Preparing for Sunday – Matthew 5:10-12

Preparing for Sunday – Matthew 5:10-12

by | May 3, 2012 | Pastoral Ministry, Preaching

Here are a number of suggestions for those who will be attending Summit Woods Baptist Church this Sunday on how you can be prepared for the study of God’s word. Carefully Think Read Matthew 5:1-12 – focus on 5:10-12. What is persecution? What is Jesus not referring to when bringing up persecution? Why is persecution listed last in the list of the beatitudes? Even though 5:11-12 contain the word “blessed,” and refers to persecution, these verses are quite different than the rest of the beatitudes. List all the differences in form and style between 5:11-12 and the rest of the beatitudes. Why these differences? What are the different forms of persecution one can face (v 11)? What should be our response to persecution and why (v 12)? What biblical examples of persecution can you think of? What is the result of persecution (v 10)? Note the similarity with the result in the first beatitude. What is the difference between this one and the others? Prayerfully Meditate For what about your devotion to Jesus and His definition of righteousness have you most recently been persecuted? How often do you seem to face persecution for your faith? Why? Why not? Do you think Christians should expect regular persecution? Why or why not? Is there anything you intentionally hold back in your relationships with friends, at work, at home, etc., because you seek to avoid inevitable persecution? If so, why? If not, how has it provided opportunity to help people understand or be helped by the gospel? What challenges you most about finding joy in persecution? Why? What would help you to...
Preparing for Sunday – Matthew 5:4

Preparing for Sunday – Matthew 5:4

by | Mar 22, 2012 | Biblical Studies, Pastoral Ministry, Preaching

Carefully Think Read Matthew 5:4 Recall from last week what it does and does not mean to be “blessed.” How is this beatitude related to the first? How would it relate to the next one? Over what would a person mourn if they are to find this kind of blessing? Why? What is the result of mourning? When should you expect that result? To what degree? Can you think of any illustrations from the Bible of people who mourned in the way this beatitude commends? How so? Can you think of any illustrations from the Bible of people who mourned in a way contrary to what this beatitude commends? How so? Prayerfully Meditate How does this beatitude differ from general grief? What would produce this kind of mourning in a person? What is it that you find regularly moves you to this sort of mourning? If we are to be people who mourn, how can we be people who are comforted at the same time? When was the last time you found yourself mourning over your own sin, the sin around you and sin’s effects in our world? What have you found to bring the most satisfying comfort when you do mourn as this beatitude commends? How does the gospel create this beatitude in us? Intentionally Act What steps could you take to elevate your comprehension and meditation on the character of God so that you have a vision of Him that creates a greater sensitivity to sin? What sins have you become accustomed to rather than mourn over? Spend time confessing these sins with godly sorrow. Pray specifically...