Important Info.

Before starting the study. Please encourage your group to lock in the following dates;

Sun 23rd May - Last Sunday of 11am and 4pm in the church hall. Be there and stick around for a meal after
Wed 26th May - Prayer night to begin the new season at the school (no groups this week)
Sun 30th May - First Sunday at the School. 10:30am Lunch on site directly after.

READ:

(Before reading tell group that the first question will be “What phrases or ideas stands out to you as we read these passages”. Ask them to keep this in mind as we read through the passages)

MATTHEW 5:17-26

17 “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. 18 For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished. 19 Therefore anyone who sets aside one of the least of these commands and teaches others accordingly will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 20 For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven.

Murder

21 “You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘You shall not murder,[a] and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’ 22 But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister[b][c] will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to a brother or sister, ‘Raca,’[d] is answerable to the court. And anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell.

23 “Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, 24 leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift.

25 “Settle matters quickly with your adversary who is taking you to court. Do it while you are still together on the way, or your adversary may hand you over to the judge, and the judge may hand you over to the officer, and you may be thrown into prison. 26 Truly I tell you, you will not get out until you have paid the last penny.

DISCUSSION

What phrases or ideas stands out to you as we read these passages.

1. Why might some people have thought that Jesus came to abolish the Law and the Prophets (v. 17)?

2. How does Jesus emphasise his high view of Old Testament Scripture (vv. 17-18)?

3. Where do you see in your life a tendency to downplay God’s standard for righteousness such as that found in the old testament?

4. In verses 21-26 how does Jesus show that his desires for holiness actually surpass rather than abolish the law’s of the old testament.

   Read:
   ”Sin aims always at the utmost; every time it rises up to tempt or entice, might it have its own course, it would go out to the utmost sin in that kind. Every unclean thought or glance would be adultery if it could; every covetous desire would be oppression, every thought of unbelief would be atheism, might it grow to its head. “ - John Owen

5. Do you tend to think of hatred as being in a sense the same ‘species’ of sin as murder?

6. Jesus is clearly not talking about a righteous anger, such as being angry at sin, evil or wrong doing, but rather treating people with contempt, seeing them as less than you and diminishing their value. How do you see in yourself to treat others with contempt?

7. What impact would it have if we sought to be obedient to Jesus in this area (How would it impact the church? How would it impact the world around us?)

8. The Pharisees and teachers of the law were zealous about observing the Law. How can our righteousness possibly surpass theirs (v. 20)?
   
   Pray
   -That we would be able to live obedient lives to Jesus.
   - For help in being able to not treat others with contempt.
   - Thanking God for giving his righteousness to us.