Living for Jesus by making, maturing and mobilising disciples for His Glory SUNDAY MEETINGS 8:30am 10:30am and 6:30pm Kingdom Hearts Study Booklet Scan this QR code with your smart phone for more on this series.
From the pastor Welcome to our final study booklet for 2012. Our last series was our Vision Series Everyday Church. In this series in 1 Peter we focused on everyone, everyday, everywhere living for Jesus. It was a time to consider church life for the next year. 2013 will be a year of growing together. We finished the series with Commitment Sunday. That was a great day as we welcomed five new members and baptised seven people. This series is called Kingdom Hearts and is on Matthew 5-7. This is a very familiar part of the Bible as it contains the teaching of Jesus and many of his well known sayings. We may all know the teaching but do we actually have the Kingdom hearts that means we live it out. As you move through this study booklet pray that God would teach us what it means to have Kingdom Hearts and he would transform our hearts so that we would have Kingdom Hearts. About this study booklet The studies in this booklet link into the sermon series at church. The dates of the talks are listed on the front cover and each study is to follow the talk of the same title. This approach enables group time to be spent digging deeper into the Bible and also to discuss issues or questions raised by the talk. This also, importantly, enables the Growth Group to have a strong focus on application, sharing, accountability and prayer. We aim to provide a copy of this study booklet to every regular attendee at Lakeshore whether you ve been with us for only a few weeks or for several years. We would love everyone to be involved in one of our Growth Groups and do the studies in that context. But if you are presently unable to join a group you can still work through the studies each week following the sermons. L-T Hopper Senior Pastor. 2
Dates for the diary SUNDAY 14 TH OCTOBER Child Safe Training 3pm - 5pm SATURDAY 27 TH OCTOBER Annual General Meeting 7:00 pm NOVEMBER Pastor L-T away on Holiday during November FRIDAY 7 TH DECEMBER SUNDAY 16 TH DECEMBER TUESDAY 25 TH DECEMBER Youth Group Family Night Community Carols Christmas Day Combined Service 3
Reading your bible How is your bible reading going? Have you ever tried using the SOAP method for personal bible reading? It s a simple and helpful way to get into God s Word. Why not give it a try in the coming weeks? Here s how it works. S.O.A.P. is an acronym for: S O A P Scripture Open your bible to the reading found under today s date of your reading plan. Take time reading and allow God to speak to you. When you are done, look for a verse that particularly spoke to you that day, and write it in your journal. Observation What do you think God is saying to you in this scripture? Ask the Holy Spirit to teach you and reveal Jesus to you. Write down a few thoughts you have about this passage. Application Personalise what you have read, by asking yourself how it applies to your life right now. Perhaps it is instruction, encouragement, revelation of a new promise, or corrections for a particular area of your life. Write how this scripture can apply to you today. Prayer This can be as simple as asking God to help you use this scripture, or it may be a greater insight on what He may be revealing to you. Now write it out. 04
Reading your bible Sunday January 1st 2012 Scripture: Romans 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile. Observation on the verse above The apostle Paul is not embarrassed by the good news of Jesus for good reason. This message alone can rescue/save from hell anyone who trusts in the message of Jesus death and resurrection. No one is excluded except those who exclude themselves. Its received by trusting not doing Its a message for all nations Application If the gospel is the power to save anyone I should not withhold this message from any body even those who I think will reject it. There have been occasions when I have felt a ashamed or embarrassed by sharing Jesus. If I had the cure for cancer I would not be ashamed to tell anyone Since I have the cure for hell why am I so gutless? I must remember what is at stake. Since I believe this message about Jesus I can be certain that I will be saved. I must write an email to a missionary to encourage them as they share Jesus to the nations. Prayer Dear Father please forgive me for being ashamed of being a follower of Jesus. Please forgive me for being silent about Jesus when I am with non Christians. I m often scared. I want to be more bold so please help me to have the courage to be like Paul and not be ashamed of this message which will not only save me but all who trust your Son. Please give me the boldness and opportunity to talk about my faith in Jesus with Tom, Mick and Nick in the next month. In Jesus name, Amen 05
Introduction Matthew 5-7 contains the most famous summary of the teaching of Jesus in the entire Bible the Sermon on the Mount. After preaching the good news of the kingdom throughout Galilee and attracting a group of followers and disciples, Jesus sat down to teach them how to live as his disciples. Matthew 5-7 is a description of the kind of repentance required to enter God s Kingdom. It is a call for disciples of Jesus to live with Kingdom Hearts. To be a disciple of Jesus means leaving behind the kingdom of this world and entering the kingdom of God. Throughout the sermon Jesus makes it clear that there are two ways to live, and living as a disciple of Jesus in his kingdom means living a very different life to everyone else. Our attitudes will be different and our behaviours will be different. The way we treat each other will be different and the way we use our money and possessions will be different. Our goals and ambitions will be different and our ultimate destination will be different. Living as disciples of Jesus means living with Kingdom Hearts. Being a disciple of Jesus also means being concerned more with the attitude of our hearts than simply our external behaviour. Jesus makes it clear that a humble and repentant heart is necessary to even enter the kingdom. God looks on the attitude of our heart, not our correct religious behaviour. A disciple of Jesus lives to be seen and rewarded by God, not to be seen and rewarded by people. Our hearts should no longer be set on money, possessions or the necessities of life in this world Jesus becomes our treasure and the hearts of his disciples are set on him. Living as disciples of Jesus means living with Kingdom Hearts. Kingdom Hearts: Living as disciples of Jesus (Matthew 5-7) 1. Matthew 5:1-12 Blessed Are the Poor in Spirit Oct 14 2. Matthew 5:13-16 Salt and Light Oct 21 3. Matthew 5:17-20 Surpassing Righteousness Oct 28 4. Matthew 5:21-48 You Have Heard it Said Nov 4 5. Matthew 6:1-18 Acts of Righteousness Nov 11 6. Matthew 6:19-24 Treasures in Heaven Nov 18 7. Matthew 6:25-34 Seek First His Kingdom Nov 25 8. Matthew 7:1-6 Judging Others Dec 2 9. Matthew 7:7-12 Good Gifts Dec 9 10. Matthew 7:13-28 Two Ways Dec 23 2
Suggested Reading Reading a book in sync with a sermon series is a great habit it helps you come to grips with the passages or the ideas of the series, and because you only have to read a chapter or two a week over 2 months it s a great way to get through a good book. Here are some great books you could think about reading during this series: 3
1 Blessed Are the Poor in Spirit What are some ways you consider yourself blessed? Matthew 5:3 The blessings of the kingdom are given to those who know they are unworthy of them Study One Matthew 5:1-12 Read Matthew 4:23-5:2 1. Who is the audience for Jesus sermon? Is this sermon relevant for us today? Read Matthew 5:3-6 2. What does it mean: a. To be poor in spirit? (see also Isaiah 6:5) b. To mourn? (see also Nehemiah 1:4) c. To be meek? (see also Psalm 37:1-11) d. To hunger and thirst for righteousness? (see also Psalm 107:5-9) 3. What does it mean to be blessed? In what ways have you experienced something of the different blessings described here? Read Matthew 5:7-12 4. What does it mean: a. To be merciful? (see also Matthew 18:21-35) b. To be pure in heart? (see also Psalm 24:4) c. To be peacemakers? (see also Matthew 5:43-47 5. What is the connection between the beatitudes (v3-9) and persecution (v10-12)? 8
6. How can you practically cultivate a life of being poor in spirit, someone who mourns, who is meek and hungry and thirsty for righteousness? 7. What are some practical situations (think of real people, places and activities) where you can be merciful, be pure in heart or be a peacemaker? 8. In what ways are you encouraged by the eight promises of blessing that Jesus gives? Write down prayer points, 1. For each other in your growth group, 2. For friends and family you are sharing your life and the gospel with, and 3. For the life of church as a whole. Growth Group Members. Family and Friends. Church Life Read the key verse. How would you put into your own words what we learn here about God? Pray together that God would help us to grow in our trust in Him. For Sunday s bible talk and next week s study read... Matthew 5:13-16 Sunday 14 October Child Safe Training, 3pm Saturday 27 October AGM, 7:00pm LT away on Holiday during November 9
2 Salt and Light Who are some examples of Christians who have changed the world for good? Matthew 5:16 It is impossible for disciples of Jesus to live secluded lives which have no impact on the world Study Two Matthew 5:13-16 Read Matthew 5:13-16 Investigate: 1. What is salt good for? In what ways can disciples of Jesus be like salt? 2. What are the benefits of light? In what ways can disciples of Jesus be like light? 3. Salt cannot lose its saltiness, and nobody lights a lamp and then hides it. Do you think it is possible to be a disciple of Jesus and live a life that is cut off from the world? 4. Look back at Matthew 5:3-10. If we live this kind of life, what effect do you think this might have on people around us? 5. If we live as salt and light, what are the two opposite responses Jesus says we should expect? What should our response be in each case? Have you experienced either or both of these? 10
6. What practical things can you do as a disciple of Jesus to be a salty influence on those around you? 7. What practical things can you do to shine more brightly as a disciple of Jesus? Write down prayer points, 1. For each other in your growth group, 2. For friends and family you are sharing your life and the gospel with, and 3. For the life of church as a whole. Growth Group Members. Family and Friends. Church Life Read the key verse. How would you put into your own words what we learn here about God? Pray together that God would help us to grow in our trust in Him. For Sunday s bible talk and next week s study read... Matthew 5:17-20 Saturday 27 October AGM, 7:00pm LT away on Holiday during November 11
3 Surpassing Righteousness Who are the most righteous people in society today? Matthew 5:16 Jesus raises the standard from outward righteousness to righteousness of the heart Study Three Matthew 5:17-20 Read Matthew 5:17-20 1. What basic truths does Jesus teach us about the Old Testament ( the law and the prophets ) in these verses? 2. What do you think it means that Jesus fulfils the law and the prophets? (See also Matthew 7:12, 22:37-40) 3. Jesus says our righteousness must surpass that of the Pharisees. Given their reputation for obeying the law, how is that possible? (See also Matthew 15:8-9) 4. Jesus gives six examples of how he interprets the law in contrast to the way the Pharisees viewed the law see Matthew 5:21, 27, 31, 33, 38 and 43. Skimming through these passages, how does the righteousness Jesus describes exceed the kind of righteousness taught by the Pharisees? 5. What is the consequence of external pharisaic righteousness vs Jesus righteousness of the heart? (See also Matthew 7:21) How can we avoid this fate? 12
6. What are some examples of external rule keeping that we as Christians today sometimes get caught in? 7. What can you do to help you focus on righteousness of the heart instead of external rule keeping? 8. In Matthew 22:37-40 Jesus summarises his interpretation of the law and the prophets. How can you apply his words to your life this week? Write down prayer points, 1. For each other in your growth group, 2. For friends and family you are sharing your life and the gospel with, and 3. For the life of church as a whole. Growth Group Members. Family and Friends. Church Life Read the key verse. How would you put into your own words what we learn here about God? Pray together that God would help us to grow in our trust in Him. For Sunday s bible talk and next week s study read... Matthew 5:21-48 LT away on Holiday during November Friday December 7 - Youth Group Family Night Sunday December 16 - Community Carols 13
4 You Have Heard it Said Is there an area of your life where you settle for an average outcome rather than aiming for excellence? Matthew 5:20 Study Four Matthew 5:21-48 Being a disciple of Jesus is about the attitude of our heart, not keeping rules. 1. Read Matthew 5:21-26. Which attitude of the heart does Jesus say is behind the act of murder? Why is the final judgement for anger the same as the final judgement for murder? 2. Read Matthew 5:27-30. Should we take Jesus extreme suggestions literally? If not, what does he mean? 3. Read Matthew 5:31-32. What does Jesus teach here regarding marriage and divorce? 4. Read Matthew 5:33-37. Why does Jesus say we should avoid oaths and speak with simple truthfulness? 5. Read Matthew 5:38-42. Jesus tells us not to seek revenge, but in these verses doesn t give any reasons. Why do you think a disciple of Jesus should not seek revenge? 6. Read Matthew 5:43-48. Why does Jesus say we should love our enemies? 14
7. Jesus talks about six ways in which superficial rules can hide sinful hearts anger, lust, marital faithfulness, truthfulness, revenge and loving our enemies. Which one do you find the most personally convicting? What is a practical action you can take in response? Write down prayer points, 1. For each other in your growth group, 2. For friends and family you are sharing your life and the gospel with, and 3. For the life of church as a whole. Growth Group Members. Family and Friends. Church Life Read the key verse. How would you put into your own words what we learn here about God? Pray together that God would help us to grow in our trust in Him. For Sunday s bible talk and next week s study read... Matthew 6:1-18 LT away on Holiday during November Friday December 7 - Youth Group Family Night Sunday December 16 - Community Carols 15
5 Acts of Righteousness Share about a time you ve been guilty of showing off? Matthew 6:1 Disciples of Jesus live not to be seen by people but to be seen by God. Study Five Matthew 6:1-18 Read Matthew 6:1-4 1. Do you think acts of righteousness which are done for people to see would look any different than those which are done for God to see? What might be different in the motivation behind the two types of righteous acts? 2. What will be the reward for acts of righteousness which are done for people to see (see also 6:5 and 6:16)? What will be the reward for acts of righteousness which are done for only God to see (see also 6:6, 6:8 and 6:18)? 3. What guidelines does Jesus give his disciples for financial giving? How does this apply to us today? Read Matthew 6:5-14 4. What guidelines does Jesus give regarding prayer? Do you think Jesus is forbidding praying in public? 5. Do you ever struggle with babbling or using many words when you pray? How can the model prayer in v9-13 help you avoid this? Read Matthew 16-18 6. Have you ever considered fasting? Is there any reason to think Jesus words don t apply to us today? 16
7. Do you think you are in danger of spiritual showing off in any way? What can you do to avoid this? 8. Which of these three areas (giving, praying, fasting) would you most like to grow in? What is something from this passage you can put into practice this week? Write down prayer points, 1. For each other in your growth group, 2. For friends and family you are sharing your life and the gospel with, and 3. For the life of church as a whole. Growth Group Members. Family and Friends. Church Life Read the key verse. How would you put into your own words what we learn here about God? Pray together that God would help us to grow in our trust in Him. For Sunday s bible talk and next week s study read... Matthew 6:19-24 LT away on Holiday during November Friday December 7 - Youth Group Family Night Sunday December 16 - Community Carols 17
6 Treasures in Heaven What is the most valuable thing you possess? Matthew 6:21 Our life revolves around whatever we treasure the most. Study Six Matthew 6:19-24 1. How can we avoid storing up treasures on earth (see also Luke 12:15-21)? What does it mean to store up treasure in heaven (see also Luke 12:33-34)? 2. What do you think verse 21 means? (See also Matthew 13:44) How would you restate Jesus point in plain language? 3. The word good (v22) implies a single focus, and the word bad (v23) implies a divided focus. What do you think Jesus is saying in verses 22-33? 4. How would you respond to someone who claimed it is fine to be a disciple of Jesus and also aim to become rich? (see v24) 18
5. What does this passage imply about how you should use your money and possessions? 6. Because of the wealthy society we live in and our high standard of living in Australia, it is easy to end up trying to serve both God and money without realising it. How might you be able to tell if you are doing that? What can you change to make sure you are serving God, not money? 7. Jesus says his disciples must have a single focus in life. What is the main thing that competes with Jesus to be your single focus (i.e. your treasure, the thing your heart is set on, the thing that rules you)? How can you make sure that part of your life is ruled by Jesus? Write down prayer points, 1. For each other in your growth group, 2. For friends and family you are sharing your life and the gospel with, and 3. For the life of church as a whole. Growth Group Members. Family and Friends. Church Life Read the key verse. How would you put into your own words what we learn here about God? Pray together that God would help us to grow in our trust in Him. For Sunday s bible talk and next week s study read... Matthew 6:25-34 LT away on Holiday during November Friday December 7 - Youth Group Family Night Sunday December 16 - Community Carols 19
7 Seek First His Kingdom When was the last time you lost something and desperately needed to find it? (keys, phone?) Matthew 6:33 If we prioritise God s Kingdom, we don t have to worry about other things we need. Study Seven Matthew 6:25-34 Read Matthew 6:25-34 1. What does Jesus mean when he says do not worry about your life? What is the difference between careful, responsible living and being anxious? 2. In what way should disciples of Jesus be like birds of the air? In what way should disciples of Jesus be like lilies of the field? Why? 3. Is it possible to be anxious about daily needs and still seek first the Kingdom of God? 4. What does it mean to seek first his kingdom and his righteousness? How would you restate Jesus point in plain language? 5. What does all these things will be given to you as well mean? Is Jesus guaranteeing a certain standard of living? 6. Jesus says we should not worry about tomorrow but live one day at a time (see also Lamentations 3:23). What does this mean about planning for the future? 20
7. Do you ever struggle with worry? What sort of things do you tend to worry about? How does this passage encourage you? 8. How can you put Jesus encouragement to live one day at a time and not worry about tomorrow into practice? 9. What can you practically do to make seeking God s Kingdom your number one priority this week? Write down prayer points, 1. For each other in your growth group, 2. For friends and family you are sharing your life and the gospel with, and 3. For the life of church as a whole. Growth Group Members. Family and Friends. Church Life Read the key verse. How would you put into your own words what we learn here about God? Pray together that God would help us to grow in our trust in Him. For Sunday s bible talk and next week s study read... Matthew 7:1-6 Friday December 7 - Youth Group Family Night Sunday December 16 - Community Carols Tuesday, December 25 - Christmas Day Combined Service 21
8 Judging Others When and where have you heard do not judge! quoted? Matthew 7:5 We should not judge others unless we feel deeply grieved and humbled by our own sin. Study Eight Matthew 7:1-6 Read Matthew 7:1-6 1. Does Jesus mean we should never evaluate the lives of others or be discerning? If not, what does he mean? 2. What warning does Jesus give people who love to judge other people s sins but completely ignore their own sin? 3. According to verses 3-5, what attitudes should we have toward our own sin and towards sin we see in others? Is there a place for helping other people overcome sin in their lives? 4. In verse 6 Jesus says we should be discerning in our efforts to help other people overcome sin. How can you decide at what point to give up trying to encourage unreceptive people with the gospel? What may happen if you continue to preach to such people? 22
5. In what ways are you tempted to wrongly judge others? Are you most at risk of judging others silently (prejudice), to others (gossip) or to their face (criticism)? Have you noticed particular sins which you are especially sensitive about when you see them in others? 6. How can you cultivate a lifestyle of being grieved and humbled by your own sin? 7. How do you feel about the idea of helpfully confronting someone over a sin you see in their life? What precautions can you take before doing so? 8. Do you think anybody you know might fall into the category of someone who has rejected the gospel and should be left alone? If so, what should you do? Write down prayer points, 1. For each other in your growth group, 2. For friends and family you are sharing your life and the gospel with, and 3. For the life of church as a whole. Growth Group Members. Family and Friends. Church Life Read the key verse. How would you put into your own words what we learn here about God? Pray together that God would help us to grow in our trust in Him. For Sunday s bible talk and next week s study read... Matthew 7:7-12 Friday December 7 - Youth Group Family Night Sunday December 16 - Community Carols Tuesday, December 25 - Christmas Day Combined Service 23
9 Good Gifts What is the best gift you have received in the last few years? Matthew 7:11 God will graciously provide all that we need to live the kind of life Jesus describes Study Nine Matthew 7:7-12 Read Matthew 7:7-12 1. What might be the difference between asking, seeking and knocking? Restate Jesus main point in verse 7 in plain language. 2. In what way is God like human parents and in what way is he different? How would you restate Jesus point in verse 9-11 in plain language? 3. What do you think might be the good gifts Jesus is referring to? (See also Luke 11:13) 4. How do the promises of verses 7-11 help us carry out the command of verse 12? 5. Is verse 12 an adequate summary of everything Jesus has said in the entire Sermon on the Mount? If not, what is lacking? 24
6. How can you apply Jesus command to ask, seek and knock to your own prayer life? 7. How does Jesus promise of verse 11 help you live day by day as a disciple of Jesus? 8. What opportunities do you have today or tomorrow to put the golden rule of verse 12 into practice? Write down prayer points, 1. For each other in your growth group, 2. For friends and family you are sharing your life and the gospel with, and 3. For the life of church as a whole. Growth Group Members. Family and Friends. Church Life Read the key verse. How would you put into your own words what we learn here about God? Pray together that God would help us to grow in our trust in Him. For Sunday s bible talk and next week s study read... Matthew 7:13-28 Sunday December 16 - Community Carols Tuesday, December 25 - Christmas Day Combined Service 25
10 Two Ways What is the biggest fork in the road decision you have made in your life? Matthew 7:13 Life is a choice between two ways following Jesus or not following Jesus. Study Ten Matthew 7:13-28 Read Matthew 7:13-14 1. What are the characteristics of the two ways Jesus describes? Thinking back over Matthew 5-7, how can someone enter through the narrow gate? Read Matthew 7:15-23 2. What are the characteristics of the two types of trees Jesus describes? What will be the fate of each type of tree? 3. Do you think Jesus is describing Christians vs Non-Christians, or True Christians vs Fake Christians? Why do you think that? Read Matthew 7:24-27 4. Thinking back over the whole of Matthew 5-7, summarise the life of someone who puts Jesus words into practice. And what will characterise the life of someone who does not put Jesus words into practice? 26
5. Jesus says only a few find the narrow gate that leads to life. How can you make sure you have entered through that gate, and not the more popular wide gate? 6. In practical terms, how can you discern false prophets? What can you do to ensure you yourself do not fall into that category? 7. Can you think of ways in which you have heard the words of Jesus and not put them into practice? How can you make sure you are building your life on the rock of Jesus teaching from the Sermon on the Mount? Write down prayer points, 1. For each other in your growth group, 2. For friends and family you are sharing your life and the gospel with, and 3. For the life of church as a whole. Growth Group Members. Family and Friends. Church Life Read the key verse. How would you put into your own words what we learn here about God? Pray together that God would help us to grow in our trust in Him. For Sunday s bible talk and next week s study read... Matthew 1:18-25 Sunday December 16 - Community Carols Tuesday, December 25 - Christmas Day Combined Service 27
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