INCLUDED IN THIS GUIDE
1. Introduction to the Series
2. Connect
3, Pray
4. Explore and Discuss
5. The One Thing
6. Scripture Memory

Introduction to the Series
Now when Jesus saw the crowds, He went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to Him, and He began to teach them. Matthew 5:1-2 (NIV).

What follows this verse in Matthew 5-7 has become what is probably the best-known teaching of Jesus, often referred to as The Sermon on the Mount. We studied Matthew 5 last summer. We’ll continue with Matthew 6 this summer, with plans to finish the series with Matthew 7 next summer.

Connect
Feel free to respond to any or all of these questions to help get the conversation rolling:
◾ What has God been drawing your attention to lately?
◾ When do you unplug from the chaos of the world for uninterrupted time with God?

Pray
Lord, the noise of this world is deafening. I often find it difficult to hear Your voice. I pray You’d break through the chaos and help me experience stillness as I seek to be fully present with You. Teach me. Lead me. Change me. May I experience more of You today than I did yesterday.

Add to these words your own praises and prayers to God.

Explore and Discuss
Don’t rush through this. It’s OK if you don’t get to all the questions. Sometimes it’ll make sense to go on to the next question. Other times, you might slow down and process a bit longer. Allow God to guide the pace of your discussion.

1. The righteous acts Jesus refers to are giving, praying and fasting (continued in vs. 5-18). Why are people often tempted to seek approval from others?

2. Hypocrites turn a religious practice into what it was never meant to be—a theatrical display in front of an audience. It is all done for applause (John Stott, Reading the Sermon on the Mount, p. 65). When have you wanted others to know how good of a person you are?

3. How is practicing righteousness before others different from Jesus’ earlier command to let your light shine before others that they may see your good deeds (see Matthew 5:14-16)?

4. What did Jesus mean when He said do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing?

5. Rooted in the Old Testament was a strong concern for charity (see Proverbs 19:17; 29:7). Jesus doesn’t say if you give, but when you give. He is expecting His followers to continue caring for those in need as the Jews had done for generations. Why is giving often seen as optional?

6. Jesus is always concerned with motivation and the hidden thoughts of the heart. How is this related to doing things in secret?

7. What does it mean to be rewarded by God?

8. Probably the only reward genuine love wants when giving to the needy is to see the need relieved. Describe a time you saw an act of kindness (financial or otherwise) truly make a difference in someone else’s life.

The One Thing
What’s one thing you’ll take away from this week’s lesson? Pause quietly for a few minutes and ask God what He wants you to know. Allow time for Him to put thoughts in your mind and stir your heart. Share briefly what you sense God is saying to you, then pray for each other.

SCRIPTURE MEMORY
Memorizing Scripture will help you carry the life-shaping words of God in you at all times and in all places. These words anchor our lives in truth, deepen our intimacy with God, and guide us on the path that leads to life. May we be like the Psalmist who …hid the words of God in his heart (from Psalm 119:11).

Here’s a passage to memorize based on this week’s teaching. Consider writing this on a note card and carrying it with you this week.

Obviously, I’m not trying to win the approval of people, but of God. If pleasing people were my goal, I would not be Christ’s servant.
Galatians 1:10 (NLT)

App and the Daily Devotional
Spend time with God with the Daily Devotionals available on the App. You can also find Sunday Message resources and videos, leave prayer requests, give and more.

Why Jesus?
If you’ve never experienced God’s forgiveness and grace, we’d love the opportunity to talk with you about a life-changing relationship with Jesus. Email thepastors@brookwoodchurch.org or call 864.688.8200

Additional Study Tools
For additional Bible Study tools, guides and devotionals, check out bible.com, youversion.com, biblegateway.com and blueletterbible.org.