9.5.21 - How to Choose Wisely

Service Video, Message Notes, & Community Group Guide

MESSAGE NOTES

MESSAGE NOTES

How to Choose Wisely - Matthew 7:12-28

Key Truths in the Bible
Truth One: God Loves You – Matthew 7:12-14

• Key Concept: Jesus loves us so much that he teaches us how to live a whole abundant life.

• Key Verse: Matthew 5:1-2 - Now when Jesus saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, and he began to teach them.

• Community Group Application: Followers of Jesus are instruments of Jesus’ love in a broken world.

Truth Two: Satan wants to destroy you – Matthew 7:15-23

• Key Concept: The easy way is not the right way.

• Key Verse: Proverbs 14:12 - There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end, it leads to death.

• Community Group Application: Gathering together in church on Sunday and a community group during the week is key to having strength to avoid an easy way mentality.

Truth Three: You Must Choose the Path to Life – Matthew 7:24-29

• Key Concept: Your life is a matter of choice not destiny.

• Key Verse: John 10:9 - I am the door; if anyone enters through Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture. (NAS)

• Community Group Application: Followers of Jesus help each other to make the daily decisions of life to stay on the narrow path.

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Crossroads Community Group Guide

Click here to join a Community Group! (All groups meet online.)

A. Welcome

B. Purpose: Our purpose is to spread the Kingdom of God. We do this by multiplying groups of people who care for each as God's family. We begin by inviting new people to our group and building them to be followers of Jesus. Each person here has the potential to be empowered to start and be the leader of a new group and spread God's kingdom.

C. Worship Time: Behold Our God

D. Announcements

• Weekly Resources on Crossroads Facebook Page

• Daily Devotional Video: The Encouraging Word with Pastor Willie

• Events: Crossroads Website

E. Review

1. How did you do with what you wanted to apply from last week?

2. Who did you invite to the group for this week?

F. Opening Question: Why is it important in life to make good choices?

G. Background Information

These verses are at the end of a teaching by Jesus to His disciples on how to live. Review chapters 5-7. He discusses topics such as being salt and light, murder and hate, adultery and lust, divorce, making promises, getting revenge, loving your enemies, giving to the needy, prayer, fasting, treasure in heaven, worrying, judging others, asking God, and others. He then comes to this section where he talks about making the right choices in life based on his teachings.

H. Word: Matthew 7:12-28

1. What key words do you see in these verses?

2. Tell in your own words what happens in these verses.

3. What are the details?

I. Discuss the following general questions together.

1. What catches your attention in these verses?

2. What new thing did you discover in the story or verses that you did not know before?

3. What did you learn about God (Father, Jesus, or Holy Spirit) from the story?

4. What do you learn about people from the story?

5. What important lessons for us do you see in this story?

J. Commitment - Obedience - Application: What specifically will you commit to apply in your life from this study?

K. Prayer Time:

1. Pray for new people by name who you want to join your group.

2. Pray for your group to multiply.

3. Pray for the needs of the members of the group. Divide into 2 groups, for male and female.

L. For Next time: Ask each person the name of a person they will invite to the group for next week.