The House on the Rock

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May 18, 2003 - Matthew 7:24-27

Open It

  1. What is the secret to building great sand castles?

  2. What is it like to ride out a violent thunderstorm, hurricane, or tornado?

Explore It

  1. Who did Jesus say is wise? (7:24)

  2. Besides hearing the words of Christ, what else must a person do in order to be considered wise? (7:24)

  3. Jesus compared wise living to building a house on what kind of foundation? (7:24)

  4. What sets fools apart from wise people? (7:24, 26)

  5. In Jesus' analogy, what strong forces of nature pounded on the wise person's house? (7:25)

  6. What was the effect of the wind and rain on the house? (7:25)

  7. Why wasn't the house part of a "disaster area"? (7:25)

  8. What kind of people did Jesus talk about in contrast to the wise person? (7:26)

  9. What individuals are like a man who builds a house on sand? (7:26)According to Jesus, foolish living is like building a house on what kind of foundation? (7:26)

  10. In Jesus' analogy, what happened when the wind and water crashed against the fool's house? (7:27)

Get It

  1. Why is it difficult to apply God's truth to our lives?

  2. How does obedience to God bring security to our lives?

  3. What foundation are you building your life on?

  4. How can you build your life on Christ?

  5. What are some sandy foundations you have seen people base their lives on?

  6. How do you feel when you see people (friends or family members) ignoring God and making bad decisions?

Apply It

  1. What can you do today to encourage someone to listen to the voice of Jesus and obey what he or she hears?

  2. What neglected command of Christ will you begin obeying this week?

NOTES

To build "on the rock" means to be a hearing, responding disciple, not a phony, superficial one. Practicing obedience becomes the solid foundation to weather the storms of life. See James 1:22-27 for more on putting into practice what we hear.

Like a house of cards, the fool's life crumbles. Most people do not deliberately seek to build on a false or inferior foundation; instead, they just don't think about their life's purpose. Many people are headed for destruction, not out of stubbornness but out of thoughtlessness. Part of our responsibility as believers is to stop and think about where our lives are headed and to be sensitive to the consequences of ignoring Christ's message.

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