Church at the Shores
February 16th, 2025
The Narrow Path series invites us to step into the radical teachings of Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount, where we discover that the path to true life is often narrow and challenging, but leads to an expansive, abundant life in God’s Kingdom.
Locations & Times
Church at the Shores
541 Cotton Creek Dr, Gulf Shores, AL 36542, USA
Thursday 5:00 AM
THE NARROW PATH
Welcome to Church at the Shores! If you want to watch or listen to this message again or share it with a friend, visit www.churchattheshores.com.
Welcome to Church at the Shores! If you want to watch or listen to this message again or share it with a friend, visit www.churchattheshores.com.
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https://www.churchattheshores.com/give/The Sermon on the Mount is a vision of life in the kingdom of God.
The path of Jesus is narrow, but it leads to the ever-expanding life of God.
You might be on the Broad Path If...
You reduce following God to external actions and miss the transformation He wants to bring to your heart.
You have a shallow view of what the "good life" really is, thinking success, status, and achievement will bring fulfillment but missing the deeper, more lasting life Jesus offers.
You reduce following God to external actions and miss the transformation He wants to bring to your heart.
You have a shallow view of what the "good life" really is, thinking success, status, and achievement will bring fulfillment but missing the deeper, more lasting life Jesus offers.
TWO OBSERVATIONS
#1 These statements reveal where true happiness can be found.
#2 These statements reveal who Jesus calls blessed.
#1 These statements reveal where true happiness can be found.
#2 These statements reveal who Jesus calls blessed.
POOR IN SPIRIT | MOURNING | MEEKNESS
In Christ, we don’t have to live self-sufficiently because we are saved by grace through our poverty. (blessed are the poor in Spirit)
In Christ, we don’t have to avoid our pain because God promises to meet us right in the middle of it. (blessed are those who mourn)
In Christ, we don’t have to anxiously control everything around us because God promises a greater inheritance, one that can’t be taken away. (Blessed are the meek)
In Christ, we don’t have to live self-sufficiently because we are saved by grace through our poverty. (blessed are the poor in Spirit)
In Christ, we don’t have to avoid our pain because God promises to meet us right in the middle of it. (blessed are those who mourn)
In Christ, we don’t have to anxiously control everything around us because God promises a greater inheritance, one that can’t be taken away. (Blessed are the meek)
SMALL GROUP GUIDE
Icebreaker Question
What’s an adventure you’ve been on that seemed tough or intimidating at first, but ended up being one of the most rewarding experiences of your life?
Icebreaker Question
What’s an adventure you’ve been on that seemed tough or intimidating at first, but ended up being one of the most rewarding experiences of your life?
BIG IDEA
The narrow path leads to an ever-expanding way of God.
The narrow path leads to an ever-expanding way of God.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
1.) What does it look like to live "poor in spirit" in today's world? How can we embrace our spiritual need for God in a culture that values self-sufficiency?
2.) Jesus says, "Blessed are those who mourn." What do you think it means to mourn with hope, and how can we allow God to comfort us in our grief?
3.) In what areas of your life are you tempted to seek comfort and success through the "broad path" of the world, instead of embracing the narrow path Jesus calls us to?
4.) How does meekness, as described by Jesus, challenge our culture’s values of power and aggression? What does it look like to live meekly in your relationships and daily life?
5.) The Sermon on the Mount speaks about living with a radically different scorecard of success. How has your view of success been shaped by Jesus' teachings in this passage?
1.) What does it look like to live "poor in spirit" in today's world? How can we embrace our spiritual need for God in a culture that values self-sufficiency?
2.) Jesus says, "Blessed are those who mourn." What do you think it means to mourn with hope, and how can we allow God to comfort us in our grief?
3.) In what areas of your life are you tempted to seek comfort and success through the "broad path" of the world, instead of embracing the narrow path Jesus calls us to?
4.) How does meekness, as described by Jesus, challenge our culture’s values of power and aggression? What does it look like to live meekly in your relationships and daily life?
5.) The Sermon on the Mount speaks about living with a radically different scorecard of success. How has your view of success been shaped by Jesus' teachings in this passage?
E.S.P.N. for the Group Leader to Remember:
Encouragement
Leadership is 51% encouragement. Don’t underestimate the power of a kind word or a thoughtful affirmation. Look for opportunities to call out the good in each person and remind them of God’s work in their life. Encouragement builds trust and fosters connection in your group.
Scripture
Make space to read Scripture out loud together. God’s Word is living and active, and hearing it read aloud can open hearts and minds to His truth in a powerful way. Even a short passage can spark meaningful conversation and reflection.
Prayer
Create intentional moments for your group to pray together. Whether it’s a simple prayer for the week or interceding for specific needs, prayer connects us to Jesus—and Jesus transforms lives.
Next Step
Always point your group toward one clear, actionable next step before you end. It could be as simple as spending five minutes in stillness this week, reading a specific Scripture, or reaching out to someone in love. A clear next step helps people take what they’ve learned and put it into practice.
Encouragement
Leadership is 51% encouragement. Don’t underestimate the power of a kind word or a thoughtful affirmation. Look for opportunities to call out the good in each person and remind them of God’s work in their life. Encouragement builds trust and fosters connection in your group.
Scripture
Make space to read Scripture out loud together. God’s Word is living and active, and hearing it read aloud can open hearts and minds to His truth in a powerful way. Even a short passage can spark meaningful conversation and reflection.
Prayer
Create intentional moments for your group to pray together. Whether it’s a simple prayer for the week or interceding for specific needs, prayer connects us to Jesus—and Jesus transforms lives.
Next Step
Always point your group toward one clear, actionable next step before you end. It could be as simple as spending five minutes in stillness this week, reading a specific Scripture, or reaching out to someone in love. A clear next step helps people take what they’ve learned and put it into practice.
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