• What are some regular practices that may be more “routine” for the church or for you, that you do just because you are used to them?
• Are you quick to repent or quick to justify (Matthew 4:17)?  Why is this so difficult?
• The good news is that we are saved by Jesus’ death and resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:3-4) to follow and serve the King (Matthew 14:17, 23)!  How can you consciously and intentionally serve King Jesus?
• The people wanted to make Jesus their King to serve their own desires (John 6:15, 26).  What expectations do you bring when you follow Jesus? 
• Jesus says to instead seek to follow Him to grow in righteousness (Matthew 6:33).  How much do you desire righteousness?  How can you surrender other desires?

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• “Blessed” means happy.  How is it even possible that these qualities would lead to happiness (5:3-10)?
• Which blessed character is an area needing growth in your life (5:3-10)?
• We often want to be liked as Christians.  Why is it a blessing to be persecuted (5:10-12)?
• How much are Christians persecuted today for faith and Christlike living, and how much are we hated because we’ve lost our salty flavor (5:10-13)?
• How can you boldly let your light shine, avoiding the temptation or the unconscious reflex of hiding it under a “basket” (5:14-16)?

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• Would you be willing to lose your hand or eye in order to stop sinning (5:29-30)?
• Are anger and lust really innocent and harmless if not acted upon (5:21, 27)?
• Why would Jesus want us to delay worship until we reconcile (5:23-24)?  Does this mean we may need to forego worship for awhile?
• How can you guard yourself from a casual attitude toward righteousness (5:20)?
• What steps can you take to amputate anger and lust?

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• As Jesus’ disciples, we are called to live distinctly from society.  How have we fallen into the same patterns as society with marriage (5:31), promises (5:33), revenge (5:38), and treatment of enemies (5:43)?
• In which part of this section does Jesus most challenge your comfortable status quo?
• Why did Jesus rebuke various oaths (5:34-36)?  Are you ever tempted to self-justify using “loopholes”?
• How can you practically remove the “back door” in your marriage (5:32)?
• How can you be ready to respond humbly and lovingly when wronged (5:38) or approached by an enemy (5:43)?

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• We are told to let our light shine before men (5:16), but also to give, pray, and fast in secret (6:4, 6, 18).  How do we distinguish and balance between secret practice and shining our light?
• How do Christians struggle with not performing religiously for others (6:1)?  How about you?
• Jesus refers to the Father 10 times in this section.  How can we keep our focus on Him, rather than those around us (6:1)?
• Consider phrases you might use often when you pray (6:7).  Have you learned these from others, or are these patterned after Scripture?
• Fasting has become a rare practice for Christians, but Jesus says “when you fast...” (6:16-17).  How might you grow in this spiritual discipline?

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• Consider a recent time that you worried.  How did it help (6:27)?  What does that worry reveal about your treasure, your focus, your master, and your confidence?
• You don’t have to be rich to be serving money (6:24).  In what ways do you let money be your master?
• How do God’s provision and God’s promises enable us to have a confidence and assurance (6:30)?
• How can we plan for the future without worrying about the future (6:34)?
• What does it look like to “seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness” (6:33)?

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• How might we corrupt or distort the “golden rule” (7:12)?
• God is our Father, eager and ready to help when asked (7:7, 11).  How does this emphasize the need to pray?
• Why do we often see others’ faults more clearly than our own?  What “planks” has the Lord revealed in your own eyes (7:3)?
• When others sin, we may be tempted to criticize (7:1) or ignore.  Why is it so hard to confront others’ sin? 
• How would first “judging” yourself shape your approach to others’ sin (7:1-2)?

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• Why is the broader road attractive to so many people (7:12)?
• Have you taken the time to examine yourself, whether you have a true relationship with God (7:23)?  What evidence do you have?
• One of Jesus’ greatest frustrations was the misleading of false teachers.  Don’t take His warning lightly (7:15)!  What is the danger of teaching that deviates from God’s Word?  Who do you listen to?
• What “storms” have you faced in your life that have tested your foundation (7:25, 27)?
• Jesus said our solid foundation will be hearing His words and doing them (7:24).  What changes have you made because of His words in the Sermon on the Mount?

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