Message Notes and Small Group Questions
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10-18-26
Title: KEEP IT
Series: The Way of Discipleship
1 Peter 1:15-16
But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.”
Matthew 5:31-37
“It has been said, ‘Anyone who divorces his wife must give her a certificate of divorce.’ But I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, makes her the victim of adultery, and anyone who marries a divorced woman commits adultery. “Again, you have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘Do not break your oath, but fulfill to the Lord the vows you have made.’ But I tell you, do not swear an oath at all: either by heaven, for it is God’s throne; or by the earth, for it is his footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the Great King. And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make even one hair white or black. All you need to say is simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one.
Colossians 3:9-10
Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.
Psalm 15:4
who despises a vile person but honors those who fear the Lord; who keeps an oath even when it hurts, and does not change their mind;
Hebrews 10:24-25
And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
James 5:12
Above all, my brothers and sisters, do not swear—not by heaven or by earth or by anything else. All you need to say is a simple “Yes” or “No.” Otherwise you will be condemned.
1. Disciples are set apart in all things
2. Disciples look to God for the standard
3. Disciples keep their word
Small Group Questions
SHARE
What one word would you use to describe your life right now? If you could use one word to describe what you WANT life to look like one year from now, what would it be?
WORDS
Read 1 Peter 1:15-16...Q: What do our words reveal about us, beyond the words themselves? What does it mean to be Holy in our speech? What pattern in your speech might God be inviting you to examine this week?
MARRIAGE
Read Matthew 5:31-37... What picture of marriage did Jesus point people back toward? Why does seeing marriage as a covenant and a one-flesh union change how we think about commitment? What provision does Jesus make for divorce? Why is it important to distinguish what Scripture allows in a broken situation from what God intends for relationships? How can you speak about the
seriousness of marriage without shaming people who have experienced divorce?
OATHS
What question does the sermon ask about whether we are people of our word in our deepest relationships? How do small broken promises gradually weaken trust? What might it suggest when someone feels they must swear by something to make others believe them? How does consistent honesty build trust more effectively than dramatic promises? Is there a commitment you need to keep, revisit honestly, or apologize for not fulfilling?
KEEP IT
Read Psalm 15:4.... Have you ever been tempted to back away from a commitment because it became costly or uncomfortable? Why might faithfulness be most clearly tested when keeping our word becomes inconvenient?
PRAYER
Pray: For one another to be Disciples of our Word. In our relationships and in all things.
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