Free Gospel-Centered Sunday School Curriculum
for Elementary Kids

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The Sermon on the Mount: Kingdom Blessings
(Matthew 5:1-12)

One day, a large crowd gathered around Jesus. People came from all over to see Him and hear Him teach. They wanted to know what God's kingdom was really like. Jesus saw the crowds, and He went up on a mountainside to sit down and teach. His disciples came close to Him, and He began to speak.

Jesus opened His mouth and taught them, saying, "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." He meant that people who know they need God are truly happy and blessed. They don't think they are better than anyone else. Instead, they come to God with empty hands, ready to receive His love.

Then Jesus said, "Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted." He was talking about people who are sad because of sin and the brokenness in the world. God sees their tears, and He promises to comfort them. "Blessed are the meek," Jesus continued. Meek people are gentle and strong at the same time. They don't have to fight for power because they trust God to take care of them. Jesus promised that the meek will inherit the whole earth.

Jesus also said, "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled." Just like you feel hungry for food or thirsty for water, God wants you to long for what is right and good. When you really want to please God, He promises to satisfy your heart completely.

"Blessed are the merciful," Jesus taught, "for they will receive mercy." When you forgive someone who hurts you, you are showing mercy. And God promises to be merciful to you, too. "Blessed are the pure in heart," He went on. People with pure hearts don't just look good on the outside. Their insides are clean and honest. They will see God one day.

Jesus kept teaching about the Beatitudes. "Blessed are the peacemakers," He said, "for they will be called children of God." When you help stop a fight or say kind words to make things better, you are acting just like your Father in heaven. "Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." Jesus warned that sometimes people will be mean to you because you follow Him. But that is a blessing too, because a great reward is waiting for you in heaven.

Jesus finished this part of His sermon by saying, "Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven." Jesus promised that even when following Him is hard, He will make everything right in the end. His followers have a beautiful kingdom that can never be destroyed.

A Curious Question

Jesus said that people who are sad, gentle, and even bullied are "blessed." How can someone be truly happy and blessed when life is hard and they are hurting?

Old Testament Connection

Hundreds of years before Jesus spoke these words on the mountain, God made a covenant with Abraham. He promised that through Abraham's family, all nations on earth would be blessed. Jesus came from Abraham's family, and in the Beatitudes, He is showing exactly what that blessing looks like. These teachings also connect to the Psalms and Prophets. King David wrote, "Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven" (Psalm 32:1). And the prophet Isaiah said that God would comfort those who mourn (Isaiah 61:1-2). Jesus was not starting something brand new. He was fulfilling all of God's promises from the Old Testament about a coming King who would bring true happiness and kingdom blessings to everyone who trusts Him.

Discussion Questions

  • Why do you think Jesus said "blessed are the poor in spirit" instead of "blessed are the rich and famous"?
  • What is one way you can be a peacemaker this week at school or at home?
  • How does knowing that your reward is great in heaven help you when someone is mean to you for following Jesus?

So What? What Can I Do?

  • When you feel sad or lonely this week, who can you talk to about how you feel? How can you remember that God promises to comfort you?
  • Think of one person who has been unkind to you. Is there a way you can show mercy to that person instead of getting even?
  • What is something you "hunger and thirst for" more than anything else? How can you learn to hunger for righteousness and for knowing God better?

Memorize God's Word

Matthew 5:6 – "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied."

• Blessed are those place both hands over your heart, then open them outward as if giving a gift.

• who hunger and thirst rub your tummy like you are hungry, then wipe your forehead like you are thirsty.

• for righteousness point both index fingers straight up to heaven.

• for they shall be satisfied smile big and pat your belly with both hands.

Praying with Kids

Dear Father, thank You for teaching us what true blessing looks like through Your Son Jesus. Help us to be humble, gentle, and merciful. When we feel sad or when people are mean to us, remind us that You are with us and that our reward is great in heaven. Make us peacemakers who show Your love today. In Jesus' name, amen.

Craft or Activity

Beatitudes Blessings Scroll

Materials Checklist:

How to Make the Beatitudes Blessings Scroll:

  1. Cut a piece of brown kraft paper into a long rectangle, about 8 inches tall and 12 inches wide.
  2. Write or draw each of the eight Beatitudes from Matthew 5:3-10 down the paper. Use different colors for each blessing.
  3. Decorate the edges with simple drawings of mountains, crowns, or hearts.
  4. Glue or tape the top edge of the paper to a wooden dowel. Repeat on the bottom edge with the second dowel.
  5. Tie a piece of yarn or ribbon to each end of the top dowel to make a hanger.
  6. Roll the scroll up and tie it with a ribbon. Unroll it each day to remember God's kingdom blessings.

Effective Teaching Techniques

  • For younger children, focus on just three Beatitudes (poor in spirit, meek, peacemakers) and act out each one with simple hand motions.
  • To help kids memorize, clap a slow rhythm while saying each Beatitude together as a group. Repeat the rhythm three times.
  • If a child shares a hard experience of being bullied or sad, validate their feelings first. Then gently point back to Jesus' promise of comfort and a future reward in heaven.
  • For a quick prep alternative, print the Beatitudes on pre-cut paper strips and have kids glue them onto a paper plate crown to show that these blessings are part of God's kingdom.