warm-up

What’s a book, movie, or series you really like? Why do you like it?

What’s one lesson in school that made a great impact on you? Why do you remember it?

Do you find it easy or difficult to obey authority figures? Why? Tell us your experience.

word

24“Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. . . .” ²⁸And when Jesus finished these sayings, the crowds were astonished at his teaching, ²⁹for he was teaching them as one who had authority, and not as their scribes. Matthew 7:24,28,29

(Read Matthew 7:25-27.)

During the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus redefined the Law of Moses that the crowds knew about and were following. Jesus taught the actual spirit of the Law, which would change the way people related with others and with God. The people were astonished at Jesus’ authority, because He did not lean on the teachings of the scribes, but revealed the true spirit behind the Law. As He ended, Jesus described the two responses that people give when they hear God’s words—obedience and disobedience.

1
Response 1: Hear and Obey

²⁴“Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. ²⁵And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock.” Matthew 7:24,25

A wise man knows that storms will inevitably come to shake his house, so he takes time to build it on a strong foundation. Those who recognize the authority in Jesus’ words obey them, and build their lives on the strong foundation that is the Word of God. If we place our trust in His words and obey Him in faith, we will build our lives on a foundation that can withstand any storm. What happened to the wise man’s house after the storm?

2
Response 2: Hear and Disobey

²⁶“And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. ²⁷And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it.” Matthew 7:26,27

A foolish man, on the other hand, builds his house on a weak and dangerous foundation of sand. Those who hear the authority in Jesus’ words and yet choose to disobey build their lives on a weak foundation that will not last. If we hear and disobey the words of Jesus, our lives will not survive any storms that hit us. How do obedience or disobedience show our relationship with God? How important is it to obey Jesus immediately and completely?

application

Do you read the Word every day and take time to hear from God? What is one step you can take to spend more time with Him and hear from Him every day?

Is there an area in your life where you need to trust and obey God’s Word? What will you do differently to obey Him immediately and completely this week?

Do you have family members and friends going through storms in their own lives? How can you encourage them to hear and obey the Word in their situations?

prayer

Thank God for His Word and for teaching you to obey Him every day. Thank Him for the confidence that you have in Him and that you can withstand any storm because your life is built on Him.

Pray that you will always hear and obey God. Ask Him for the grace to live out His words every day, no matter what your situation is.

Pray that God will use you to help and encourage others to hear and obey His words. Pray that it will open doors for you to preach the gospel to family members and friends.

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© 2017 by VICTORY®
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Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®)
Copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

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