Weekend Group Guide | Gospels & The Early Church (Matthew–Acts)
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Group Guide

Gospels & The Early Church (Matthew–Acts)

July 14, 2024

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Universal Group Guide

Scripture Reference

Matthew 5:17-20

 

Open in Prayer

Looking for an example of an Opening Prayer? Click here.

 

Message Recap

All of the Gospels show us that we now have direct access to God through Jesus, and everything He intended with the Law has been fulfilled through Him. 

We will land in Matthew 5 this week at the beginning of the Sermon of the Mount. In this portion of Scripture (Matt. 5-7), we see how Jesus fulfills the law and is the ultimate prophet. Our hope is to connect the journey we have been on in this series up until this point to the very life and person of Jesus.

 

Discussion Questions

According to Matthew 5:17-18, how does Jesus explain His relationship to the Law and the Prophets? What does it mean that He came to fulfill them? How can we reconcile Jesus's teachings in Matthew 5:19 regarding commandments with Paul's teachings about grace in the New Testament? Are they contradictory or complementary?

 

In the context of Matthew 5:19, what does it mean to be "great" or "least" in the kingdom of heaven based on how we teach and practice God's commands? How does this affect our role as Christians today?

 

How does Jesus's teaching in the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7) provide a framework for understanding the principles of Kingdom living? What are some practical ways we can apply these teachings in our daily lives?

 

How does Jesus's interpretation of the Law in the Sermon on the Mount go beyond external actions to address matters of the heart and intentions? Why is this significant for our spiritual growth?

 

Live it out

As your group discusses ways to live out your faith and apply kingdom living to our everyday lives, share some ways that you can do so as a group.  Is there someone you could serve with your time or special skills?  Is there a local partner that could use your group’s help on a project?  Don’t let the summer go by without serving together.

 

Close in Prayer

Looking for an example of a Closing Prayer? Click here.

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