StoneBridge Community Church
Associate Pastor Jonathan Lusche
Fulfilled
In Matthew 5:17, Jesus makes clear that he came not to destroy the Law, but to fulfill it. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus teaches his disciples what a "fulfilled" life looks like in practice. In this sermon series, we will be looking at key teachings from Jesus' Sermon on the Mount, seeking to understand how Jesus' words apply to our lives today.
No one welcomes judgement or criticism. However when criticism is given and received well from trusted colleagues or friends and family, a person can grow in new ways. Proverbs 27:17 reads, "As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another." This weekend in worship, we'll learn together How To Give and Receive Criticism Well.
Matthew 7:1-6 NIV
Christian Ethics:
God's best way for us to live our best life.
1A. Giving criticism requires self-awareness that yields grace.
Matthew 7:1-2 NIV
1B. Receiving criticism requires listening for grace.
2A. Giving criticism requires credibility.
Matthew 7:5 NIV
2B. Receiving criticism requires valuing credibility.
3A. Giving criticism requires knowing your audience.
Matthew 7:6 NIV
3B . Receiving criticism requires choosing teachability.
NEXT STEPS:
1. Prayerfully evaluate how you speak into other people’s lives. Are you prone towards controlling others or empowering others? Tearing down or building up? Condemnation or compliment?
2. Invite someone you trust to answer the questions above, with you in mind. Does how you think about yourself align with what your trusted friend says?
3. Prayerfully consider whether you're prone to speak your opinion or speak from experience. In what areas in your life do you have credibility worth sharing?
4. Prayerfully evaluate how you receive constructive criticism. Are you more likely to be defensive or do you have a teachable spirit?
5. Having considered these things, how might God be calling you to grow and change?
GROWTH GROUP / PERSONAL REFLECTION QUESTIONS
1. What struck you as memorable about this week's message? Why?
2. (Re-read Vs 1) Has part of this verse or the whole verse, ever been used against you or someone you know? What was the outcome?
3. (Re-read Vss 1-2) Is it more helpful to understand these two verses as a whole? If so, why? As a whole, how do these verses speak to you?
4. (Re-read Vss 3-5) Traditionally, these verses have been interpreted in relationship to hypocrisy, (Vs 5). Do you find Vs 5 empowering, when interpreted through a lens of ’seeing clearly’ or credibility? If so, why? If not, why not? How well do you receive someone’s opinion versus someone’s opinion based on their experience? How might this discussion on Vss 3-5 change your behavior?
5. (Re-read Vs 6) Do you feel an obligation to speak your wisdom to everyone? Anyone? Someone? How do you discern how, when, and to whom to do so? How might this verse speak into your discernment?
We encourage you to use Facebook, Instagram, and other social media to share images, quotes, links, or what you've learned from this week's message and YouVersion message notes. Social media can also be a great way of inviting your friends to worship and special events.