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  • The Way of Jesus #8 – Jesus on Listening to Jesus (Matthew 7:13-29)

Jesus on Listening to Jesus (Matthew 7:13-29)

Ready for Impact (5 Minutes)

Catch up on how things have been since the last time your Impact Group met. Allow anyone new to introduce themselves. Then ask group members:

  • On a scale of 1-10, how good are you at making decisions?

Ask for a volunteer to read Matthew 7:13-29 to the group, praying a short prayer that however much they’ve come to know Jesus, they’d get to know him better because of your time together.

Impacted by the Word One (15 Minutes)

Watch Video One

Download this video to watch offline or read the transcript here.

Jesus ends his sermon on the mount on the subject of how people will respond to his teaching. He has laid out the way to find life, but now he puts a choice before us.

  • Read verses 13-14. In what ways are these words a warning? In what way are they a comfort?

False prophets are people who try to encourage people away from the good path. Externally, they look like they’re walking in the way of Jesus. But inwardly, they’re not.

  • Read verses 15-20. How will it be possible to identify false prophets?
  • Read verses 21-23. What do these verses reveal about where people might go wrong in responding to Jesus’ teaching?
  • What do verses 15-23 reveal about what Jesus values more than external performance?

Jesus doesn’t just care about our behaviour. He cares about our response to him.

  • Read verses 24-27. What does it mean to “hear Jesus’ words and put them into practice”?

As we read verses 21-23, it’s important to remember that it falls in a section where Jesus is helping his hearers to discern between those who are motivated by knowing him verses those who merely know how to behave in the right way.

It follows then, that even though some people say the right things externally, they don’t know Jesus. Even those who drive out demons, if its performance driven, rather than as a response of knowing Jesus – it's evil.

And evil has no place in the kind of Kingdom Jesus is building.

If our motives are disconnected from our actions, then we aren’t following the narrow life-giving path of Jesus.

Impacted by the Word Two (15 Minutes)

Watch Video Two

Download this video to watch offline or read the transcript here.

Throughout his sermon, Jesus has repeatedly emphasised that he is not concerned with mere external behaviour. To live that way is foolish. Instead, Jesus cares about our hearts, our motivations, and our feelings towards him.

  • How do the images of a broad road and building on sand help us to understand the foolish way of living?
  • How do these contrast to the images Jesus uses to describe an authentic response to him?
  • What do these verses reveal about the kind of decision Jesus is inviting people to make?
  • What do you think is the appropriate response to Jesus’ words in this section?

Impacting our Hearts (10 Minutes)

One appropriate response to Jesus’ words is to confess where we lack integrity.

  • How might confession help us to live lives of true integrity?
  • Why do you think we sometimes find it hard to confess?
  • From what you know about Jesus, do you feel about bringing your sin to him?

Jesus doesn't just want our righteous behavior. He wants his words to get so deep into us that we bring our hearts to him - bringing him our sin and our love. When we do that, he forgives us and welcomes us.

Leave some silence for people to pray prayers of confession to God. You could encourage people to pray out loud, should they want to.

Impacting the University (15 Minutes)

Jesus calls all of us to turn away from a life of just keeping up good appearances.

Instead, when we come to him honestly, we’ll find that he begins to change our heart and our attitudes. Followers of Jesus all around the world can share of how Jesus’ words have shaped them in this deeper way.

One of the ways we can share our faith is to share these stories.

Ask one or two members of your group to share how Jesus has changed them. (you might like to ask these people before you meet, so they can have time to prepare).

Then in 2s and 3s discuss:

  • How has listening to Jesus’ words in this series changed how you relate to him?
  • In the next week, who would you like God to give you an opportunity to share this with?

Pray for your friends by name asking that God would give you an opportunity to share the difference that Jesus has made in your life.

Wrap-up – TACOS 🌮

Thank You – Thank everyone for coming, and ask someone to thank God for your time together in prayer.

Ask – Ask those who are new to reading the Bible if they’d like to explore Uncover, a set of sessions in Mark’s Gospel, allowing them to investigate one of the earliest accounts of Jesus’ life alongside one of you.

Church and CU – What does the CU have planned ahead? And what help would group members value in finding a local church?

Others – Who else could you invite to join your CU Impact Group next week? These friends don’t need to be followers of Jesus and may really appreciate being invited.

See You Soon – Tell the group where and when you’ll meet next week, and arrange who will bring snacks. (You might like to alternate healthy and less healthy weeks!). See if anyone would be up for sharing a meal or just hanging out in the meantime!

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