Bible Study - MATTHEW KING AND KINGDOM: Go Deep
Sermon-Based Bible Study – May 8, 2022
- What is something God has done for you that you are thankful for? What is something you are celebrating? How have you experienced God’s love and faithfulness this week?
- Where are you experiencing stress, anxiety or discouragement? How would you like to see God move in your life or in the life of someone close to you?
- What did you hear in this week’s sermon that was new or particularly interesting? Did anything stand out to you as puzzling or troubling?
- Read Matthew 5:17-20. Do you think the people were encouraged or excited when they heard Jesus say, “Unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven?” Why? Why might the people who heard Jesus say this have thought His teaching in this regard was radical? Chris mentioned that radical is a word that comes from a Latin word – radix – which means “back to the root.” In what sense is what Jesus is teaching in the Sermon on the Mount “back to the root?”
- Read Matthew 5:21-30. In this passage Jesus deals with two things (murder and adultery) that the Law of Moses addressed that on the surface seem pretty straight forward. What does it mean to say Jesus teaches a righteousness with depth?
- What does Jesus seem to be saying is in the heart of a person who commits murder? How does a person who harbors or cultivates anger in their heart typically act toward others? Would you say you struggle with cultivating a heart of peace? What, if anything, is the significance of Jesus beginning his teaching about the righteousness of the Kingdom of Heaven with anger?
- What does Jesus seem to be saying is the heart of a person who commits adultery? What do you think Jesus is really saying about how to cultivate a heart of purity in this passage?
- Read Matthew 5:31-31. In this passage Jesus deals with two things (divorce and oaths) that the Law of Moses addressed. What does it mean to say that Jesus teaches a righteousness with breadth? How is the righteousness of the Kingdom of heaven different than righteousness of the Pharisees when it comes to divorce? To truth telling? Does this teaching seem as radical as the teaching on anger or lust? Why?
- What does it mean to say that Jesus is teaching a righteousness that is by grace through faith in Jesus? How is the first beatitude which says that those who are poor in spirit are blessed, related to the idea that the righteousness of the Kingdom of Heaven is by grace through faith in Jesus?
- What is a simple, next step you could take in obedience to what the Spirit is saying to you through this time in the Word? Who would benefit, or be interested in hearing about what you’ve learned in this study?