Reading Psalms 14 (NLT) ~ Scripture reading followed by discussion. The grim reality of the state of Humanity in the opening verses. The knowledge of God and the effort to seek out God. No one does what is Good, only God in Heaven is truly Good. The selfish piece of our heart is what we need to die to, to put up on the cross. Asking “Am I a good person?” or reassuring our friends they are. Becoming the branches.

Reading from The Gospel According Matthew 5:21-26 (NLT) ~Teaching about Anger~ Scripture reading followed by discussion. Connecting to Genesis 4:6&7 with sin crouching at the door of Cain’s heart. The same sin crouching at the door of Cain’s heart, is at the door of all our hearts and we need to recognize our need for God to save us. Cain trying to eliminate the problem in all the wrong ways. Religious ceremonies mean nothing when you are not in right relationship with those around you.

Reading from The Gospel According Matthew 5:17-20 (NLT) ~Teaching about the Law~ Scripture reading followed by discussion. Accomplishing the law, not abolishing the law. Jesus came to do the heavy lifting, there is nothing left to accomplish. The high standard of righteousness is a heart matter not actions, deeds, or rituals. The law itself had become a God. Trying to solve the riddles of life is like trying to earn favor.

Reading from The Gospel According Matthew 5:13-16 (NLT) ~Teaching about Salt and Light~ Scripture reading followed by discussion. A continuation of the blessings acknowledging the crowd’s contribution to life on earth. The circumstances that seem hard, yet you are blessed in, can keep you from living and walking in truth. How can it be made salty again? All things are possible with God. Jesus brings the light. The light is to be shared with everyone.

Reading from The Gospel According Matthew 4:23-5:12 (NLT) ~Crowds Follow Jesus, The Sermon on the Mount, The Beatitudes~ Scripture reading followed by discussion. The picture of crowds flowing Jesus, and the display of Gods character in blessing and healing everyone. When you are poor it is easy to be focused on your circumstance. Realizing your need for God is the beginning of seeing and receiving the blessings. Being poor and prideful. The Kingdom response to slander.

Reading from The Gospel According Matthew 4:12-22 (NLT) ~The Ministry of Jesus Begins, The First Disciples~ Scripture reading followed by discussion. Matthews telling of the beginning of Jesus ministry, preaching the same message of John the Baptist. The Kingdom of Heaven can be experienced now. Forgive generously, give generously. You can step into the Kingdom God; Jesus is the Gate. Repentance is necessary as you must change your perspective to step into the Kingdom.

Reading from The Gospel According Matthew 4:1-11 (NLT) ~The Temptation of Jesus~ Scripture reading followed by discussion. This scripture reveals to us the tactics of the enemy. Tempting us to respond out of our lizard brain, hoping we will not think it through. Jesus shifts the focus back to what is true, important, and necessary for life. The enemy takes truth and uses it in a way that is contrary to the heart of God. The enemy will challenge our identity and God’s love for us.

Reading Psalms 13 (NLT) ~ Scripture reading followed by discussion. When we are in the lows of life if can feel like forever. When we are in our low points, we have a response, it can be hard to sing to God “He is good” when you are in a low point in life, but it is the response that turns our focus off our circumstance and back to God. Sometimes we must reach our lowest points before we die to our self.

Reading from The Gospel According Matthew 3:11-17 (NLT) ~John the Baptist Prepares the Way Cont., The Baptism of Jesus~ Scripture reading followed by discussion. John continues to proclaim the greatness of Jesus. The display of God’s endorsement of Jesus. The power of God with them but no one is fully grasping yet. Jesus being endorsed as God’s son declares he is the example we should follow and not our own choice of what is right or wrong, good or evil following the example of Adam and Eve.

Reading from The Gospel According Matthew 3:1-10 (NLT) ~John the Baptist Prepares the Way~ Scripture reading followed by discussion. John’s call for repentance, for people to change their hearts towards God. John really shaking things up, being apart from the culture. Messages of truth can break through the background noise through the Holy Spirit. Jesus is coming and we can look forward to His return. Take the time to share the good news with those living without peace.