Small Group Resources

August  17 - 23

Sermon Series: Beatitudes

Week 1: Blessed are the Persecuted

Ice Breaker, If Needed

Who was the best teacher you had in school, or at work? Share what made him or her stand out.

Discussion Questions

1. Read Matthew 5:1-16 and Luke 6:20-26. What are these passages known as? Who was the audience when Jesus spoke these words? How would they have received these words? Put yourself in their shoes. As you read these passages today, share what most challenges you to rest in and what gives you hope, joy, and strength. 

2. Focus on Matthew 5:10. Those who are persecuted because of righteousness are described as blessed. What is “righteousness”? What is the promise given? How is this promise fulfilled? 

3. Read Matthew 5:11-12. How do you tend to react to insults, rejection, and lies told against you because of your faith? Share when you experienced unwanted or hurtful attention, or rejection, due to your faith. Does your reaction to these hurts align with how Jesus instructs you to react? Why or why not? Read Luke 6:22-23. What are the reasons to rejoice? 

4. What is spiritual warfare? What forms does it take? Why can you expect resistance, undermining, and assaults to come against you as you pursue growing in faith, doing Kingdom work, and deepening your identity as a child of God? Why should you recognize persecution when it comes? 

5. How do you fight against the enemy’s attacks? Discuss the following methods and share what you have found effective or challenging: 
a. Stop agreeing with the attacks or giving the attacks authority over you. 
b. Intense battle through worship and going to the Word. 
c. Pray without ceasing to be aligned with His will for you. 
d. Rejoice and be glad! You are in the same boat as prophets and apostles! 
e. Surround yourself with other members of the Family of God. Love well! 
f. Remind yourself that God is your vindicator.
g. Look forward to your reward in Heaven.