[Podcast] Blessed are the Opposites

Opposites

Our new youth pastor, Jason Turner brings this week’s message, taking a look at the OPPOSITE culture that Jesus defines and blesses. Discussion questions are below the link!

Discussion questions below

 Thank you, Ryan and Lynsie McDaniel for writing this week’s discussion questions. Be sure to invite your group to open this page on their mobile device so all can participate. 

This week we got to hear from Jason Turner, the youth pastor at The Orchard.  He talked to us about the Sermon on the Mount.

Matthew 4:17
Repent of your sins and turn to God, for the Kingdom of Heaven is near.”

Review what Jesus says here.  What is the order of action?  Is there significance in repenting and then turning to God?  If we don’t turn to God after our repentance, will we likely end up turning to another sin?

We have been talking in the past series about normal versus average Christians and what that difference looks like, here we talked about how much different we should look than the worldly.  Is it easier for you to be set apart from “average” Christians or the world, or is there a true difference?

If anyone is your group was there Sunday, have them talk through the video Jason showed about the stool and then discuss any thoughts or impact the video had on you.  Do you find your self like the lady, saying Jesus can have the seat, but trying to squeeze back on there?

Read through the first part of the “Sermon on the Mount,” which we call “The Beatitudes.”

Matthew 5:3-12
3 God blesses those who are poor and realize their need for him, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.
4God blesses those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
5 God blesses those who are humble, for they will inherit the whole earth.
6 God blesses those who hunger and thirst for justice, for they will be satisfied.
7 God blesses those who are merciful, for they will be shown mercy.
8 God blesses those whose hearts are pure, for they will see God.
9 God blesses those who work for peace, for they will be called the children of God.
10 God blesses those who are persecuted for doing right, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.
11 God blesses you when people mock you and persecute you and lie about you and say all sorts of evil things against you because you are my followers. 12 Be happy about it! Be very glad! For a great reward awaits you in heaven. And remember, the ancient prophets were persecuted in the same way.

Talk through the ideas of our culture seeking immediate happiness now.  How does this differ from Jesus’ standard?  Look through the lists Jason gave, are there difference between the standards that you see around you?  Share some examples to make these differences real in your life.  How can we look at this and set our selves apart for Christ from the world?  Think specifically about v.10. This is a true “set apart” idea.  What can this look like on a day to day basis?

Meek, biblically, meant power under control.  Is this what you think of when you think of meek?  Are there any other of Jesus’ standards that we have misconceptions about what they look like lived out?

At the end of the stool video, she tries to get Jesus to take the stool because she “can’t decide” and he explains he won’t take it and that she just made her decision. Are we making decisions by not making decisions?  What decisions am I wanting Jesus to make for me, but not giving him the seat?