Lifewords believes that the Scriptures can be transformative – for individuals, for relationships, for churches, for communities, for nations, for the world. That’s why Lifewords is so passionate to share “the beatitudes” from Matthew 5.
The beatitudes are attributed to Jesus himself; they are the opening “riff” of the Sermon on the Mount. Here, Jesus sets out God’s way of living our lives, a manifesto for how to be human. Our conviction is that these words are vital to hear afresh in these days.
In our world of immediate gratification, we want things packaged and served fast - instantly download, “like”, and then we scroll on. Perhaps we have sometimes approached the beatitudes like this, reducing them to a sort of “fridge magnet philosophy,” a “happy meal” of spiritual fast-food. But these are the words of Jesus – surely they demand a deeper exploration? If we really embrace these words, and put them into practice, then the Way of Jesus becomes a new rhythm for life, a “faith path” to walk.
Diversity and creativity
In the world today, with so many distractions, dangers, and demands, it is hard for the Bible to be heard. So, since 2017 Lifewords has held out a diverse and creative invitation for people to explore the beatitudes - NINE BEATS and the Ninefold Path.
“We have to figure out ways to deliver the truth – the ways and teachings of Jesus – in ways that people can hear it today, because that Word still heals, it still saves, it still guides, so we’ve got to get it into people’s hands,” says Eric Wilson, NINE BEATS Collective collaborator, author, and pastor. “We’re committed – I am committed – to finding as many artistic means to deliver the message of Jesus Christ to as many people as we can.”
Around the world, Lifewords ministers to those who are poor, who mourn, who are oppressed, who need justice, who seek compassion. To the peacemakers, the meek, the merciful. Not only are we sharing the beatitudes, but we are learning from those that practice them, as well as reaching many who do not yet realise that the Bible sees them as “blessed” – even when the world might say different.
NINE BEATS helps people from all walks of life to access these and wider Scriptures. Across three continents, teachers, musicians, artists, theologians, and storytellers collaborated on a journey into the beatitudes – touching on awakening, lament, reflection, peace, and hope. The outputs include live events that are important spaces for people to connect with the Bible through storytelling, music, teaching, reflection, and prayer. Typically, such presentations include heartfelt, critically-acclaimed music from the “Nine Beats to the Bar” album, and other in-person “spiritual formation” events and conversations opening up the Bible’s life words to audiences.
Peter, who attended an NINE BEATS event held in Sheffield, shared: “I’m beginning to realise that the beatitudes that are one of the only things that make sense in this crazy world.”
Lifewords has also produced a range of resources for individuals, groups, churches, faith communities and more. The Ninefold Path is a nine-week 'curriculum' that can be used church-wide, in small groups, or as an individual spiritual discipline. Many have found it transformative and challenging, drawing them closer to Jesus.
Jade Zerk, from Hope Baptist Church in Highbridge, said: “I really like the invitational and practice-based approach of the Ninefold Path and can see this being a really good way to welcome in people who are not currently part of our church”.
New takes
Lifewords digital platform, VerseFirst, invites Instagrammers to engage with the beatitudes, and create their own content in response. It culminates in December with "the way of radical love” (the ninth beatitude). We will feature the most inspiring contributions on our own Instagram profile, adding to those we create ourselves.
The Ninefold Path notebook, is still available and we’d love for more churches and groups to use the resource. With its mix of Bible text, reflection, prayer and practice, the Ninefold Path really is a “transformational nine-week journey into the beatitudes”. If you have not experienced it yet, it is available from ninefoldpath.org.
As culture continues to shift, and new issues and contexts emerge, we have been inviting new voices from the spectrum of the Church to write blogs, or other contributions, that we will curate online.
Sharing the words of Jesus requires a whole family of support and prayer. If you would like to help us share the beatitudes, please do consider making a gift either to specific aspects of this work, or to the broader Lifewords ministry by visiting lifewords.global/donate.
For the full article, head to our Interact page.
