Church at the Shores
Feb 24 - The Narrow Path - The Good Life (Pt 2)
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, spacious life in God’s Kingdom.
Locations & Times
Church at the Shores
541 Cotton Creek Dr, Gulf Shores, AL 36542, USA
Friday 7:30 AM
WELCOME HOME
Welcome to Church at the Shores! If you would like to watch or listen to this message again or share it with a friend, visit www.churchattheshores.com.
Service Times: 8:30am & 10am
Website: www.churchattheshores.com
Welcome to Church at the Shores! If you would like to watch or listen to this message again or share it with a friend, visit www.churchattheshores.com.
Service Times: 8:30am & 10am
Website: www.churchattheshores.com
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Take a moment to fill out our connect card, and we can answer any questions or direct you to the next steps in growing your faith.
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https://www.churchattheshores.com/give/The Sermon on the Mount is not a formula for earning salvation. It is an invitation into deeper formation as a follower of Jesus.
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.
BLESSED ARE THE MERCIFUL
Matthew 5:7
Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.
QUESTION TO CONSIDER
Is your faith making you kinder?
GOOD NEWS
What is the good news about this beatitude?
God’s mercy is greater than our worst failures.
Matthew 5:7
Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.
QUESTION TO CONSIDER
Is your faith making you kinder?
GOOD NEWS
What is the good news about this beatitude?
God’s mercy is greater than our worst failures.
BLESSED ARE THE PURE IN HEART
Matthew 5:8
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
HOW TO CULTIVATE A PURE HEART
Be quick to believe.
Be quick to forgive.
Be quick to repent.
GOOD NEWS
What is the good news about this beatitude?
God’s presence is more accessible than our hidden flaws.
Matthew 5:8
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
HOW TO CULTIVATE A PURE HEART
Be quick to believe.
Be quick to forgive.
Be quick to repent.
GOOD NEWS
What is the good news about this beatitude?
God’s presence is more accessible than our hidden flaws.
BLESSED ARE THE PEACEMAKERS
Matthew 5:9
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
HOW TO BECOME A PEACEMAKER
Listen first. Speak second.
Choose grace over being right.
GOOD NEWS
The Good News About This Beatitude?
God’s peace is stronger than our conflict.
Matthew 5:9
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
HOW TO BECOME A PEACEMAKER
Listen first. Speak second.
Choose grace over being right.
GOOD NEWS
The Good News About This Beatitude?
God’s peace is stronger than our conflict.
BLESSED ARE THE PERSECUTED
Matthew 5:10
Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Over 340 million Christians face high levels of persecution globally. That’s nearly 1 in 8 believers worldwide.
HOW CAN I JOIN IN PRAYER FOR THE PERSECUTED CHURCH?
Pray for Endurance and Strength
Pray for Boldness and Gospel Expansion
Pray for Peace and Protection
Pray for Their Faith to Be Strengthened
Pray for God’s Glory to Be Revealed Through Their Suffering
GOOD NEWS
The Good News About This Beatitude?
God’s presence is greater than our persecution.
Matthew 5:10
Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Over 340 million Christians face high levels of persecution globally. That’s nearly 1 in 8 believers worldwide.
HOW CAN I JOIN IN PRAYER FOR THE PERSECUTED CHURCH?
Pray for Endurance and Strength
Pray for Boldness and Gospel Expansion
Pray for Peace and Protection
Pray for Their Faith to Be Strengthened
Pray for God’s Glory to Be Revealed Through Their Suffering
GOOD NEWS
The Good News About This Beatitude?
God’s presence is greater than our persecution.
SMALL GROUP GUIDE
Icebreaker Question
Can you share a time when you had to make a difficult choice that didn’t seem logical but turned out to be the right decision?
If someone had to describe what you value most in life based on how you spend your time, what do you think they would say?
Icebreaker Question
Can you share a time when you had to make a difficult choice that didn’t seem logical but turned out to be the right decision?
If someone had to describe what you value most in life based on how you spend your time, what do you think they would say?
BIG IDEA
The narrow path leads to an ever-expanding spacious way of God.
The narrow path leads to an ever-expanding spacious way of God.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
Redefining the Good Life
Jesus describes the “blessed” life in ways that contrast with how we typically define success and happiness. How does Jesus’ vision of the good life challenge the way we think about fulfillment?
The Call to Mercy
Matthew 5:7 says, “Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.” How have you experienced mercy in your life, either receiving or giving it? What makes mercy difficult at times?
We often justify our own meanness while condemning it in others. What’s one area of your life where God may be calling you to replace sharpness with kindness?
The Pursuit of a Pure Heart
Jesus says, “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.” What do you think it means to have a pure heart? How can we cultivate purity of heart in a world that often encourages divided loyalties?
Supporting the Persecuted
Jesus declares, “Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” While we may not face severe persecution, how can we pray for those facing opposition or challenges for following Jesus?
Redefining the Good Life
Jesus describes the “blessed” life in ways that contrast with how we typically define success and happiness. How does Jesus’ vision of the good life challenge the way we think about fulfillment?
The Call to Mercy
Matthew 5:7 says, “Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.” How have you experienced mercy in your life, either receiving or giving it? What makes mercy difficult at times?
We often justify our own meanness while condemning it in others. What’s one area of your life where God may be calling you to replace sharpness with kindness?
The Pursuit of a Pure Heart
Jesus says, “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.” What do you think it means to have a pure heart? How can we cultivate purity of heart in a world that often encourages divided loyalties?
Supporting the Persecuted
Jesus declares, “Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” While we may not face severe persecution, how can we pray for those facing opposition or challenges for following Jesus?
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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