• Read Matthew 5:17-20

In your understanding of the Old Testament, what is God trying to accomplish here?

How can our righteousness possibly surpass the Pharisees who made it their job to be ‘perfect’ according to the standards of the day? What is Jesus talking about?

As believers who have asked Jesus to pay the penalty for our sins and to be the boss of our lives—we stand righteous before God because of the blood of Jesus washing away our sins. Not just covering our sins—but washing them away. Then we spend the rest of our lives here on this planet allowing the Holy Spirit to make our lives/ actions/ words/ thoughts righteous…daily.

• Where do you see the Holy Spirit working on your righteousness right now?

Memorization Verse: Matthew 5: 5 “Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.”

• Read Matthew 5:14-16

• How is the light similar to the salt?
• How is it dissimilar?
• Would those around you recognize the light in you? In what ways is it visible?
• What pieces of your faith are kept hidden? Why do you hide them?

Spend some time reflecting on the truth that you bring glory to the Father by your good deeds.

Memorization Verse: Matthew 5:5 “Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.”

• Read Matthew 5:13

Salt of the earth. I looked up the origin of this phrase to see if there was another origin than this sermon. But nope—it comes from this phrase in this sermon. It means “being a good, honest, reliable, trustworthy person.”

“They are a salt of the earth kind of worker…”

• What do you think Jesus means by losing your saltiness?
• How do you see yourself, with your unique personality and gifts, adding ‘flavor’ to the room when you are around?
• Can you see in yourself times when you are not salty or useful? Ask the Holy Spirit to show you.

Memorization Verse:

Matthew 5:5 “Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.”

Spend some time just relaxing with the Lord. We’ve looked at a lot of our own brokenness this week. That can be painful and downright hard.

Sit and listen to the Father speak His love, His acceptance, and His compassion over you.

Memorization Verse:

Matthew 5:3-4 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.”

• Read Matthew 5:7-12 several times slowly, aloud (or listening to your phone read). Just soak in Jesus’ words. Ask the Holy Spirit to pop out a word or phrase for you to pay attention to—this is often how He speaks to us.

• Is there a word or phrase that really pops out to you as you read this morning?
• Why do you think the Spirit drew your attention to that today?

Pray for whatever or whoever the Spirit brings to your mind.

Memorization Verse:

Matthew 5:3-4 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.”

• Read Matthew 5:11-12

A casual read through Hebrews chapter 11 will show you the many prophets and people that were persecuted and killed for the sake of the kingdom.

• In your own life (or someone close to you), have you seen yourself be insulted or lied about because of Jesus or your faith?
• When something has been hard in life, how have you been able to praise Jesus instead of being sullen?
• Does praising Jesus mean that you are fake and not angry or sad? How does this work in real life?

Memorization Verse: Matthew 5:4 “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.”

• Read Matthew 5:10

Most of the time that I get into trouble for something, it is something that I have done. Here is a person who is doing what is right, but still getting persecuted.

• Has there been a situation in your own life where you were persecuted?
• What is the difference between a person being persecuted for doing what is right versus being persecuted for doing something wrong?

The Poor in Spirit and the Persecuted get “the Kingdom of Heaven”.

• What kind of reward do you picture this being?

Memorization Verse: Matthew 5:4 “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.”