Congratulations to those Who Mourn!

Introduction:

Who Are the "Those Who Mourn"? (Matthew 5:4)

Why Are We Congratulating those Who Mourn?

Revelation 21:4 - He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.

Romans 7:24-25 - Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!

How Do I Mourn? (James 4:8-10)

1. What Keeps Me from Mourning?

   James 4:8-10 - Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Be wretched and mourn and weep. Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.

   1. You aren't Drawing near to God.
   2. You're too Invested in your sin.
   3. You don't see Sin for what it is.
2. How Do I Know I Really Mourn My Sin?

2 Corinthians 7:10 - For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death.

→ You Repent without Regret.

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The Heart of the Disciple - Congratulations to those Who Mourn!

Jeff Miller

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Small Group Discussion
Read Matthew 5:4 & James 4:8-10

1. What was your big take-away from this passage / message?
   

2. What exactly does it mean to “mourn” over your sin? Why is mourning necessary?
   

3. What would you say to someone that says “I’ve never mourned over my sin. And I don’t really see why I need to!”
   

4. How does God comfort those who mourn? What does that look like?
   

5. Read 2 Corinthians 7:10. Explain the difference between worldly grief and godly grief. What does it mean that worldly grief brings death?

Breakout
Pray for one another.

Congratulations to the Poor in Spirit

Introduction:

Who Are the "Poor in Spirit"? (Matthew 5:1-3)

Romans 3:23 - for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God...

James 2:10 - For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become guilty of all of it.

Why Are We Congratulating the Poor in Spirit?

How Do I Become Poor in Spirit?

Luke 18:9-14 - He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and treated others with contempt: “Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee, standing by himself, prayed thus: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get.’ But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’ I tell you, this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”

3 Signs That You Are Poor in Spirit:

1. You Humble , Exalt yourself.
2. You compare yourself to God , not Others.
3. You bank on God's Mercy , not your Works.

   Congratulations to the poor in spirit, you have the kingdom of heaven!

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The Heart of the Disciple - Congratulations to the Poor in Spirit

Jeff Miller

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Small Group Discussion
Read Matthew 5:1-3 & Luke 18:9-14

1. What was your big take-away from this passage / message?
   

2. What does it mean to be “poor in spirit”? How do we become poor in spirit?
   

3. “... for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” What is the significance of Jesus using the word IS? How would you explain this to a young child asking what it means that we get the “kingdom of heaven”?
   

4. How do you convince someone they are poor in spirit if they consider themselves “not that bad of a person”?

Breakout
Pray for one another.

A Miraculous Entrance

Introduction:

John 8:41 - "You are doing the works your father did." They said to him, "We were not born of sexual immorality. We have one Father--even God."

Why I believe in the virgin birth of Jesus Christ (and why it matters) (Matthew 1:18-25):

1. It is the Straightforward Teaching of scripture.
2. It is Certainly Possible with God.

   Luke 1:34 - How will this be, since I am a virgin?

   Luke 1:37 - Nothing will be impossible with God.

3. It is Essential for Salvation.

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Divine Intervention - A Miraculous Entrance

Jeff Miller

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Small Group Discussion
Read Matthew 1:18-25

1. What was your big take-away from this passage / message?
   

2. Why do you think the doctrine of the virgin birth of Christ is so consistently denied?
   

3. Why is believing in the virgin birth an important doctrine to embrace? What are the implications if Jesus was just naturally Joseph and Mary’s son?

Breakout
Pray for one another.

Are You Willing to Wait?

Introduction:

James 5:11 - Behold, we consider those blessed who remained steadfast. You have heard of the steadfastness of Job, and you have seen the purpose of the Lord, how the Lord is compassionate and merciful.

Why I'm Willing to Wait on the Lord While I Suffer (Job 42:7-17):

1. Because God will have the Last Word . (Job 42:7-9)
2. Because God is Making me through suffering. (Job 42:7-9)

   Philippians 1:6 - And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.

   Hebrews 2:10 - For it was fitting that he, for whom and by whom all things exist, in bringing many sons to glory, should make the founder of their salvation perfect through suffering.

   Hebrews 5:8 - Although he was a son, he learned obedience through what he suffered.

   1. Suffering Humbles me.
   2. Suffering teaches me Perseverance .
   3. Suffering proves if my faith is Real .

      Job 13:15 - Though he slay me, I will hope in him...

3. Because Blessing comes after suffering. (Job 42:10-17)

   Philippians 3:10 - ...that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings

   2 Timothy 2:10 - if we endure, we will also reign with him

   Romans 8:18 - For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.

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Making Sense of Suffering - Are You Willing to Wait?

Jeff Miller

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Small Group Discussion
Covering Job 42:7-17

1. What was your big take-away from this passage / message?
   

2. In Job 42:7-8, God says Job “has spoken of Me what is right”. Why would God say this in light of Job making some pretty harsh comments about God in Job 3-31?
   

3. How exactly does suffering build perseverance? What is my part in growing in perseverance while I suffer?
   

4. How does suffering prove whether or not your faith is real? How do we know Job had a real faith?
   

5. Do you think Satan still seeks to afflict believers today? Why or why not?

Breakout
Pray for one another.

Do You Control It All?

Introduction:

How to Make Sense of Suffering: Four Questions You Must Answer (Job 40:1-42:6):

1. Have I Humbled myself? (Job 40:1-5)
2. Do I think I can do Better than God? (Job 40:6-14)
3. Do I have any Power over evil? (Job 40:15-41:34)
4. Will my suffering draw me Closer to God? (Job 42:1-6)

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Making Sense of Suffering - Do You Control It All?

Jeff Miller

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Small Group Discussion
Covering Job 40-42:6

1. What was your big take-away from this passage / message?
   

2. Read Job 40:33-34. Why do these verses seem to indicate that God isn’t just talking about an animal? What is Leviathan a symbol of?
   

3. What exactly was God’s point in describing Behemoth and Leviathan as He did? How is this an answer for Job’s questions?
   

4. What exactly from God’s Behemoth and Leviathan descriptions made Job repent? How would you paraphrase this lesson to teach someone who is suffering?

Breakout:
Pray for one another.