Bible Study for Home Church – January 23, 2022

GREETINGS!

We would like to encourage you to take some time to read and look at the following scriptures and study points with your group during your time together.

Though we are intentionally meeting in separate homes, we are one in Christ; looking into His Word together, fellowshipping together, and lifting one another up in prayer.

HOUSE CHURCH BIBLE STUDY – Matthew 5:3-16

Read the passage together, discussing among yourselves the following teaching points either as you read the scripture, or following the reading of the scripture. These points are offered to assist in starting conversation amongst yourselves; use them however you choose to.

CONVERSATION STARTER STUDY POINTS

Introduction

Two Sundays ago, we looked at Jesus’ description of what the Kingdom of God is like. In His message to the people in Matthew 5, Jesus declared that though we will have trouble in this world, we are still blessed being that we belong to that Kingdom.

Using this passage from Matthew 5, discuss Jesus’ examples of trouble and sacrifice, and how they relate to you personally.

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Matthew 5:3 – Poor in Spirit – theirs is the kingdom of heaven

Question: What does ‘in Spirit’ mean, and how can we be ‘poor’ in it?

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Matthew 5:4 – Those who mourn – they will be comforted

Question: Discuss how being part of the Kingdom of God brings comfort to those who mourn?

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Matthew 5:5 – The Meek – they will inherit the earth

Question: Why would the meek inherit the earth??

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Matthew 5:6 – Hunger and thirst for righteousness – They will be filled

Question: What are we hungering for, when we hunger for righteousness?

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Matthew 5:7 – The Merciful – They will be shown mercy

Question: Do you struggle to show mercy?

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Matthew 5:8 – Pure in Heart – They will see God

Question: How can we be pure in heart, when we live in an impure world?

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Matthew 5:9 – Peacemakers – They will be called children of God

Question: Where is the line (and is there a line) that separates keeping the peace, from speaking up to defend what your beliefs are?

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Matthew 5:10-12 – Persecuted because of righteousness – Theirs is Kingdom of Heaven;

Question: We have suffered so little persecution in our part of the world, but the little we have endured, are we able to ‘rejoice and be glad’, feeling ‘blessed’, or do we react in some other way?

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Matthew 5:13-15 – You are the Salt and the Light of the earth… Shine!

Our responses to the trouble we face in this world, and our ability to endure it, is greatly influenced by our understanding of our citizenship in the Kingdom of God;

The more we grasp that though we live in this world, we are not of this world… the more we can experience blessing in the face of trial or even persecution.

This world is not our home. Here, we are ambassadors of another Kingdom, who are salt and light in this world in order to point others to the Kingdom of God.

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PRAYER POINT: Lord, help me to seize the truth that my home is not here. Like the Israelites were not to adopt the ways of the people in the promised land they were coming into, we are not to become so enamoured with the things of this world, that we forget the Kingdom of God.

Help me Lord, to be salt and light here, even in the face of trouble. In those moments, remind me of the future in have in you; let me turn my eyes upon you in those trials, and rejoice and be glad because nothing can happen to me that can dim the promise of the eternal glory in Your Kingdom that awaits me.

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GOD BLESS your households as we take these last Sundays of each month to learn new ways of worshipping, fellowshipping, and creating opportunities to reach those who either cannot, or will not attend a regular church service.