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 chapters 5-7 has become what is probably the most well-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, and plan 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?
◾ Describe a time in your childhood when you felt loved.
◾ What’s been your experience reciting or praying The Lord’s Prayer?

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. What’s the significance of God being in heaven and also our Father?

2. What’s the difference between knowing about God and having intimacy with God?

3. How have you come to know God as Father?

4. What does it mean for God’s name to be hallowed (made or kept holy)?

5. What other insights do you have from this verse?

6. What do you learn about God from these verses?

7. Which of these truths or insights is most significant to you? Why?

8. If this were the only passage of Scripture you had, how would you describe the relationship between God and man?

9. Have you ever experienced God like that? Explain.

10. The book of Genesis was written to the Israelites as they wandered in the wilderness between their escape from Egypt and entrance into the Promised Land. How do you think these verses in Genesis would have helped them continue the journey?

11. What do these passages teach you about having or developing intimacy with God?

12. What new experiences can you create to cultivate deeper intimacy with God?

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.

“This, then, is how you should pray: ‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name,’” Matthew 6:9 (NIV)

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.