May 26th, 2024 - The Beatitudes Part 1 - Matthew 5:1-21

Whose approval are you seeking?

Questions to think about

What makes you happy?

What is the difference between being happy and being blessed?

Are you able to receive a compliment?

When you were younger whose approval did you seek? (Father, mother, teacher, friends, etc.) How about now? Whose approval are you seeking?

What does it mean to be approved by God? How is that possible?

Define “poverty”?

What does it mean to be “poor in spirit”?

What does “mourning” over our sin look like?

What does it mean that the “meek will inherit the earth”? (Matthew 5:5)

What does it look like to “hunger and thirst after righteousness”? How will we be filled or satisfied? (Matthew 5:6)

Related Scripture passages to meditate on

Isaiah 6

Isaiah 55:1-3

Isaiah 61

Psalm 1

Psalm 37:7-11

Psalm 42:1-4

John 4:7-14

1 Corinthians 3:21-23

Ephesians 1:3-14

Ephesians 2:1-10

James 1:1-18

May 19th, 2024 - Investing in the Kingdom of God - Philippians 4:10-20

Questions to think about 

What is a topic that you don’t like to talk about? Why?

Why is there a stereotype that churches are always asking for money? What’s the right balance between presenting the financial needs of the church versus asking/requesting money too often?

How did the church in Philippi show their concern for Paul?

What does it mean to be content?

Paul wrote Philippians while he was in prison, but he writes he has learned the secret of being content. What’s Paul’s secret?

What is the danger of believing in “prosperity gospel” (if you believe in Jesus then God will bless you with physical means – wealth, health, good relationships, etc.)?

Paul tells the Philippians that “my God will meet all your needs..” (Philippians 4:19) – how can this be twisted around? What is the greatest need you have that God has met?

Related Scripture passages to meditate on this week

Deuteronomy 15:7-11

Proverbs 19:17

Matthew 25:14-46

Luke 6:27-38

Acts 4:32-37

Acts 20:35

2 Corinthians 9

1 Timothy 6:7-19

James 2:14-17

1 John 3:13-24

May 12th, 2024 - Do Not Worry - Matthew 6:25-34

Questions to think about

What keeps you up at night? What do you worry about?

What is the difference between planning and worrying/anxiety? How can planning become worry/anxiety?

How does Matthew 6:25 (don’t be anxious about what you will eat/drink) fit in with asking for daily bread in the Lord’s Prayer (Matthew 6:11)?

Why does Jesus call his listeners “O you of little faith”? (v. 30)

Why does Jesus tell us that we don’t need to be anxious about our life?

What does it mean to seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness?

What happens when we put God first?

Does God bless us financially when we obey Him? Why or why not?

What is the biggest human need that God took care of?

Related Scripture passages to meditate on

Joshua 1

Psalm 23

Isaiah 41:8-10

Matthew 19:16-30

Luke 12:4-7

Philippians 4:4-7

2 Thessalonians 3:6-12

Hebrews 13:5-6

1 Peter 5:6-11

2 Peter 1:3-11

May 5th, 2024 – Storing Up Treasures – Matthew 6:19-24

Questions to think about

What is your most important possession? Why?

What is your most valuable (monetary) possession (other than a house or car)? How would you feel if it was destroyed?

What do you like to spend money on?

What are treasures on earth?

What are treasures in heaven?

Jesus said “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” What does this mean?

What does Jesus mean when he says “The eye is the lamp of the body?”

What is a “healthy eye” and what is a “bad eye”?

Why can’t we serve two masters? What kind of problems will there be?

Challenge: Track your spending over the next two weeks to see where your money goes

Related Scripture Passages to meditate on this week

Deuteronomy 8:11-20

Joshua 6-7

Ecclesiastes 5:8-20

Malachi 3:6-12

Luke 12:13-21

Mark 12:13-17

Mark 12:41-44

Acts 20:35

1 Corinthians 3:10-15

2 Corinthians 9:6-15