Matthew 5:20-30
Before reading the verses, answer these questions:
In matters of morality, what's more important, a person's actions or attitude? Why?
What constitutes murder?
What constitutes adultery?
(I suggest reading Matthew 4:23-7:29 to get the context of the passage we're talking about.)
Read Matthew 7:24-27:
What is Jesus implying about the importance of his teachings?
Is the same amount of importance we credit to the moral teachings we hear today (from, say, preachers, ethics professors, public service announcements)?
Read Matthew 5:20-26:
What constitutes murder?
What was the basic law on murder then? Is this similar to our basic law today?
What else does Jesus make tantamount to murder? Does our society view these offenses as seriously as Jesus does? Can you think of any time when you would have been guilty according to this teaching?
On whom does Jesus place the burden of responsibility of reconciliation when two people are at odds? Does our society have the same opinion? Do you seek reconciliation when someone has something against you?
What would our country be like if everyone obeyed this teaching? What would it take for people to follow this measure of morality?
I challenge you to try and observe this teaching in the next week.
Read Matthew 5:27-30:
What constitutes adultery?
What was the basic law on adultery then? Is this similar to our basic law today?
What else does Jesus make equal to adultery? Does our society view this action/attitude as seriously as Jesus does?
Can you think of a time when you would be guilty of adultery under this definition?
How seriously does Jesus view this sin? According to Jesus, how seriously should we try to avoid it? How seriously do you try to avoid this?
What would our nation be like if everyone obeyed this teaching? What would it take for people to follow this measure of morality?
I challenge you to try and observe this teaching in the next week.
Concluding thoughts:
Are these teachings relevant to your life? In what ways?
How would your life be different if you attempted to follow these teachings?
Would following these teachings bring improvement or deterioration to your moral condition?