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Heart of Habit

  • Writer: Nick Jenkins
    Nick Jenkins
  • May 5
  • 3 min read

Series: The Beatitudes – Part Five

Nick Jenkins

 

 

Overview:

This study explores Matthew 5:6, unpacking what it means to truly hunger and thirst for righteousness in a way that goes beyond outward behavior to a transformed heart. Together, we’ll reflect on how God invites us into genuine relationship with Him—where lasting fulfilment is found not in habits or rules, but in being rightly connected to Him

Leader:

Please choose what best suits your group and fits your available time. This discussion is a little longer, so you do not need to cover every question. Feel free to create your own questions that better suit your group. Select two or three areas to focus on.

Have fun, Jesus people!

 

Discussion Time


Opening Scripture

Gospel of Matthew 5:6 “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.”


Big Idea

The Beatitudes reveal that God’s Kingdom works differently—it’s an upside-down Kingdom.


God is not primarily concerned with outward performance, but with the condition of our hearts, that leads to external change.


God Looks at the Heart

Read - 1 Samuel 16:7

“People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”

 

Read - Matthew 15:8

“These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.”

 

Read - Isaiah 29:13

“Their worship of me is based on merely human rules…”


Key Truth: God desires relationship over religion.


Discussion Questions

Where is it easy for you to focus on outward appearance instead of your heart?

Have you ever found yourself “going through the motions” spiritually? What did that look like?


Hunger and Thirst


Key Verse

Gospel of Matthew 5:6

“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.”

Understanding “Blessed”


“Blessed” (makarios) means deep, lasting fulfillment—not dependent on circumstances.

It’s more than temporary happiness—it’s true satisfaction in God.


Understanding Hunger and Thirst

In Jesus’ time: Hunger wasn’t casual—it was real and pressing. Food and water required time, effort, and dependence

This describes a deep, desperate longing for God


Reflection

We all hunger and thirst—but for what?

Today, it’s easy to crave:

  • Success

  • Comfort

  • Entertainment

  • Social media, approval, or material things

These may only give you and I a short-lived “buzz,” but not lasting life.


Discussion Questions                            (Leader: Choose a question that suits)

What do you currently hunger and thirst for the most?

What are some things you turn to instead of God for satisfaction?

Have those things truly fulfilled you?


What Is Righteousness?

Righteousness is often misunderstood as just “right behaviour.”

But biblically, it means: Being rightly related to God and others.

It’s not about:

  • Perfection

  • Rule-following

  • Earning approval

It’s about:

  • A heart turned toward God

  • A desire for relationship with God


Illustration: Relationship vs Rules

Think about any close relationship:Rules alone don’t create love.

  • You can follow rules and still be distant

  • But genuine love naturally shapes behaviour


The goal is not rules—it’s relationship.


Discussion Questions

  • Do you tend to see your faith more as rules or relationship? Why?

  • How does understanding righteousness as relationship change your perspective?


Root vs Fruit

  • Root = love for God

  • Fruit = actions and behaviour

Right behaviour flows from the right heart—but behaviour alone cannot make us right with God.


Key Scripture

Turn too and read - Romans 10:9–10 “It is with your heart that you believe and are justified…”


Discussion Questions

  • What “fruit” do you see in your life right now?

  • What might that reveal about the “root”?


What Does It Mean to Be Filled?

Matthew 5:6 “…they will be filled.”

This means:

  • Overflowing

  • Deep satisfaction

  • Wholeness in God


How God Fills Us

Read - John 7:37–38 “Rivers of living water will flow from within them.”

God fills us with:

  • Love (Epistle to the Ephesians 3:17–19)

  • Purpose (Book of Jeremiah 29:11–13)

  • Joy (Gospel of John 15:11)

  • Peace (Gospel of John 14:27)

  • Abundant Life (Gospel of John 10:10)


Discussion Questions

  • Where in your life do you feel empty or dissatisfied?

  • What would it look like to let God fill that space?


The Invitation

Read - Revelation 3:20 “I stand at the door and knock…”

Jesus invites us into relationship—not routine, not obligation.


Final Reflection Questions                                                    (Leader: Choose what suits your group)

  • Does God truly have your heart right now?

  • What is one practical way you can pursue Him this week?

  • What might you need to “leave behind” (like the woman at the well) to follow Him more fully?


Closing Thought

Deeply joyful and spiritually whole are those who actively seek right relationship with God—discovering that He alone can truly satisfy their souls.


Prayer (Optional Closing)

Lord, help us move from habit to heart.

Give us a deep hunger and thirst for You.

Show us where we’ve been settling for less,

and draw us into real relationship with You.

Fill us—completely and overflowing.

Amen

 

 

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