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 5:33-48

“Again, you have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘Do not break your oath, but fulfill to the Lord the vows you have made.’ 34 But I tell you, do not swear an oath at all: either by heaven, for it is God’s throne; 35 or by the earth, for it is his footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the Great King. 36 And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make even one hair white or black. 37 All you need to say is simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one.

38 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’ 39 But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also. 40 And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well. 41 If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles. 42 Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.

43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. 46 If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? 47 And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? 48 Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

Questions:

• Take some time to reflect on any themes from the video or passage (Matthew 5:33-48) that resonated with you.

• Why does Jesus tell his followers to never swear oaths?

• Do you ever use phrases like “I promise” or “I swear” to convince someone to believe you? What might that reveal about how you communicate?

• Referring to retaliation and revenge, Jesus says, “don’t pay back an evil person,” or “do not resist-in-kind an evil person.” How would you summarize what he encourages his followers to do instead (see Matthew 5:37-42)?

• What would it look like for you to break the cycle of retaliation?

• According to Jesus, why is it not enough to simply tolerate your enemies? Why is it better to love them?

• How can you show love while maintaining healthy boundaries?

• What are some ways that God shows kindness to all people, and how can this inspire us to love without partiality or favoritism?

• How does making peace and loving others in these ways make us “whole” or “complete?”
  

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