10 Commandments and Beatitudes

1. TEN COMMANDMENTS
& BEATITUDES

2. The Ten Commandments
 Originally given to Moses on Mt. Sinai, the
Ten Commandments were a clear code of
conduct that God gave His people.
 God has “sovereignty over the moral order” –
meaning that God decides what is good and evil,
not man.
 Though made known to us by divine
revelation, the Ten Commandments also
express the natural law.
Why…?

3. The Ten Commandments
 List of the Ten Commandments – see pg 109
 In the Old Testament, we see that the
Israelites prosper when they follow the
Ten Commandments, and suffer when
they do not.
 This principle still exists today.
 We suffer when we do evil because evil acts
change us for the worse.
 Conversely, we prosper when we do good,
because good acts change us for the better.

4. The Beatitudes
 Beatitude literally means “bliss.” The
Beatitudes lead us to happiness.
 Each Beatitude begins with “Blessed are” or
“Happy are”.
 However, they are also very contrary to what
most people recognize as happiness!

6. The Beatitudes
 The basis of all happiness is love and giving of
oneself. The Beatitudes lead us in this.
 They are more internal, focused on the heart,
with the goal that our hearts become like
Christ’s heart.
 The Beatitudes, practiced often, will create
dispositions within us.
 They point us to happiness on earth, but also
ultimate happiness with God in heaven.

7. The Beatitudes
 What do they mean?

8.  The poor in spirit
 Those who are detached from material possessions.
Also those who recognize that they need God.
 Those who mourn
 Those who are saddened by the suffering and
injustice in the world. Also those who suffer on behalf
of the Gospel.
 The meek
 Those who are humble and submit to God’s plans.
Though they may lack worldly power, they will
ultimately have victory.

9.  Those who hunger and thirst for righteousness
 Those who earnestly desire to bring Christ to others
so that they can find His peace, happiness, justice,
and healing.
 The merciful
 Those with a “heart for the miserable.”
 The pure in heart
 Those whose hearts are set on Him, wholeheartedly.
They want to please Him alone.
 The peacemakers
 Those who actively create peace.

10.  Those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake
 Those who face rejection, scorn, and suffering for believing
in God and spreading His message. They are promised
heaven.

11. Free write
 Free write on the relationship between one of
the Beatitudes and one of the Ten
Commandments.