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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.
Oaths
33 “Again you have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not swear falsely, but shall perform to the Lord what you have sworn.’ 34 But I say to you, Do not take an oath at all, either by heaven, for it is the throne of God, 35 or by the earth, for it is his footstool, or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. 36 And do not take an oath by your head, for you cannot make one hair white or black. 37 Let what you say be simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything more than this comes from evil.[a]
Today, we’re continuing on in the Gospel of Matthew, where Jesus is in the midst of teaching what it looks like for people to be a part of the Kingdom of God. Today, we’re looking at what He has to say about our words. Scripture teaches us that:
God has a very high standard for our words
Matt. 5:33-37, 12:36-37, 15:11, Prov. 13:3, 18:20-21, 21:23, James 1:26, Ecc. 10:12, Luke 6:45
Habits to Avoid Habits to Adopt
- Taking oaths and swearing 1. Pause before committing
Matt. 5:33-37, James 5:12, Lev. 19:12 Prov. 10:19, 18:13, Ps. 141:3, Ecc. 5:2-5
- Over committing 2. Follow through on your word
Ecc. 5:5, Matt. 21:28-32 Num. 30:2, Ps. 56:11-13
- Exaggerating 3. Admit to mistakes/failures
Ps. 120:2, John 8:44, Titus 3:2 Eph. 4:32, 1 John 1:9, Matt. 6:14, Prov. 28:13
- Over reacting 4. Be willing to explain fully
Prov. 15:1, 1 Pet. 3:9, Prov. 20:25 2 Tim. 2:16, Prov. 12:25, Titus 3:2
- “White” lies 5.Honor God with your words
Ps. 34:13, 1 Pet. 3:10, Prov. 10:19, 12:22 Ps. 19:14, Phil. 4:8, Rom. 12:18
When we adopt these Biblical habits, we can build up God’s Kingdom better by:
- Being a better witness
Prov. 11:3, Col. 4:5-6, Eph. 4:29-32
- Being a better example to our children
Titus 2:6-8, Col. 3:21, Deut. 4:9
- Serving the church better
Prov. 16:24, 27:17, Eph. 4:29, Rom. 14:19
Reflecting on God’s Word
Getting Started
- Take some time to read over Matthew 5:33-37 and pray.
- Have you ever read or heard about this before? What stood out to you as we were talking about it?
- Among Christians, what do you think is the most commonly made mistake when it comes to using our words?
Diving In
God has a high standard about what our words. Take some time and read these Scripture passages: Matt. 5:33-37, 12:36-37, 15:11, Prov. 13:3, 18:20-21, 21:23, James 1:26, Ecc. 10:12, Luke 6:45. As you read them, what stood out to you?
- What are your standards for your words, and how does that match up with God’s standards for your words?
- Why do you think God has such a high regard for our words??
Of the habits to avoid, which one(s) do you most commonly make? Why do you think that is?
- Who does it affect when you fall into that/those bad habits?
- How does it affect your relationship with God when you fall into that/those bad habits?
- How would it change your life if you could avoid that/those bad habits?
Of the habits to adopt, which one(s) are you already doing, and which one(s) are the most difficult for you to adopt? Why is that?
- How do you think it would affect your relationship with others if you were to adopt all of the Biblical habits regarding your words?
- How do you think it would affect your relationship with God if you were to adopt all of the Biblical habits regarding your words?
- How would it change your life if you were to adopt all of the Biblical habits regarding your words? Do you think it would give you more peace?
We can have a better impact on God’s Kingdom when we avoid making sinful mistakes and adopt Biblical habits concerning our words. What do you think would be the biggest impact you would make on God’s Kingdom if you were to avoid the mistakes and adopt the Biblical habits that we talked about in the message?
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?