Scripture: Matthew 5:1-16

1. Tom listed four groups of people who were listening to the Sermon on the Mount: Jesus’ disciples, hurting people looking for healing, curious onlookers hoping to see a miracle, and people wondering who Jesus is. As you think about your own life, which group would you be a part of? Why?

2. A central theme of the Sermon on the Mount is the upending of traditional expectations: what the Kingdom of God looks like, what it means to be blessed, how to live a righteous life. Has Jesus challenged any of your assumptions about life? Which ones?

3. Tom said, “The ultimate goal in life is the pursuit of God’s rule.” What goals are you pursuing in your life? If you were pursuing God’s rule, how would your life look different?

4. Surface righteousness is “being content with looking right as opposed to living right.” In our world of social media influencers and image maintenance, there’s tremendous pressure to look right. How can we resist that temptation and focus on living the right way?

5. What is one thing you can do this week to be a Kingdom man or woman and let your light shine in the world around you?