GROUP FELLOWSHIP

 SPRING 2002 APRIL 30/MAY 2

THE SERMON ON THE MOUNT’ ‘WALKING THE WALK’ – and not merely talking the talk

•  MATTHEW 7. 13-29: CHOOSING OUR PATH

ULTIMATE CHOICES. We all choose the way we walk. There are alternatives before us in life. And our final destination and destiny depend on what we choose. Choose right: walk right! Ultimately, we all choose!

I. 7.13-27 ALTERNATIVE CHOICES

• 7.13-14: CHOOSING WHICH ROAD WE WILL TAKE
• What does Jesus have to say about
• the alternative ROADS before us?
• the alternative GATES?
• the alternative DESTINATIONS?
• the alternative TRAVELLERS?

• How do you understand all this? What, in terms of modern life and life-style, might ‘the broad road’ leading to destruction look like?

• In what senses must the Christian life be a ‘narrow’ one?

• 7.15-23: CHOOSING WHICH PERSONS WE WILL FOLLOW

People and personalities have a huge impact on modern life!

• Watch out for DELIBERATE DECEIVERS 7.15-20
• Who are the ‘false prophets’ of our day?
• What are the modern, destructive lies they preach to society?
• How does Jesus say we can always recognise such deceivers? (What does he mean?)

• Watch out for DEFECTIVE BELIEVERS 7. 21-23

(Don’t be deceived by them. Don’t become one!)

• What is the awful defect in these so-called believers?
• Is it easy to become one?
• How much are you shocked / challenged by these words? Why?

(Do you see how our title ‘walking the walk and not just talking the talk’ is so particularly relevant to these words?)

• 7.24-29: CHOOSING WHICH FOUNDATIONS WE WILL LAY

Here is a lovely children’s story with a very serious adult message! Here are life’s ultimate alternatives.

• What are the alternative foundations for life that Jesus describes?
• What does this mean in practical terms?
• How will which one we’ve been building on be finally revealed?

• 7.13-29: ALTERNATIVE DESTINIES

Throughout this week’s passage, Jesus repeatedly outlines alternative destinies that people can reap.

• What are they? How does Jesus describe them? How do you understand them?
• What determines which one will be ours?

CONCLUSION: ‘THE ALTERNATIVE MAN’ : 7.28-29

At the end of this famous Sermon, all eyes are fixed on Jesus. He is God’s ‘Alternative Man’ for us. Choose Him, follow Him – and find life and avoid destruction

‘WALK THE WALK’ and you’ll travel the road that leads to life!