Study Questions

Group Discussion: This is my recommended outline and questions. Please feel free to add questions that best fit your group.

Start with this short video from the Bible Project.

Matthew 5:17-32

“Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. 18 For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished. 19 Therefore anyone who sets aside one of the least of these commands and teaches others accordingly will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 20 For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven.

21 “You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘You shall not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’ 22 But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to a brother or sister, ‘Raca,’ is answerable to the court. And anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell.

23 “Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, 24 leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift.

25 “Settle matters quickly with your adversary who is taking you to court. Do it while you are still together on the way, or your adversary may hand you over to the judge, and the judge may hand you over to the officer, and you may be thrown into prison. 26 Truly I tell you, you will not get out until you have paid the last penny.

27 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ 28 But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart. 29 If your right eye causes you to stumble, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. 30 And if your right hand causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to go into hell.

31 “It has been said, ‘Anyone who divorces his wife must give her a certificate of divorce.’ 32 But I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, makes her the victim of adultery, and anyone who marries a divorced woman commits adultery.

Questions:

• How does understanding the word Torah (the Law) as instruction instead of rules helpful?

• How might Jesus’ first audience have understood his claim that he was going to fulfill the story of the Hebrew Bible?

• What kinds of attitudes or actions could be seen as "doing right by your neighbor" for Jesus followers today?

• When you consider Jesus’ words in Matthew 5:21-32, what does Jesus seem to be saying about the value of humans?

• Why does Jesus connect anger and name-calling to murder?

• How is looking at someone lustfully rooted in the same attitude as adultery?

• What does Jesus actually mean when he says to “cut off your hand” and “pluck out your eye”?

• Jesus is having a direct conversation about an instruction about divorce that is specific to the Jewish people of his day, how does that differ from divorce in our day?

• When talking about divorce and remarriage, how is Jesus advocating for the fair treatment of women?

• What is something that you’ve learned from this section of scripture and what is something you are wrestling with?
  

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