Small Group Discussion Guide
The Beatitudes
Season 2 · Episode 8 - 1:57
How to introduce this clip
“As the second season of The Chosen draws to a close, with the help of his disciple Matthew, Jesus is hard at work writing what will be the Sermon on the Mount. The creators playfully imagine him struggling to find just the right way to begin the sermon, and finally, early one morning, Jesus wakes Matthew from his slumber to tell him he’s finally figured out the introduction. Let’s watch this imagined scene together in a clip from the show…”
*If your church does not know about The Chosen, before you show the clip, you might also want to tell them the following: “The Chosen is a television show that tells the story of Jesus through the eyes of the people who knew him.”
Discussion Questions
1. Why are the Beatitudes such a powerful—even necessary—way to begin the sermon?
2. Which Beatitude stirs the most encouragement in you and why?
3. Which Beatitude shocks you the most and why?
4. Do any of the Beatitudes bother you—and why?
5. If the wider world had to offer its own list of Beatitudes, outlining who is truly blessed in life, what would be on that list? (Another way to approach this question is to list each Beatitude one by one, inviting the group to identify a Beatitude that would be its exact opposite.)
6. If we’re honest, those who are anything but peacemakers or "pure in heart" seem to be living a good life, while those who are meek or "poor in spirit" are often living a difficult and painful life. What would you say to someone who points that out?
7. The power of the Beatitudes is that they are statements and not commands. Jesus is simply saying those who are often overlooked, judged, or dismissed are beloved and blessed. Still, followers of Jesus strive to be pure in heart or makers of peace. Is there a Beatitude you want to live out in more marked ways, and what can you do to see that kind of growth in the days ahead?