The Beatitudes - Week 7

Blessed are the Peacemakers

Scripture Reading: Matt 5:9, Rom 13:4, Jer 6:14, James 4:1, Phil 4:5-7

Discussion Questions

1. How would you describe the difference between simply avoiding conflict and truly making peace? What are the logical outcomes of each approach?
2. Peacemaking can begin with an authentic apology, but must address the ways in which we have broken peace, and make amends. In what ways have you seen this type of peacemaking at work in your life?
3. Travis explained how gossip can break peace in a family, in a church, in a workplace. How can you play a role in intercepting and short-circuiting stories that would break peace?
4. How would you evaluate yourself as a peacemaker? Why?
   

The Beatitudes - Week 6

Blessed are the pure in heart....

Scripture Reading:
Matthew 5:1-12; Proverbs 4:23; Hebrews 11:27; Deuteronomy 4:29; Ezekiel 36:26

1. What do you believe it means to “see God” in this verse? What different ways or times have you “seen” him throughout your life?
2. The heart is referred to in the Bible as being the central seat of emotion, purpose and meaning. We are told to love God with ALL our hearts, seek God with ALL our hearts, believe in God with ALL our hearts, guard our hearts, write love and faithfulness on our heart, and to work at things with ALL our hearts. Jesus himself said “For wherever your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Luke 12:34). With all this in mind, if you were to ask God to examine your heart right now, what do you believe he would tell you? What would he call you to change in your life?
3. Travis outlined five areas that define someone who is pure in heart (Pure Purpose, Pure Integrity, Pure lifestyles, Pure intentions, and Beginning with a new heart). Which of these areas challenged you the most? Why?
4. Travis described those who have given their life to Christ as having a “heart transplant.” If you have experienced this transplant or new birth in your life, explain what it has meant for the state of your heart? How can we continue insure our heart beats in step with Christ?

The Beatitudes - Week 5

Blessed are the merciful....

Scripture:

Matthew 5:7; Ephesians 2:4-5; Mark 5:19; Romans 12:1 (New International Version)

Discussion Questions

1. Travis defined mercy as not receiving the consequences we do deserve and grace as receiving blessings that we do not deserve. What do you think of these definitions? How do mercy and grace complement each other?
2. The two parables Travis referred to in the sermon (Good Samaritan / Unforgiving Slave) serve as examples of how indifference and unforgiveness can oppose mercy. Which of the two parables had the greatest influence in defining Jesus' "mercy" standard for you? Why?
3. What would it mean for you personally to be "rich in mercy?" (Eph 2:4) How would your life need to change?
4. What role should mercy play in our testimony to others about Christ? How should we respond to mercy offered to us? (Mark 5:19, Rom 12:1)

The Beatitudes - Week 4

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness....

Discussion Questions:

1. How do you feel about God having a unique "you" shaped vacuum in his heart reserved just for you? How do you feel about each one of us having a unique shaped hole deep in our souls reserved for God?
2. What are different ways that we as humans try to fill these unique holes deep in our souls that are reserved for God? Have you ever tried to fill this hole with things other than God in order to feel complete?
3. Prior to hearing this message, how would you have defined the word "righteousness"? What is the difference between righteousness and self-righteousness?
4. Travis defined righteousness as "right-ness". We heard about three types of righteousness; legal, moral and social. How would you describe these three types of righteousness?