Here are some questions based on last Sunday’s sermon text (Matthew 5:17-20), in case they’re helpful to you for personal growth or group discussion…

• [17-18] When Jesus says, “Truly, I say to you…,” it is a claim to divine authority that is self-referential, and that is not in any way contradictory to the authority of the Scriptures. Jesus assures us that we can believe that the Scriptures are fulfilled in him. What is one way in which Jesus fulfills the Hebrew Scriptures as a human being, and how is this significant to you? What is one way in which Jesus fulfills the Scriptures as God himself, and how is this significant to you?

• [19] When sinners encounter the requirements of God’s Holy Word, rather than believe that they are impossible for sinners to fulfill, we tend to “relax” them in some way or another. Why do we do this? Can you think of some specific ways in which you might have done this or seen others do this? Why is it actually unnecessary for us to minimize the requirements of God’s Word, even though we cannot fulfill them ourselves?

• [20] (Read Romans 3:10-24.) What is the “righteousness” of the scribes and Pharisees? Why is it insufficient for entrance to the kingdom of heaven? What righteousness do we need to enter the kingdom? How can we actually have this righteousness? Do you believe you will enter the kingdom of heaven?

• FOR THE CHILDREN: Read Luke 24:27, 44. Jesus says the whole Bible is about him. Can you think of something it says about him? Are you interested in reading the Bible regularly to get to know Jesus? Is it sometimes hard to know how the Bible is talking about Jesus? What can you do when you have a hard time understanding the Bible?