The Beatitudes, Matthew 5:1-12
Readers Theater

by Ralph F. Wilson, January 3, 1999

Free E-mail Bible Study Bible study Humility: Disciple's Guide to a Humble Life

Readers Theater is an approach to reading scripture that I learned from Dr. Barry Liesch of Biola University. This reading requires four readers. You'll see that it is not all directly from scripture, but is somewhat interpretative, in the manner that the Amplified Bible is interpretative. Feel free to use it orally in your groups and worship and to reprint enough copies for such.

READER 1 Now when he saw the crowds,
READER 2 When he looked at all the people who had gathered to hear him
READER 3 he went up on a mountainside and sat down.
READER 4 He sat down, they sat down
READER 2 His disciples came to him,
READER 3 and they sat down
READER 1 and he began to teach them, saying:
READER 2 Blessed
READER 3 Blessed
READER 2 To be considered honored and fortunate
READER 3 And enriched
READER 4 Yes, enriched
READER 1 Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
READER 2 Blessed are those who understand and are aware of their spiritual poverty
READER 1 Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven
READER 3 They are citizens of the kingdom
READER 4 God's Kingdom
READER 3 And have the Christ as their King.
READER 1 Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
READER 2 Mourn
READER 3 Are grieved with the wicked
READER 4 The wickedness of this world
READER 1 Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
READER 2 God himself will soothe away their tears
READER 3 And there shall be no more crying any more
READER 4 Any more
READER 2 for they will be comforted.
READER 1 Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
READER 2 Blessed are those who don't push themselves into first place.
READER 3 Blessed are those who aren't violent or self-absorbed
READER 4 Yes, they are blessed
READER 3 Blessed, Jesus says,
READER 1 Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
READER 2 Their hunger isn't for me, for more, for much
READER 3 But they thirst to be right with God
READER 4 To be forgiven and reconciled to Him
READER 1 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.

Blessed are the merciful,
READER 2 Blessed are those who show mercy
READER 3 Who can say, "I forgive you,"
READER 1 Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.
READER 2 They who forgive will be forgiven
READER 3 God will not hold any sin to their account
READER 2 Not one
READER 4 For they will be shown mercy.
READER 1 Blessed are the pure in heart,
READER 2 Those whose heart isn't distracted with many loves
READER 3 But who have a heart with a single love,
READER 4 A love for God
READER 2 A love that consumes their heart and soul
READER 3 And mind and strength
READER 4 A single love
READER 3 A pure love
READER 1 Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.

Blessed are the peacemakers,
READER 2 The reconcilers
READER 3 Those who bring together the estranged and help them to become one,
READER 4 Like Jesus did,
READER 3 Yes, like Jesus did
READER 1 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.
READER 2 Daughters of God
READER 3 Those who are like God and understand his mission for this world
READER 4 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
READER 1 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.

Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.
READER 2 When they spit on you
READER 3 When they go out of their way to put you down
READER 2 When they see enough of Jesus that they have to either say yes to him or reject him outright
READER 3 Say yes to him
READER 4 Or reject him outright
READER 1 Blessed are you when people falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.
READER 2 Because of me
READER 3 Because of Jesus.
READER 1 Rejoice and be glad,
READER 2 Yes rejoice
READER 3 Be glad
READER 4 Say "Hallelujah"
READER 2 Sing in jubilation
READER 3 Rejoice
READER 1 Rejoice because great is your reward in heaven,
READER 4 In heaven
READER 3 In God's presence
READER 2 for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
READER 3 You receive a prophet's honor
READER 4 You receive Jesus' honor
READER 2 That people see so much of Jesus in you
READER 3 That they get the point
READER 4 That it isn't hidden
READER 2 That they can see what you stand for.
READER 1 Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

All lessons now compiled as a 220-page book available as an e-book or printed book.

Copyright © 2024, Ralph F. Wilson. <pastor@joyfulheart.com> All rights reserved. A single copy of this article is free. Do not put this on a website. See legal, copyright, and reprint information.

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