The Sermon On The Mount
(Matthew 5-7)
This week: Read Matthew 5
How would you describe the opposite of each quality listed in verses 3-10?
Is Jesus describing who his followers are? Or prescribing what they must do?
How do these promised blessings compare with what most people in the world prize? Would kingdom people be admired in your society? In your social circles? Why or why not?
How does the righteousness of the Pharisees contrast with that described in verses 3-11?
Read Matthew 6
In Jesus’ model prayer, what 3 concerns related to God did he pray about first? What personal concerns follow? What is the relationship between forgiveness & prayer?
If our Father knows what we need before we ask, why pray? How is fasting of Jesus’ disciples to contrast with that of the religious leaders? Why? What is the purpose behind fasting for each group?
What are some of the “religious disciplines” valued in your circles? IN what way can they be misused as a way to impress others? When have you given in to that temptation? Why?
What bad habits have you picked up in prayer? What do you want to do to grow past this habit?
MY OWN STORY/20 minutes
Code the list of concerns below with these symbols in the margin.
P-my parents biggest concern
-5 = my biggest concern 5 years ago
+5 my biggest concern 5 years from now
X=something I can do nothing about
✝=something I can give to God and forget about
*=my biggest concern right now
___children: doing okay in school
___parents: getting old
___job: finding it or losing it
___money: not having enough
___advancement: getting ahead
___older children: not making ends meet
___transition: starting over
___midlife: failing my expectations
___health: can’t work/pay bills
___retirement: feeling useless
___future: being left alone
___accidents: loved one getting hurt
2. If you were to take seriously Matthew 6:25-34, how would it affect your list above?
it would change everything
it would change a few things
it would change the way I view things
it wouldn’t change a thing
3. How do you feel after taking this personal inventory?
relieved
angry, because these concerns do not go away
frustrated, because I know I should not be this way
I’ll have to think about this.