The Beatitudes are some of the most beloved teachings of Jesus, yet they may well be some of the most pointed. We may miss their point, however, if we do not study them within their literary, historical, and cultural contexts. In this study, Margaret Aymer invites us to consider the Beatitudes as they might have been heard when Jesus spoke them—during the time of the Roman Empire. While great in many respects, Rome was a cruel and brutal regime that did not stop short of executing anyone who challenged its authority. As you study the Beatitudes, it will be important to remember this context.

Confessing the Beatitudes is aptly named, as we are invited at the end of each lesson to enter into a process of confession. The ancient practice of confession marks Christians as a people who recognize the truth, learn about the truth, and speak the truth—both about God and about ourselves. Through reading the Accra Confession of 2004, and creating our own confessions, we live out our trust in the grace of God through Jesus Christ. Confession in this heartfelt manner is a concrete way for us to make the Beatitudes part of our journey of discipleship as we move from confession to action.