The Wisdom of God’s Good Reign
Matthew 5:3 and James 3:13-17
Richard Dahlstrom, Senior Pastor, www.spiritsoulbody.org
Jesus blows up the conventional wisdom that influence depends on power, and power is gained through strength with a single sentence: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven”. God’s Good Reign is made visible through three characteristics which we, as Christ followers, must embrace.
I. Poverty of Spirit
a. Experiences of brokenness
b. Encounters with holiness
II. Poverty/Generosity
III. Gentleness
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Discussion Questions
Before questions, attempt to give the group a bit of a summary of the main points of the sermon and then choose a few questions that fit your group’s needs and style. We don’t intend for you to use all of these. Three to five questions may be a good number.
1. What is the most unique “treasure” in your purse/backpack or wallet?
2. Offer a moment of silent reflection on this three part question before sharing:
a. In what ways are you participating in God’s good reign as a kingdom person with rhythms of giving and receiving?
b. Is there a “+something” that needs to be removed as center stage of your life or focus (ex: the outcome of the election, upward mobility, ending climate change, etc.)
c. How does this paradigm shift and reorienting yourself with a foundation of dependence on Christ actually seek to support these areas and issues that are important to you? How do they help you interact with others regarding them?
3. Read aloud Matthew 5:3, followed by this definition of humility:
“Humility is the existential awareness of the dissonance between where I am and where I ought to be, without blame or defensiveness.”
a.) When was the last time you were aware of this dissonance in your own life?
b.) How do you typically respond when you experience the dissonance? Do you blame, normalize, self-pity or respond with grace, wisdom, gratitude and joy?
4. Take a moment to pray and thank God for your own shortcomings, that though we can’t do this alone, we recognize that He can!
a.) Continue by reading aloud this second definition of humility:
“Humility is not self-degradation resulting from an awareness of brokenness; it is not thinking less of yourself; but thinking of yourself less.”
b.) What does admitting your own gaps and allowing disorder with encounters with holiness look like your context? How does this allow you to look beyond yourself?
5. Pastor Richard offers this perspective: In poverty, receive freely; when wealthy, give freely. In what ways are you rich and could give generously; in what ways are you poor and need to receive? How do you answer the same question for your small group instead of your individual self?