Gospel Line Dance Ministry Meeting

Welcome to the Gospel Line Dance Ministry! We are meeting at the Point Loma Campus.

1st Floor, Room 144 (behind the community room)

After you enter the lobby, walk past the elevators and the community room, go through the double doors on your right, and walk all the way down the walkway almost to the end. Room 144 will be on your right.

Study (6:00pm-7:00pm) and line dancing (7:00pm-8:00pm).

During our study time, we will study and discuss Jesus' Sermon on the Mount (discussion questions below). During our line dancing time, we will learn easy beginner level line dances.

SERMON ON THE MOUNT STUDY - HOW NOT TO BE RELIGIOUS

Read: Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18

Group Discussion: A friend that you invited to this Bible study has declined by saying that she finds all Christians to be hypocrites. What evidence is there that this is not true of the members of your group?

Personal Reflection: Which of your words and actions might a person find hypocritical?

Discussion Questions:

1. Jesus illustrates the principle of verse 1 by focusing on three religious practices: giving, praying and fasting- What images come to mind when you read about the hypocrites in verse 2?

2. In verse 1 Jesus commands us "not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them." Yet in 5:16 he said, "Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good deeds.' Is there a contradiction here? Explain.

3. What does Jesus mean when he says, "But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing" (v. 3)? Why is this important (vv. 2. 4)?

4. What was wrong with the way hypocrites prayed in Jesus' day (v. 5)?

5. Why and how is our praying to be different (v. 6)?

6. How do you think the reward the Father wilt give us (v. 6) differs from the reward we receive from others (v. 5)?

7. In verse 16 Jesus assumes Christians will fast (although few of us do). Why and how should we fast (w. 16-18)?

NOW OR LATER

Read Luke 18:9-14. How does this story illustrate what Jesus teaches in Matthew 6?

When have you acted like the Pharisee in this story?

When have you acted like the tax collector?