Jesus taught about Character

Watch the Bible story video or read all or parts of Matthew 5:1-16 from the Bible.

What kind of juice would you get if you squeezed an orange? What about if you squeezed an apple? Or course, the orange would give orange juice and the apple would give apple juice. If something else came out, then you need to throw away those oranges and apples!

One of Jesus’ most well-known teachings is known as the Beatitudes. In these verses from Matthew 5, Jesus described the type of character He desires in His followers. Jesus spoke of the blessings that come to a person who is humble, merciful, peaceful, and pure in heart. If the pressures of life squeezed His followers, this is what would come out.

When you are pressed by hard situations, does what comes out look like Jesus or something else? When we believe in Jesus, our hearts are changed to love Him and obey Him. We want to live in a way that honours Him. We will never do this perfectly, but the Holy Spirit grows us and changes us to be more like Jesus.

Humility, mercy, peace, and righteousness perfectly describe Jesus. When the Spirit helps us grow this fruit in our life, He is making us a light that points the world to Jesus! Jesus taught people what it means to follow Him. He taught how people should live. People who trust in Jesus live to honour God and show what His kingdom is like.

Pray: God, help us to grow in Christ-like character. Make us humble, peaceful, merciful, and hungry for righteousness. We want the Spirit to produce this good fruit in us so that we can live in a way that honours Jesus and points others to Him. Amen.

PRAYING TOGETHER THROUGHOUT THE WEEK

• Ask the Holy Spirit to help you grow in Christ-like character. What is the fruit of the Spirit? Read Galatians 5:22-23 together. How is the Spirit working to produce this fruit in you?

FOR FUN THIS WEEK

Make fresh juice or lemonade by squeezing fruit. Let kids choose the fruits and try different juices. Read Matthew 5:1-12 and discuss the character traits Jesus describes. Talk about how these traits describe Jesus and why they should be true of His followers. Remind kids that God has given the Holy Spirit to help believers grow in this good fruit.