“The Bible You Can Trust”

Series: Live the Story, Tell the Story
Messages: Matthew 5:17–19 + Isaiah 58

Big Idea:
Jesus didn’t just read Scripture—He trusted it and fulfilled it. God’s Word is credible, beautiful, and binding; true trust shows up as a life shaped by it (Isaiah 58).

Opening Question (5 min)

When have you trusted someone’s words enough to act on them—before you saw the results? What made their words believable?

Scripture Snapshot (5 min)

  • Matthew 5:17–18 – “I have not come to abolish… but to fulfill… not an iota, not a dot, will pass… until all is accomplished.”

  • Isaiah 58:6–7 – “Is not this the fast that I choose… to loose the bonds of wickedness… to share your bread with the hungry…?”

From Reading to Trusting (30 min)

1) Fulfilled, Not Abolished (Mt 5:17)

Truth: Jesus guarantees the whole Old Testament and brings it to its goal in Himself.
Why it matters: We don’t discard the OT or re-enact it mindlessly; we read it through Jesus and obey its fulfilled intent.
Practice cue: Ask in any passage, “How does this find its center in Jesus?”

2) Enduring Authority (Mt 5:18)

Truth: God’s Word is more stable than creation; its purposes stand until fully accomplished.
Why it matters: Confidence > anxiety. Scripture can correct me precisely because it loves me.
Practice cue: Let Scripture have the first and last word of your day.

3) Do and Teach (Mt 5:19)

Truth: Greatness in the Kingdom = humble fidelity to the Word—doing it and passing it on.
Why it matters: We resist both lawlessness (ignoring the Word) and legalism (missing Jesus in it).
Practice cue: Share what you’re learning with one person this week.

4) Trust Looks Like Justice (Isaiah 58)

Truth: God rejects performative religion; true devotion loosens oppression, shares bread, welcomes the vulnerable.
Why it matters: We don’t just defend Scripture—we embody it in mercy and justice.
Practice cue: Pair Bible intake with a tangible act of generosity or advocacy.

Discussion Questions (15–20 min)

  1. Where do you feel most confident—and most hesitant—about trusting the Bible? Why?

  2. What’s one place Scripture is confronting you and one place it’s comforting you right now?

  3. Read Isaiah 58:6–10. Which line feels most like an invitation for our group this month?

  4. Who is one person you could “do and teach” with this week (Mt 5:19)?

Practices for the Week (10 min)

Daily:

  • Lectio/SOAP in Matthew 5:17–20 (Mon–Wed) and Isaiah 58 (Thu–Sat).
    Ask: Where is God’s Word confronting me? Where is it comforting me?

  • Memorize Matthew 5:18 as a group.

One tangible act (pick one):

  • Justice & Mercy: Share a meal/gift card with someone in need, or serve with a local partner.

  • Scripture in the Home: Read a short passage aloud each night (roommates/family).

  • Public-Square Presence: Pray for one setting (work/class/neighborhood) and speak with conviction + gentleness once this week.

  • Mentor & Teach: Invite a younger believer to read Luke or James with you (two meetings).

Prayer (15 min)

Share: Where do you need courage to trust and obey the Word this week?
Pray:
“Lord Jesus, You fulfilled the Scriptures and Your Word will not pass away.
Root us in Your truth; soften our hearts; send us to embody Your justice and mercy.
Give us quiet, non-anxious courage to live and speak Your Word. Amen.”

Closing Invitation
Live the Story: Delight in the Word and do it.
Tell the Story: Share what Jesus is teaching you—with humility and courage.

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