1-11-2026: Seeking God and Storing Up Heavenly Treasure
The Sermon on the Mount, Part 2 (12 of 17) Small Group Discussion Questions Join our congregation for worship in-person or online at 10:30 am each Sunday via our Grantham Church YouTube Channel. If you ever miss a message, the sermons are always posted to the recent sermons page at our website and at the Grantham Church Podcast the following day, along with the sermon slides and small group discussion questions under Worship Resources. Thank you for staying connected with us! Sunday, January 11th, 2026
Sermon Series Summary Matthew 5-7 is known as the Sermon on the Mount. Jesus went up a mountain and a large crowd gathered to hear him preach a powerful message—proclaiming the gospel of the Kingdom and casting a vision of what it looks like to live in right relationship with God, our neighbors, and our enemies. These three chapters contain the core of Jesus’ teachings and his most well-known sayings, including some of the most rigorous ethical demands in the Bible. Join us for Part 1 of this series (Sept 7-Nov 9), as we explore the message and implications of Jesus’ invitation to enter the narrow gate and follow him.
Sermon Title: Seeking God and Storing Up Heavenly Treasure Scripture Reading: Matthew 6:19-24 Sermon Focus: Seeking God is a primary goal in our lives. How does that look in daily practice, particularly as it relates to money? There is a tension between accumulating assets and using resources to advance God’s kingdom. How do we set and maintain our course in pursuit of God’s Kingdom with all our time, talent, and treasure? In today’s message, Mark Templeton (BIC U.S. Development Officer) shares what it looks like to seek God and serve him with our financial resources in light of eternity. Thank you for going deeper in conversation with your small group. Use the following questions to help guide your small group discussion:
1. Begin by reading Matthew 6:19-24 to yourself silently, giving everyone a few minutes to read and reflect. After that, have someone read the passage aloud. How do the words of Jesus encourage you? Also, how do they challenge you?
2. Mark Templeton pointed to the art project on the back wall of the sanctuary stage and said, “Keeping our treasures to ourselves would be like creating this beautiful piece of art and keeping it in the basement with the lights off.” He said that we all have talents and treasures that God wants us to give away to bless others, rather than keeping them to ourselves. In this season of life, how is the Spirit inviting you to share your time, talents, and treasures with others?
3. Jesus said, “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Looking honestly at you spend your time, money, energy, and attention, what do those patterns reveal about what you truly treasure? How might Jesus be calling you to adjust your thinking so you can live more deeply with an eternal perspective?
4. Jesus said, “The eye is the lamp of the body.” He wants us to be aware that what we have our sights set on will shape the direction of our lives. Consider this with your group: Is my focus primarily on God and his coming Kingdom, or am I being distracted by the things of the world. Also, what influences (possessions, status, fear, comparison, success) are shaping how I see life and people?
5. Mark Templeton said that living a life that is self-seeking, greedy, tight-fisted, and lacking in generosity with our time, talents, and treasure, will lead to worry and anxiety. It does not lead to the peace and security we desire. That is really interesting since Jesus will address that next in Matthew 6:25-34. How have you experienced this? Also, how have you experienced the joy and freedom that comes with being more generous with what God has given you?
6. LIFE ON MISSION QUESTION: Is there something practical that you can do this week to implement what Jesus has said in Matthew 6:19-24? How is the Spirit inviting you to be more generous toward family, friends, and your neighbors? Share with your group what God is asking you to do in the coming days.