Summary: There are times when people hurt you, abandon you, treat your poorly, and persecute you in life. So how should Christians respond? The Old Testament speaks of consequences and justice to be served, but Jesus flips the script. Why? The proper response helps to remind others what our Father is like and what He has done for all of humanity.
Text: Matthew 5:38-48
1. Share a time in your life where you were the victim of injustice, pain, or harm. Maybe it was from a parent, spouse, boss, coworker, close friend, or complete stranger. Maybe it was online, in person, something that happened behind your back, in your family, or in the workplace.
2. What does our response tend to be when that happens to you? (anger, hurt, retaliation, cut them off, badmouth them, loss of trust)
3. Jesus says our first step in the process should be reconciliation. Why is that so hard? (takes humility, goes against human nature, involves a positive outcome for the person that hurt you)
4. There are times in life where we do someone wrong, make a mistake, say something inappropriate, or hurt someone. What does Jesus say our response should be?
5. Is there an example in your life where you went "above and beyond" to right a wrong in your life? What was the response of the person you were dealing with?
6. Jesus even instructs to love our enemies. Who are your enemies? Who are the people in your life that you find it very difficult to love, show compassion to, and accept?
7. What are some practical ways that you can love people in your life, even your enemies?
8. Has an "enemy" of your ever loved you when you didn't deserve it, or treated you in a way that really surprised you positively?
9. Ultimately, Jesus wants our lives to reflect what God has done for us. What exactly do you have to do to/for your enemies in order to paint a proper picture of what God has done for you?
Sunday, July 30, 2017
Sunday, July 23, 2017
Summer on the Mount: Scared of Commitment
Matthew 5:33–37
1. Does our city take the Church seriously? What about OUR church? Does the church in WS and Rural Hall stand with integrity and trustworthiness to lost people?
2. Are there promises that you have made to God that you have left unfulfilled? What should you do about them?
3. In what ways do people trust you?
4. In what areas of your life do you need improvement? What kinds of commitments do you find the hardest to keep?... for example, commitments to friends, spouse, children?
5. Has your trustworthiness ever hindered you from sharing the Gospel? Does your mouth say one thing and your life saying another?
6. What can your rGroup do to bridge the trustworthiness gap between lost people and Christians in our city?
1. Does our city take the Church seriously? What about OUR church? Does the church in WS and Rural Hall stand with integrity and trustworthiness to lost people?
2. Are there promises that you have made to God that you have left unfulfilled? What should you do about them?
3. In what ways do people trust you?
4. In what areas of your life do you need improvement? What kinds of commitments do you find the hardest to keep?... for example, commitments to friends, spouse, children?
5. Has your trustworthiness ever hindered you from sharing the Gospel? Does your mouth say one thing and your life saying another?
6. What can your rGroup do to bridge the trustworthiness gap between lost people and Christians in our city?
Monday, July 17, 2017
Summer on the Mount: Jesus Redefines Adultery & Divorce
Matthew 5:27–32
ADULTERY
(Matthew 5:27–30; Exodus 20:17) What is the point of similarity between adultery and lust? What is the difference? How does lust break the 10th Commandment?
God purposely created us with a good and natural sexual desire. How do we distinguish between that God-given sexual desire and forbidden lust?
(Matthew 5:28) What is wrong with pornography? What is wrong with going to prostitutes? Who are the victims of this "victimless" activity?
(Matthew 5:28) Sex is very closely tied to our core sense of person. This means that as we are healed in our view towards sex, it goes a long way toward making us whole inside. How would you counsel someone who shared with you that he/she had trouble with pornography?
(Matthew 5:29–30) We're not supposed to take verses 29–30 literally, but how does Jesus want us to apply His warnings?
How can you protect yourself against temptation over the Internet?...at the beach or pool?...with your TV?
The world is very accepting and approving (even promoting) of lust. According to Jesus' words, how seriously are we to take lust? How does Jesus' (agape) love help us combat lust?
DIVORCE
Warning: Christians disagree on some aspects of divorce and remarriage. Many have been hurt in bad marriages and divorce. Be gentle, sensitive, and loving as you lead this discussion – even if someone disagrees!
(Matthew 5:27–32; 19:1–12) With whom did Jesus side: Rabbi Hillel or Rabbi Shammai? What exception does Jesus give to prohibition of divorce?
Marriage is intended to be a picture of the Gospel. What aspects of the Gospel grow, strengthen, and even save a marriage?
Does a person who has been remarried after a divorce that wasn't caused by marital unfaithfulness live in a perpetual state of adultery? Should that person divorce or separate in order to get back into God's will? How can he/she get back into God's will, or is that no longer possible?
The church has always been supportive of those who are hurting or scarred. In Christ, we help people make the best of what is sometimes a very difficult situation. What can you do to extend Christ's healing love to someone who is struggling in his or her marriage? What can you do to bring healing to someone who is or was divorced?
ADULTERY
(Matthew 5:27–30; Exodus 20:17) What is the point of similarity between adultery and lust? What is the difference? How does lust break the 10th Commandment?
God purposely created us with a good and natural sexual desire. How do we distinguish between that God-given sexual desire and forbidden lust?
(Matthew 5:28) What is wrong with pornography? What is wrong with going to prostitutes? Who are the victims of this "victimless" activity?
(Matthew 5:28) Sex is very closely tied to our core sense of person. This means that as we are healed in our view towards sex, it goes a long way toward making us whole inside. How would you counsel someone who shared with you that he/she had trouble with pornography?
(Matthew 5:29–30) We're not supposed to take verses 29–30 literally, but how does Jesus want us to apply His warnings?
How can you protect yourself against temptation over the Internet?...at the beach or pool?...with your TV?
The world is very accepting and approving (even promoting) of lust. According to Jesus' words, how seriously are we to take lust? How does Jesus' (agape) love help us combat lust?
DIVORCE
Warning: Christians disagree on some aspects of divorce and remarriage. Many have been hurt in bad marriages and divorce. Be gentle, sensitive, and loving as you lead this discussion – even if someone disagrees!
(Matthew 5:27–32; 19:1–12) With whom did Jesus side: Rabbi Hillel or Rabbi Shammai? What exception does Jesus give to prohibition of divorce?
Marriage is intended to be a picture of the Gospel. What aspects of the Gospel grow, strengthen, and even save a marriage?
Does a person who has been remarried after a divorce that wasn't caused by marital unfaithfulness live in a perpetual state of adultery? Should that person divorce or separate in order to get back into God's will? How can he/she get back into God's will, or is that no longer possible?
The church has always been supportive of those who are hurting or scarred. In Christ, we help people make the best of what is sometimes a very difficult situation. What can you do to extend Christ's healing love to someone who is struggling in his or her marriage? What can you do to bring healing to someone who is or was divorced?
Sunday, July 9, 2017
Summer on the Mount: Stop Following the Rules
Matthew 5:17–20
As a child, what rule did you break that got you into the most trouble? What about this ole made it so difficult to follow?
What is your basis for the moral decisions you make?
How does Jesus emphasize His high view of Old Testament Scripture? Is Jesus' attitude toward Scripture significant to you? Why?
How would you describe how Jesus fulfills the Law and the Prophets? (5:17)
What's your view of the Old Testament? Do you regularly read from the OT? Why or why not?
Is it possible or impossible to have the righteousness that Jesus describes in Matthew 5:20? Why?
How does this passage confront both our temptation toward legalism and toward licentiousness?
Do you value Scripture like Jesus does? How can you grow in your love and appreciation for God's Word? What worked for you in the past?
What or who am I trusting in for eternal life? (5:20) How would you tell your coworker, neighbor, classmate, friend, or family member how to enter the kingdom of heaven?
Is your gospel presentation crystal clear in your own mind? Is it true to Scriptures?
Discuss the correlation between a person's view of Scripture and their spiritual health. (Remember, the goal of Scripture is not just to inform, but to transform.)
As a child, what rule did you break that got you into the most trouble? What about this ole made it so difficult to follow?
What is your basis for the moral decisions you make?
How does Jesus emphasize His high view of Old Testament Scripture? Is Jesus' attitude toward Scripture significant to you? Why?
How would you describe how Jesus fulfills the Law and the Prophets? (5:17)
What's your view of the Old Testament? Do you regularly read from the OT? Why or why not?
Is it possible or impossible to have the righteousness that Jesus describes in Matthew 5:20? Why?
How does this passage confront both our temptation toward legalism and toward licentiousness?
Do you value Scripture like Jesus does? How can you grow in your love and appreciation for God's Word? What worked for you in the past?
What or who am I trusting in for eternal life? (5:20) How would you tell your coworker, neighbor, classmate, friend, or family member how to enter the kingdom of heaven?
Is your gospel presentation crystal clear in your own mind? Is it true to Scriptures?
Discuss the correlation between a person's view of Scripture and their spiritual health. (Remember, the goal of Scripture is not just to inform, but to transform.)
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