Pastor Matt told us about “The Golden Rule”… the one statement of Jesus that summarizes the spirit behind the entire Sermon on the Mount, and the foundational tenet for human flourishing.
MY STORY
If you could sum up the knowledge, wisdom, and experience you’ve gained over the years in one sentence, what would it be?
WHAT DOES GOD WANT US TO HEAR?
"So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets."(Matthew 7:12)
Pastor Matt said, “Jesus is giving a single statement here that governs humanity’s existence and relationship together. It’s a simple saying that has huge implications for our lives. That sentence reaches throughout all of God’s wisdom of the past and sets a vision for what it looks like to live moving forward. Jesus is using this maxim as the rule that summarizes and communicates the essences of all of God’s wisdom for life.”
Throughout history, there have been negative versions of the Golden Rule, such as “if you really hate something, don’t do that thing to others”
What’s the value of Jesus giving us a positive version of this statement?
How would the world be different today if everyone treated others in the ways they like to be treated?
What does God want us to hear? Based on the passage and the questions above, what "takeaways" do you think God has revealed to you?
WHAT DOES GOD WANT US TO DO?
The spirit behind the Golden Rule is this: Treat others in ways that are meaningful to them, as you like to be treated in ways that are meaningful to you.
Give an example where treating people in ways that are meaningful only to you might fall flat.
Gary Chapman (in his book, The Five Love Languages) described five ways that different people feel loved.
What meaningful thing could you do for people with the following love languages?
1. Acts of Service; 2. Quality Time; 3. Words of Affirmation; 4. Touch (like hugs & handshakes); 5. Gifts
Of these five, what’s your love language? What could someone do for you that was meaningful in the context of the ways you receive love best?
What does God want us to do? Flowing out of our reading and interpretation, what action does this passage or the Spirit's leading, call us to?
WHAT DOES GOD WANT ME TO DO?
How may have you been treating people in ways that would cause you to “push back” if that was the way you were being engaged?
What is something deeply meaningful you could do for something this week—something totally unexpected, and happily received?
Make plans to do that this week.
What does God want ME to do? What is the personal application and action step God is calling you, personally, toward?
Message Notes
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