About Beatitudes - A blueprint for authentic discipleship - 10 Sessions

The Beatitudes, as taught by Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount, offer a radical blueprint for authentic discipleship by redefining what it means to live a blessed life through humility, mercy, and spiritual hunger. As pastor Darrell Stetler II puts it, “The way to true happiness isn’t material blessings, health, fame, or getting your way—it’s living out the principles of God’s Kingdom”

1: The Heart of True Happiness- Matthew 5:1-12

2: Living as Salt and Light- Matthew 5:13-16

3: A Higher Standard of Righteousness- Matthew 5:17-20

4: Dealing with Anger and Relationships- Matthew 5:21-26

5: Purity of Heart and Mind- Matthew 5:27-32

6: Truthfulness and Integrity- Matthew 5:33-37

7: Responding to Difficult People- Matthew 5:38-48

8: Authentic Spiritual Practices- Matthew 6:1-18


The Beatitudes, found in Matthew 5:2–12, are more than poetic blessings—they are Jesus’ opening statement in the Sermon on the Mount and serve as a spiritual roadmap for those seeking to follow Him with sincerity and depth. For a group of seasoned believers, these verses offer not only comfort but a renewed call to live out the values of the Kingdom of God in everyday life. Each Beatitude flips worldly expectations on their head, showing that true discipleship is marked not by power or prestige, but by humility, mercy, and a hunger for righteousness.

Jesus begins, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 5:3, ESV), reminding us that dependence on God—not self-sufficiency—is the gateway to His Kingdom. As preacher Charles Spurgeon once said, “The way to rise in the kingdom is to sink in ourselves.” This paradox continues throughout the Beatitudes: those who mourn are comforted, the meek inherit the earth, and the persecuted are promised heaven. These are not just ideals to admire—they are traits to embody.

Historian and theologian N.T. Wright notes, “The Beatitudes are Jesus’ way of saying that God’s kingdom is arriving in a way that turns the world’s values upside down.” For senior believers who have walked through seasons of joy and sorrow, the Beatitudes affirm that their lived experiences—especially those marked by faithfulness in hardship—are not overlooked but honored in God’s economy.

This study invites participants to reflect not only on what the Beatitudes meant in Jesus’ time, but how they shape our witness today. As we age, our influence often deepens. The Beatitudes call us to use that influence to model grace, peace, and a heart that still hungers for God.