Reading from The Gospel According Matthew 7:24-39 (NLT) ~Building A Solid Foundation~ Scripture reading followed by discussion. What remains standing when trials and troubles come into our lives. The narrow path is difficult, a firm foundation is essential. Following Jesus teaching is equal to obeying His command, Love God, love people. Needing to be in the Him to love others.

Reading from The Gospel According Matthew 7:21-23 (NLT) ~True Disciples~ Scripture reading followed by discussion. When I was hungry you fed me…Knowing of God vs knowing God by spending time with Him. The many kingdoms of the world and the approval of the key opinion leaders. Name dropping Jesus. Calling out performance numbers. Keeping perspective and the importance of listening to your own words. What the world acknowledges, what God acknowledges.

Reading from The Gospel According Matthew 7:15-20 (NLT) ~The Tree and Its Fruit~ Scripture reading followed by discussion. The fruit of the Holy Spirit, not our instincts. You begin to look more like Jesus as you continue to follow Him. Do to others as Jesus has done for us. Triggers of PTSD and the emotional response while chasing after Jesus. Submitting every aspect of our view of truth to Jesus and submitting to His pruning process.

Reading from The Gospel According Matthew 7:12-14 (NLT) ~The Golden Rule, The Narrow Gate~ Scripture reading followed by discussion. It is not always easy to treat others as you would want them to treat you. The good we express on our own is not as close to God’s goodness as we may think. The hard, narrow road is made easy as we follow and lean on Jesus.

Reading from The Gospel According Matthew 7:7-11 (NLT) ~Effective Prayer~ Scripture reading followed by discussion. Continuing the teaching on prayer. Asking, seeking, knocking, speaks of the effort we put into relationships. Doors opening in response to prayer, surrendering our will for His. Re-surrendering the call and/or the plan. God’s perfect fit and timing is worth waiting for. The call to trust God.

Reading from The Gospel According Matthew 7:1-6 (NLT) ~Do Not Judge Others~ Scripture reading followed by discussion. The standard of God is high. We judge people based on our standards which no one else can automatically know because everyone has their own standard. God is the only one who can judge with justice and goodness because His perspective is so much greater than our own. The Log in our eyes blocks our perspective. Not Judging when we’ve taken offence.

Reading Psalms 16 (NLT) ~ Scripture reading followed by discussion. David declaring God to be his Master. Troubles multiplying for those who chase after other God’s (money). Tasks taking time away from time to engage in relationships. Like in the gospels we see a lot of imagery of our need for God to save us.

Reading from The Gospel According Matthew 6:24-34 (NLT) ~Teaching about Money and Possessions Cont.~ Scripture reading followed by discussion. Our heart and focus shift away from God when we worry. God is asking you to have faith (trust in Him). When your mind is consumed about the things that can cause worry, we lose focus. Missing out on life experiences working towards your material legacy. Focusing on the kingdom of God that is right around us.

Reading from The Gospel According Matthew 6:22-23 (NLT) ~Teaching about Money and Possessions Cont.~ Scripture reading followed by discussion. Imagining hearing this teaching after receiving sight back from Jesus. False light is isolating and focused on self. Healthy souls are generous. The Pharisees caught up in doing their version of “the right thing”.

Reading from The Gospel According Matthew 6:19-21 (NLT) ~Teaching about Money and Possessions ~ Scripture reading followed by discussion. When your treasures can be lost, you will always live with a sense of worry in a state of threat. Storing treasures in Heaven is investing in relationships i.e. loving God, and loving people. Investing in relationship builds emotional equity, building a space for challenge and growth. Difficulty of building relationships with PTSD.