1. When you have been insulted, or when you realize you have been taken advantage of, how do you typically react?
2. What types of oath was Jesus addressing in verses 33-37? Why were these oaths so wrong? Did the people have any control over what they were swearing by? 3. What is the principle behind “eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth”? (See also Ex 21:23-27) How can this principle curtail feuds and vendettas? 4. How do Jesus’s commands in vs 33-48 regarding integrity, justice and love reflect the character of God? Include the context of “friends” and “enemies” in your discussion. 5. What are key characteristics of the Gospel? What happens when we do not act in accordance with the Gospel? 6. Jesus said we must be perfect as our Heavenly Father is perfect. What does He mean? How do we do this? 7. In the coming weeks, where can you extend grace and mercy to people who do not share the same values or beliefs?
1. Are there any TV ads that you like or still remember? What tools and techniques do you see advertisers using on us? How can these tools and techniques influence our desires and expectations in this life?
2. James said that if we break one of God’s commandments, we have failed to keep the rest of them (James 2:10.) How can this be? What if you were to approach adultery from the fact that sin is sin in thought, word and deed. Are there any other commandments that are violated in thought, word and deed in adultery? 3. How does Jesus show us that even sin in our imaginations must be taken seriously and dealt with? Why? 4. How do you think lust and covetousness influence considerations for divorce rather than “irreconcilable differences”? 5. See Ephesians 5:20-33. Why is marriage a picture of Christ and the church? How does this compel us to fight and struggle to keep our marriages intact and healthy? 6. In what areas of our marriage can we look to find true beauty, and to find true beauty in our spouse? What part does sacrifice play? What part does fellowship play? 7. What can we stop consuming from pop media and start doing instead to help shape a more healthy perspective on our marriages and other relationships?
1. Have you ever had someone lose it on you? How did you feel afterwards?
2. Have you ever lost it on someone? How did you feel afterwards? What did you do afterwards? 3. Why does Jesus insist that anyone who is harbouring and fanning anger against anyone is subject to God‘s judgment, and not just the murderer? Why do we normally get angry as humans? 4. In Matt 21:12, Matt 23:16-17, and Mark 3:5-6, we see Jesus angry and even calling some people “blind fools.” Was he being hypocritical? What was different or unique about his anger? 5. If you have behaved atrociously towards someone, why does Jesus insist that it is far more important for you to be reconciled to that person, rather than going to court or even going to worship? (See Gal 5:21 and 1 Peter 3:7 also.) 6. Do you think our relationships with each other affect our relationship with God? How so? How do we get help for anger? 1. How often do you read your Bible? What do you focus on? Do you read the Old Testament?
2. What did Jesus mean by saying he had come to fulfill the Law and the Prophets? (See also Luke 24:25-27) 3. What was Jesus saying about God’s word in verse 18? 4. According to Jesus, who is great in the kingdom of heaven? Why? 5. How can our righteousness exceed the Pharisees? (Compare what you know of their reputation and character to the Beatitudes in Matt 5:3-10.) 6. When we read, study and apply God’s word, both OT and NT, what happens to us? Does it happen quick or over time? 1. If our attitude and behaviour are characterized by the “blessed“ statements in Matthew 5:3-9, why can we expect to be persecuted? Is this normal or abnormal? 2. Why should you feel blessed if persecuted? What should you be asking yourself if you have never been mocked or persecuted? 3. Jesus often uses word pictures and elements of daily ancient life to illustrate his teachings. Why did he choose salt to characterize our daily interaction? 4. Read John 3:16-20. What does light often represent in the Bible? Jesus spoke of two sources of light: the city on the hill and a small household lamp. What do you think each one represents? 5. How can Christians respond negatively to persecution and criticism? How would it affect being salt and light? 6. What can you pray and do before interacting with anyone?
1. What does “blessed” mean here in the Sermon on the Mount and in the Bible generally?
2. What does it mean to be poor in spirit? How are they encouraged? 3. What is being mourned here? Does the Gospel apply? How? 4. What is the righteousness described here that we should be searching for? How can we be satisfied? 5. D.A. Carson writes: “Our perception of God and His ways, as well as our fellowship with Him, depends on our purity of heart.”** How can you recognize idolatry in your life? What questions can you ask yourself? 6. What do peacemakers do? Why are they called sons of God and what is meant by that phrase?
1. There is no coming to Jesus without repentance and the life of a Christian is a life of daily repentance. Why? What does repentance say about God? What does repentance say about you?
2. How did Jesus call his disciples? How did one normally become a disciple of a rabbi back in that day? 3. Who did Jesus call? What were their social status and vocations? 4. What did Jesus call his disciples to do? What was the cost of discipleship? 5. Does becoming a disciple always mean you must give up your career or your job? What have you given up to follow Jesus thus far? What do you treasure? 6. How do we persevere in faith to the end? How does reading and studying scripture, prayer and service help us. How can we ask the Holy Spirit to help us?
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