The Art of Neighboring, Part 4: “Motives Matter”
August 27, 2023

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Message Review

Jesus commands His followers to love their neighbors. To truly love our neighbors, our ultimate motive must be to share the story of Jesus and His impact on our lives, rather than just sharing the gospel. We love them because we are converted, not to convert them. 

Main Point | We don’t love our neighbor to convert them; we love our neighbor because we’ve been converted.

Scripture References | Mark 12:30-31; Matthew 15:32; Matthew 11:19 

Bible Study

The focus Bible passage from the sermon was Matthew 28:16-20. Before going to the Sermon Discussion Questions, study the passage by reading through it together, then talk through it using the Inductive Bible Study Method questions that follow:

  • Context: Discuss the context of this passage (i.e. when it was written, who wrote it, who it was written to, what was going on before and/or after this specific passage, etc.)

  • Observation: What do you notice in this passage?  What words or phrases stick out to you? And why?

  • Interpretation: What was Jesus’ original intent in this passage?  What main point(s) was Jesus trying to communicate, and why is that important?

  • Application: What is one key takeaway or insight you had from this passage? How can or should you apply it to your life?

  • Questions: What questions/tensions do you have from this passage that you would like to discuss?

Discussion Questions

  • This week's sermon emphasized the importance of having the right motives when trying to connect with your neighbors. What were your initial thoughts or takeaways from the sermon and why?  

  • Pastor Matt started his Sermon telling a story about bringing things back to the basics. Why is it helpful to revisit the basics, regardless of your level of knowledge on a subject? 

  • Why would having the sole motive of converting your neighbor to Jesus not make you a good neighbor? 

  • Pastor Matt said, “Jesus never called us to use a bait-and-switch approach, where we become friends with people only to share spiritual truths with them.” What are your thoughts on this statement? 

  • The ulterior motive in good neighboring must never be to share the gospel but the ultimate motive is just that, to share how Jesus has impacted your life. Why must this be the ultimate instead of the ulterior motive?  

  • As a group read Matthew 28:19-20 and Matthew 22:37-40 again. How is the Great Commandment and the Great Commission interconnected? 

  • As a Group read Matthew 5:14-16. How does living out the Great Commandment and Commission lead to being the light of the world? 

  • Pastor Matt said we should love our neighbors without strings. What are practical ways we can do this in our neighborhoods?  

  • Pastor Matt said, “We don’t love our neighbor to convert them; we love our neighbor because we’ve been converted”. What does this statement mean to you in your own words?  

  • What next step do you need to take out of the four habits Pastor Matt talked about leaving, listening, living among, and loving without strings? 

To watch or listen to Sunday’s sermon, visit our Sermons page.