“Boys & girls, let’s play a game and have fun!“

1. Tell the Players that the Game Zone Leader will be the “Leader” for the first round.
   2. Have all the Players line up behind the “Leader.”
   3. The “Leader” then does motions and all the Players, do the same motions. Make sure some are challenging: do five pushups, whistle, some are easy: hop on one foot, sing a funny song and some are funny: pretend they are a bird and flap their wings.
   4. Any Players who fail to follow or do what the “Leader” does are out of the game and should sit down on the sidelines.
   5. The Leader can pick a new “Leader” from one of the children, the “Leader” performsactions. The game begins again with all the Players joining the line.

“Boys & girls, listen carefully. Can you uncover today’s powerful Bible Discovery? Ready?”
THE CIRCUMSTANCE: (Matthew 5:1-2)
As Jesus was walking on a hillside overlooking the Sea of Galilee, there was a large crowd of people wanting to hear Him teach about God. They had so many questions to ask Jesus, and they came to him for the answers. Jesus spoke to everyone there from the littlest child to the oldest person, even the mother holding her little baby about how to live a Godly life, and to follow God’s will. Today we are going to learn about the Beatitudes from Jesus’ famous teachings called “The Sermon on the Mount”.

THE CHOICE:  (Matthew 5:3-6)
There are eight Beatitudes. Let’s count to eight, hold up your fingers as we count, 1, 2,3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, clap hands, wonderful! Today we are going to introduce the first four Beatitudes to you. Next week we will talk about the last four Beatitudes. As Jesus started teaching the “Beatitudes,” there was a hush over all the people so they could hear the words of God. These special words give us a picture of how God wants us to live. Each saying is full of meaning about faith, life, and how to serve God. Everyone listened as Jesus spoke, and would soon make a choice to obey Jesus’ teachings, and follow Him, or to just walk away from Him. Children shout, “I will follow Jesus.”What does Jesus mean when he uses the word “blessed”? To be blessed develops an inner strength, that comes from the knowledge and trust that God is with me and in control, whether I am smiling, happy, crying, sad, or when people persecute me.
1. Matthew 5:3 Blessed are: the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Say it again after me. Good job. When a person is poor they know they need food, a home, and clothes. A person who is poor in spirit knows they need God. Part of following Jesus is to do what Jesus wants us to do, not what we want to do. I might want to go and play with my friends which isn’t bad, but what if I know of a child who broke his leg, and needs someone to go and visit him, or take his homework to him? Which would be a better thing to do? Raise your hand if you think you should go and visit this child to see what you can do to help him. Yes, we should go and help.
2. Matthew 5:4 Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. (cheered, encouraged). Let’s all say it together. When you mourn, you are very sad, you might cry, because you are very upset. God wants us to be sad about the sin in our lives. God wants us to obey Him. When we follow Jesus, He will comfort (encourage, reassure) us. Anyone who is sorry for their sins will be comforted & forgiven. Children take your neighbor’s hand and gently pat it to show comfort and love.
3. Matthew 5:5 Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the Earth. Say it again. Good. What does this mean? Does “meek” sound like an old fashion word? It doesn’t mean to be weak, but to be strong. Children stand, up move your arms like a strong man, great now sit down. Being strong in the Lord means keeping yourself under control. By putting other people’s needs above our needs, we show that
we are following God.
4. Matthew 5:6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst after righteousness, for they shall be filled. Say it after me. Good. If a person is really hungry or thirsty, does It cause some pain? Yes, it does. If anyone who is thirsty seeks God, like they would seek water, they are on the right path. Jesus wants us to really desire to know Him, like we are really, really thirsty for Him. We need to study the Bible and put God first in what He
wants us to do. Let’s see how many can say all for with me.
1. Matthew 5:3 Blessed are: the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
2. Matthew 5:4 Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
3. Matthew 5:5 Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the Earth.
4. Matthew 5:6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst after righteousness, for they shall be filled.

THE CONSEQUENCE: (Matthew5:1-6)
Sometimes when we think of blessings, we think of stuff, like toys, money, food, or a house. These things can be blessings. But what about people who don’t have homes or enough food? What about orphans who don’t have any family? Has God forgotten about them? NO! God loves everyone who chooses to follow Him and loves Jesus. We should love them also and show God’s love to them. Now let’s say our word “Blessed-ness” again after me. “Blessed-ness” to be blessed develops an inner strength, that comes from knowledge and trusting, that God is with me and in control. Even when I am smiling, crying, sad, happy, or when people persecute me I know God is with me. Psalm 29:11. “The Lord gives strength to his people; the Lord blesses his people with peace.” When we follow Jesus, God strengthens us and gives us peace. I hope you will go home and think about each “Beatitude” and then tell someone what each verse means to you.
“Boys & girls, what did we discover about God in this Bible History? (Coaches: answers will vary.) Let’s become great discoverers by asking some fun & challenging questions. Ready?”