Church at the Shores
March 23rd - The Narrow Path - Weight of Our Words
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: 9am & 10:45am
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: 9am & 10:45am
Website: www.churchattheshores.com
What's Happening - Upcoming Events
- Shores Women's Night - Wednesday, April 9th (6 pm - 7 pm)
- Good Friday - Friday, April 18th (6 pm - 7 pm)
- Easter Weekend - Saturday at 6 pm and Sunday at 9 am and 10:45 am
- Good Friday - Friday, April 18th (6 pm - 7 pm)
- Easter Weekend - Saturday at 6 pm and Sunday at 9 am and 10:45 am
Join Our Generosity Team
Your generosity helps people encounter Jesus, plant churches, support missions, and transform our community. Thank you for faithfully honoring God through your tithes and offerings.
https://www.churchattheshores.com/give/To follow Jesus is to love truth, speak truth, and embody truth, not as a preference, but as a practice. This is the very heart of discipleship. It is choosing honesty when it is costly, embracing integrity when it is inconvenient, and letting the way of Jesus reshape us from the inside out.
Jesus is inviting us to a kind of life where honesty is so woven into our character, we no longer need to rely on oaths. Truthfulness simply becomes the language we naturally speak.
WHY DO WE STRUGGLE TO BE TRUTHFUL?
1.) Leverage spirituality as a shield to avoid emotional maturity
2.) Fear of Disappointing People
3.) Living Life in a Hurry
1.) Leverage spirituality as a shield to avoid emotional maturity
2.) Fear of Disappointing People
3.) Living Life in a Hurry
WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO SPEAK THE TRUTH?
1.) Say what we mean.
2.) Do what we say.
3.) Whatever we speak in one place is what we speak everywhere else.
4.) Deliver hard truth with tenderness because truth without love wounds, but truth with grace restores.
1.) Say what we mean.
2.) Do what we say.
3.) Whatever we speak in one place is what we speak everywhere else.
4.) Deliver hard truth with tenderness because truth without love wounds, but truth with grace restores.
God keeps His word and we bear His name.
SMALL GROUP LEADERS GUIDE
Use these questions to take this message on Sunday into your week with family or friends.
Use these questions to take this message on Sunday into your week with family or friends.
BIG IDEA
The narrow path leads to an ever-expanding spacious way of God.
MAIN PASSAGE: Matthew 5
START HERE: ICE BREAKER QUESTION
What is the most creative excuse or little "white lie" you have ever told to get out of something? How did it work out for you?
Have you ever had someone break a promise to you? How did it impact your trust in them?
The narrow path leads to an ever-expanding spacious way of God.
MAIN PASSAGE: Matthew 5
START HERE: ICE BREAKER QUESTION
What is the most creative excuse or little "white lie" you have ever told to get out of something? How did it work out for you?
Have you ever had someone break a promise to you? How did it impact your trust in them?
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
We often shape-shift our words or actions to fit different audiences. Why do you think we do this? How can we become more consistent in living with integrity?
What is one practical step you can take this week to align your words and actions more closely with the truth of Jesus?
Jesus calls us to be people of truth and integrity. In what areas of life do you find it most difficult to be fully honest?
The message emphasized that we cannot live with true integrity on our own. How does relying on Jesus instead of our own effort change the way we pursue truthfulness?
We often shape-shift our words or actions to fit different audiences. Why do you think we do this? How can we become more consistent in living with integrity?
What is one practical step you can take this week to align your words and actions more closely with the truth of Jesus?
Jesus calls us to be people of truth and integrity. In what areas of life do you find it most difficult to be fully honest?
The message emphasized that we cannot live with true integrity on our own. How does relying on Jesus instead of our own effort change the way we pursue truthfulness?
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.
HELP US - WRITE A GOOGLE REVIEW
One way you can help us make a big impact is by writing a short, positive review of your experience at Church at the Shores on Google, Yelp, or Facebook. It’s a small action that makes a big difference! Thank you!