Blessed in the Mess: Blowing Up #Blessed
In this introductory message to our Blessed in the Mess series, from Robyn Elliott, we uncover the revolutionary nature of Jesus’ message in Matthew 5—a manifesto for a new kingdom that upends worldly values and speaks directly to the marginalized. Throughout this series, we’ll challenge ourselves to reexamine these powerful blessings, not as mere platitudes but as life-changing proclamations meant to transform society. Together, let’s consider whether our faith communities reflect this new way of being or simply perpetuate the status quo. Join us as we dive deeper into what it means to embody the Beatitudes in our lives and in the world around us.
Discussion Questions:
- Have you now (or previously) lost interest in church? Why? What happened?
- Read Matthew 5: 1-11 and put yourself in the sandals of someone in the upper echelons of society in Jesus’ day – someone privileged and powerful. How does this message sound to you?
- Now read Matthew 5: 1-11 again and consider Jesus’ intended audience.
- Is the point of Christianity to make us happy and comfortable? If not, what are we doing here? Why would someone want to follow Jesus?
- We’ve been on a journey of deep faith and wide embrace but would someone outside of Lakeside look at us and see a safe place to explore faith? What practical steps can our community take to become more inclusive and welcoming to those who feel marginalized? How can we shape our own lives so that when people look at us they see Jesus?
- How can we effectively communicate the radical nature of Jesus’ teachings to those unfamiliar with Christianity?
- Does Christianity today look like an alternative society or is it just a group of people who gather on a Sunday morning?