Grow Group Questions - October 5, 2025
Published October 3, 2025
Announcement: Remember 4 service times will begin Oct. 26th
8:15. 9:45, 11:15 in WC / 9:15 in The Chapel.
Example Topical Prayer Guide sample using “PRAY”:
P – Praise God that His law is good, wise, and a reflection of His holy character.
R – Repent/Confess where we’ve reduced obedience to outward appearances.
A – Ask the Holy Spirit to form in us a righteousness deeper than the Pharisees—one that flows from love for God and others.
Y – Yield control of our lives to God’s Spirit, asking Him to shape our motives.
Ice Breaker: Share a time when you thought you were “following the rules” but later realized you were missing the heart of what was expected. What happened?
Opening Questions:
Read Aloud Matthew 5:17-20
- Why do you think Jesus insisted that “not the smallest letter or stroke” of the Law would pass away until it was accomplished?
- What does that teach us about God’s Word?
- Jesus says our righteousness must surpass that of the scribes and Pharisees. What was wrong with their approach to righteousness?
- How do you see the difference between rule-keeping and heart-level obedience?
Going Deeper:
- The Pharisees narrowed God’s commands so they were easier to keep (e.g., limiting murder only to the physical act). In what ways might Christians today be tempted to “lower the bar” of God’s commands?
- Jesus says our righteousness must surpass that of the Pharisees. Why is that impossible without the Holy Spirit?
- How do we practically depend on Him in our daily lives?
- How does Jesus’ teaching move us from checklist religion to a relationship with God?
Application:
- What would it look like for you this week to practice deeper obedience rather than closer rule-following?
- With Bethany adding a new service and needing more volunteers, how does this passage help us think about serving—not just as rule-following, but as a way of embodying God’s heart? Where might God be nudging you to step in and serve?