CreatingCommunity is an email devotion to guide your preparation for worship next weekend. Imagine how much more clear and relevant God's Word will be if you have had an opportunity read, reflect, and dwell in the Word prior to worship. You may do this devotion alone, with others, as a family, or over Zoom as a small group.

This devotion is to be done in preparation for this coming weekend's worship.

Please follow these three steps:

1. Read through the text
2. Respond to the questions (select one of the sets of questions)
3. Offer a Prayer
Mathew 5:1-12
When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain; and after he sat down, his disciples came to him. Then he began to speak, and taught them, saying:
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
“Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
“Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
“Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy.
“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
“Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”
No Experience Necessary Questions:
  1. What scares, confuses, or challenges me in this text?
  2. What delights me in this text?
  3. What stories or memories does this text stir in me?
  4. What is God up to in this text?
Family Questions:
  1. Which of the Beatitudes do you most identify/struggle with? Why is that?
  2. What does it mean to rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven? What would that look like? Have you ever done that? Why/why not?
  3. These words of Jesus are surprising and shocking to those who seek wealth, fame, and control over others. Are they surprising to you? Explain.
Advance Questions:
  1. In the Beatitudes, Jesus provides a unique description of those who are blessed with God’s favor. In what way are the poor, meek, and hungry blessed?
  2. Some who hear these words think they must become poor hungry, or peacemaker in order to be blessed. Is that what the words say? Explain
  3. In Lutheran theology there is a difference between if/then and therefore/because. The first is law, the is second gospel. Which are the beatitudes?
Click here to listen to this week's CreatingCommunity video
Blessed Are They | Written and sung by David Haas
Prayer
Almighty God, you have knit your people together in one communion in the mystical body of your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Grant us grace to follow your blessed saints in lives of faith and commitment, and to know the inexpressible joys you have prepared for those who love you, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
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