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 be shown mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.
Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
My Bible classes began working on the Beatitudes recently. The nine statements of Jesus at the outset of the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew's chapter five are familiar to Christians but are often foreign to the way we act. How are we supposed to rejoice and mourn concurrently? Who feels good about being mistreated? Philip Yancey translated these teachings as Lucky Are The Unlucky. Our class periods centered around our own translations of these contradictory, to the non-believer, words of truth from the lips of the Savior. Each student was assigned the task of recreating the Beatitudes in ways that made sense to them in twenty-first century Houston, Texas. What follows is a sampling of the theology of my students. All are used by permission with boys in blue and girls in pink:
Blessed are the mentally ill for God brings them peace of mind. (Julia)
Blessed are the thankful for they won't take things for granted. (Caitlyn)
Blessed are the music makers for they soothe the souls of the broken. (Rianna)
Blessed are the readers for they will be highly educated in the word of God. (Sophia)
Blessed are the ignored for God will make your sounds and movements echo. (Madison)
Blessed are the failing students for all of God's children receive A+. (Tristan)
Blessed are the outcasts for the will be popular in the heavens. (Markus)
Blessed are the poor for they will be satisfied listening to God. (Giovanna)
Blessed are the thankful for they will be thanked. (Kirk)
Blessed are those who love too easily for God will never take advantage of you. (Dessiah)
Blessed are the teachers who give their all for their students for they will be adored by Jesus. (Lyanne)
Blessed are those with nightmares for they will have sweet dreams in heaven. (Alexandria)
Blessed are the patient for they deserve the best. (Naila)
Blessed are those who suffer for they provide true empathy. (Kelsey)
Blessed are the speechless for they will speak the miraculous wonders and signs God has done in heaven. (Tiata)
Blessed are the sleepy for there will be endless nap time in heaven. (Alex)
Blessed are the homeless for they will live in a warm and clean house. (Rita)
Blessed are those who wonder for their questions will be answered. (Derrick)
Blessed are the illiterate for God will let them read the history of the world to all. (Drew)
Blessed are those who are picked last for their true talents will be revealed. (Amy Cr.)
Blessed are those who get small roles for one day they will be the main event. (Amy Cu.)
Blessed are the unwanted for God will be with them always. (Lizeth)
Blessed are those stuck on the bench for they will start in heaven. (Arye)
Blessed are the ones with big hair because they can donate it. (Caleb)
Blessed are the painfully shy for God will be their best friend. (Sarah)
Blessed are the dull for they will shine in heaven. (Joshua)
AND, two of my favorites!
Blessed is Coach Hawley for he gives us life lessons from the Bible. (Caitlyn)
Blessed is Coach Hawley for his clothes will always match in heaven. (Julia)
God bless,
Steve
Luke 18:1
www.hawleybooks.com
E-mail me at steve@hawleybooks.com
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