How To Use This Guide:
listen
Listen to the video and read this week's materials
reflect
Prayerfully answer the questions below
discuss
Meet with your group to discuss
respond
Apply the truth of God’s word to your life
How To Use This Guide:
listen
Listen to the weekly sermon and read through the main passage(s)
reflect
Prayerfully answer the questions below
discuss
Meet with your group to discuss
respond
Apply the truth of God’s word to your life
latest sermon:
background
In Matthew 22:34-40, Jesus is asked to identify the greatest commandment. His answer reveals how most people often misunderstand both commandments and love. Commandments can feel like a way to earn God’s favor, while love is often reduced to shallow sentiment. But Jesus presents something deeper: wholehearted devotion to God and sincere care for others. Jesus reframes our definition of success. Success in life is not merely performing well but loving well. Compelling relationships are marked by gratitude, authenticity, and attentiveness.
OPEN
1. When you think about “success” in life, what comes to mind first? Achievement, stability, relationships, something else?
REFLECT
2. Read Matthew 22:34-40. Why did the Pharisees ask Jesus about the “greatest commandment”? What do you think they were hoping to accomplish?
3. Commandments are often treated as a way to earn favor with God. How does Jesus’ answer reshape how we see God’s commandments? How is loving God and others different from simply following rules?
4. Describe the “greatest commandment” in your own words. How can a person be confident they are obeying this text?
3. Commandments are often treated as a way to earn favor with God. How does Jesus’ answer reshape how we see God’s commandments? How is loving God and others different from simply following rules?
4. Describe the “greatest commandment” in your own words. How can a person be confident they are obeying this text?
APPLY
5. Compelling relationships are characterized by gratitude, authenticity, and attentiveness. Which of these comes most naturally to you? Which do you find most challenging, and why?
6. How did Jesus model sacrificial love in his interactions with others? What are some ways you can imitate his sacrificial love in your own relationships?
7. Who is one person God might be prompting you to intentionally invest in, rather than assuming the relationship will naturally sustain itself? What specific actions can you take to make that happen?
6. How did Jesus model sacrificial love in his interactions with others? What are some ways you can imitate his sacrificial love in your own relationships?
7. Who is one person God might be prompting you to intentionally invest in, rather than assuming the relationship will naturally sustain itself? What specific actions can you take to make that happen?
RESOURCES
If you are interested in joining a group next semester, fill out the interest form below or contact Doug Barnwell at dbarnwell@fellowshipjackson.com.
We ask every Home Group participant to commit to the Four Essentials of a Healthy Group outlined in our Home Group Commitment. These essentials help ensure that every group stays healthy, welcoming, and spiritually meaningful for everyone involved. You can review those here.