Introduction
Growing in faith is a critical aspect of every teenager’s life. As young Christians, they should always be looking for ways to strengthen their faith and develop a closer relationship with God. The Beatitudes, teachings given by Jesus during the Sermon on the Mount, provide an excellent foundation for teenagers to build upon. The Beatitudes are a roadmap for living a righteous life, one that follows God’s will and is pleasing to Him.
In this Sunday school lesson, we will dive into the Beatitudes and explore how they can shape our lives as young Christians. We will read passages from the Bible, have group discussions, and play a fun game. By the end of this lesson, we hope that every teenager will have a deeper understanding of what it means to embody Jesus’ teachings.
Bible Reading: Matthew 5:1-12
“1 Now when Jesus saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, 2 and he began to teach them. He said:
3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4 Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. 5 Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. for they will be filled. 7 Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. 8 Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. 9 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
Explanation For Teenagers
The Beatitudes are a series of blessings that Jesus gave to his disciples during the Sermon on the Mount. Each beatitude provides insight into the character of God and how we, as Christians, can live our lives in a way that honors Him.
- “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 5:3) – We should recognize our own spiritual poverty and rely on God for our salvation.
- “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.” (Matthew 5:4) – We should grieve over our sins and the brokenness of the world.
- “Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.” (Matthew 5:5) – We should be humble and gentle in our interactions with others.
- “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.” (Matthew 5:6) – We should have a strong desire to do what is right in God’s eyes.
- “Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.” (Matthew 5:7) – We should show compassion to those who are hurting and forgive those who have wronged us.
- “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.” (Matthew 5:8) – We should strive for purity in our thoughts, words, and actions.
- “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.” (Matthew 5:9) – We should work towards reconciliation and promote peace in all of our relationships.
- “Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 5:10) – We should expect to face opposition and persecution for our faith, but we can take comfort in knowing that we will be rewarded in heaven.
Youth Group Discussion Questions
- Which of the Beatitudes do you struggle with the most? Why?
- How can we show mercy to those who have wronged us
- In what ways can we promote peace in our relationships with others?
- How can we strive for purity in our thoughts and actions?
- How can we prepare ourselves for the persecution that may come with following Jesus?
Bible Reading: Luke 6:27-36
“27 But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28 bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. 29 If someone slaps you on one cheek, turn to them the other also. If someone takes your coat, do not withhold your shirt from them. 30 Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. 31 Do to others as you would have them do to you.
32 “If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them. 33 And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners do that. 34 And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, expecting to be repaid in full. 35 But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. 36 Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.”
Explanation For Teenagers
This passage from Luke’s Gospel expands upon the teachings of the Beatitudes, emphasizing the importance of loving our enemies and treating others with kindness, regardless of how they treat us. Jesus calls us to love and serve others selflessly, just as He did during His time on earth. When we embody Jesus’ teachings, we become examples of His love and grace to the world around us.
Youth Group Game: Beatitudes Scavenger Hunt
In this fun and interactive game, the youth group will be split into teams and given a list of items to find that relate to the Beatitudes. The first team to find all of the items on the list and return to the meeting spot wins!
Some items on the list could include:
- A Bible
- A tissue (representing those who mourn)
- A small plant (representing the meek)
- A bag of food to donate to a local food bank (representing hungering and thirsting for righteousness)
- A small toy or stuffed animal (representing showing mercy)
- A heart-shaped item (representing purity in heart)
- A dove decoration (representing peacemakers)
- A small piece of jewelry (representing being persecuted for righteousness)
Closing Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for this time we have spent together learning about the Beatitudes and what it means to embody Jesus’ teachings. Help us to remember these truths and apply them to our daily lives. Give us the strength and courage to love and serve others, even when it’s difficult. We pray that our lives would be a shining example of your love and grace to the world around us. In Jesus’ name, amen.