Building on a firm foundation

Study Guide

The following may help you reflect further on the message
(the points could also be used as a discussion guide at fellowship groups)

1. How does Luke 6:43-45 fit the context of judgement in the previous passage? What new thought does the next section add (vs.46-49)?
2. Is it true that most people want to live a good life rather than a bad one? How can this encourage us and discourage us at the same time? How is the purpose of God seen in this? The Prayer in Psalm 51:10 may help at this point.
3. In what areas were you challenged by Sunday's message? What have you done about this since hearing the message? Note Luke 6:46-49!
4. Why did Jesus particularly relate the idea of good and bad fruit to our speech (Luke 6:45)? How does this relate to Ephesians 4:29? See also Proverbs 12:18.
5. Note the works of the flesh in Galatians 5.19-21. How important is this list in today's world? How helpful is vs.16-18 in this context?
6. How do we tag on bad fruit to our lives? When we find bad fruit, what should we do? See the first part of Luke 6:45.
7. How does Jesus apply the idea of bad fruit and good fruit in Matthew 7:15-21?
8. How can Philippians 1:9-11 help us develop fruit in our lives? How should this find expression in the way we speak about people, and to people? There may be some clues in Galatians 5:22-25.