COMPANION RESOURCES
Lesson for Jan. 10, 2021: Unconventional Wisdom (Matthew 5:17-22, 27-28, 31-35, 38-39, 43-48)
“Don’t Stay the Way You Are” by David Faust (Lesson Application)
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Study Questions for Groups
1. What challenge did you face or what blessing did you receive last week?
2. In what specific way did you “let your light shine before others” over the past week?
Ask three people—two readers and one reteller—to help. Ask the readers to read Matthew 5:17-22, 27-28, 31-35, 38-39, 43-48 one after the other, preferably from different Bible versions.
Ask the third person to summarize the teaching in one minute or less. (After the reteller finishes, others can fill in any parts the person missed.)
3. How would you title this Bible passage? Pick one and explain your choice.
• How to Exceed What’s Expected of You
• Going Beyond Just Following the Rules
• Six Tips for Challenging Conventional Wisdom
• From Common Sense to Uncommon Sense
• You Don’t Have to Settle for Ordinary
4. What kind of life is Jesus calling his followers to live? Be as specific as possible.
5. What do you learn about God from this passage?
6. What do you learn about people?
7. How can living by Jesus’ higher standards help you to be salt and light to the people around you?
8. Look again at each “But I tell you . . .” precept from Jesus. Which one do you most need to start obeying now?
9. Based on our study and discussion, complete this sentence: “This week, I will . . .”
10. What new challenge do you anticipate as you head into next week?
For Next Week: Over the next week, read and reflect on Matthew 6:1-18 as we continue studying the Sermon on the Mount. You can also read next week’s supplemental texts as well as the Study and Application sections as part of your personal study.
Author: Michael C. Mack
Michael C. Mack is editor of Christian Standard. He has served in churches in Ohio, Indiana, Idaho, and Kentucky. He has written more than 25 books and discussion guides as well as hundreds of magazine, newspaper, and web-based articles.
