TITLE: HOW TO STRAIGHTEN OUT YOUR LIFE
TEXT: MATTHEW 6:1-18
1. Last week, we provided a challenge to practically grow in wholehearted love for the Lord and for your neighbor. What insecurities popped up that you were made aware of? Where is an area the Lord is challenging you to grow?
2. Read Matthew 6:1. This is a warning given for when we are doing "right" things with the "wrong" motive. We all have the propensity to seek attention or self-promote even in spiritual acts. Where do you see this in yourself?
3. Read Matthew 6:2-18. Dietrich Bonhoeffer says, "voluntary blindness is the choice not to look long at your own good performance." Justin compared this to keeping the books or balancing the ledger. Do you have a tendency to tally up your sins or your good behavior? Where do you see this play out in your life or in your relationships?
4. Read 1 Corinthians 4:3-4. & Romans 3:24-25 What is the verdict over your life? In your own words share what JESUS has done for you. "I was once ______but now I'm _______ in Christ."
5. JI Packer said, "If you want to judge how well a person understands Christianity, find out how much he makes of the thought of being God’s child, and having God as his Father." Read 1 John 3:1. What comes to mind when you think of God as Father? Do you relate to God transactionally "if I do this I get this…or do you see yourself as His child, because of what He has done, I am?
6. Read the following passage that describes God as Father, then discuss which fatherly qualities are most important to you. Why?
Psalm 103:8-14, NLT
The Lord is compassionate and merciful,
slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love.
He will not constantly accuse us, nor remain angry forever.
He does not punish us for all our sins; he does not deal harshly with us, as we deserve.
For his unfailing love toward those who fear him is as great as the height of the heavens above the earth.
He has removed our sins as far from us as the East is from the West.
The Lord is like a father to his children,
tender and compassionate to those who fear him.
7. Close in prayer: Break up into groups of 2-3 by gender and share any area that is out of alignment. Take a few moments to pray for one another as those REDEEMED, FORGIVEN, and given a NEW IDENTITY in CHRIST. Remind one another of God's heart toward his children.
8. Challenge: Over the next week speak these statements out loud and choose to believe the truth about your Heavenly Father (click the link to download): WALK-IN TRUST STATEMENTS
Further Reflection & Reading: (1 John 3:1, Colossians 3:17, Matthew 5:48, 1 Cor 4:3-4, Romans 3:24-25, Song : FATHER | VoxMusic)