Say What? How to Be Happy, Pt. 2

The Meeting Place Church

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Say What? How to Be Happy, Pt. 2

January 21, 2024 • Garry Firth • Matthew 5:5–12

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1. Garry shared his elementary school dream of living on a houseboat with his best friend and eating crab all day. What was a dream you had growing up?

2. When you hear that someone is “meek”, what thoughts come to mind? If someone called you meek how would you respond?

3. Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. (Matthew 5:7) -

Garry defined mercy as showing compassion for people who are in need even though they don't deserve it. How would you define mercy? Do you find it easier to dispense mercy or to receive mercy? Why?

4. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. (Matthew 5:8) -

Think of someone you know whom you would describe as “pure in heart.” What are the distinguishing marks of that person’s life?

5. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. (Matthew 5:9) -

What are some of the costs of being a peacemaker? What are some of the rewards of being a peacemaker?

6. Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 5:10) -

Scottish theologian Sinclair Ferguson said this about the beatitudes and persecution: "When the beatitudes make up our character, the character of citizens of the Kingdom of Heaven, we as followers of Jesus will be persecuted for walking the radical, 'narrow way' that leads to life, in marked contrast to the broad way that leads to destruction." What reasons did Jesus give us to rejoice when we are persecuted?

Reread the beatitudes and insert your name in each—“Blessed is _______”

Then think of specific situations where you could put the beatitudes into practice in your life.

Say What? Won't Get Fooled Again

May 19, 2024 • Galatians 5:22–23, James 2:14–17, John 10:9, Matthew 7:13–23

Here are some questions to help you process this message and apply it to your life: 1. That old saying goes: Fool me once - shame on you. Fool me twice - shame on me. (or according to George W. Bush: can’t get fooled again) Are you fooling yourself about anything in your life these days? What is it? 2. Check out again the spiritual fruit mentioned in the message that’s found in Galatians 5:22-23 (NLT): But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. 3. In the message, Russ said: “Legitimate spiritual fruit comes from following Jesus. So if you’re a Jesus-follower and there’s no sign of fruit in your life, you might want to ask God why that is. Otherwise, you might just be fooling yourself.” So if you’re a Jesus-follower: Got any fruit? How’s your fruit? 4. Matthew 7:21-23 has some troubling words from Jesus: “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’” What do you think about that? 5. There’s that scene from the movie Prince Caspian where Caspian says he doesn’t think he’s ready to be a king and then Aslan responds “It’s for that very reason, I know you are.” How do you think that’s similar to our relationship with Jesus?

Say What? Ask, Seek, Knock

May 12, 2024 • Peter Bird • Matthew 7:7–11, Luke 18:42

Here are some questions to help you process this message and apply it to your life: 1. What are your first thoughts about prayer? Read Matthew 7:7-11. 2. What are your first impressions of Jesus' words in these verses? 3. How do you make sense of unanswered prayer? How has it or does it affect your trust in God? 4. What has your experience been with prayer? Do you find it easy or difficult? Why? 5. What do you think it means that “prayer is not a task of expediency, but a practice of intimacy”? How does this idea change the way you pray?

Say What? Here Comes the Judge

May 5, 2024 • Garry Firth • Luke 18:10–12, Matthew 7:1–6

Here are some questions to help you process this message and apply it to your life: 1. Would you consider yourself a judgmental person? 2. Share a time when you judged someone prematurely. What did you learn from that experience? 3. Read Luke 18:9-14. How do you relate to the two men in this story? We heard how we all judge people, oftentimes without even being aware of it. Are you tempted to say, “At least I’m not like that Pharisee?” 4. “Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” (Matthew 7:1-2) How would you summarise the meaning of "Do not judge, or you too will be judged"? What might be some misconceptions about this verse, and how would you address them? 5. “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.” (Matthew 7:3-5) What is the plank or log in your own eye that gets in the way of loving others the way Jesus asks us to? How can we overcome the tendency to judge others while neglecting our own faults? 6. “Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces.” (Matthew 7:6) How do you interpret the symbolism of dogs and pigs in this verse? How might this verse inform our approach to sharing our faith or discussing spiritual matters with others? What steps will you take to help you be a better judge?