Discussion Guide - Pure in Heart - Week 2
LIFE|group Discussion Guide
Sermon Series Upside Down “Those Who Are Pure In Heart Week 2” How to use the LIFE|group Discussion Guide Talking through the message during the week helps you and your group turn what God is saying to you into action steps. Begin with the key questions, add any optional scriptures and questions if needed, and then wrap up by deciding on your next steps. Have Fun!
THE MAIN IDEA (Sermon Link: Coming Soon) The Sermon on the Mount, the longest sermon recorded in the gospels, presents Jesus as our ultimate, Godauthorized instructor for living. He guides the follower to actually do what the Word of God says. In doing so, “happiness” will follow. The “happiness” Jesus speaks of is one of right relationship with God. The values Jesus will discuss (The Beatitudes) presents a complete “ Upside Down” way of approaching life. It’s a life that steers counter culture, but a life that is abundantly worth it! Are you up for the challenge and invitation? OVERVIEW AND QUESTION Our culture is obsessed with appearance – beauty, intelligence, success – but God cares about what is inside, not about our wealth or accomplishments. In fact, God cares more about our hearts than about our sins. God blesses people who have pure hearts of integrity, acting the same way in all parts of their lives while living with authenticity and sincerity. Having integrity doesn’t mean being sinless, but it does mean having a reputation (what other people can see about you) that matches your private life that no one else can see. This week we’ll talk about several of the blessings of integrity. Personal confidence, lasting legacy and rewards in eternity. What are the benefits/blessings of being a man/woman of integrity?
LIFE|group Discussion Guide
SCRIPTURE(S) Matthew 5:112 ; Proverbs 11:20; 1 Samuel 16:7 ; Proverbs 10:9; Matthew 25:21 ; Proverbs 25:14 ; C olossians 3:23; Psalm 119:9 ; Job 8:57; Proverbs 11:3 ; Proverbs 20:7 ; Psalm 15:15
Discussion Questions ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ●
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What is your favorite “coffee” drink? How do you order it? If I gave you $100 right now, what would you do with it? What do you remember most about your grandparents? Do you like the cold or the heat? One of the greatest blessings that comes from living a life of integrity is personal confidence . Read Proverbs 10:9 . How have you personally experienced this truth, or seen this in others? Read Proverbs 11:3 . How does your integrity show you the right way to go? The Bible says that when you have purity of heart, when you have integrity, you see God better. When you see God, you have personal confidence, you know what to do next because God has a purpose, God has a plan for your life. Integrity helps you to see God’s plan and purpose for your life better. That’s one of the things that give you greater confidence to live with. One of the great blessings of integrity. How would you describe your personal confidence right now? Another great blessing that comes from living a life of integrity is a lasting legacy . When you leave this world, and you leave something with your family, what will you be most proud of? (Character, money, house, memories, love, etc?) Read Proverbs 20:7 . You choices impact the generation after you. How are you doing with ALL of your choices? You can still leave a lasting legacy. It’s never too late. The story is not over. That’s one of the blessings of integrity: a lasting legacy, a personal confidence. How do you need to adjust your choices to leave a lasting legacy? The third blessing that comes with living a life of integrity is the rewards of eternity . Read Matthew 25:21 . Circle the words “small things” in your bible. It’s easy to have integrity… it’s easier because you know that everybody is watching. You can build yourself up for it. But it’s in the small moments that you show real integrity. Read Psalm 15:15 . You want to have security in your life? You want to get rid of all the insecurity in your life? Get integrity in your life. You want to have stability in your life? Get integrity in your life. You want to have the confidence Tom was talking about? Then you’ve got to get integrity in your life. When you lack integrity you go through life insecure. The Bible says the man of integrity walks securely. The whole reason you don’t have security, the whole reason you feel insecure so much of the time is because you lack integrity. Wholeness, authenticity, and an unmixed motivation.
LIFE|group Discussion Guide
Next Step(s) & Resources: 1. What’s one thing you will do this week as a result of the message and this LIFE|group discussion? 2. How can your LIFE|group help, encourage, pray for or keep you accountable you this week? 3. Here are additional resources for the Sermon on the Mount and the Beatitudes: 1. “The Gospel of Matthew” by William Barclay 2. “Matthew” by RC Sproul 3. “Interpretation: Matthew” by Douglas R. A. Hare 4. “God So Loved The World” by Jonathan Wilson 5. “The Problem of Pain” by C.S. Lewis 6. “A Grief Observed” by C.S. Lewis 7. “ Mercy: The Essence of the Gospel and the Key to Christian Life” by Walter Kasper 8. “Ministries of Mercy” by Timothy Keller 9. “The Beatitudes” by John Stott 10. “Who Are You To Judge” by Erwin W. Lutzer
Sermon Series Upside Down “Those Who Are Pure In Heart Week 2” How to use the LIFE|group Discussion Guide Talking through the message during the week helps you and your group turn what God is saying to you into action steps. Begin with the key questions, add any optional scriptures and questions if needed, and then wrap up by deciding on your next steps. Have Fun!
THE MAIN IDEA (Sermon Link: Coming Soon) The Sermon on the Mount, the longest sermon recorded in the gospels, presents Jesus as our ultimate, Godauthorized instructor for living. He guides the follower to actually do what the Word of God says. In doing so, “happiness” will follow. The “happiness” Jesus speaks of is one of right relationship with God. The values Jesus will discuss (The Beatitudes) presents a complete “ Upside Down” way of approaching life. It’s a life that steers counter culture, but a life that is abundantly worth it! Are you up for the challenge and invitation? OVERVIEW AND QUESTION Our culture is obsessed with appearance – beauty, intelligence, success – but God cares about what is inside, not about our wealth or accomplishments. In fact, God cares more about our hearts than about our sins. God blesses people who have pure hearts of integrity, acting the same way in all parts of their lives while living with authenticity and sincerity. Having integrity doesn’t mean being sinless, but it does mean having a reputation (what other people can see about you) that matches your private life that no one else can see. This week we’ll talk about several of the blessings of integrity. Personal confidence, lasting legacy and rewards in eternity. What are the benefits/blessings of being a man/woman of integrity?
LIFE|group Discussion Guide
SCRIPTURE(S) Matthew 5:112 ; Proverbs 11:20; 1 Samuel 16:7 ; Proverbs 10:9; Matthew 25:21 ; Proverbs 25:14 ; C olossians 3:23; Psalm 119:9 ; Job 8:57; Proverbs 11:3 ; Proverbs 20:7 ; Psalm 15:15
Discussion Questions ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ●
● ● ● ● ●
● ●
● ●
What is your favorite “coffee” drink? How do you order it? If I gave you $100 right now, what would you do with it? What do you remember most about your grandparents? Do you like the cold or the heat? One of the greatest blessings that comes from living a life of integrity is personal confidence . Read Proverbs 10:9 . How have you personally experienced this truth, or seen this in others? Read Proverbs 11:3 . How does your integrity show you the right way to go? The Bible says that when you have purity of heart, when you have integrity, you see God better. When you see God, you have personal confidence, you know what to do next because God has a purpose, God has a plan for your life. Integrity helps you to see God’s plan and purpose for your life better. That’s one of the things that give you greater confidence to live with. One of the great blessings of integrity. How would you describe your personal confidence right now? Another great blessing that comes from living a life of integrity is a lasting legacy . When you leave this world, and you leave something with your family, what will you be most proud of? (Character, money, house, memories, love, etc?) Read Proverbs 20:7 . You choices impact the generation after you. How are you doing with ALL of your choices? You can still leave a lasting legacy. It’s never too late. The story is not over. That’s one of the blessings of integrity: a lasting legacy, a personal confidence. How do you need to adjust your choices to leave a lasting legacy? The third blessing that comes with living a life of integrity is the rewards of eternity . Read Matthew 25:21 . Circle the words “small things” in your bible. It’s easy to have integrity… it’s easier because you know that everybody is watching. You can build yourself up for it. But it’s in the small moments that you show real integrity. Read Psalm 15:15 . You want to have security in your life? You want to get rid of all the insecurity in your life? Get integrity in your life. You want to have stability in your life? Get integrity in your life. You want to have the confidence Tom was talking about? Then you’ve got to get integrity in your life. When you lack integrity you go through life insecure. The Bible says the man of integrity walks securely. The whole reason you don’t have security, the whole reason you feel insecure so much of the time is because you lack integrity. Wholeness, authenticity, and an unmixed motivation.
LIFE|group Discussion Guide
Next Step(s) & Resources: 1. What’s one thing you will do this week as a result of the message and this LIFE|group discussion? 2. How can your LIFE|group help, encourage, pray for or keep you accountable you this week? 3. Here are additional resources for the Sermon on the Mount and the Beatitudes: 1. “The Gospel of Matthew” by William Barclay 2. “Matthew” by RC Sproul 3. “Interpretation: Matthew” by Douglas R. A. Hare 4. “God So Loved The World” by Jonathan Wilson 5. “The Problem of Pain” by C.S. Lewis 6. “A Grief Observed” by C.S. Lewis 7. “ Mercy: The Essence of the Gospel and the Key to Christian Life” by Walter Kasper 8. “Ministries of Mercy” by Timothy Keller 9. “The Beatitudes” by John Stott 10. “Who Are You To Judge” by Erwin W. Lutzer
