Matthew 5: 33-38

Oaths

1. How important is honesty to you as a character trait? 

-Is your word something you cherish?

-If someone viewed you as dishonest, how would that affect his or her interactions with you?

2. Why do people find it necessary to swear an oath as a means to add emphasis to what they are saying? For example, "I swear to God that I didn't take the extra brownie..."

3. Is there ever an appropriate time to swear an oath? (i.e swearing an oath before a statement in court, etc.)

-Cite some every day examples of where you make a promise and it is expected that you follow through.

4. Jesus says, "Simply let your "yes" be "yes" and your "no" be "no."" 

-Is it that simple?

-Are there reasons that support being dishonest? For instance, is there a justified reason for "a little white lie?"

5. Explore the last verse that Jesus notes in this section: "...anything beyond this comes from the evil one."

-Is Jesus indicating that we are passive agents in regard to the forces of Satan? Do we lie because "the devil made me do it?"

-How is your relationship with Christ related to how honest or dishonest you are? For instance, if your relationship with Christ is struggling, are you more likely to lie?

Teacher: Jeff Dodge

Matthew 5: 33-38

For your information...

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Service opportunity- Stash the Trash

Service opportunity organized by Dave Kraemer- Editor of the Ames Tribune

For a number of years, Dave has organized a community effort to clean Ames in the spring. Unfortunately, he has had a great difficulty finding people this year who are willing to donate a little time on Saturday, March 29th. 

If your group is interested in serving in this way, please visit the new web page for sign up on the Tribune's web site: www.amestrib.com. Click on the "Stash the Trash" icon at the upper left. 

Basic info:

-Supplies such as plastic bags and rubber gloves will be provided. 

-Meet at 7:30 am at the parking lot of Reiman Gardens

-Groups will go and pick up trash according to their own schedule and bring back the trash to dumpsters at Reiman whenever they are done/tired/distracted/etc. 

-Lunch will be provided- hot dogs, chips and pop- from 10:30 am to 2pm.

If you would like further information, please contact: Dave Kraemer at dave.kraemer@amestrib.com

Service opportunity- Habitat for Humanity

Note from Tim Gartin

I wanted to make you aware of the various opportunities that exist for people to volunteer with Habitat for Humanity. I have served on the Board of Directors there for several years and have found it to be a meaningful way to participate in the community. If you know of some one who is interested in serving with this organization, please contact me in the next week.

Thanks,

Tim Gartin

515-232-2501

Note from Paul Sabino- Easter Family Devotional

Here is a devotional that we are asking families to do together this Easter.

Happy Easter! What a wonderful time of the year to celebrate Jesus' death, burial and resurrection for all peoples. I hope the Lord used this wonderful Easter production and message to draw your attention to those truths. Our desire is for every Cornerstone family to carve out 30 minutes to talk about the awesome reality of Easter and to worship God together through this experience.

With each question, go around the room and allow everyone a chance to share. Whether this is your first time to open the Bible as a family or a regular custom, allow this short devotional to draw your family together in worship as you delight in our great God. Enjoy!!

THE DRAMA...

1. What did you like the most about the production? How come?

2. How did Dan let his Commanding Officer down? How did that make him feel?

3. Read Matthew 26: 69-75. How did Peter let Jesus down? How do you think he felt?

4. How have we sinned or let Jesus down in our lives? How does that make you feel?

THE SCRIPTURES...

5. Read John 5: 24. According to this verse, what do each of us deserve in our sins?

6. How does a person "cross from death to life?"

7. Each of us deserves eternal punishment for our sins. Jesus offers to rescue us from this. He was killed in our place and for our sins. By trusting in His perfect life and death for us, we can be set free from the penalty of our sins and follow Him as our "Commanding Officer." Have each of you personally trusted in this message and crossed over from death to life?

FAMILY PRAYER...

Take a couple of minutes to thank Jesus together for coming on this rescue mission. You could begin, "Lord Jesus, this Easter we want to thank you for___________. " Also, ask Jesus to use your family to share this great news with the men, women, boys, and girls who are still held "captive" to their sins and don't yet know Jesus as their Lord and Savior.

Devotional by Paul Sabino- Family Ministry Director

Matthew 5: 31, 32

Divorce

Consider reading Matthew 19: 3-13 and I Corinthians 7

1. God has said that He hates divorce. Why?

-Discuss God's original plan in regard to marriage. 

2. By the terms of the culture we live in, when is it appropriate to get a divorce? 

-How would our culture respond to God's short list of reasons for divorce?

-Why would God allow these exceptions to His original plan? 

3. So far, Jesus has asked His listeners to examine their heart's attitudes in regard to hate and lust. What comes to the surface of your heart in regard to divorce?

Discussion topics?

-Are there members in your group that have gone through a divorce? Are there children of divorced parents in your group? How were they affected by the divorce?

-Does anyone struggle with bitterness and a lack of forgiveness in regard to divorce?

-Use this time to pray for anyone you know that may be going through a divorce currently.

Teacher: Troy Nesbitt

Matthew 5: 31, 32

Matthew 5: 27-30

Adultery

1. What is your definition of adultery? Does it differ from Jesus' version?

--In what ways can someone that is single be guilty of adultery? 

2. When does a passing glance become lust?

--Why is lust mistakenly viewed as a "male-only" issue?

3. What are some excuses that men/women use to justify lust? Adultery?

4. In regard to someone that wishes to deal rightly with this issue...What is the difference between disclosure and accountability?

--As you can not just "gouge" out your eye when you sin in this area, what are some other practical ways to address this sin in your life?

5.  What are some verses that you should recall in order to arm yourself against lust?

Teacher: Jeff Dodge

Matthew 5: 27-30