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Small Group Guide:
Open with prayer.
Go around and give everyone a chance to share about how the past week has been. What’s one highlight? What’s one lowlight?
If your small group has talked about it before, feel free to use this time to hold people accountable to what they’ve asked to be held accountable for previously, and go through the “missional” part of this discussion guide.
Christ Came to Fulfill the Law
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 say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished. 19 Therefore whoever relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 20 For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.
Why the Old Testament is Important:
- The New Testament quotes it
Matt. 9:13, Rom. 3:28-31, 7:12, 1 Tim. 1:8-10, 2 Tim. 3:16, Gal. 3:21
- It give us background and shows us God’s character
Rom. 4:15, 7:7, 1 Cor. 10:11-12, Rom. 15:4, Gen. 3:7, 10-11, 21
- It proves we can’t earn salvation
James 2:10, Gal. 3:24, Rom. 3:20, Eph. 2:8-10
What Jesus teaches us about His Word:
- He fulfills the law
Matt. 5:17, 7:12, Mark 7:14-22, John 1:17, Rom. 6:14, 8:1, 10:4, Gal. 2:16, 5:4
- The Bible will never fail
Matt. 5:18, Luke 16:17, ps. 119:89-90, Is. 40:8, 1 Pet. 1:25, Matt. 24:34-35
- We are to never relax the Bible
Matt. 28:20, 2 Tim. 4:3-4, 1 John 5:3, John 14:15, Gal. 3:13, 5:1
Reflection
Getting Started
Take some time to read over Matthew 5:17-20 and pray.
– Have you ever read or heard about this before?
– What stood out to you as we were talking about it? What common misconceptions about God’s Word do the people around you struggle with?- As you think about God’s Word, what misconceptions have you had about it in the past?
– Have you read all of God’s Word?
– What’s stopped you from reading the entirety of the Bible?
Diving In
Many times the Old Testament, and specifically God in the Old Testament, gets a bad reputation.
– Have you ever struggled with reconciling what you know about God from the New Testament with the Old Testament? How so, and why is that?
– Do you still struggle with that? How do you think reading the Old Testament more, would help you with understanding who God is?
– How do you think reading the Old Testament more would help you to grow in your relationship with God?
– How do you think reading the Old Testament more would help you to rely on God’s sovereignty and provision?
– Unfortunately, it is becoming more and more popular to relax certain Biblical standards. What Biblical standards do you see the people around you commonly relax? Why do you think that is?What Biblical commands are you most tempted to relax, either for yourself or others? Have you ever relaxed any of those Biblical standards? Which ones, and why?
– Read 2 Tim. 4:3-4. Today, it is easier than ever to find a Bible teacher who will teach anything you want them to teach. How can you make sure that you are confirming what you are hearing is Biblical?
– Read 1 John 5:3, John 14:15, Gal. 3:13, and Gal. 5:1. One of the greatest takeaways from Jesus’ message about His Word, is that believers who understand His message and implement it into their lives, have the greatest freedom of all. Not freedom to do whatever we wish, but freedom from sin; freedom from trying to earn our own salvation; freedom from not knowing if we are saved or not. What kind of comfort does that bring you?Have you ever thought about obeying the Bible’s commandments as gaining you freedom before? What do you need to be set free from? How would implementing Christ’s message about His Word give you more freedom than you’ve ever had?
Applying the Scripture
What are your biggest takeaways from this passage of God’s Word? What practical step(s) do you need to implement in your life to apply what God has taught you in this passage of Scripture? How would applying this affect your life and your relationship with the Lord? Who can you ask to keep you accountable to applying this to your life?
Prayer Time:
Pray for each other in your small group to be faithful take the step(s) that you shared above. Pray for each other and the interactions that they have with those who don’t know Jesus. Pray that God would soften the people’s hearts to what He has for them. Pray that God would give everyone opportunities to share the Gospel.
Staying Missional:
Share spiritual/missional conversations you’ve had where you live, work, and play:
Who did you have a conversation with that took a spiritual/missional turn this week?
What questions did you ask to discover where God is at work in their life, even if they are not aware?
How were you able to share your story of life change or how you have experienced Jesus?
How can you be intentional this week with people where you live, work, and play to have spiritual/missional conversations if the opportunity arises?
Who in your life do you think could be discipleable or open to spiritual/missional conversations?
What’s next?
Discuss the next step for your small group. When will we gather again and what purpose will it fulfill?