April 4:� What are the Beatitudes?

����������� Matthew 5:1-12; Exodus 20; Luke 6:20-26

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����������� The Beatitudes are teachings of Jesus on what it means to live as Kingdom people.� They are the equivalent of the Ten Commandments given to Moses, which explained how God expected the Israelites to live.� Beatitude means �blessing�.� The Beatitudes are specific blessings given to promote what will come to be known as great Christian virtues.

����������� Matthew 5:1-12 outlines the nine Beatitudes or blessings as pr9mised by God.� Among them are promises for �the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God� (Matt. 5:9).

����������� In the first quarter of our lessons, we studied the love God has for us and the love we as Christians are required to show toward one another.� Love is not a companion of dissension or confrontation.� We are charged to show love, even when our Christian love is called to the test.