HOME GROUPS | As It Is

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"And he opened his mouth and taught them, saying:"

Matthew 5:2–12

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On the side of a mountain in rural Israel, Jesus stands up to tell the story of what it means to be His follower on earth as it is in heaven. As we walk through His sermon, we are faced with these questions:

Do you believe the story that this sermon tells? 

Do you love the one (Jesus) who is telling it? 

Take a moment to reflect on these questions as a group. Consider your busiest day this past week, and share your reflections with each other. Never are we more like Jesus than when we are pure in heart, meek, merciful, etc. On your busiest day, did you notice a poverty of spirit, purity of heart, meekness or mercy? If not, what did you tend towards or value instead?

Blessed are the poor in spirit, those who mourn, the meek, those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, the merciful, the pure in heart, the peacemakers, those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, and the reviled, persecuted and falsely accused. 

Jesus identifies every one of these groups as blessed. 

What does that tell us about how Jesus views blessedness? 

How is that like, or unlike, the way we view blessedness? 

Which of these groups do you feel closest to today, and why? 

Which group do you feel least like, and why? 

Read through the practice guide together as a group (found here). As a church, we are invited throughout this sermon series to engage in three practices: Morning Prayer, Evening Silence and Wednesday Fast. Are you engaging in the practices? Which practice was easiest/hardest for you this week, and why?

The practices are a way to become satisfied in God. They help you posture your mind and body to abide in Jesus and access the presence of God. As you awake to pray, fast and abide in Jesus, these practices will help you grow in understanding of true blessedness.