Bible Study - MATTHEW KING AND KINGDOM: Salty
Sermon-Based Bible Study – May 1, 2022
- What is something God has done for you that you are thankful for? What is something you are celebrating? How have you experienced God’s love and faithfulness this week?
- Where are you experiencing stress, anxiety or discouragement? How would you like to see God move in your life or in the life of someone close to you?
- What did you hear in this week’s sermon that was new or particularly interesting? Did anything stand out to you as puzzling or troubling?
- Read Matthew 5:1-12. Jesus begins the Sermon on the Mount with a list of things you can count on as the Kingdom of God breaks into the world through Jesus. Which of the “beatitudes” gives you the most hope? Is there one or more that puzzle or concern you? Why would Chris make a point to say, “what’s important to know is that this is not a list of things to do in order get blessed?”
- Have you ever treated the Beatitudes like a list of “attitudes” or “virtues” Jesus expected you to acquire or develop in order to be blessed? Why might a person think Jesus was teaching something like that? Does this list include those who are typically considered fortunate or joyful? What is it about the Kingdom of Heaven that brings blessing or joy to you?
- What does this list of Beatitudes say to you about the character and priorities of God? Do you think Jesus’s teaching in this regard was surprising to those who heard it for the first time? Why? Is it surprising to you now? Why? Are there any Beatitudes on the list that would be characteristic of those who were considered fortunate or joyful in the Roman “kingdom?” Are there any Beatitudes on the list that would be characteristic of those who are considered fortunate or joyful in the American “kingdom?”
- Do you think Jesus begins the list of the Beatitudes with the most important one? What might be the importance of embracing the first Beatitude when it comes to life in the Kingdom of Heaven? What does it mean to say the Sermon on the Mount begins with a declaration of grace?
- Read Matthew 5:13-16. What’s the connection between what Jesus says in the Beatitudes and what He says here?
- What does it mean for you to be salt and light in your context?
- What is a simple, next step you could take in obedience to what the Spirit is saying to you through this time in the Word? Who would benefit, or be interested in hearing about what you’ve learned in this study?