“Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. ²⁵ The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. ²⁶ But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. ²⁷ The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.” —Matthew 7:24-27

Jesus teaches us through this passage that:

• Storms are inevitable.
• The storms of life reveal the strength of our foundation.

Intentionally build your life on Jesus by following Him.

Therefore, if everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. —Matthew 7:24

• Sermon on the Mount
  Matthew 5:1-7:29

• Submit to Jesus’ authority by allowing what He teaches you to change your heart.

When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching, because he taught as one who had authority, and not as their teachers of the law. —Matthew 7:28-29

Follow Jesus by doing what He says when He says to do it.

Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. —Galatians 5:25

Discipleship Guide

Let’s Connect

• Share a highlight from your week so far.

Let’s Talk About It

How do you rebuild your life after a storm? How do you build the foundation of your life stronger in hopes for a better future? While storms are never easy or enjoyable, they reveal the strength of our foundation. Jesus offers us wisdom and direction as to how we can build a life that is anchored in Him and able to thrive when weathered by the storms of life. Intentionally build your life on Jesus by following Him and take a step forward as He leads you. In doing so, God can take a difficult season and use it to help you build a better future with your life anchored in God.

Matthew 7:24-27 (Additional reading: Sermon on the Mount - Matthew 5:1-7:29)

• Which part of the message made an impact, caught your attention or challenged you?

• Read Matthew 7:24-27. What does this Scripture teach you about God? How does this Scripture apply to your life today?

• After going through this pandemic, it revealed the strength of our foundation on God. On a scale of 1-10, how strong was your foundation on God one year ago during the pandemic? What number on the scale is your foundation on God now? What changed? What did God reveal to you about your foundation?

• Was there any teaching from Jesus that challenged you, but you chose to trust in Him and put it into practice anyway? What happened and what was the outcome? Has your heart and life changed since then as you obeyed Him?

• Share a time you were believing God for something to happen, you were waiting on God’s timing and then it finally happened! What practical steps did God tell you to do during your time of waiting? How did it come to pass?

Take a Step

• During your devotional time this week, take time to read through the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5:1-7:29). Take one thing from Jesus’ teaching that challenged you and ask God to change your heart. Take moments this upcoming week to put that teaching into practice and trust God with the results.

SOAP reading:

• Day 1: 2 Kings 17, 2 Chronicles 28, Psalm 46, James 3
• Day 2: 2 Chronicles 29-31, James 4
• Day 3: 2 Kings 18-19, 2 Chronicles 32, James 5
• Day 4: Isaiah 36-37, Psalm 76, 1 Peter 1
• Day 5: 2 Kings 20, Isaiah 38-39, Psalm 75, 1 Peter 2
• Day 6: Isaiah 40-42, 1 Peter 3
• Day 7: Isaiah 43-45, 1 Peter 4

Here’s My Prayer

• Pray for God to reveal Himself to you in a greater way as you spend time praying and reading the Bible. Pray that He would work through your life to touch someone today with God’s presence.