Article July 20, 2009 Issue

for kids

Be (good and happy) attitudes and how they helped us

Ann Bennetts with contributions from Elena, Megan, Anna

In Sunday School we learned about the Beatitudes. They are ways to be happy that Jesus told people about. You can find them in the book of Matthew, chapter 5. Our Sunday School teacher said that Jesus loved us so much that he wanted to show us how to be happy and lead a good life. Here are some things that helped us understand what Jesus is teaching us in the Beatitudes:

"Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."

Be willing to listen and learn what God's will is. Be willing to do God's will. It will make you happy.

"Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted."

Any time you are unhappy or hurt or feel unloved, God will comfort you.

"Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth."

Whenever you put aside selfish thoughts—I want this, or I want to do that–and follow God's direction, you have dominion over things.

"Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled."

When you want to know God and who you are more than anything else, you'll find the answer you need.

"Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy."

When you are forgiving and caring and love others, you'll be loved and forgiven.

"Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God."

When you have good thoughts in your heart for everyone–even someone who's been mean to you–you will see how good God is.

"Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God."

When you are tempted to be angry, or talk back, or say anything unkind, you can instead be loving and thoughtful and considerate. This is what it means to be a child of God.

"Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."

It doesn't matter what anyone says about you. When you're standing for Truth, you'll have a safe place in God's love always.

"Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake."

If people make fun of you, or even hate you for following Truth, stay with what you know to be true.

"Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you."

Be happy and grateful because Jesus and holy people in Bible times went through hard times, too. God was with them, and He will be with you, too. Knowing this will bring you happiness.

Many thanks to Sunday School teacher Ann Bennetts for sharing her inspiration about the Beatitudes with the Sentinel. 

Good things that happened when we knew God was with us:

My cousin Julianna came over for a one-night sleepover. We went to Peaks Island, and when we came back, we went bike riding. For fun, we wanted to switch bikes. Julianna's bike was too big for me, but I figured out how to ride it.

When I got off, I suddenly scratched my back on the bike hard. I remembered that God was right there to help me. So I prayed and said, "Help me, God!" A couple of minutes later it didn't hurt any more. I felt great.

Elena, 8

I was watching a Harry Potter movie with my best friend, Maggie, and I got really scared. Then I thought, "God is with me, and all the scary people are just acting, and it's not real at all." This calmed me down.

Megan, 8

I was at the swimming pool. I was scared to dive off the diving board.

A mom was helping me. She said, "Put your arms up, tuck your chin in, and fall." I was still scared, so I got off the board. Then I put a life jacket on and thought about something I'd learned in Sunday School: "God is good and nothing else is present or has power" (see Science and Health, p. 473).

I dove in and got it right. Then I took the life jacket off, dove in, and again got it right. Now I'm diving, like it's easy to do.

Anna, 8

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What's your favorite Beatitude? Tell about it!

Beatitude Quiz

A Sunday School student sent the following text message with answers to a beatitude quiz to his teacher. Being in a hurry, he dropped all vowels (A, E, I, O, U). Can you decipher the sentences?

1. TH BTTDS R PRT F jSS' FMS SRM N TH MNT.

2.BLSSD MNS HPP.

3. TH BTTDS R N TH BK F MTTHW N TH BBL.

(See answers on page 42.)

Answer key
Beatitude Quiz (p. 29)

1. The Beatitudes are part of Jesus' famous Sermon on the Mount.

2. Blessed means happy.

3. The Beatitudes are in the book of Matthew in the Bible.

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SPIRITUAL FOCUS ON BOOKS
LIFTING THE BURDEN OF MENTAL ILLNESS
July 20, 2009
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