When You Follow Jesus...Sample

Welcome to the study! We hope this study helps you soak in the way Jesus lived and begin transforming how you live, give, pray, and fast! Each of our days of studying together, you'll have an anchor text and then, in subsequent weeks, some other supporting verses to read and consider.

Each day, we will follow a similar process, and there will always be a couple of questions for you to journal or share with others. We pray Jesus meets you in a new way and that as you read what may feel like familiar words, there will be something fresh for you to learn about following the way of Jesus! May you experience God's love for you, not pressure to perform or do, but just be with Jesus. Let's get started!

Since today is Day 1, we encourage you to read Matthew 6 in its entirety and notice what Jesus says and does, then focus on verses 2-4. Sometimes, starting with a whole segment can give us more context and help build our understanding.

STOP and put aside distractions, grab your Bible, pen, and notebook, take a couple of slow, deep breaths, and get cozy.

INVITE Jesus to meet you and tell yourself that God is always present with you, whether you feel something or not today.

READ the Bible passage(s) twice slowly. We recommend using a physical paper Bible for this part. Come back to this screen after you do the readings.

REFLECT on what stands out to you from the passage with these questions (if doing this with the group, respond in the comments with your thoughts).

1- In verses 2-4, what motivation for giving does Jesus call out as wrong in God’s eyes? What motivation does Jesus say is right for giving?

2- What motivates you to give typically?

PRAY and REST for a few minutes, and let whatever comes to mind rise up. Don’t dismiss anything that comes to you; just talk to God.

RESPOND by asking God if there is anything from your time today that may encourage others, be helpful to share, or may be a question others have (from the reflect questions). Share it today!