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LESSON SUMMARY:

Oh the blessedness of those whose hearts are acutely aware that they have nothing and are nothing apart from Christ. Oh the blessedness of those whose hearts are broken and crushed and who see clearly that it was their sin that put their Savior on the tree. In this life there are two paths: a wide and easy path that leads to destruction or the path that Jesus offers that is narrow and difficult and leads to eternal life. The narrow path requires giving up everything we have. It requires admitting we have nothing to bring. The narrow path is the path to true blessedness. Blessed are those who are willing to leave and follow Christ, believing and trusting Him to give them everything they need.

DISCUSSION GUIDE FOR GROUP OR INDIVIDUAL USE

Opening Prayer: Heavenly Father, we thank you for this time you have provided for us to come together to hear from you and have fellowship in your Word and to learn and apply your Word to our hearts. We need you, Lord. We need your grace all the time. We praise you for your goodness and your love and mercy. Please open our hearts to you and to one another and lead our discussion. Help us not to fear, but to put all of our hope in Christ. Help us to remember there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. May you be glorified in all our thoughts and words and deeds. In Jesus’ name, Amen

I. LECTURE- Will someone share how the Lord used the lecture to speak to your heart? Did anyone have any questions or concerns about the lecture? If you ever have a question or something is unclear, please let us know. We want to serve you in any way we can!

II. QUESTIONS FROM THE HOMEWORK- Go through the homework, occasionally calling on women. Read scriptures aloud. After asking a question, remember to allow a brief period of quiet “wait-time” to give women a chance to think before answering. After pausing, if no one shares, go ahead with your answer, rephrase question, and/or move on.

DAY ONE

1. What or who is your hope placed in? Is it placed in Christ alone or your job, children, husband, marriage, house, or standing in the community?

2. Are you poor in spirit? Are you willing to be poor? Are you willing to leave in order to follow? If the answer is “no,” what is holding you back?

DAY TWO

3. Please read Matthew 5:1-3 NIV. Describe what your day might look like if you got up tomorrow and began your day truly living and following the principle of being in the world, but not of it?

DAY THREE

4. Read Luke 6:20. What strikes you about this verse?

5. After reading John 12:1-8, what do you think Mary’s actions communicated about her heart? What does she convey about poverty and riches and blessing in her actions?

6. What do you have to offer to Christ? What has He offered you?

DAY FOUR

7. Do you believe the forgiveness and grace offered to you in Christ is real or do you still feel unforgiven?

8. What do you need? Do you need His comfort? Do you need His blessing? Or do you really need to have Him break your heart over your sin?

DAY FIVE

9. In Numbers 12:1-13, what did Miriam and Aaron do?

10. What are the definitions of meek, humble, and gentle?

11. Are you meek? Are you humble?

12. How do you respond when someone continues to do the wrong thing, has completely failed you, or speaks against you or your character?

13. How can we be more like Jesus in the meekness He displays?

III. PLEASE FILL OUT YOUR HOMEWORK ACCOUNTABILITY CARDS

IV. PLEASE RECITE YOUR SCRIPTURE MEMORY VERSES TOGETHER

V. TAKING THE TRUTH TO HEART TIME

We will now focus on taking God’s truth to our hearts and bringing it to life. James 5:16a states; “Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed.” And 1 Peter 2:24 says, “He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed.”

Please turn to your Taking the Truth to Heart Review page. We will each have 3 minutes so that every woman will have a chance to share. Please record one another’s confessions on the Taking the Truth to Heart Guide on the following page so you can pray for one another throughout the week. Leaders please set the example by going first.

VI. PLEASE CLOSE IN PRAYER