BLESSED MEN OF GOD. Questions based on the article (Page 3) 1. Why is Matthew 5:3-12 regarded as the true description of a blessed person?

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1 Blessed Men of God Bible Witness (Volume 9, Issue 3) Page 1 BLESSED MEN OF GOD Questions based on the article (Page 3) 1. Why is Matthew 5:3-12 regarded as the true description of a blessed person? 2. How many major characteristics of the blessed men of God are given in Matthew 5:3-12? What are these? 3. Why are those characteristics given to the reader? What is the reader expected to do in the light of these sayings of Christ? Questions based on relevant facts and Scripture portions 1. To whom did Jesus speak these words? (Matt 5:1; 7:28)

2 Blessed Men of God Bible Witness (Volume 9, Issue 3) Page 2 2. Were these words of Christ applicable only to His 12 disciples? Give the reason for your answer. 3. Why is Matthew 5-7 called Sermon on the Mount? (Matt 5:1) 4. Matthew 5:3-12 is generally known as the Beatitudes. Why? 5. The Greek word for Blessed (makarios) refers to a heightened state of happiness. Consider Romans 4:6-11 and find out what bring such happiness or blessedness to a man.

3 Blessed Men of God Bible Witness (Volume 9, Issue 3) Page 3 Questions based on the article (Pages 4-6) THE POOR IN SPIRIT 1. How do people generally conceive something that is qualified with the word poor? 2. Define spiritual bankruptcy in relation to every man. Cite relevant Bible verses. 3. What are the dangers of self-confidence or the thought of self-sufficiency in spiritual and moral matters? (Luke 18:10-14) 4. Why is a prayerless person not considered as being poor in spirit?

4 Blessed Men of God Bible Witness (Volume 9, Issue 3) Page 4 5. According to John 15:5-8, what are the different ways in which we can express our dependency upon Christ? Why is our dependence upon Him very important? 6. What would characterise a person who is poor in spirit? 7. What is the blessing pronounced on those who are poor in spirit? Discuss and elaborate.

5 Blessed Men of God Bible Witness (Volume 9, Issue 3) Page 5 Questions based on the article (Pages 7-9) THE MOURNFUL 1. People seem to be happy when they prosper materially or when they are engaged in worldly pleasures. But how is it that they continue to plunge into misery, sadness, depression, etc.? 2. When Jesus said, Blessed are they that mourn, was He promoting a crying religion? Give reasons for your answer. 3. As the Christian increases in the knowledge of God s holiness, what impact will it have on his life? Consider Isaiah s experience in Isaiah 6:5.

6 Blessed Men of God Bible Witness (Volume 9, Issue 3) Page 6 4. Does true spiritual mourning cause depression? If not, what can prevent a spiritually mournful person from falling into depression? (Joel 2:12; Matthew 5:4b) 5. Apart from our own sins, what other circumstances would cause spiritual mourning in a Christian?

7 Blessed Men of God Bible Witness (Volume 9, Issue 3) Page 7 THE MEEK Questions based on the article (Pages 10-12) 1. Why does the world laugh at Jesus saying: Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth? 2. Define meekness. 3. What should be the attitude of the meek when they are corrected? 4. Discuss a meek person s disposition before God. (Zephaniah 2:3)

8 Blessed Men of God Bible Witness (Volume 9, Issue 3) Page 8 5. Discuss how the meekness of Moses resulted in his faithfulness. (Numbers 12:1-7) 6. Discuss meekness in the light of James 1:21 with regards to: a) its impact in one s life b) its attitude towards God s Word c) its benefit to our souls 7. Discuss how true meekness will express itself in times of intimidating and threatening situations. 8. Explain the promise that the meek shall inherit the earth.

9 Blessed Men of God Bible Witness (Volume 9, Issue 3) Page 9 THE HUNGRY Questions based on the article (Pages 13-15) 1. Why did Jesus use the words hunger and thirst to express the need for righteousness? 2. Discuss the paucity (or lack) of righteousness in man. Cite relevant Scripture passages. 3. What are the ills of self-righteousness? 4. How does God provide the righteousness that we desperately need? (2 Corinthians 5:21; Romans 10:10)

10 Blessed Men of God Bible Witness (Volume 9, Issue 3) Page Can a man who has trusted in Christ for righteousness, having received it by faith, continue to sin? Give your reason/s. 6. Discuss the moral and spiritual crisis that is plaguing the church. 7. What is Christ s promise for those who hunger and thirst for righteousness? Discuss.

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13 Blessed Men of God Bible Witness (Volume 9, Issue 3) Page 13 Questions based on the article (Page 19-21) THE PURE 1. Are there distractions and hindrances to one s effort to maintain purity of thought? What are they? Briefly discuss. 2. Why are we easily affected by external temptations? (Mark 7:20-23; Jeremiah 17:9; James 1:14) 3. What can purge our sin-marred conscience that we might serve God in righteousness? (Hebrews 9:14; 10:21-22) 4. According to Psalm 119:9, how can a young man keep his ways clean? 5. How do the promises of God in the Scriptures help us to walk holy before Him? (2 Corinthians 7:1)

14 Blessed Men of God Bible Witness (Volume 9, Issue 3) Page What counsel can we receive from 2 Timothy 2:22 and 1 Thessalonians 5:22 that we might not be tarnished by sin? Give some examples in application to such counsel. 7. What has love got to do with purity? (1 Timothy 1:5; Romans 13:8-10) 8. According to Philippians 4:8 and 1 Thessalonians 5:21, what kind of thoughts and aspirations should we always cherish to enhance the purity within our hearts? 9. Discuss briefly the implications of what Jesus said concerning the blessing of the pure in heart for they shall see God.

15 Blessed Men of God Bible Witness (Volume 9, Issue 3) Page 15 Questions based on the article (Page 22-24) THE PEACEMAKERS 1. Define peace. If it does not merely mean the absence of trouble, what is it then? 2. How can one receive peace? (Isaiah 26:3; Philippians 4:6-7) 3. How can one maintain himself in the way of peace? Discuss your answer in the light of James 3:17 and Psalm 85: Who qualifies to be a true peacemaker? 5. Gospel preaching is peacemaking. Why?

16 Blessed Men of God Bible Witness (Volume 9, Issue 3) Page What is the greatest peacemaking act that one can do here on earth? (2 Corinthians 5:18) How can it be done? 7. If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men (Romans 12:18). In the light of this verse, a) Is it possible to live at peace with all men? Why? b) As true peacemakers, what should we do when offences occur? (Hebrews 12:14-15; Matthew 5:23-24; Ephesians 4:3; 1 Thessalonians 5:13) 8. What spiritual fruit would peacemakers bear according to James, the Apostle? Explain how peacemaking can result in such a fruit. 9. Most people, these days, silently tolerate and even condone sin and false doctrines. They do so in the name of maintaining peace. Is this mentality advocated by the Word of God? 10. Jesus said that the peacemakers shall be called the children of God. What do those words mean?

17 Blessed Men of God Bible Witness (Volume 9, Issue 3) Page 17 Questions based on the article (Page 25-28) THE PERSECUTED 1. Christians will experience some form of persecution whether through verbal abuse, discriminatory actions, or even through physical attacks. Why? a) Matthew 10:22; John 15:18 b) 2 Timothy 3:12 2. What was the reason given by Paul to the Philippian believers that they should be bold and undeterred in the face of persecution? (Philippians 1:28-29) 3. Jesus said, Men shall revile you. What does the word revile mean? 4. Describe briefly how they were reviled a) Jesus in Matthew 26:67-68; Luke 7:34 b) John the Baptiser in Luke 7:33

18 Blessed Men of God Bible Witness (Volume 9, Issue 3) Page Will Christians also be reviled? Why? (Matthew 10:25) 6. Did Jesus promise absolute protection to all Christians from the physical assaults of their enemies? Do you agree with preachers who say that if we have faith in Christ, we will never be afflicted? Give reasons for your answer. (Acts 5:40, 8:1; 1 Corinthians 4:9-13) 7. What can be the reason why most Christians face very little or no opposition at all from the world? 8. Have you ever heard any Christian say, I can accept their hatred for me if I have done something wrong or evil but certainly not if I haven t done so? In such situations of false accusations and ill-treatment, how should we take comfort? (Matthew 5:10-12; Luke 6:22-23; 1 Peter 4:14-16)