Message Notes
Look Back
What did you do this week to better understand and apply God’s will in your life?
Look Up
Read Matthew 5:38-42
- Why do you think Jesus used such dramatic illustrations in these verses? What point do you think He was trying to make and how does it apply to people today?
- What typically motivates someone to seek an eye for an eye? What would be the result of someone taking this literally and would it resolve an issue or escalate it? Why?
- What does it mean for you to “not resist an evil person”? How easy is it for you to understand and apply this in your daily life?
Read Matthew 5:43-48
- What specific instruction does Jesus give his followers in verse 43? Why do you think He mentions “love” and “prayer” together?
- What “makes” someone a “child of God”? What do these verses say that children of God “do” and why are they to do these things?
- Why do you think Jesus talks about sunlight and rain in the middle of these verses? What does this illustration have to do with loving our enemies?
- What does verse 48 mean to you personally? How would you explain this to someone who is considering following Jesus?
Overall (Discovery Bible Study)
- What do these scriptures say about God?
- What do they say about people?
- How will I apply this to my life?
Look Ahead
What will you do this week to live as a child of God?
Notes
When we feel that we have been wronged, we often look for ways to get revenge or seek justice. Many times, this causes us to act in ways that inflict harm on others and make the situation worse. In our broken state, we look for ways to hurt the people who hurt us. Jesus instructed His followers to respond differently, by focusing on God and reflecting His goodness to others, even when they do not deserve it. When we do, we are seen as true children of God.
