Monday, January 27, 2014

February 2: Be-Attitudes

I don't think this is one of my best, but I wanted the kids to have a chance to give a lot of feedback and time to think about what Jesus is calling us to here in the gospel lesson.

Be-Attitudes—what does it mean to be blessed by Jesus?

When you talk in school about character plus traits in your school, what do you talk about?  What is your trait this month?   (If they can’t think of any) Some I’ve seen are:
Respect, Responsibility. Peace, Caring, Integrity, Courage

Did you know that Jesus has a similar list of character traits for us? It’s not what you expect!  In our story for today, we talked about something we call “Jesus’ Beattitudes.”  Some times it’s easiest to think about them as the be-attitudes—ways we should act towards others.  Here, he blesses: the poor in spirit—what do you think that means?  Those who mourn—what does that mean?  Can you act it out for me?  Those who are meek—this one may be a little hard, but what do you think it means?  Those who are merciful—how can you show mercy to others?  In other words, God blesses: whose you are humble, without hope, those who are sad, those who are gentle and don’t hurt others, those who give up some of what they have to help others, and those who tell the truth and other people hurt them because of it!  Some of these are not too hard—being gentle and helping others—but some are scary. 

I don’t like to be sad or hurt, do you?  But you see, God is an amazing and powerful God—in those times when we are scared and sad and hurt, he reminds us that he’s with us and when we get to heaven, these difficult things will disappear!  If we are sad now, he will make us happy!  If we show kindness to others now, when we are in Heaven, our kindness will be noticed.  God loves us very much but things are not always easy, and he asks us to consider the needs of others over our own here.  What are some ways you can demonstrate these attitudes?