Module 4.4 Model For Christian Values: The Poor in Spirit

Module 4.
4 Model for Christian Values
A. Background of the Lesson

The word “Beatitude” comes from the Latin word beatus which means “blessed” or
“made happy”, otherwise called macarism from the Greek word makarios which also means
“blessed” (Gaebelein, 1984) or “fortunate” (Revell, 1991, in Landero, 2002).
Some modern cynical people refer to the Beatitudes as the “Be-attitudes”. As they say,
how can a person today cope with such attitudes as being merciful, meek, pure, or sorrowing?
After all, the world is hard and competitive. Jesus’ answer might well be that the world is hard
and competitive, simply because there is not enough mercy, purity, meekness, sorrowing, etc. By
putting forth the values that he practiced in the Beatitudes, Jesus was advocating those values
that, if accepted and claimed, would have led to happiness of those around.
A closer look at the Beatitudes might help us see that they do not necessarily mean what
we think they mean on first reading:
1. The Poor in Spirit (Matthew 5:3) Jesus is pronouncing a blessing upon simple, unspoiled
folk. The blessing is not necessarily to those materially poor; it is to those who find themselves
poverty-ridden spiritually. It is to those who recognize this poverty that the Kingdom of heaven
comes because they turn to God for spiritual enrichment. These are the people who declare their
full dependence upon God, confessing that apart from God they are nothing.
2. The Sorrowing (Matthew 5: 4) To be sad because of pain and suffering is not necessarily
a
virtue in itself. However, to be able to bear suffering courageously and with faith characterizes a
member of the kingdom. The implication is that the Christians sorrow as they try to understand
and share their neighbor’s pain.
3. The Meek (Matthew 5:5) To be meek is not being afraid or frightened as peoplethink.
Jesus
meant that persons should be patient, long-suffering; the opposite of rudely aggressive and
proud. A meek person does not trample upon the rights of other. True meekness is not weakness.
Another word for meek is gentle. A gentle person is polite, respectful, and strong, but the
strength is under control.
4. Hungering and Thirsting for Righteousness (Matthew 5:6) The expression “hunger and
thirst for righteousness” is a strong one. It is vital for us to ask ourselves what it is that we
hunger for. What things draw us most to a particular direction? Is it fame or success? How would
one hunger for righteousness? Jesus expects his followers to desire a knowledge of what is right.
Righteousness for Jesus is a total attitude of mind, a particular kind of character, and a special
style of living.
5. The Merciful (Matthew 5: 7)To be merciful is to act in a manner of loving kindness to
those
in less fortunate circumstances. But to be truly merciful is not only to have the right attitude, but
also to perform deeds of mercy. “Forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors” are more than
nine words that are profound and true.
6. The Pure in Heart (Matthew 5:8) “Heart” in Scripture refers to the entire personality.
“Pure” refers to the rightness of thought and motive. Those whose motives are pure will gain
spiritual insights. One might wonder how will the pure in heart see God. Some believe that this
refers to life after death. Others say that as one develops this characteristic, God becomes evident
in the world around that individual. The pure in heart are aware of the actions of God in their
lives, whether they are in times of joy or sorrow. People who are pure in heart do not only mean
to do the right but also work with right motive.
7. The Peacemakers (Matthew 5: 9) Being a peacemaker is another characteristic that
gives joy to life. Those who work for peace are often misunderstood and persecuted. This is
especially true in times of emotional crisis. Peacemakers run opposite many persons who seek to
prey the fears and prejudices of people. The peacemakers are often called coward. The
peacemakers bring wholeness or health to the needs of others. Peacemakers do not avoid
conflict; but are able to settle differences.
8. The Persecuted (Matthew 5: 10-11). In the eighth beatitude, Jesus describes those who
suffer persecution for doing God’s will. Suffering persecution in itself does not help a person
find real joy in life. The secret in finding meaning and joy lies in what it is that brings about the
persecution. Although most persons who are persecuted feel that it is for righteousness cause,
there are many who bring persecution on themselves by acting obnoxiously.
Now go back and take a good look at what Jesus advocated as the means by which we
may become “blessed” or “made happy”. What do you see unusual about this list?
Do you see wealth listed? Where is power, fame, beauty, and possessions? None of these
is listed. The Beatitudes tell us that God reverses the standard by which we human beings
measure people and things (wealth, power, etc.). To be held in esteem by the world is not
necessarily held in esteem by God. One may be rich and powerful by worldly standards, but poor
by God’s standard (RE 2 Syllabus, 2002).
B. Student’s Activity: How Do You Rate?
Instruction: Encircle the number that best describes your feeling about yourself in terms of the
following items.
Legend: 1 – Very Weak 3 – Moderately Strong
2 – Weak but Improving 4 – Very Strong
Beautitudes
*Happy are those who know they are spiritually poor 1 2 3 4

Have you come to a point where you can admit to others that there are things you do not know?
Are you able to disclose your weaknesses? Do you honestly feel that you need other people and
God to fulfill many of your needs?
*Happy are those who are sorrowing 1 2 3 4
Are you able to show your emotions to express your feelings? Do you make it easy for others to
show their emotions because you do not laugh at them?
*Happy are the meek 1 2 3 4
Are you able to appreciate other people’s strengths? Do you have a gentle spirit? Are you patient
with those who seem to be quite slow to catch up? Are you willing to submit to or agree with
others if you see that they have better ideas? Do you make it a habit of imposing your ideas on
others?
*Happy are those who hunger for righteousness 1 2 3 4
In your decisions, do you believe God must be consulted? Do you consciously feel God leads
you in your life? Do you really put God above things?
*Happy are the merciful 1 2 3 4
Are you capable of caring for others? Are you sensitive to the needs of others? Do you help
others without the thought of being repaid?
*Happy are the pure in spirit 1 2 3 4

Are you a genuine person? Are you the same kind of person in church, in school, at home, or in
the community? Are you honest and open? Do you share of yourself deeply with others? Have
you learned to remove your mask if you have any?
*Happy are the peacemakers 1 2 3 4
Are you able to reconcile differences? Are you by nature friendly? Do you try to bridge
differences between people? Can you accept genuinely and sincerely those who do not agree
with you?
*Happy are those who are being persecuted for right things or causes
1 2 3 4
Are you able to take criticism from those who are close to you without getting angry or hurt? Are
you able to cope with difficulties in your home or school or boarding house?
C. The Beatitudes: A Meditation

Leader: Let us unite in prayer.
Unison: Loving Father, although we often hear the Beatitudes read, we know there are truths we
have not yet understood about them. Just now we pray Thee to open our hearts and minds to hear
Thee say again the eight “Happiness”. Through Christ we pray. Amen.
Leader: In Matthew 5:2 we read: And he opened his mouth and taught them saying, Blessed are
the poor in spirit for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.
Interpreter: The poor in spirit are the humble who recognize their spiritual poverty and need.
God blesses them.
Leader: Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
Interpreter: They mourn for their sins and for others who are suffering from sin that Satan
brings.
Leader: Blessed are the meek for they shall inherit the earth.
Interpreter: Moses is called the meekest of the men in the Bible. He was humble and teachable.
As a result, the land of Canaan was given to God’s children. Meek Christians shall see their
promised land also.
Leader: Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness for they shall be filled.
Interpreter: To hunger for righteousness is to long for right to triumph over wrong. They shall
have satisfaction in seeing the right triumphs.
Leader: Blessed are the merciful for they shall obtain mercy.
Interpreter: When we are merciful to others, they return mercy to us. God also extends His
mercy to us.
Leader: Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God.
Interpreter: The pure in heart shall see God both here and hereafter. Here, they see His guiding
hand in everything. Hereafter, they shall see Him face to face.
Leader: Blessed are the peacemakers for they shall be called the children of God.
Interpreter: The aim of the peacemakers is to reconcile man to man and also to God. People
seeing their good works recognize that they are children of God,
Leader: Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake for theirs is the Kingdom
of Heaven.
Interpreter: Jesus is saying here that those who are willing to be persecuted for the cause of
right are best in knowing they are citizens of the Kingdom. (Stirlen, 1978, in Landero).

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Module 4.

4 Model for Christian Values

A. Background of the Lesson

B. Student’s Activity: How Do You Rate?

*Happy are those who know they are spiritually poor 1 2 3 4

*Happy are those who are sorrowing 1 2 3 4

*Happy are those who hunger for righteousness 1 2 3 4

*Happy are the merciful 1 2 3 4

*Happy are the pure in spirit 1 2 3 4

*Happy are the peacemakers 1 2 3 4

C. The Beatitudes: A Meditation

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