Scripture Reading:
Matthew 5:1-12; 2 Corinthians 7:10; James 4:8-10; Mark 10:17-31 (New International Version)
- Travis explained that when we experience pain or loss in our lives,mourning can be a natural and healthy part of the grieving process. In what way have you experienced this in your life? What healing characteristics have you found grieving to convey?
- Jesus said in John 16:33 that "in this world you will have trouble," yet we tend to live our lives thinking it will never happen to us. God uses the adversity, challenges and loss in our lives to make us all he wants us to be. How can we better prepare for our inevitable journey "into the valley?" How has God refined your faith through past loss and the mourning that resulted?
- We were not created to journey through this life alone. In fact, God created us for fellowship with Himself and each other. Has God ever put someone in your life to walk through the valley with you?
- Reading "Blessed are those who mourn" in the context of "Blessed are those who are poor in spirit," we understand this week that mourning should be a natural response to those who are "poor in spirit" or have an accurate assessment of their desperate need for God's mercy. With this in mind, we were challenged to evaluate whether we are just "managing" our sin or truly "repenting" and turning from our sin. Which is it for you? How would you describe the difference in light of this week's beatitude?
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