What do Beatitudes mean? In a world constantly driven by material possessions and external achievements, it’s easy to overlook the importance of cultivating inner qualities and the fruit of the Spirit. The Beatitudes, a set of eight blessings spoken by Jesus in his Sermon on the Mount, offer valuable insights into the attitudes and virtues that lead to a fruitful life. Little Pot, a fruit-bearing vessel created by the potter, refers to them as “Bee Attitudes.” That’s because bees help pollinate flowers and grow fruit. Therefore, Little Pot has created eight lessons to understand each “Bee Attitude.” Join us as we will learn a lot with Little Pot and study the Beatitudes in Matthew 5:3-10.

Read more: What do Beatitudes mean? Unlock a Fruitful Life with 8 “Bee Attitude” Lessons.

Learn a Lot about Beatitudes with Little Pot

First, let’s discuss why Little Pot is the best tool to help us understand what the Beatitudes mean. Little Pot is a character in the children’s books about the potter and the different vessels he creates. It is a vessel that holds many different items for the potter. As it does, it tries to discover its purpose. Eventually, Little Pot learns it is a fruit pot and can grow fruit for the potter.

We were created to be fruit pots too. We can grow the fruit of the Spirit for our creator. That process is illustrated in Little Pot’s seven steps. The sixth step in the process is when Little Pot blooms a flower. The flower is then pollinated before it can become a fruit. Bees sometimes do the pollination process. That is why Little Pot refers to the beatitudes as Bee Attitudes. Likewise, as the bees buzz around Little Pot’s flowers, their fuzzy bodies and attitudes pollinate to produce fruit.

Beatitude Activities

Likewise, we bloom knowledge and attitudes that allow the Holy Spirit to grow His fruit through us. Therefore we’ve paired each of the Beatitudes in Matthew 5 with a bee. We’ve created a song and lesson for each. You can download the song below. The following is the list of lessons.

• Lesson 1: (Matt. 5:3) Blessed are the poor in spirit -Be 🐝 Humble; depend on God.
• Lesson 2: (Matt. 5:4) Blessed are those who mourn -Be 🐝 Sorry for your sin.
• Lesson 3: (Matt. 5:5) Blessed are the meek. -Be 🐝 obedient all the time
• Lesson 4: (Matt. 5:6) Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness. -Be 🐝 eager; God will win.
• Lesson 5: (Matt. 5:7) Blessed are the merciful. -Be 🐝 a friend to everyone.
• Lesson 6: (Matt. 5:8) Blessed are the pure in heart. -Be 🐝 without sin and stay pure.
• Lesson 7: (Matt. 5:9) Blessed are the peacemakers. -Be 🐝 the one for peace and fun.
• Lesson 8: (Matt. 5:10) Blessed are those persecuted for righteousness. -Be 🐝 bold and brave for God.

You can download a free copy of the song and learn how each line matches a Beatitude within the Biblical text. You will also be added to our Fruitful Friday email list and … “Learn a lot from Little Pot!”

You can read more about the Beatitudes in the Message Bible and traditional text here.

What do beatitudes mean, “Blessed are the poor in spirit.”

To be “poor in spirit” simply means to be humble. Humility can be difficult to understand. Therefore, Little Pot explains that humility comes from the Latin word humus. Humus is the good soil Little Pot contains to grow fruit. Additionally, you can learn more about this lesson on humility here. Having high self-esteem can feel as though it contradicts being humble. However, it is important to learn that humility is not an action but an attitude we have under God. Our actions reflect this attitude. The following lesson will help students to see they can have high self-esteem and be humble at the same time.

Lesson 1: Bee 🐝 Humble, depend on God.

Introduction: Read Buzby by Troy Schmidt and Max Lucado

Discuss with the students Buzby’s attitude throughout the story. Who does Buzby think is King at the beginning of the story, and who does he think is King at the end? How does his view of God and himself change his attitude? Explain to the students that Buzby became poor in spirit when he realized that God was bigger and more important than he was. His new humble attitude allowed him to depend on God for help and be a better friend to others.

Bible Integration:

How do you think God feels about rules?

Follow my decrees and be careful to obey my laws, and you will live safely in the land.

Leviticus 25:18

Language Arts Integration

In the Buzby movie above, Buzby likes to spell. Challenge the students to say sentences the way Buzby does and spell out words. For example, Buzby would say (in an Elvis Presley voice), “I am going to eat pizza, P-I-Z-Z-A for lunch.”

Math Integration

Use bee patterns to write math facts on. Then, write their sum, difference, product, or quotient on a flower pattern. Have students fly the bee to the correct flower. For preschool children, have them match a number to a bee with that many stripes on its back.

Science Integration

Read non-fiction books about bees and write facts they learn about bees in a KWL chart. If possible, visit a bee farm.

Social Studies and Writing Integration

Discuss how Buzby did not follow the rules. What consequences did the characters in the story have when Buzby broke the rules? Have students choose rules they wish did not exist. Then write a story about the consequences that could happen. For example, jumping off a swing might cause a broken bone. Finally, help students understand that rule-breaking affects the well-being of others and themselves.

Dramatic Play

Make new words to the song, “I’m bringing home a baby bumble bee.” and act out motions for each. Here are a few ideas to get you started.

I’m bringing home Buzby Bumble Bee, Won’t my Jesus be so proud of me.

I’m bringing home Buzby Bumble Bee, Hey, look at me.

I’m reading ’bout Buzby Bumble Bee, Won’t my Jesus be so proud of me.

I’m reading ’bout Buzby Bumble Bee, Oh No, Buzby!

I’m flyinig like Buzby Bumble Bee, Won’t my Jesus be so proud of me.

I’m flyinig like Buzby Bumble Bee, Look out for me.

I’m buzzing like Buzby Bumble Bee, Won’t my Jesus be so proud of me.

I’m buzzing like Buzby Bumble Bee, Hey, I’m sorry.

I’m praying like Buzby Bumble Bee, Won’t my Jesus be so proud of me.

I’m praying like Buzby Bumble Bee, Thank you Jesus.

Art integration

Make bees with toilet paper rolls and cellophane. Wrap black and yellow strips of paper around the tube. Cut wings from cellophane and glue on top. Add eyes and pipe cleaner legs. Attach a string so your bees can hang from the ceiling. Create a beehive with paper mache and a balloon too.

Bee Attitudes to Grow the Fruit of the Spirit

Do you see the similarities between being “poor in spirit” and the fruit of the Spirit? Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control grow when we are humble and put others first. Little Pot’s fruit-bearing cycle explains more. Add your first name and email below, and we’ll send you the seven steps to growing the fruit of the Spirit.

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