Read Matthew 5:1-12 One day as he saw the crowds gathering, Jesus went up on the mountainside and sat down. His disciples gathered around him, and he began to teach them.

God blesses those who are poor and realize their need for him, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs. God blesses those who mourn, for they will be comforted. God blesses those who are humble, for they will inherit the whole earth. God blesses those who hunger and thirst for justice, for they will be satisfied. God blesses those who are merciful, for they will be shown mercy. God blesses those whose hearts are pure, for they will see God. God blesses those who work for peace, for they will be called the children of God. God blesses those who are persecuted for doing right, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs. God blesses you when people mock you and persecute you and lie about you and say all sorts of evil things against you because you are my followers.

Be happy about it! Be very glad! For a great reward awaits you in heaven. And remember, the ancient prophets were persecuted in the same way. ————————————— Suggested Questions:

• This is the first in a new series called “Training Days.” We train for all sorts of things in our lives and integral to our training is to have a goal. So, what kind of goals have you had in your life? Think about your education and career. What goals did you have for those? What goals are you currently trying to achieve?

• Training is also something that must happen in our Christian life if we’re going to become the kind of Christian that God wants us to become. (If you’re wondering what kind of Christian God wants you to become then Matthew 5:1-12 gives us a pretty good idea!) What goals have you had for your faith in the past? Do you currently have any goals to grow in your faith? What do those goals look like?

• In the list above there are 9 statements that begin with the phrase, “God blesses.” Which of those statements stand out to you the most? Why?

• Out of that list what do you think is the #1 thing that our culture needs right now? How can you as a Christian then be counter cultural in modeling that virtue for you family, friends, coworkers, or classmates to see?

• Why on earth do you think that Jesus says we should be happy when we’re persecuted for doing what is right? What does that mean? Have you ever been persecuted for doing the right thing?

• One goal that we should all have is to grow in our life of prayer. We don’t need to use big words or say special things or sound “super spiritual,” we just need to talk to God. Talk to him like you’re talking to a friend. What do you want to say to God after reading Matthew 5? What do you want to say to God about the goals you have for your life and for your faith? Can you practice that in your group right now? Or if you’re at home by yourself or with your family can you practice saying a short prayer out loud together?

Christ Church Christiana Hundred Wilmington, Delaware

www.christchurchde.org

Practice What You Preach Week 1, November, 2017