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In general, who are more dishonest: politicians, investment bankers, lawyers, or used car salesmen?

Why might the Old Testament Scriptures be so concerned about honesty when dealing with oaths?

Contrast Jesus’ perspective on honesty with those who were teaching the Old Testament during his day.

Jesus lists a number of things by which we should not swear, what might be his reasoning behind choosing these particular examples?

What does it say about what you are reflecting with your life towards others if they simply cannot take your word without an oath?

What situations in the city make it especially challenging to always act with honesty and integrity?

Why are honesty and integrity so difficult in general for us in modern society?

How does simple basic honesty demonstrate a life that is humble and is reflecting a “meek” attitude?

In what way is dishonesty linked to the enemy and his activity in the world?

What is one area in your life in which you can intentionally be more honest this next week?

What is an area in your life in which you need to show more consistent integrity?

Based on the principles in this passage, how should disciples act is situations where they must speak under oath (such as in court)?

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Which five advertisements do you most quickly remember? How many of those incorporate a non-Christian view of sexuality into their message?

What exactly is a working definition of lust based on this passage?

What is it about lust that makes it as serious as adultery from Jesus’ perspective?

Why is this kind of behavior particularly bad for those striving to be “pure in heart?”

Why would Jesus not agree with the assertion “Hey I have already lusted, I might as well go all the way?”

How much impact has lust or sexual impurity had on your spiritual walk this past year?

What would this text, combined with Jesus earlier principle of not “teaching” others to break the moral law, say to us about how we act towards others and dress around others?

In verses 29 – 30 Jesus speaks in hyperbole about dealing with the causes of sin in our lives. What do these verses say about how seriously we should take avoiding sin?

Would following Jesus’ prescription literally actually solve the problem of sin in our lives?

How does sin bring a kind of darkness into our lives more serious than blindness?

What is something that you could remove from your life that would actually help you not fall into the trap of lust?

In what ways does being in the neighborhood we are in amplify the depth of this problem?

How would you describe Jesus’ view of marriage based on verses 31 and 32?

Why does Jesus only consider sexual sin an appropriate ground for divorce with remarriage?

For those who are married, what steps could you take this week to strengthen you marriage?

For singles who are thinking of marriage someday, how might your behavior now impact the intimacy of your marriage relationship someday?

For those called to remain single, what can you do to combat lust in your life? How can you encourage your married friends in their relationships?

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Thinking back over the past year, with whom did you get the most angry?

According to Jesus, what is the relationship between mismanaged anger and homicide?

Why does Jesus find it appropriate to raise the moral bar to such an unattainable height?

In what ways have you been unjust in the anger you expressed to those around you this week?

What hurtful words have you directed towards others, such as “Mr. Empty-Head” or “Clown”?

How does living in a world-class city assist in further exasperating our internal anger emotion?

How can you deal with your impulse towards anger more effectively this week?

Imagine you are the person worshiping in verses 23 – 24. What would be a person’s natural response when they remember during a worship service an earlier argument in which they were involved?

Why does Jesus insist that his disciples keep a short list of grudges and grudge bearers?

Who is someone with whom you need to work through a challenge in your relationship before next Sunday’s Connection Service?

Describe the process that Jesus discusses in verses 25 – 26.

Why does Jesus suggest that his disciples make plea bargains in civil cases?

How does your desire to get what you want often prevent you from being a “peacemaker” in situations where one is desperately needed?

How do you determine in which situations you can legitimately back down in order to promote peace?

What is something that you need to let go in order reflect more of God’s love to others?

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Other than the Scriptures, what is your absolutely favorite book, and why is it so important to you?

Describe the scope of Jesus’ philosophical support of the Old Testament Scriptures.

Describe the scope of Jesus’ ethical support of the Old Testament Scriptures.

So much in the Old Testament is difficult to understand (to say the least). Why is Jesus so deeply supportive of the authority of these texts in the lives of his disciples?

What would be some practical steps you could take to better understand the Old Testament this year?

What would you expect would need to be changed in your life if you were to really take the Scriptures seriously?

How do the Old Testament Scriptures support philosophically the value statement that the “meek will inherit the earth?”

How would the standard expressed in verse 20 be shocking and disheartening to those early disciples hearing Jesus teach this for the first time?

In what ways does the study of the Old Testament draw you to “hunger and thirst for righteousness?”

How does a person go about living a life that is actually morally superior to the great experts in the religious law?

How does the study of the Old Testament help a person come to the humble place of being “poor in spirit” – recognizing their own deep spiritual need?

Where are you in the process of personally surrendering to God’s transforming power in your life?

What is God working on changing in your life right now? How can the others in the group help you?

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What is the brightest light that you have ever personally physically experienced?

In the ancient near east they had neither plastics nor electricity. What would be some potential uses for salt that you could imagine in that setting? How is salt used in our culture today?

NaCl cannot be directly chemically altered. How would a person go about removing the saltiness of salt if they really wanted to?

What are some ways in which disciples of Jesus can become diluted?

Why does Jesus use such a harsh illustration to show the uselessness of diluted disciples?

What are some things that have been mixed into your life that really need to be removed for you to be truly “pure in heart”?

What physical characteristics of light make it similar to the lives of serious followers of Jesus?

How is being a Christian at times like being a lit skyscraper against a darkened sky?

How is being a Christian at times like being a street light in dark alley?

Why are non-Christians so concerned about how Christians live their lives?

How does your life need to change to better represent Jesus to those around you?

What are some things that Jesus followers do, or fail to do, which cloaks their lifestyle from those who need to see their testimony?

Why does Jesus so seriously warn them not to hide their light from those around them?

How could you better shine your light this week in your immediate neighborhood, in your workplace, in your building, among your friends and family?

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If you were to make a list of things that you personally value very deeply, what one value would certainly be on that list?

Imagine you are one of Jesus’ students who press close to him to be taught on that hillside. How would you describe the overall vibe of the crowd surrounding you?

What is similar between all of the proverbial statements that Jesus makes as he begins his teaching?

What are some themes in this list that you hope Jesus more fully develops as the sermon progresses?

Based on what Jesus says in this text, how would you summarize his overall philosophy?

What needs to change in your worldview and general outlook to bring it more into line with Jesus’ teaching

From where do you think Jesus is drawing these statements of value?

How can a person go about learning the Scriptures well enough to ensure that their personal philosophy is grounded in a biblical worldview?

What steps can you take to better recognize your spiritual need?

Why is mourning something that Jesus considers beneficial?

How does a person become meeker without becoming a doormat to abusive people?

Who is someone to whom you need to be merciful this week?

What is something in your life that you transform into an impurity by elevating it over your relationship with God?

What is a situation in your life or work right now in which you could function as a peacemaker?

How do you experience difficulties or persecutions as a Christian in an urban center in the western world?

How could you encourage those globally who are facing more direct and life-threatening persecutions?

What changes would need to happen in your life for the kinds of rewards that Jesus is offering here to actually appear exciting to you?

What is your absolutely favorite song of all time and why do you like it so much?

Describe the virtues that God expects to be in our lives as a reflection of Jesus’ new life in us.

Why is it so vital that these kinds of things are reflected in our daily lives?

Why are these things so frequently absent from lives that claim to be devoted to Jesus?

Rate these virtues on a scale of 1 to 10. How likely are you to demonstrate each particular virtue in your everyday life?

What steps have you taken to allow these kinds of attitudes and behaviors to be reflected in your life?

What steps could you take this week to further allow these patterns of the new life to break through?

What would you look for in a person who could help to hold you accountable for growth in these areas?

How in the world is singing related to behavior that is being changed by Jesus’ message and teaching?

In what ways do you see the word of Jesus leaking out in your words and actions?

Why is important that we encourage one another in our spiritual journeys?

What is something that you could do this week to encourage another disciple in their walk?

Pull out the guitar and sing a couple of encouraging spiritual songs.

What percentage of your actions on a daily basis would you be comfortable to which to sign Jesus’ name?

Why does Paul use this as his summary statement for this ethical section of the letter?

How could you remind yourself during the day to run your actions and words through this filter?

Memorize verse 16 and meditate on it for one hour this week. Review the verses you have memorized previously.

What is the best subject heading you have ever received for an email?

Based on these verses, how would you describe the relationship between the Colossians and Paul?

Why is Paul so concerned about the spiritual health of a people he has never met personally?

What are some ways this week you could encourage fellow disciples you have never met?

How does Paul describe the good news about Jesus in this text?

What is it about the good news about Jesus that is so incredibly exciting to Paul?

Describe Paul’s relationship with God based on this text.

What needs to change in your life for you to exhibit this kind of enthusiasm about Jesus and his message?

What impact are Jesus and his message having upon the Colossian people?

How is this good news able to impact these folks so deeply?

What impact are Jesus and his message having upon your everyday life?

How would it feel to be part of a community so sold-out to Jesus and his ways?

What steps could you take to be more open to surrendering to his good news?

Memorize verse 5 tonight and spend an hour meditating on this verse this week.

Which do you like better (and why): a sunset, a star-lit sky, an air show, or fireworks?

In what way have followers of Jesus been “raised” with Jesus?

Why does Paul use the resurrection as his ground for the concept of a transformed Christian life?

How has Jesus’ resurrection begun to make things new in your life?

What are the earthly things that Paul is saying we should not make the focus of our minds?

What are the heavenly things that Paul is insisting should be our focus.

Why does he argue for this change in perspective?

What earthly things are most distracting to you in your spiritual journey?

What does Paul argue is the absolute focal point of the things that are above?

What thoughts or values or attitudes do you have that makes focusing on Jesus’ reign in heaven difficult?

In a practical sense, how can we experience this change in perspective?

In what ways have disciples metaphorically or spiritually died with Jesus?

What does it mean for our lives to be hidden in Jesus?

Why is the return of Jesus something for which every disciple should be longing?

How should these truths change the way that we view our lives?

Memorize the passage and mediate on it for one hour this week.

Be sure to review this week the other verses you have memorized as well.

What are some habits that you have established in your life?

Describe the false teaching that Paul is combating in this region based on his statements in tonight’s passage.

What kinds of things do those who support this false teaching use to judge others?

Based on our evidence, how would you describe the character of those who are doing this judging?

What are some standards that you use to judge other people that do not line up with the gospel of Jesus?

How can we go about becoming less judgmental people?

What is it about the teaching of these false teachers that is so incredibly false?

Why are the rituals that are being described in this text considered to be of no spiritual value for a disciple?

Why is Paul so terribly concerned that the Colossians disregard the warnings these folks are giving?

What are some spiritually neutral habits that our culture has elevated to the point of religious observance?

Which of these are most distracting to you in your spiritual journey?

How can we distinguish between changes that are vital in our lives to reflect our faith and those that are optional?

How do we effectively differentiate between practicing healthy spiritual discipline, harmless everyday practices, and unhealthy ritual habits?

What is Jesus’ relationship to those who are sincere disciple’s according to this text?

According to Paul, how does a person demonstrate that they are not plugged into Jesus?

How can we make sure we are connected to Jesus in the advice that we give to other disciples?

Memorize verse 17 and meditate on it for one hour this week.