Disciple Someone – Christ Commands

Read

Read the complete passage aloud.

Primary passage

Matthew 5:27–30

27 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery;’ 28 but I tell you that everyone who gazes at a woman to lust after her has committed adultery with her already in his heart. 29 If your right eye causes you to stumble, pluck it out and throw it away from you. For it is more profitable for you that one of your members should perish than for your whole body to be cast into Gehenna. 30 If your right hand causes you to stumble, cut it off, and throw it away from you. For it is more profitable for you that one of your members should perish, than for your whole body to be cast into Gehenna.

World English Bible

Jesus moves from the prohibition of adultery to the heart’s intention and uses severe imagery to call for decisive action against sin.

Discuss

Listen carefully to what Jesus says.

What does Jesus command?
What does this passage reveal about Him?
Where do we resist this command?
What is difficult or unclear?
How does Jesus move the issue from outward behavior to the intention of the heart, and what responsibility does He place on the viewer?

Practice

Choose one specific act of obedience.

Remove one concrete access point that feeds lust, establish an honest accountability conversation, and replace the habit with a practice that honors others’ dignity.

Return

Come back and discuss what happened.

What trigger or pattern became clearer, what boundary did you establish, and where do you need continued accountability?

Close together

Pray. Then prepare to teach.

Pray

Jesus, purify our attention and desires. Give us courage to act decisively, honesty to seek help, and love that sees people as persons made in God’s image.

Teach

Teach Jesus’ severe imagery as a call to decisive repentance, not self-harm; emphasize responsibility, dignity, and practical boundaries.