HOPE FELLOWSHIP CHURCH

I. The Heart of the Law (Matthew 5:20–21)

II. Anger: Murder in the Heart (Matthew 5:21–22)

III. Reconciliation: The Heart of Love (Matthew 5:23–26)

IV. Two Kingdoms Contrasted

Jesus teaches that anger in the heart is as serious as murder (Matt. 5:21–22). Where have you noticed anger or contempt in your own heart recently, whether toward a person, group, or situation? How does recognizing this as “murder” in God’s eyes challenge you to seek His transformation?

2. The Samaritan woman’s heart was changed by Jesus’ living water, despite her outward and inward sin (John 4:14). How does her story give you hope that God can transform your heart, even in areas where you feel stuck in anger or sin? What does it look like to trust Jesus daily to make your heart a “spring of living water”?

3. In the church example (Matt. 5:23–24), Jesus says to leave your gift at the altar and reconcile before worshiping. How might unresolved anger or grudges affect your ability to worship God authentically? What practical step could you take to ensure your heart is right with others before Sunday service or even before taking communion?

4. The sermon contrasts the kingdom of inner goodness (trusting Jesus for heart change) with the kingdom of rule-keeping (external righteousness). Where do you find yourself tempted to rely on “checking boxes” to appear righteous? How can you invite Jesus to transform your heart to love God and neighbor more deeply? 

5. God asked Jonah, “Do you do well to be angry?” when he wanted Nineveh judged instead of saved (Jonah 4:4, 9). When have you struggled to love an “enemy” or someone who wronged you? How does Jesus’ teaching in Matthew 5:21–26 challenge you to pray for a heart that loves like God does?

I. The Question: What About the Law? (Matthew 5:17-18)

II. The Warning: Righteousness That Exceeds (Matthew 5:19-20)

III. The Big Picture: From Rebellion to Redemption 

IV. The Way Forward: Living the Law Through Love 

 Small Group Discussion Questions

How does knowing that Jesus has fulfilled the Law affect your relationship with God and your sense of identity as a follower of Christ? 

2. Read Romans 10:4. What does it mean for Christ to be the “end” (or culmination) of the Law? How does this connect to the sermon’s point that Jesus’ fulfillment means we’re not defined by our failures to keep the Law? How does trusting Jesus change how you live for God?  

3. The sermon warned against legalism—judging others by personal standards (e.g., music, clothes). Where have you seen or struggled with legalism in your life or church?  

4. Go to Luke 10:25-37 and read the Good Samaritan story. What actions show the Samaritan loving his neighbor, unlike the priest and Levite? How do these actions match the heart-based righteousness Jesus calls for in Matthew 5:17-20? What does this have to do with the Sermon on the Mount?  

5. How can you show similar compassion to someone in your life this week, reflecting the love Jesus empowers us to live out? 

I. The Blessed: Called by Jesus (1-12) 

II. The Already/Not Yet Kingdom: Our Context 

III. This Is Us: Salty and Bright (Matt. 5:13-16)

Conclusion: Why Not Us? 

Small Group Discussion Questions

Who does Jesus call “blessed” in the Beatitudes? How does this surprise or challenge you compared to society’s view of who is “winning at life”?

2. Jesus says, “You are the salt of the earth” and “You are the light of the world”—not “become” them. How does knowing this is your identity (not a task) encourage or challenge you?

3. As salt and light, we’re called to purify and shine (preserving righteousness, dispelling darkness). Where might you be losing saltiness or hiding your light? 

4. Charles Quarles notes that impure salt destroys life rather than purifies it. Have you seen the church’s influence become “poison” instead of a blessing? How can we guard against this at Hope Fellowship? 

5. The sermon asks, “Why not us?” to transform our community through good works as salt and light, living out the Kingdom of Heaven as the church. As a church, how can we maintain a testimony of being salty and bright to our community? John Winthrop said, “We shall be as a city upon a hill, the eyes of all people are upon us.”

Introduction: The Timeless Power of the Sermon on the Mount

I. Up on the Mountain: Jesus as the New Moses

II. The Upside-Down Law: A New Kind of Righteousness 

Conclusion: The Gospel of the Upside-Down Kingdom

 Small Group Discussion Questions

The sermon compares Jesus to Moses, describing Him as a greater Redeemer who frees us from sin. How does seeing Jesus as the "better Moses" change the way you view His authority in your life? 

2. The Kingdom of Heaven is described as "upside-down," welcoming misfits and the overlooked. How does this challenge the way our world values people, and where do you see yourself in this Kingdom?

3. The sermon emphasizes that the Beatitudes are not about earning blessings but receiving grace as disciples. Which Beatitude (e.g., poor in spirit, meek, merciful) resonates most with you, and why?

4. Part 1: The sermon defines the “blessed life” as security and eternity with God, not worldly success. How does this definition differ from cultural ideas of blessing, and how can you pursue this blessed life today?

5. Part 2: In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus speaks to His disciples, declaring that those who hear and follow Him are blessed in the Kingdom of Heaven. How does this idea—that blessedness comes from being in the Kingdom through following Jesus—change the way you understand what it means to live a blessed life?

I. The Good Catastrophe: Easter’s Joyous Turn (Matthew 28:1-7)

II. The First Encounter: Meeting the Risen Jesus (Matthew 28:8-10) 

III. The Great Commission: A Resurrection Revolution (Matthew 28:11-20)

 Small Group Discussion Questions

1. The sermon describes a "eucatastrophe" as a sudden joyous turn from despair to victory. Can you share a personal moment in your life where you experienced a "good catastrophe"—a time when hope emerged unexpectedly from a dark situation?

2. Why do you think the Resurrection is described as the ultimate eucatastrophe of human history? How does this perspective shift the way you view challenges or suffering in your life? 

3. The sermon notes a cultural hunger for authentic, face-to-face relationships over superficial digital connections. How does the Christian faith, through encountering the resurrected Jesus Christ personally, answer this longing? 

4. The women, often overlooked in their society, were the first to proclaim the Resurrection. How does this encourage you to share the Gospel, regardless of your perceived status or qualifications? How does Jesus’ promise, “I am with you always,” empower you in this mission?

5. The religious leaders spread a lie to cover up the Resurrection. What modern-day "lies" or distractions try to bury the truth of the Resurrection in our culture? How can we counter these with the Gospel?

Introduction: Hosanna to the King! (Matt. 21:1-11 / Mark 11:1-11)

I. The King Foretells His Death (Matt. 17:22-23)

II. The Temple Tax: Sons vs. Strangers (Matt. 17:24-27) 

III. Royalty: Born Again as Sons and Daughters

IV. Miraculous Provision: The Coin in the Fish

V. The Cross and Freedom: Palm Sunday’s Purpose

 Small Group Discussion Questions

The sermon describes Palm Sunday as a bittersweet moment of joy (Hosanna!) and impending sacrifice (the cross). Can you share a time in your life when you experienced both joy and grief side by side? How does Jesus’ example in Matthew 17:22-23 help you navigate those tensions?

The disciples were distressed by Jesus’ prediction of His death (Matt. 17:23) and didn’t grasp the promise of resurrection. Have you ever focused on a hardship and missed God’s bigger plan for you? How can we train ourselves to look for His promises in tough times?

Jesus teaches Peter that “the sons are free” from the temple tax (Matt. 17:25-26), pointing to our identity as God’s children. What does it mean to you personally to be a son or daughter of God rather than a stranger? How does this identity change the way you approach life’s challenges or guilt?

Jesus paid the temple tax to avoid causing offense (Matt. 17:27; cf. 1 Cor. 8:13). How can we balance living in our Christian freedom with being sensitive to others’ consciences? Share an example of a situation where you had to make a choice to avoid causing unnecessary offense.

The coin in the fish’s mouth (Matt. 17:27) shows Jesus’ power and provision, even for small needs. Can you share a story of a time God provided for you in an unexpected way? How does this miracle encourage you to trust Him with your current needs—spiritual, physical, or emotional?

Corinthian Generosity (2 Cor. 8-9)

Cheerful Generosity (2 Cor. 9:12-15) 

GIVES supplies to those in need. 

GIVES glory to God as an act of worship. 

GIVES credibility to the gospel.

Conclusion: 

 Small Group Discussion Questions

The sermon compared loving money to a drug addiction. Have you ever felt that pull in your own life? What was it like? 

How does generous “giving break the power of money?”

What do you think it means to give with “muscle memory”—to make generosity a habit? How could you start building that habit?

The sermon said that giving is an act of worship. How so? How does that idea change the way you think about putting money in the offering box or donating?

Have you ever given something—money, time, or anything else—and felt real joy from it? What happened?

How do you think our giving as a church or as individuals can “give credibility to the gospel?”

Introduction

Came to Serve (Matt. 20:20-28)

Form of a Servant (Phil. 2:3-10) 

Love in Service (John 13:1-20)

Saved to Serve 

Here to Serve

 Small Group Discussion Questions

How does understanding grace as “effort versus earning” change your perspective on serving God? To put it another way, what does it mean to serve out of love for God versus serving to earn His favor?

2. How does the teaching of Jesus about greatness and servanthood challenge societal views on success and greatness in his kingdom (Matt. 20:20-28)? 

3. In what ways is service to God, others, and the church truly the training ground for humility? 

4. Spurgeon says, “The child of God works not for life, but from life; he does not work to be saved, he works because he is saved. Donald Whitney says, “the people of God do not serve Him in order to be forgiven but because we are forgiven.” How does this apply to the spiritual disciplines and, particularly, a life and lifestyle of service to God and His Church? 

5. What spiritual gift has the Holy Spirit empowered within you to use to serve God and others? (1 Peter 4:10-11)

What is Worship 

Worshipping in Spirit and Truth 

Worship is Public

Worship is Private 

Worship is Family-based 

Conclusion: Worship Transforms Us  

 Small Group Discussion Questions

 Donald Whitney says, “Worship is focusing on and responding to God.” He explains that it’s a God-centered preoccupation of the soul. Discuss.  

What does it mean to worship God in spirit and truth, according to John 4:24? How can we apply this in our public worship, private worship, and family worship? 

What are some common misconceptions about worship that can lead to self-focused worship instead of a God-centered preoccupation?

What you worship shapes what you are, or to put it another way, who you worship shapes who you are. How can the discipline of worshipping God publicly, privately, and together with family on a regular and habitual basis actually shape who you are and who you become? How can avoiding this do the same? Share some of your own experiences. 

Take a moment to worship God wholeheartedly, drawing inspiration from Psalms 95 and/or 96. As you read through each verse together, reflect after each one by asking: “What truth in this verse is guiding my spirit to focus on and worship God as a result?”