1. How often do you read your Bible? What do you focus on? Do you read the Old Testament?
2. What did Jesus mean by saying he had come to fulfill the Law and the Prophets? (See also Luke 24:25-27) 3. What was Jesus saying about God’s word in verse 18? 4. According to Jesus, who is great in the kingdom of heaven? Why? 5. How can our righteousness exceed the Pharisees? (Compare what you know of their reputation and character to the Beatitudes in Matt 5:3-10.) 6. When we read, study and apply God’s word, both OT and NT, what happens to us? Does it happen quick or over time?
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1. Does biblical prophecy illuminate the future, the present, or the past? Or all three?
2. What disasters do the four Horsemen bring upon the Earth and why were they sent? Are Christians spared from suffering in these trials and tribulations? 3. How were the martyrs comforted? How would suffering Christians be encouraged by what they heard here? 4. Why does Christ permit testing and suffering for his followers? What does he want us to learn? What does he want the world to see when Christians suffer? 5. What is the fate and realization of those who reject God and trust in worldly power and institutions for their security and comfort? 6. Why can Christians seem to hope and trust in God for salvation, but seek comfort and security in worldly things? How can we resist this? 1. If our attitude and behaviour are characterized by the “blessed“ statements in Matthew 5:3-9, why can we expect to be persecuted? Is this normal or abnormal? 2. Why should you feel blessed if persecuted? What should you be asking yourself if you have never been mocked or persecuted? 3. Jesus often uses word pictures and elements of daily ancient life to illustrate his teachings. Why did he choose salt to characterize our daily interaction? 4. Read John 3:16-20. What does light often represent in the Bible? Jesus spoke of two sources of light: the city on the hill and a small household lamp. What do you think each one represents? 5. How can Christians respond negatively to persecution and criticism? How would it affect being salt and light? 6. What can you pray and do before interacting with anyone?
1. What does “blessed” mean here in the Sermon on the Mount and in the Bible generally?
2. What does it mean to be poor in spirit? How are they encouraged? 3. What is being mourned here? Does the Gospel apply? How? 4. What is the righteousness described here that we should be searching for? How can we be satisfied? 5. D.A. Carson writes: “Our perception of God and His ways, as well as our fellowship with Him, depends on our purity of heart.”** How can you recognize idolatry in your life? What questions can you ask yourself? 6. What do peacemakers do? Why are they called sons of God and what is meant by that phrase?
1. There is no coming to Jesus without repentance and the life of a Christian is a life of daily repentance. Why? What does repentance say about God? What does repentance say about you?
2. How did Jesus call his disciples? How did one normally become a disciple of a rabbi back in that day? 3. Who did Jesus call? What were their social status and vocations? 4. What did Jesus call his disciples to do? What was the cost of discipleship? 5. Does becoming a disciple always mean you must give up your career or your job? What have you given up to follow Jesus thus far? What do you treasure? 6. How do we persevere in faith to the end? How does reading and studying scripture, prayer and service help us. How can we ask the Holy Spirit to help us?
1. What do you hope for in the coming new year?
2. What does “hope” mean as used in the Bible? Is it a “cross your fingers” kind of deal? 3. What is meant by Justice in the Isaiah 42? How is Christ our hope for justice? 4. How is Christ hope for the broken? How does verse 3 comfort and encourage you? 5. How is Christ hope for freedom? What is the nature of this freedom? 6. Why is true repentance and true faith important in our hope in Christ? What do they allow us to truly see about our selves and about God? (See Luke 7:37-50 to help discussion.) 7. What does Isaiah 42:1-7 say to us about our character as Christians?
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