Remember: Even though this week's passage covered marriage and divorce, the principles apply to ALL of us!  So whether you're married or not, reflect on these questions as they apply to any or all of your personal relationships.

1. Review:  Over the past week, what practical ways have you found to align your heart and behavior with the transformation God wants to do in you?  Is there an area in which you can invite someone else (maybe your group?) to come alongside you in that transformation?  How can you take initiative in that?

2. So as you think back over Jesus' teaching in the Sermon on the Mount so far, where have you been challenged to think, live, speak, or act differently than you have?  Does "following Jesus" look different in your life these days?

3. Take a moment in prayer, welcoming the Spirit's presence.  Then take a couple minutes and read through both passages Ralph spoke about on Sunday: Matthew 5:31-32 and Matthew 19:3-10.  How does the Matthew 19 passage help you understand Matthew 5 better?  What does Jesus say there that Matthew doesn't include in chapter 5, and what difference does it make to how you think about marriage and divorce?​

4. Think about marriage between a man and a woman in light of the relationship of Christ to His Church (read Ephesians 5:25-33).  Whether you are married or not, what do we learn about the way Jesus loves His people, the Church?

5. The Pharisees' only concern seems to be about how they can divorce a woman in good conscience.  How does Jesus' high view of marriage go beyond just looking for rules to keep?

6. In what way do Jesus' words on marriage demonstrate that He came "not to abolish the Law but to fulfill it"?  (Consider how Jesus' approach points the way to the "inside-out gospel.")

7. Jesus seems to think that the biggest problem we have regarding marriage and divorce is really hardness of heart.  Ralph quoted Dallas Willard as saying that if we are taking Jesus' earlier words about anger, contempt, and lust seriously, far fewer of us would find our relationships on the rocks.  What areas of your relationships would you be better off confronting now than waiting for things to get to a crisis point later on?

8. In what specific, concrete ways can you show honor, respect, or devotion to your spouse or a good friend?  In the Spirit of Jesus, find a way to demonstrate this kind of care this week.  (Again, be specific!  Make up your mind to follow through on this and then … make it a habit in your relationships!)