The Will of The Father: A Guide to the Sermon on the Mount (Lesson 2—The Beatitudes, Part 2)

Introduction:

1. In our last lesson, we began our journey into the Sermon on the Mount by studying the first few Beatitudes. We saw that Jesus describes not a path to faith, but a portrait of those who already belong to the kingdom: the poor in spirit and those who mourn. These blessings turn the world’s expectations upside down—not the powerful, but the humble are called blessed.
2. This week, we continue with three more:
   1. The meek, who will inherit the earth.
   2. Those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, who will be filled.
   3. The merciful, who will receive mercy.
3. Each of these invites us to examine our own hearts—not just our beliefs, but our desires, our habits, and how we treat others.
4. As we study these verses, we’ll keep using inductive Bible study—that means we begin with the text, not our assumptions. We ask:
   1. Observation: What does it say?
   2. Interpretation: What does it mean?
   3. Application: How does it change my life?
5. Pay close attention to how Jesus uses His words.
   1. A word like “meek” might sound soft to us, but when we observe how it’s used elsewhere (like in describing Jesus Himself), we begin to understand its power. 
   2. When Jesus talks about “hungering and thirsting for righteousness,” He isn’t describing a casual interest—but a desperate, consuming desire. 
   3. When He speaks of mercy, He doesn’t mean just forgiveness—but a way of seeing and treating people that reflects God’s own heart.
   4. This is where inductive study comes alive: when we let Scripture interpret Scripture, and let the Spirit confront and transform us through it.
6. As you work through each section—meekness, hunger, mercy—ask yourself not only what these qualities mean, but how they show up in your life. The goal of this study isn’t just to understand what Jesus meant—it’s to become the kind of man He describes.
7. Let’s step back onto the mountainside and listen again. The King is still speaking. Are we ready to hear—and to do—His will?
8. Download a printable version of the guide here (download link beneath the preview):

By Jeremy Sprouse

Jeremy has been married to Erynn since August 1999. They are blessed with six children: Jaden, Isaiah, Isaac, Ean, Joseph, and Evelyn. Jeremy preaches for the Patrick St. church of Christ in Dublin, TX and is the author of To Train Up a Knight.