Reading from The Gospel According Matthew 6:14-18 (NLT) ~Teaching about Giving Prayer and Fasting Cont.~ Scripture reading followed by discussion. The teaching about forgiveness linking the teaching on the spiritual disciplines of prayer and fasting. Forgiveness paves the way for restoration of relationship. The reward of God seeing you vs the reward of human praise.

Reading from The Gospel According Matthew 6:9-13 (NLT) ~Teaching about Giving Prayer and Fasting Cont.~ Scripture reading followed by discussion. Remembering who God is, His character, that He alone is good, and living a life that reflects His love. Connection to the Ten Commandments. Reflecting God as images of God. The physical repercussions of spiritual truths in your life. A day-by-day mind frame. The plans and tactics of the enemy. The abundant life God has for us is not in our selfish plans or ideas.

Reading from The Gospel According Matthew 6:5-8 (NLT) ~Teaching about Giving Prayer and Fasting~ Scripture reading followed by discussion. Not babbling on and on when praying and not overthinking what words you use. Loving to pray because everyone would pay attention to the prayers. The same temptation the devil used against Jesus in the desert. The Devil is always trying to get us to think about our self. Quiet time with the Father.

Reading Psalms 15 (NLT) ~ Scripture reading followed by discussion. Defining good through scripture. Loving others requires speaking with a sincere heart. The order to be blameless is so big, we need the Holy Spirit to bring us through. Living and speaking in a way that displays God’s love towards other. Keeping your promises when it hurts. Bonus at the end.

Reading from The Gospel According Matthew 6:1-4 (NLT) ~Teaching about Giving to the Needy~ Scripture reading followed by discussion. Giving to help someone in need and not to make yourself look good. Corporate sponsor ship not the same as personal egos. Changing perspective to focus on the betterment of others. Helping others makes you feel good. We get rewards from God. Aspiring to be like others who are charitable.

Reading from The Gospel According Matthew 5:43-48 (NLT) ~Teaching about Love for Enemies~ Scripture reading followed by discussion. Leviticus 19:18 Says love your neighbor as yourself, hate your enemy was inferred by the people. Our enemy is not flesh and blood. Jesus expanded the family of God. Being set apart as God’s, not belonging to the worlds. Responding out of love instead of circumstance.

Reading from The Gospel According Matthew 5:38-42 (NLT) ~Teaching about Revenge~ Scripture reading followed by discussion. Surrendering to the Words of Jesus brings peace inside. A line was drawn but not for the reasons we naturally come to. Changing your perspective in hard situations can shift the relationship dynamics. Breaking the cycle of violence. How things can get in the way of relationships.

Reading from The Gospel According Matthew 5:33-36 (NLT) ~Teaching about Vows~ Scripture reading followed by discussion. Our words are important. Being known as someone who will do what they say they will do. Doing good in my strength vs surrendered to the Holy Spirit.

Reading from The Gospel According Matthew 5:31-36 (NLT) ~Teaching about Divorce, Teaching about Vows~ Scripture reading followed by discussion. It is important to keep the entire sermon on the Mount in context. Divorce can carry a lot of guilt and shame. The nonchalant attitude about divorce in the society, still today. Marriage was intended to be an intimate companionship and partnership. Acknowledges the lasting effects and consequences of divorce.

Reading from The Gospel According Matthew 5:27-30 (NLT) ~Teaching about Adultery~ Scripture reading followed by discussion. We need to start at the heart issue, not the actions. Blessed are those who recognize their need for God. Want to do it in your own strength? We do not have to mutilate our bodies to be accepted by God, Christ’s body was mutilated for you. You have to die to yourself to be grafted into the True Vine and allow God to continue to prune your life.