Matt Beaney

Jan 14, 20213 min read

#264 – GIVE COMFORT (14/1/21)

Jesus promises to comfort us. At times like these, we need to hear again His promise,

'Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted’. (Matthew 5:4)

Yesterday, we looked at how the Holy Spirit gives us comfort. Today we will see that it’s often in the context of loving church community that the Holy Spirit gives comfort to and through us. We read,

‘Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.’ (2 Corinthians 1:3-4)

In how many of our troubles are we promised comfort?

What is to flow from us as we experience God’s comfort?

Paul also writes,

‘Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.’ (Romans 12:15)

Is there anyone that the Holy Spirit wants you to pray for or encourage at this time?

Devotion to a local church can be hard at the best of times let alone when everything is online! Such times as these require our patience and loving sacrifice. How are you doing in regard to receiving and giving comfort in your local church?

COMMUNITY GROUP STUDY - BLESSED ARE THOSE WHO MOURN

Notices

It might be good to begin with notices. Please share from this week’s Church News.

Suggested opener/Ice-breaker

What are you 'mourning' - finding challenging - at the moment?

Introduction - please share in your group

This week in our discipleship series, we are considering the second of the Beatitudes,

'Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted’. (Matthew 5:4)

Firstly, this is about salvation. Only those who mourn for their sin will come to Jesus for salvation and receive the comfort of justification, adoption and eternal hope.

Secondly, this is about mourning for our ongoing sin. It’s interesting to note that Jesus, when He taught us to pray, told us to ask, “Forgive us our debts”. Mourning over our sin toward God and others is to be part of our lifestyle. Those who mourn in this way will be comforted by Jesus' forgiveness and transformative power.

Thirdly, we are to mourn over sin in the world. As we see death, sickness, relationship breakdown, war... we are to mourn and intercede in prayer. Those who mourn in this way will be comforted as they see lives transformed by the love of God.

Finally, our comfort will only be fully realised at the end of history when Jesus comes and restores all things. Only when the Kingdom comes fully will we have the fullness of the comfort that Jesus promises.

Discussion questions

1. How does God comfort those who grieve for their sin?

2. What scripture would you use to back up your answer?

3. What do the parables in Luke 15 tell us about what the Father feels toward those who truly mourn for their sin?

3. How does mourning lead us to prayer, compassion and witnessing to our community?

4. What does Luke 9:36-38 say about our attitude and response to those who don't know Jesus?

5. Are you mourning for anything that you'd like to share and receive prayer for?

Investing and inviting

i) Who has God put into your life that we could pray for together?

ii) How are you planning to 'invest and invite'?

iii) Finally, Who are you planning to invite to our Alpha Course which is beginning on the 25th January?

#264 – GIVE COMFORT (14/1/21)

Jesus promises to comfort us. At times like these, we need to hear again His promise,

Yesterday, we looked at how the Holy Spirit gives us comfort. Today we will see that it’s often in the context of loving church community that the Holy Spirit gives comfort to and through us. We read,

In how many of our troubles are we promised comfort?

What is to flow from us as we experience God’s comfort?

Paul also writes,

Is there anyone that the Holy Spirit wants you to pray for or encourage at this time?

Devotion to a local church can be hard at the best of times let alone when everything is online! Such times as these require our patience and loving sacrifice. How are you doing in regard to receiving and giving comfort in your local church?

COMMUNITY GROUP STUDY - BLESSED ARE THOSE WHO MOURN

Notices

It might be good to begin with notices. Please share from this week’s Church News.

Suggested opener/Ice-breaker

What are you 'mourning' - finding challenging - at the moment?

Introduction - please share in your group

This week in our discipleship series, we are considering the second of the Beatitudes,

Firstly, this is about salvation. Only those who mourn for their sin will come to Jesus for salvation and receive the comfort of justification, adoption and eternal hope.

Thirdly, we are to mourn over sin in the world. As we see death, sickness, relationship breakdown, war... we are to mourn and intercede in prayer. Those who mourn in this way will be comforted as they see lives transformed by the love of God.

Finally, our comfort will only be fully realised at the end of history when Jesus comes and restores all things. Only when the Kingdom comes fully will we have the fullness of the comfort that Jesus promises.

Discussion questions

1. How does God comfort those who grieve for their sin?

2. What scripture would you use to back up your answer?

3. What do the parables in Luke 15 tell us about what the Father feels toward those who truly mourn for their sin?

3. How does mourning lead us to prayer, compassion and witnessing to our community?

4. What does Luke 9:36-38 say about our attitude and response to those who don't know Jesus?

5. Are you mourning for anything that you'd like to share and receive prayer for?

Investing and inviting

i) Who has God put into your life that we could pray for together?

ii) How are you planning to 'invest and invite'?

iii) Finally, Who are you planning to invite to our Alpha Course which is beginning on the 25th January?

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