What has shaped you most?
What has shaped your understanding of life, faith, God and the universe? What has shaped your thinking about how a person should behave in the world? For Israel the number one answer is the law and the prophets, that is our Old Testament. But what should they do with that now Jesus has arrived?
What should we do with it?

Jesus came not to destroy but to fulfil the law and the prophets.
Jesus' purpose wasn't to tear down the Old Testament scriptures but to fulfil them. What does that mean for their place in the lives of God's people?

You Must Be More Righteous Than the Pharisees!
What a shocking statement. The Pharisees were famous for their zealous and strict adherence to the law. How could someone possibly be more righteous?

Righteous from the inside out
Jesus taught what he meant by being more righteous than the pharisees. It was a righteousness from the inside out.

Do not murder… Reconciled relationships. Matthew 5:21-26
Do not commit adultery… true inner integrity. Matthew 5:27-30
Divorce… dedication to marriage. Matthew 5:31-32
Making oaths… be truthful and honest. Matthew 5:33-37
An eye for an eye… turn the other cheek. Matthew 5:38-42
Love your neighbour… and love your enemy too! Matthew 5:43-47

As our life groups gather this week, we have attached our reference verse and some questions to prompt a deeper discussion and search into this week's topic.

If you are not currently part of a life group, and would like to join a small group of like minded people in fellowship and connection during the week, please contact Nick on 0417472474 to register your interest.

1. What has shaped your understanding of life, faith, God and the universe? What has shaped your thinking about how a person should behave in the world?

2. How are these influences transformed by faith in Jesus?

3. Read one or more of the following passages and discuss the ways that Jesus' teaching transforms the Old Testament command.

Matthew 5:21-26
Matthew 5:27-30
Matthew 5:31-32
Matthew 5:33-37
Matthew 5:38-42
Matthew 5:43-47

4. Read Matthew 5:48
What do you think Jesus meant for us to understand from these words? What does it look like to try and live out these words?

Pray for your life group, and others you may feel led to pray for, that we may know God more, and grow ever closer to Him.

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