Doing Right

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DOING RIGHT (RIGHTEOUSNESS) – Matthew 5.6

(This is a tough subject. I hope you’ll accept my limited understanding of it!)

This small group encourages people to find Bible verses and read them, rather than printing them off as we’ve done elsewhere.

Righteousness is one of those Christian-type words that can be a struggle to get our head round. We’re looking today at what some Bible versions translate as ‘doing right’, ‘being hungry for God’ or ‘being right with God and doing right’.

It is important to realise two things: First, being righteous is a relative thing. Only God is truly righteous. We can only aim as high as we can. Second, it is an active process. We need to keep on living in a way that is right and should try to be more and more holy. Sure, we may slip up but our aim should be perfection – as Jesus was (and is).

Find these verses, Matthew 6.33, 1 Timothy 6.11 and 2 Timothy 3.16.

a. What happens if we seek righteousness?

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b. What else should we seek after?

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c. What’s a good source for teaching on righteousness?

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Write in your own words what you think Matthew 5.6 is getting at…

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So let’s get some good Biblical examples – write down Genesis 6.9 (about Noah)…

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Now read then write down the second half of Romans 4.3 (about Abraham)…

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Just a tiny something of what right living can do and does for us…

– We get to hear from God (Romans 12.3), 
– We can pray and get amazing answers (James 5.16 and Proverbs 15.29), 
– We get to see ourselves as we really are (Romans 3.10 & 3.20), 
– One day we will be separated from the unrighteous (Matthew 13.49 and 25.46), 
– The eyes of the Lord will be on us (Job 36.7 and 1 Peter 3.12), 
– Our righteous acts gain us eternal reward in heaven (Revelation 19.8 and 1 Samuel 26.23)

GOING DEEPER, JESUS AND HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS TO US – ANOTHER RIGHTEOUSNESS!

Read Romans 3.19-26. This is a difficult passage. Discuss what you think it means.

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Read Daniel 12.3 then read 2 Corinthians 5.21. This is a brilliantly simple description of what Jesus did for us. Why not spend some time in prayer now thanking God, getting right with God and asking God for more of him in your life

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