#273 – THIRSTING FOR GOD (27/1/21)

This week, we are considering the fourth Beatitude,

'Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.' (Matthew 5:6)

To hunger and thirst for righteousness is to hunger and thirst for God Himself. God is the definition of righteousness. Hungering and thirsting for righteousness means our lives becoming more like Christ, however, knowing God must always take priority overdoing things for God.

Today, I’d like to spend some time meditating on scripture. The psalmist wrote,

‘As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, my God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God?’ (Psalm 42:1-2)

Take a moment to still yourself and pray for God to lead you in meditating on His word.

Take some time to imagine being in the desert and searching for water. Really try to feel it.

Now imagine coming across a spring of fresh, cold water and imagine yourself drinking from it.

Now turn to pray out of this text. Many find it helpful to write as a way of meditating on scripture.

FINALLY

Thirsting for God requires devotion to scripture. On Sunday, Nev encouraged us to ask ourselves, are we spending quality time each day with Jesus? This will stimulate increased hunger and thirst, whilst also increasing our satisfaction!

COMMUNITY GROUP STUDY - BLESSED ARE THE SPIRITUALLY HUNGRY

Notices

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

Suggested opener/Ice-breaker

If you were really hungry, what would you most like to eat?

Introduction - please share in your group

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

'"Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled." (Matthew 5:6)

This is not about the righteousness that is ours through faith in Christ; this is about our hungering and thirsting to live a righteous life.

Throughout God's Word, as here in The Sermon on the Mount, we learn what the righteous life looks like. A true Christian will have a desire for God's character to be made evident in their lives.

They will be filled

Those who have such a hunger are promised satisfaction: "They will be filled".

This means that they will enjoy God's presence in their lives; they will have the satisfaction of having a good conscience toward God; most importantly, they will be satisfied with eternal life in eternal glory with God.

Discussion questions

1. Is there anything that God spoke to you about from Sunday's message that you'd like to share?

2. How will hungering and thirsting for righteousness be evident in one's life?

3. What are the things that we can 'snack' on that reduce our appetite for important spiritual practices?

2. How does devotion to scripture and teaching help us in our pursuit for righteousness?

3. Nev encouraged us to think about getting into 'running partners' to help us in this. Is this something that you would like to get involved in?

Here is a link that gives details on running partners: https://www.communitychurchputney.com/post/running-partners

Investing and inviting

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

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