#270 – THE MEEK WILL INHERIT THE EARTH (22/1/21)

This week in our discipleship series, we are considering the third Beatitude,

Definition: Meekness is humility. It’s being weak in ourselves but strong in God.

Each of the Beatitudes is balanced with a great promise. In this Beatitude, the promise is that ‘they shall inherit the earth’. In ‘worldly wisdom’ it’s the strong, forceful, dominating… who inherit land, wealth, power… Jesus wants to make it clear that such thinking is not to be in the Christian or the Church’s mind. We do not force our way to power. We do not force people to convert...

The Israelites were promised the Promised Land. Christians are promised the earth. The meek will live with God in a ‘new heavens and a new earth’ as Isaiah prophesied,

Paul wrote,

Only the meek will live there. Only those who trust in Christ will inherit the earth. In this age, we may have difficulties and even be despised, but Jesus promises a great inheritance to the meek.

COMMUNITY GROUP STUDY - BLESSED ARE THE MEEK

Notices

It might be good to begin with notices. Please share from this week’s Church News.

Suggested opener/Ice-breaker

What are your highs and lows from last week?

Introduction - please share in your group

This week in our discipleship series, we are considering the third of the Beatitudes,

Meekness is humility. It’s being weak in ourselves but strong in God.

Here are three aspects to meekness:

Firstly, as with all of the other Beatitudes, this is a description of the true Christian; to become a Christian one must become ‘meek’. Pride is the opposite of meekness. The proud do not come to Jesus for their sins to be forgiven. The proud are self-righteous.

Secondly, The meek listen to God and others. Their humility drives them to seek God's will in His word. They learn from others and feel a desire to show value to others by listening to them.

Thirdly, The meek pray. On Sunday we briefly saw how The Lord's Prayer in full of meekness; every phrase is an expression of humble dependence upon God.

Finally, meekness has great promise: 'the meek will inherit the earth'. The meek do not force their will on people. They know that they cannot force anyone to come to faith. The meek may have to endure disrespect and even persecution, but they will reign with Jesus in a 'New heavens and a new earth'.

Discussion questions

1. Please read Matthew 11:29. Jesus is described as 'meek' (gentle) and humble. How did Jesus' earthly life display true meekness?

2. Meekness leads to salvation - the proud can never be saved - why is this the case?

2. Meekness is humility. It’s being weak in ourselves but strong in God. Why does this lead to one being devoted to God's word? (Please read Isaiah 66:2)

3. Why does meekness lead to prayer?

4. Why does meekness lead to a desire to learn from others?

Investing and inviting

i) Who has God put into your life that we could pray for together?

ii) How are you planning to 'invest and invite'?

iii) Finally, Who are you planning to invite to our Alpha Course which is beginning on the 25th January?