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Upstream Week 3: Blessed Are The Grace-Filled

SERIES TITLE

Upstream

series overview

Jesus was certainly anything but a go-with-the-flow kind of guy. He taught and modeled an against-the-flow lifestyle. He taught things like: “If you want to be great, SERVE others.” “If you want to be rich, GIVE more away.” “If you want to be known for love, LOVE your enemies.”  But perhaps the most countercultural teaching Jesus ever taught was: “If you want to be truly happy, you have to turn around and move UPSTREAM toward God, our true source of life.”

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Blessed Are the Grace-Filled

weekend in review

Gene continues exploring Jesus’ famous Sermon on the Mount and what those words mean to us today. This week, we encounter a very countercultural approach to handling our conflicts, division, and relational bumps.

WARM UP

Begin with some conversation, checking in on how people are doing. You can talk about whatever you’d like, but here is a potential question to get the conversation going.

  • When you think about the journey we have been on as a nation this past year, share the one word that comes to your mind to describe it?
DISCUSSion
Select 5-6 questions from the list below to guide your discussion time.

  • Read Matthew 5:7 and Mark 11:25. Why should we forgive? Does forgiveness come easy to you, or can it be a struggle?

  • Read Romans 2:4 and Colossians 3:13. Where have you struggled to forgive someone? How can we remember the grace God has shown us transform our relationships?

  • Why is God patient with us? How have you experienced God’s kindness, restraint, and patience?

  • Read Job 5:2 and Job 21:23-25. Who do we hurt by our unforgiveness? Where have you seen the toll of bitterness and unforgiveness play out in your life or someone close to you?

  • Read Proverbs 4:23. What practical steps can you put in place to guard your heart?

  • What are the challenges these days to living an authentic life?

  • Read Hebrews 10:19-25. How should people cleansed and purified by Jesus’ sacrifice respond? What words describe our response? Share ways you can practically live this out.

  • Read Exodus 20:3 and Matthew 6:19-21. Are there things in your life you need to realign your priorities to live more authentically?
application
  • How would you rate your recent gratitude for God’s forgiveness on a 1-10 scale? Why do you think that is? What can you do to be more consistently aware of the kindness God has shown you?

  • Who do you need to be merciful this week in your life?
WRAP UP & PRAYER

Share prayer requests and spend time praying for each other

Spend time praying to be aware of God’s kindness in your life. Pray for the people you need to be more merciful to in your life. Ask God for opportunities to make things right.

BAPTISM

If you or someone in your group wants to take the next step and be baptized, visit eastside.com/baptism.