Walking the Narrow Way | Devotional Guide(lines)

The Sermon on the Mount is more than a collection of inspiring teachings or moral rules. In Matthew 5–7, Jesus offers his disciples a vision of an entirely different way of life: a life shaped by humility, mercy, integrity, trust, love, discernment, and faithful practice.

This devotional guide accompanies our sermon series, The Narrow Way: The Cost of Following Jesus. Its purpose is not simply to help us learn more about Jesus’ words, but to help us become people who increasingly live them. To integrate our head and heart and our hands.

Each weekday includes four simple movements:

1. Read — Spend time with a short passage of Scripture.
2. Reflect — Consider how the reading connects with the way of Jesus.
3. Consider — Sit with a question that invites honest attention to your own life.
4. Practice — Take one small, concrete step toward putting the teaching into action.

You do not need to rush through the guide or find the “right” answer. Read slowly. Notice what stands out. Pay attention to any resistance, comfort, conviction, or invitation that emerges. You may wish to journal your responses, discuss them with someone else, or simply carry the day’s question with you.

The practices are intentionally small. Discipleship is rarely formed through one dramatic decision. But rather discipleship grows through repeated practices. Over time, these ordinary practices help cultivate a life with Jesus, like Jesus, doing the things Jesus did.

Use the guide in whatever rhythm works best for you: individually, with your family, with a friend, or in a small group. Missed a day? Simply begin again. The goal is not perfect completion. The goal is to keep returning to Christ and learning to walk with him on this Narrow Way.

Week 6 — Devotional Guide

Two Ways

Theme: Discernment
Formation goal: Disciples learn to discern rather than merely react.

Monday | Matthew 7:13–14

• Reflect: The narrow way is not difficult because God wants to exclude people. It is difficult because love, truthfulness, humility, and self-denial rarely follow the path of least resistance.
• Question: Where are convenience and faithfulness currently pulling you in different directions?
• Practice: Choose the faithful action in one small situation, even when it is less convenient.

Tuesday | Matthew 7:15–20

• Reflect: Jesus tells disciples to examine fruit. Charisma, religious language, and popularity do not necessarily reveal whether a person or movement is faithful.
• Question: What fruit is being produced by the voices you trust?
• Practice: Evaluate one influential voice in your life by its fruit: Does it produce love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control?

Wednesday | Matthew 7:21–23

• Reflect: Religious activity is NOT identical to knowing Christ. Jesus warns that impressive spiritual claims can co-exist with lives that resist the way of love. Meaning, we can claim to be followers on the Way of Jesus, but have deeply disordered hearts.
• Question: Where might outward religious activity be substituting for inward transformation?
• Practice: Participate in one quiet act of faith that no one else will see.

Thursday | Philippians 1:9–11

• Reflect: Paul prays that love will grow together with knowledge and discernment. Mature love is neither sentimental nor reactive; it learns to recognize what truly matters.
• Question: What situation requires both compassion and careful judgment? 
• Practice: Delay one non-urgent response. Pray, gather information, and respond later rather than reacting immediately.

Friday | Philippians 2:1–8

• Reflect: The mind of Christ becomes a compass for discernment. Jesus uses power through humility and self-giving rather than domination.
• Question: What would the mind of Christ look like in a decision you are facing?
• Practice: Ask one trusted person for perspective before making an important decision.