How To Use This Guide:
listen
Listen to the weekly sermon and read through the main passages(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
How To Use This Guide:
listen
Listen to the weekly sermon and read through the main passages(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
this week's message:
HOME GROUPS
BACKGROUND
In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus directly confronts the popular notions of “the good life.” He moves beyond mere external religion and draws attention to the heart. We often separate actions from intent. Jesus does not. Whether it be anger or lust, we are culpable for the activity of our hearts. Our inner life is crucially important. Notably, we are incapable of conforming our heart with behavioral therapy. We need the gospel.
OPEN
1. As autumn approaches, what are you looking forward to most? What are you looking forward to least?
REFLECT
2. Read Matthew 5:21-30. Jesus mentions anger and lust as examples of an unhealthy inner life. Why do you think he focuses on these two? What do they share in common?
3. Read James 4:1-3. According to this passage, what is at the root of our anger? What does anger reveal about our relationship with God?
4. In Matthew 5, what does Jesus mean when he says, “If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out…” and “if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off…”? Knowing it is not meant to be taken literally, what does it mean to approach sin with this sort of seriousness?
APPLY
5. If murder and adultery were the standard for holiness, how would it affect our need for a savior? Clearly, Jesus’ standard goes much deeper – to the heart level. What are some other areas where this same kind of standard can be applied (i.e. theft, deceit, slander, disobedience, etc.)?
6. When you’re angry, do you tend to react aggressively (attacking others) or passively (withdrawing emotionally)? Why do you think you handle your frustrations in that way? What does this reveal about your heart?
7. What is one area where you struggle to bring your inner life in line with God’s will? What are some practical ways you can safeguard against this temptation? How can your group pray for you in this regard?
RESOURCES:
Article: “Did Jesus mean we should literally pluck out our eyes in Matthew 5:29-30?” by Got Questions
Article: “Religious Affections: A Reader's Guide to a Christian Classic” by Joe Rigney
VIDEO:
In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus directly confronts the popular notions of “the good life.” He moves beyond mere external religion and draws attention to the heart. We often separate actions from intent. Jesus does not. Whether it be anger or lust, we are culpable for the activity of our hearts. Our inner life is crucially important. Notably, we are incapable of conforming our heart with behavioral therapy. We need the gospel.
OPEN
1. As autumn approaches, what are you looking forward to most? What are you looking forward to least?
REFLECT
2. Read Matthew 5:21-30. Jesus mentions anger and lust as examples of an unhealthy inner life. Why do you think he focuses on these two? What do they share in common?
3. Read James 4:1-3. According to this passage, what is at the root of our anger? What does anger reveal about our relationship with God?
4. In Matthew 5, what does Jesus mean when he says, “If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out…” and “if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off…”? Knowing it is not meant to be taken literally, what does it mean to approach sin with this sort of seriousness?
APPLY
5. If murder and adultery were the standard for holiness, how would it affect our need for a savior? Clearly, Jesus’ standard goes much deeper – to the heart level. What are some other areas where this same kind of standard can be applied (i.e. theft, deceit, slander, disobedience, etc.)?
6. When you’re angry, do you tend to react aggressively (attacking others) or passively (withdrawing emotionally)? Why do you think you handle your frustrations in that way? What does this reveal about your heart?
7. What is one area where you struggle to bring your inner life in line with God’s will? What are some practical ways you can safeguard against this temptation? How can your group pray for you in this regard?
RESOURCES:
Article: “Did Jesus mean we should literally pluck out our eyes in Matthew 5:29-30?” by Got Questions
Article: “Religious Affections: A Reader's Guide to a Christian Classic” by Joe Rigney
VIDEO:
If you are interested in joining a Home Group, please fill out the Home Group Interest Form found here.
For more information, contact Doug Barnwell at dbarnwell@fellowshipjackson.com.
For more information, contact Doug Barnwell at dbarnwell@fellowshipjackson.com.