Week of April 30, 2017

As Paul reminded us, in every Jesus follower’s story there is an element of the Scriptures coming alive in a way that challenged and encouraged their faith. As we talk about how “Practical Teaching” influenced their lives, think also about how it has influenced your story.

Matthew 7:24-27

24 Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. 26 But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. 27 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.”

Discussion Notes

1. Have you ever had an experience where you knew that the words a pastor or teacher were speaking were just for you? What was that like? How did it impact you and what did you do as a result of that teaching? There are so many accounts of people saying, “I just felt like I was the only person in the room and he was talking directly to me!” Take a moment and talk about having had that experience, if anyone in your group had it, or if you as the leader had it. Talk about how that impacted your life and how you were different as a result.   

2. What, according to Jesus in Matthew 7:24-27, is the point of listening to His words? How do we get it wrong? The point of Jesus words is to guide us into all truth. He speaks, not to condemn us, but to set us free. That is one large misconception of God’s words. We are to look to His words for guidance and encouragement, not rebuke and condemnation. A loving father speaks the former, not the latter.

3. How does Jesus’ teaching about application change our perception of the presentation of Scripture? The answer to this question can be very diverse, because each person in your group is very different. Which means, the only right answer is the one that communicates that Jesus’ perspective challenges theirs. Task yourself to ask what makes Jesus perspective different from theirs, or even yours. Perhaps at surface level, your perspective lines up with Jesus’ goals for His teachings; but, at a deeper level, perhaps application of specific truths are more optimistic than practical. Talk about that tension and how do we live in it, while honoring God and following the Holy Spirit.

4. In Matthew 7:25 the house did not fall because it was built on the rock. What does it practically look like to lay a spiritual foundation on “the rock?” Again, the answers to this question will be diverse but this is one you should guide a little bit. Paul talks about trust near the end of the talk. Many times the first step is to simply decide to trust God in the area of our finances, marriage, professional life or relationships. Perhaps what God wants us to do first is simply to begin trusting. Take a moment and talk about how you, in an area of your life that is appropriate to share in the group setting, have done something uncomfortable and trusted God.

5. What in your life would be different if you were to decide to build everything on “the rock?” Use the previous question as a segue into this one. The question uses the word everything, that is ambitious. Most people try to tackle one thing at a time and appropriately so. Challenge those in your group to focus on that one thing, that one area where they can begin to trust God to do what they could never do without Him. Maybe that won’t look exactly like they want and maybe that is a good thing. Talk through this and coax it, if you have to. If you don’t, you will have missed out on a perfect opportunity to help someone in group take their best personal next step.

6. What can this group do to help keep you accountable to this decision to change one area in your life and build on “the rock?” The greatest ally we have against the spiritual warfare we experience is one another. If an enemy wants to weaken us and make us an easier target to beat, it is by isolating us. This is true both in actual warfare as well as in spiritual warfare. It is one of our enemy’s most frequently used weapons. Instead of struggling in silence, humble yourself and ask for those who care for you to come alongside you and help. After all, Jesus did say, “...people will know you are my disciples because of your love for one another.” Therefore, love one another. Help those in your group do.