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 season of life when you felt empowered by God.
◾ When are you most vulnerable to temptation?

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. This passage is part of what’s commonly known as The Lord’s Prayer. As Jesus lays out the basic elements of prayer, what topics does He want us to focus on?

2. What does it mean to pray that God’s kingdom come?

3. What do you learn about God’s kingdom in Colossians 1:13-14?

4. What’s the difference between God’s kingdom and the American dream?

5. What would it look like to give all of yourself to God’s plan – to build His Kingdom instead of your own?

6. How does the statement Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven shape your understanding of God's sovereignty and our role in His plan?

7. In what ways does the request for daily bread reflect our dependence on God?

8. How does the concept of forgiveness (forgiving others as we are forgiven) challenge or encourage you?

9. Why is forgiving others so important in our relationship with God?

10. What does asking God not to lead us into temptation mean, and how does this relate to our need for His guidance and protection?

11. How often do you think about there being an evil one? Explain.

12. How does the Lord's Prayer challenge your typical prayer requests, and what would change if your prayers were more aligned with the model Jesus provided?

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.

For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, Romans 14:17 (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.