These small group studies of Matthew contain outlines, cross-references, Bible study discussion questions, verse by verse commentary, and applications. Visit our library of inductive Bible studies for more in depth inductive studies on this and other books of the Bible you can use in your small group.
Matthew 5:27-30 Inductive Bible Study – Discussion Questions and Verse by Verse Commentary
Matthew 5:27-30
Discussion Questions
Why does Jesus say again, “You have heard that it was said…?”
From what Old Testament passage would they have learned that it is wrong to commit adultery?
What is the “new” standard from Jesus?
Is it higher or lower than what they understood?
What does this passage tell us about the importance of our mind?
The world may say what goes on in your own mind can’t hurt anyone. How would you respond to this? Is it harmful to engage in these types of thoughts? Why or why not?
How can we win this battle in our mind?
How can you control what you think?
What is Jesus’ solution in verses 29-30?
What is the practical solution? What practical steps can you take to remove the source or sources of temptation?
What can you do to help protect your spiritual brothers or sisters in this area?
Cross-References
1 Thessalonians 4:3-5 – For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality; that each one of you know how to control his own body in holiness and honor, not in the passion of lust like the Gentiles who do not know God.
Habakkuk 1:13 – Your eyes are too pure to approve evil, And You can not look on wickedness with favor.
1 John 3:3 – And everyone who has this hope fixed on Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.
Psalm 24:3-4 – Who may ascend into the hill of the LORD? And who may stand in His holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart, Who has not lifted up his soul to falsehood And has not sworn deceitfully.
Colossians 3:5 – Therefore consider the members of your earthly body as dead to immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed, which amounts to idolatry.
Job 31:1 – “I have made a covenant with my eyes; How then could I gaze at a virgin?
Psalm 51:7 – Purify me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
Psalm 51:10 – Create in me a clean heart, O God, And renew a steadfast spirit within me.
Proverbs 30:12 – There is a king who is pure in his own eyes, Yet is not washed from his filthiness.
Philippians 4:8 – Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable — if anything is excellent or praiseworthy — think about such things.
Verse by Verse Commentary
- You have heard that it was said – Here Jesus is again contrasting what they thought they knew with God’s perfect standard. They knew from the Old Testament that adultery was sin (Exodus 20:14). And it was. But seems that the popular teaching of the day was that only the act of adultery was sin. But fantasizing about it or lusting for it was not. In other words only the external action of committing the act was wrong, but anything short of that was OK. Jesus is going to correct their faulty understanding and show them that obedience to God flows from the heart. It is internal not external.
- The battle is in the mind –
- God looks at the heart –
- We must remove the source of temptation –
- Cross-References – Read and discuss cross-references. One major point is that Jesus is showing that no one is innocent. No one has kept the whole Law (except Him). No one meets God’s perfect standard. These statements and others like it on anger and divorce should drive people to the realization that they need help. And the only one to become pure is by coming to the Lord and asking Him to make you pure.
- Practical suggestions and applications – For this section split into two groups (guys in one and girls in another). Discuss together some areas of temptation and practical steps for removing the temptation or fleeing.
Here are some more thoughts from: https://studyandobey.com/inductive-bible-study/1thessalonians4-1-8.html
- Fornication – Living together before marriage is rampant. In both China and the US it has been completely accepted. Those who do not live together before marriage are considered weird. This brainwashing starts in public schools with sex education. It is proliferated by organizations like Planned Parenthood. Can any of you review what you were taught in schools about this issue? People are taught about “safe sex.” They learn to protect themselves from STDs. Women learn to protect themselves from pregnancy with various types of birth control. Let me give you God’s authoritative guide to “safe sex.” You don’t need a long curriculum. There aren’t any difficult terms or hard to understand words. What is more is the absolute cheapest and the absolute safest way to protect yourself possible. ABSTAIN. Let me make it clear that this verse does not prohibit sex. It does not say “abstain from sex.” It says, “abstain from sexual immorality.”
Our sex drive was created by God and like everything else God created, it is “good.” But like almost everything else, it can also be twisted to become bad. Evolutionists teach us that sex drive is nature’s way of ensuring reproduction. It is necessary to propagate our race. God wanted sex to not just be a chore but to be something that could be greatly enjoyed. How do I know? Read Song of Solomon and many of the Proverbs. Sex within God’s guidelines (of one man one woman marriage for life) is very pleasurable. If God didn’t want sex to be enjoyed He wouldn’t have set it up like He did. It is interesting that people who don’t follow God claim to be liberated about sex and yet it is our theology that tells us that sex should be pleasurable and enjoyable and not only as a means of reproduction.
- Adultery – Note that the Bible includes impure thoughts and divorce/remarriage as types of adultery in God’s eyes.
- Pornography – This is rampant, even in the church. Is it right or wrong? How do we know since the internet (and that is not the only type, but the most prevalent type) didn’t exist at that time? How can we guard ourselves against this? How can we get/sustain victory?
- Masturbation – It is sinful. Don’t let Satan deceive you into thinking it is acceptable. It is not. My Dad has an entire seminar on this and porn, which I would like to send to you guys to read after this study tonight.
- Lust – This is a general category that encompasses all of the above and more. Let’s face it. In today’s world many ladies do not dress modestly. You might be walking along minding your own business (perhaps even reading the Bible on your phone) and then boom, right in front of you is a lady wearing revealing clothes. What should you do? A lot of guys would gawk or stare. After all, they might think who can blame them? It is not like it is their fault. Is it wrong to stare at a pretty lady? Is it wrong to notice someone is pretty? What solutions are there for us to deal with these problems?
Sidenote on modesty – Husbands it is also your responsibility to remind your wives about this and make sure what they are wearing is modest and will not cause guys to stumble. Women don’t always know how guys think. Christian ladies will hopefully not intentionally wear revealing clothes, but they may do it unknowingly. Husbands can act as a screener. Remember to “speak the truth in love.” Also, I should mention that might require shelling out money for your wives to buy new clothes. If that is what it takes, do it. I’ve heard from my sisters and my wife that modest clothes are not very easy to find. You can help facilitate that by being willing to give your wife the money she needs to overhaul her wardrobe.
I would also like to encourage all future husbands to take in active role in what wedding dress your wife will wear. There is a widespread trend for women to wear a revealing dress at the wedding. This is commonplace even in the church but not acceptable. Remember from the first part of this chapter that we should do everything to please God. God is not pleased with a wedding where the bride is not modest. This is not a time for the husband to “show off” what he is getting. It is time for the wife to save herself and how she looks for her husband.
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