PASSAGE: 2 Timothy 3:14-17

DESCRIPTION: This Sunday we launched a series walking through the historic "Covenant Affirmations" of the Evangelical Covenant Church, beginning with the affirmation of the Centrality of the Word of God. Grounded in 2 Timothy 3:14-17, this affirmation highlights how Scripture serves as a timeless and trustworthy standard ("rule") for our faith, doctrine, and conduct because all Scripture is God-breathed and inspired by the Holy Spirit to make us wise for salvation through faith in Jesus. Rather than being mere paper and ink, God’s Word is designed for transformation us, equipping us for every good work through teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness. To make God's Word more central in our daily lives, we were challenged to ask the historic Covenanter question "Where is it written?", to gather with others in small groups ("conventicles") for Bible study, and to pursue life-changing transformation rather than just acquiring information. What next step will you take to make God's Word more central in your life?

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:

1. Reread 2 Timothy 3:14-17. What stood out to you in this passage, or what questions do you have after reading it?

2. Who were the influential people in your life who taught you about Jesus and nurtured your faith journey? What makes their testimony and teaching trustworthy?

3. Paul notes that Scripture is useful to teach, rebuke, correct, and train us in righteousness. Which of these four areas do you feel God is currently using His Word to work on in your life?

4. How can you practically make God's Word more central in your life this week? Try to be as specific as possible!

Passage: Matthew 7:24–29

Description: This Sunday, we wrapped up our series on the Sermon on the Mount by examining Jesus' concluding parable of the wise and foolish builders. Jesus contrasts a biblical fool (someone who hears God’s instruction but ignores it to live by worldly standards) with a wise person (who hears God's words and puts them into practice). While a fool building on the unstable sand of self-reliance or culture leads to a devastating crash, wisdom is building on the solid rock of Christ’s Word which creates a foundation that withstands both life's storms and the final judgment. Because we are continually formed by whatever we give our attention to, we must make the intentional choice to learn from and align our lives with Scripture every day. Ultimately, we are invited to examine what foundation we are placing our trust in and choose to anchor our lives on the enduring truth of God's Word.

Discussion Questions:

1. Reread Matthew 7:24–29. As you read through the passage again, what stood out to you, or what questions do you have about Jesus' teaching here?

2. How does the biblical concept of a "fool" differ from how our culture typically defines one, and why is that distinction important for us to recognize?

3. What are other foundations (i.e. such as career, self-reliance, reputation, or cultural opinions) that you are often tempted to build your life on instead of God's Word?

4. What is one practical area of your life where you can move from merely listening to Jesus' words to actively putting them into practice this week?

Passage: Matthew 7:13-23

Description: This Sunday we focused on Jesus' warning against counterfeit faith, illustrating that true righteousness is not about outward religious appearances but a genuine relationship with Him. Jesus presents two paths: the broad gate that leads to death and destruction, as well as the narrow gate of faith in Jesus that leads to life. To help us navigate this, Jesus warns us to watch out for false teachers, discerning them not by their charisma or words, but by the spiritual fruit of their character. Furthermore, Jesus delivers a dire warning against false assurances, revealing that doing good deeds we may do in His name cannot be a substitute for an intimate, saving relationship with Him. The question is, which gate are you currently walking toward?

Discussion Questions:

1. Reread the scripture passage (Matthew 7:13-23). What stood out to you in these verses, or what questions do you have about what Jesus is saying?

2. The message highlights that spotting a counterfeit requires deeply studying the real thing. How can we practically anchor ourselves in Jesus and His Word to protect against subtle, twisted truths in our culture?

3. Jesus emphasizes that "fruit" refers to long-term, internal character formation rather than outward spiritual performance or masks. Looking at the fruits of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23), which area is God currently cultivating or challenging in your life?

4. What is the difference between knowing about Christ and being known by Christ? How does this distinction change the way you reflect on the question, "Which gate am I heading toward?"

PASSAGE: Matthew 7:7-12

DESCRIPTION: This Sunday, the message focused on Matthew 7:7-12, exploring how we can practically live out what feels like incredibly high standards set throughout the Sermon on the Mount. While we often try to rely on our own willpower (very much like "The Little Engine that Could") our human limitations and flawed nature mean we will always fall short on our own strength. That's why Jesus commands us to practice persistent, ongoing prayer by continually asking, seeking, and knocking for help. He reassures us that God is a perfectly good Father who delights in granting us spiritual gifts, including the Holy Spirit (see Luke 11), to transform our hearts and mindset. Ultimately, it is not about doing better or trying harder; rather it is through an ongoing reliance on God's Spirit that we receive the true strength needed to live obediently to Christ's commands and fulfill the Golden Rule to love others well.

DISCUSSION:

1. Reread the scripture passage (Matthew 7:7-12). What stood out to you in these verses, or what questions do you have?

2. The message contrasted the "I think I can" mentality with a posture of dropping to our knees in surrender. In what areas of your life or faith are you currently relying too much on your own willpower instead of God's strength?

3. Jesus highlights that God is a good Father who gives "good gifts," which Luke 11 clarifies is the Holy Spirit. How does shifting your focus from material requests to asking for the Holy Spirit change the way you approach prayer?

4. Review the practical applications of the Golden Rule mentioned at the end of the message (e.g., refusing to harbor bitterness, protecting others' dignity, extending grace instead of harsh judgment). Which of these areas do you find most challenging to live out right now, and how can you persistently pray for God's help with it this week?

PASSAGE: Matthew 7:1-6

DESCRIPTION: On Sunday, we unpacked Matthew 7:1-6 to understand what Jesus meant when He said, "Do not judge." While many people weaponize this phrase to avoid personal accountability, the context reveals that Jesus isn’t condemning all judgment; rather, He is condemning hypocritical, self-righteous judgment. True biblical judgment is a crucial part of the Christian walk used to recognize right from wrong and hold fellow believers accountable. However, Jesus uses the illustration of a person trying to pick a speck out of another person's eye while ignoring the massive wooden plank in their own. We learned that before we can gently restore someone else, we must first examine our own hearts, confess our own sins, and remove our own spiritual blindness. Furthermore, Jesus reminds us to protect the sacred "pearls" of the Gospel by discerning when a conversation has become purely toxic or hostile, knowing when it is time to humbly walk away and pray for another day. How well are you exercising righteous judgment with those around you?

DISCUSSION:

1. Reread the scripture passage in Matthew 7:1-6. What stands out to you in these verses, or what questions do you have about how Jesus frames judgment?

2. The Greek word for judgment is krino (which also means discernment or evaluate) is necessary for everyday choices and spiritual accountability. What is the difference between having a "judgmental attitude" and exercising "righteous judgment"?

3. Why must addressing the "plank" in our own eye always take precedence over dealing with the "speck" in someone else's eye? How does personal repentance change our posture toward others who are struggling?

4. Jesus talks about not throwing our "pearls before pigs" (v. 6). How do we practically discern the difference between a tough, messy conversation aimed at restoration and a hostile one where it is healthier to walk away?