Take a look at this video for a helpful overview of how to use our new format of GC Leader Prep Guides:
Objectives
Drawing on content from the passages and the sermon, this week’s guide will focus on these objectives:
- Recognizing that we need more righteous hearts produced by God’s grace, rather than more righteous deeds produced by our own efforts.
- Practicing repentance as a tool against any and all sin: by God’s grace, repentance addresses the root of sin in our hearts before it can continue to manifest in hurtful actions against ourselves and others.
- Proclaiming Jesus as the true reconciler and redeemer of all sin.
Key Passages
Sermon: Matthew 5:21-30
Jesus also references the 10 Commandments from Exodus 20:13-14
Passage Summary
The introduction of Jesus’ “Sermon on the Mount,” explained who the subjects of Jesus’ kingdom were and why they needed true righteousness.
Now, in the following section, Jesus dives into sharing specific examples of what life in his Kingdom looks like. He does this by showing what the Kingdom looks like in relation to The Law.
First up, Jesus shows how the sixth commandment, “You shall not murder” (Ex 20:13), is a possible result of unrepentant anger. He sheds light on why true righteousness demands eliminating hatred right at its source before it can ever get to the place of murder.
Next, Jesus shows how the seventh commandment, “You shall not commit adultery” (Ex 20:14), is a possible result of unrepentant lust. Again, he shows how important it is to address the hidden sin of lust long before it has the opportunity to lead to adultery.
Sample Questions
- Why does Jesus equate murder with anger? How does Jesus redefine sin?
- What happens when we lust that can be equated with adultery?
- In what ways could/can we become numb to our sin?
- What does it look like to fight our sin at its root instead of fighting the mere action?
Suggested Response(s)
Either in groups or as a whole, think about :
- Spending time in prayer asking the Lord to reveal those we are called to pursue reconciliation with (Matthew 5:23-24).
- Separating by gender and spending time turning away from sin in confession and turning towards Jesus in repentance.
Announcements
- GCs, we have an opportunity for you to work together as a group to prepare a meal for our neighbors experiencing homelessness! Palm House/Love and Care Meals are looking for a group of people to plan, purchase, and prepare a meal for March 10th! It is a great opportunity to get to know people in our city that you might not meet any other way! If you and your group are interested in serving people together, please email [email protected] by February 8th! More than one GCs are encouraged to partner up to take on this project! Together!
- Artists, Creatives, and even Non-Creatives, would you like to create something beautiful to enter in The Well’s first Holy Week Art Exhibition? This Exhibit will be a wonderful way to reflect on the beauty of Christ’s life, death, and resurrection, by displaying a piece of artwork for both our church family and our Abilene community at large! If you are interested in signing up, fill out the form on the App by March 29th! All ages are welcome to submit a piece!
- College Students, Santi is teaching a college class on the basics of prayer every Sunday at
10:00am . We will be gathering in the upstairs classroom at the Well! - We are having baptisms on Feb. 10th after the 3rd
service ! If you are anyone you know is interested in getting baptized, please email [email protected] - We have a 2-part new member class on February 3rd and 10that
10:00am in the Center for Contemporary Arts. If you or anyone you know has ever been interested in becoming a covenant member at the well, join us for this class or email [email protected] (even if you missed part 1 on February 3rd)!