The Way Of The King.
Week #6: Jesus On Objectification And Covenant.
Opening Reflection.
Where have you seen God’s Kingdom at work in your life this week?
Or how have you experienced The Way of The King in your life this week?
Share any brief examples and encouragements.
‘You have heard that it was said, “You shall not commit adultery.” But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.’
‘If your right eye causes you to stumble, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. And if your right hand causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to go into hell.’
Matthew 5:27-28
Matthew 5:29-30
Verses 27-28.
1. “You shall not commit adultery” is the sixth of the Ten Commandmens, but there was also a tenth which was, “You shall not covet (desire) your neighbour’s house; you shall not covet (desire) your neighbour’s wife… or anything that belongs to your neighbour.”
Is Jesus saying anything more than had already been expressed in this much older commandment?
What’s the big deal with the way in which you look at someone?
2. First Statement: “Jesus is not talking about the appreciation of beauty. When God created people in his image as male and female, Genesis Chapter 1 says, ‘God saw everything that he had made, and indeed, it was very good’. To look at a beautiful human being and find them attractive is not wrong, it is normal and healthy.”
Apart from photos of your family or friends, have you ever decorated your walls with pictures of people you admired or found ‘attractive’ – actors, models, singers, sporting heroes or other celebrities?
Who did you choose to pin to the walls of your teenage bedroom? Why them?
3. Second Statement: “Jesus is not talking about the momentary flash of sexual desire that comes when you see a beautiful woman (or man) – especially if they aren’t wearing many clothes. That’s not sin, that’s temptation.”
Do you think that is a helpful way of thinking about what Jesus said?
When does temptation become sin?
4. Third Statement: “Jesus is talking particularly about when a man gazes at a woman in order to gain sexual gratification from fantasizing about her body. He is addressing ‘objectification’ – when one person treats another as a ‘thing’ to be manipulated for their own pleasure.”
What did Jesus mean by “adultery of the heart”?
How does Jesus statement touch on the core issues of loving God and loving your neighbour as yourself?
Verses 29-30.
What do you think…
How literal should we be in applying these verses to our lives?
Is Jesus being just a little too extreme, or is this really that important?
Closing Reflection.
What elements of the Kingdom of God from this passage would you like to see more of in your life over this next week?
Is there anything you will take away from this study and discussion? What has stood out that you can take into your week ahead?
Pray together (in pairs or small groups) for each other, in response to your answers.
