The Way
Week 1

Pat Hood [Lead Pastor]

Matthew 5:1-2

Scripture References & Sermon Points: 

• Scripture Reference — Matthew 5:1-2

• Sermon Point 1 — The Need for the Sermon

• Sermon Point 2 — The Purpose of the Sermon

• Scripture Reference — Leviticus 18:1-4

• Scripture Reference — Matthew 11:28-30

• Sermon Point 3 — The Problem of the Sermon

Sermon Discussion Questions

Get to know me:

Instructions: The purpose of these questions is to generate responses that are self-revealing and informative. Feel free to ask all of these questions to your group or simply choose the one that best fits your group.

1. What was the last really good advice you received in a time of confusion? 

2. What made you accept and implement that advice & how did that advice impact your life?

Into the Bible: 

Instructions: The purpose of these questions is to draw group members into the Bible to discover truth from passages that were not the primary text for the weekend message.

Read:  Proverbs 12:15

1. It seems like common sense advice has vanished in our “modern” world. Why do you think it is so hard to find/give good advice today?

2. How do we test out advice to know whether it is worthy of our attention?

Application:

Instructions: The purpose of these questions is to apply the main points from the weekend message.

1. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus uses a lot of word pictures & parables... What’s the core message in His teaching? 

2. In the Old Testament God laid out a foundation of laws that would set the nation of Israel apart from the rest of the known world. In the Sermon on the Mount Jesus again teaches His people to be different from the rest of the World. Why do so many Christians look more like the World than like Christ?

3. How do we begin to truly look like Christ? What is the first step? 

4. Once we have surrendered to Christ, how do we become true Disciples of Him? Where can we go to get help in becoming a faithful follower of Christ?

IDEA:  It is easy to convince ourselves that we are doing the best we can. We are busy people. Just ask any friend how they are doing & they will tell you…”busy”. Many people in the US today are struggling to find real value and meaning in their day to day lives. In the Book, Ruthless Elimination of Hurry by John Mark Comer, he talks a lot about eliminating the things that get our attention, but are not truly important. For example….According to the A.C. Nielsen Co. ,the average American watches more than 4 hours of TV each day (or 28 hours/week, or 2 months of non-stop TV-watching per year). In a 65-year life, that person will have spent 9 years glued to the tube.  This does NOT include other screen time spent on Social Media, Games, Email...etc. Do any of those distractions truly add any real meaning of value to your life?

In contrast, what could the Holy Spirit accomplish through you, if you turned off the screen & looked up to see what rewarding work the Lord has set before you?

Exercise: Take the last few minutes of your group time and think about what may be grabbing your attention that is not important (i.e Candy Crush, Netflix, Social Media, sporting activities) Then, think of what you could do to serve God’s needs as He Grows His Kingdom. What 1 thing are you willing to give up, & what 1 thing of God’s will you plug into its place? Who will you share this new Goal with, & how will you measure your follow through to success?