Bible Study - MATTHEW KING AND KINGDOM: Who's on Your List
Sermon-Based Bible Study – May 15, 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 5:38-42. How do you typically respond: When someone insults you? When someone wants restitution because they believe you have wronged them? When someone in authority over you requires you to do something unpleasant or time consuming?
- Can you think of any instances in Jesus’s life where he “turned the other cheek?” “Settled matters quickly?” “Went the second mile?”
- Which is easier for you - to show grace to others by being willing to let go of your ego, by being willing to let go of your possessions, or being willing to let go of your time and energy? Which is most difficult? Why?
- Read Matthew 5:43-48. What stands out to you from this passage as the easiest thing to do? What stands out as the most difficult thing to do?
- Do you have a literal list of enemies? Do you know anyone who does? What are some common ways people in our culture deal with their enemies? How would you counsel a friend to act who was dealing with someone who was intentionally seeking to do them harm?
- Do you think most people consider themselves God’s enemy or His friend? Do you think most people think God feels about others the same way they do? What do you think the people Jesus was preaching to believed about how God viewed/treated His enemies?
- Jesus calling us to be like God - God is loving and generous and sacrificial because of who He is and not because of who we (or His “enemies”) are. How is it possible for us to be like God in regard to how we view/treat our enemies?
- 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?