“Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished. Therefore anyone who sets aside one of the least of these commands and teaches others accordingly will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven.” – Matthew 5:17-20
- How is the Law typically thought of in Christian circles? How is the NT and OT typically seen at “odds” with each other?
- What do you think it means for Jesus to “fulfill” the Law? How is that different than abolishing the Law?
- Read Deuteronomy 4:5-9 and Deuteronomy 6:1-15. What seems to be the purpose of the Law for the nation of Israel?
- What is the significance of the shift from the Law on tablets (Deuteronomy 4:13-14) to the Law on our hearts (Jeremiah 31:31-33)?
- What are the underlying principles (or “Spirit of the Law”) that should be guiding us?
- How is the “Spirit of the Law” approach more complicated than the “Letter of the Law” approach? How is it simpler? Do you find it to be more freeing or more restrictive? How so?
- Read Ps. 51 together. Commit to praying for God to give you a clean heart and renewed Spirit.
