayer and Bible study,
  • to support the mission of the church worldwide,
  • to work for justice and peace,
  • and to build an inclusive, caring community of women that strengthens the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) and witnesses to the promise of God’s kingdom.