The Applause of Heaven - Max Lucado [50]
4. Read Hosea 7:14 and 2 Corinthians 7:9-11. What kind of mourning do they describe? Is it included under Jesus' blessing in the second beatitude?
5. To what things, people, or activities (adult versions of the hug, the Band-Aid, the flashlight) do you tend to turn for comfort? Do they work? In your opinion, is anything inherently wrong with such "security blankets"?
6. Practically speaking, what does God's comfort feel like? What form does it take, and how does it come to us? Have you ever felt it? (For ideas, see Genesis 5:29, 24:67; 1 Chronicles 7:22; Job 6:10; Psalms 23:4, 71:21, 77, 119:50-52, 40:1-5; Isaiah 52:70-9, 57:14-19; John 11:19, I5:I5-22, 14:1-6; 2 Corinthians 1:3-4, 7:6-7.)
7. Why do you think so many of us come to think that God doesn't want to hear about our problems or gets tired of forgiving us?
8. Read 2 Corinthians I:3-4. Under what circum-stances are we called upon to be agents of God's comfort to those who mourn?
9. List three ways we can comfort others effectively. What are some tactics that do not work? Describe a situation in which you were able to provide comfort.
10. What is the relationship between "mourning" and being poor in spirit? How are the two alike? How are they different?
Session 4 • Chapters 7 & 8
Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
I. How does chapter 7 interpret the word meek? How does that definition differ from your previous ideas of "meekness."
2. Do you think of yourself as "ordinary"? Why or why not? Do you find that description comforting or insulting?
3. What are some synonyms for the word meek as it is used in the Beatitudes? For ideas, look up Numbers 12:3, Psalm 25:9, Isaiah 11:4, 61:1, Matthew 11:29, and I Peter 3:4 in the King James Version and another translation.
4. Practically speaking, what does it mean to be meek in the sense of letting God use you? If he doesn't speak through an angel or a burning bush, how do you know what he wants you to do?
5. In practical terms, how do you avoid taking over or "telling God how to do his job"-and still get something done?
6. Chapter 6 interprets "inherit the earth" as not being intimidated or afraid of any earthly power or person. In your mind, is this a satisfactory definition? Would you be more comfortable saying, "Blessed are the meek, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven?" Why do you think Jesus specified "the earth" in this beatitude?
7. Psalm 37:11 also states that the meek will inherit the earth. Read Psalm 37:1-17 to understand this verse in context. What is the message of the psalm? Is its thrust basically similar or different from the third beatitude? What new perspective does Psalm 37 give to Jesus' statement?
8. Describe one time in your life when you let fear keep you from doing something you knew you should do.
9. According to chapter 8, what are the three ways we seek to handle our fears? To which of these three are you more likely to turn? (Don't be misled by the `big guy' examples; these defense mechanisms take many formsmajor and minor!). Give an example of a time when you have taken refuge in one of these defenses.
10. What reason did Jesus give the disciples for not being afraid? Why can this be taken as a source of courage?
11. What would you do tomorrow if you were guaranteed you couldn't fail and that nothing could hurt you? Write down and/or share one example.
Session 5 • Chapters 9 & 10
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
1. A "how to write fiction" computer software program currently on the market begins its instruction with a question: "What does want?" The idea is that all plots (and therefore, all stories) arise from people's basic needs and desires. If you were writing a novel about yourself, how would you answer that starting question? What "hungers and thirsts" motivate you most?
2. How does chapter 9 interpret the idea of righteousness? What would your own definition be?
3 Read Matthew 23:27-28. What