Study Guide for Seriously:

“You Must Be Perfect”

January 18, 2009

Open Up

Discuss some organizations that have high standards, for example certain universities or companies or sports teams or military units. Do their high standards make a difference in the kind of people they attract? In their success as organizations? Is there a downside to having high standards?

TRANSITION: You’ve heard the phrase “nobody’s perfect,” so what does Jesus mean when he tells Christians that they must be perfect?

Dig In

(1) Read Matthew 5:43-48. As part of the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus talks about the difference between the standards of traditional religion and the kind of life change God requires. Jesus uses the phrase, “you have heard that is was said…” six times in the section that leads to Matthew 5:48. Each time, Jesus commands his followers to live by an even more demanding standard than they were used to in traditional Jewish religion. Following Jesus is not about a conventional list of rules, but instead making God’s qualities our benchmark. What might be some examples of the traditional, conventional religious or social standards that are different from God’s standard? Which set of standards is easier to follow?

(2) Read Leviticus 19:1-4 and Psalm 18:30-32. These verses were written centuries before Jesus, but they show that God has always wanted His people to follow His holy way. What are some practical ways to be holy like God? Check Leviticus 19:3-4 and the rest of chapter 19 for ideas. What does the Psalm writer say about God? Who does the writer praise for giving him strength to live better?

(3) Read Colossians 1:15-20. These Bible verses describe the ways Jesus is fully God. What are qualities and behaviors Jesus demonstrated while he was on earth that also point to living God’s way?

Work On

(1) Ask one or more people from your group to describe their experience of gaining admission into a group with high standards: school honor society, athletic team, performing group, etc. What did they feel when they know they were accepted? How did being part of the group change their behavior, for example practice or study even more or less? Ask the group to discuss how this is similar or different from living up to Jesus’ standards.

(2) If anyone in your group feels comfortable, ask them to describe their experience with being rejected by a group with high standards. Did the person try harder and re-apply? Did he or she eventually join a different organization? Ask the group to discuss how this is similar or different from living up to Jesus’ standards

Lift Up

Give thanks to God for the grace He gives that allows us to come to Him no matter how imperfect we are. Ask God for strength to become more like Him in one particular character trait this week.

Another Step

(1) Read Matthew 5:21-47. Which of Jesus’ higher standards is the hardest for you to follow?