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?
◾ What’s one of the best things a friend has ever done for you?
◾ If your life was broadcast in a cinema, what would the audience be screaming at the screen right now?

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. What’s the relationship between you experiencing God’s forgiveness and your forgiveness of others?

2. Describe a time when experiencing God’s forgiveness enabled you to forgive someone. What impact did that have on the person you forgave?

3. Think of a time someone forgave you. How did that affect your relationship with God?

4. When have you experienced a rescue from God in your temptation to sin?

5. What do the following passages teach you about forgiveness?

6. Sin can be considered as 1. Things we’ve thought, said or done that we shouldn’t have (acts of commission) and 2. Things we didn’t think, say or do that we should have (acts of omission). What are examples of each in your own life?

7. In his book The Art of Forgiveness, Lewis Smedes describes three stages of forgiveness: Rediscovering the humanity of the person who hurt you, surrendering the right to get even, and revising your feelings. How can these concepts be helpful when you need to forgive someone?

8. What challenges do you face when forgiving others?

9. When we forgive people, it helps them see and experience the heart that God has for them. Our forgiveness is an expression of His love. How does this encourage or challenge the way you relate with others?

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.

He is so rich in kindness and grace that He purchased our freedom with the blood of His Son and forgave our sins. Ephesians 1:7 (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.