Getting Started
What Disney/cartoon character were you inexplicably afraid of as a kid?
Have you ever gotten super lost? What happened?
Which three words describe you best?
Digging In
The first first four beatitudes are where God meets us. God meets us in the places where we would least expect…God meets us in our brokenness, in our failures, in our confusion, in our sin, where we fall short, and in the places we hope no one ever sees or finds out about. What does this say about our Heavenly Father?
The next four beatitudes deal with with how we meet others…
How does experiencing the grace of God at our lowest point help us as relate to other people?
In the video the guys focused on the last two beatitudes. The first one they discussed was, Blessed are the peacemaker for they will be called children of God.
After watching the video what does it mean to be a peacemaker?
Read Matthew 5:43-48
43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’44 But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 that you may be children of your Father in heaven.
He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. 46 If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? 47 And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? 48 Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
Why is it important for us to allow the gospel to empower us to love our enemies?In the video the guys shared that prayer is in some ways wishing Gods best on someone. Is there someone in your life that you would struggle to wish Gods best on them? Challenge :: Take 2 minutes in group right now and pray for that person.
Discuss
Joshua 5:13
13 Now when Joshua was near Jericho, he looked up and saw a man standing in front of him with a drawn sword in his hand. Joshua went up to him and asked, “Are you for us or for our enemies?”
14 “Neither,” he replied, “but as commander of the army of the Lord I have now come.” Then Joshua fell facedown to the ground in reverence, and asked him, “What message does my Lord have for his servant?”
15 The commander of the Lord’s army replied, “Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy.” And Joshua did so.In the video the guys explained that the man with the sword chose neither. He chose to have a bigger perspective. What does it look like for us to choose “C” when it relates to the division in our country currently?
How does his answer provide us with wisdom for how we approach the #Blacklivesmatter movement ?
How does the question Joshua asked the man with the sword reflect the current situation in our world?
Prayer/Responce
At the end of the video Jesse asked Josh to share a fews things that people can do to be peacemakers
- Be Slow to talk and quick to listen.
- Look at all the sides. In essence have empathy
- Read some books/educate yourself