House Built on the Rock

Discussion Questions: “The House Built Upon the Rock”

Jesus concludes the sermon on the mount with this excellent comparison, explaining the benefits of putting His words into practice.  Matthew and Luke both describe the parable of the man who built his house upon the rock and the man who built his house upon the sand.  Matthew 7:24-27 and Luke 6:46-49. 

1)   Have someone read: (outlined in green) Luke 6:46.

a)   Why is Jesus calling out to the listeners on the mount, asking them, “Why do you call out to me when you don’t do the things I say you should be doing?” _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

b)   What does it mean to act on His sayings? _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

2)   Have someone read: (outlined in red) Matthew 7:24 and Luke 6:47-48a.

a)   What does it mean to hear Jesus’ sayings? _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

b)   What does it mean for someone to build his house on a rock?  _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

c)    Who represents the rock? __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

d)   Who do you represent? And Why?  ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

3)   What is the importance of a strong foundation? _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

a)   Using the “rock” as a metaphor, how do we prepare for a solid physical foundation for a house?  (What are the steps): 

i)     _______________________________________________________________

ii)    _______________________________________________________________

iii)   _______________________________________________________________

iv)  _______________________________________________________________

v)    _______________________________________________________________

vi)  _______________________________________________________________

vii) _______________________________________________________________

b)   What are some critical elements to building a solid foundation on Jesus Christ? 

i)     _______________________________________________________________

ii)    _______________________________________________________________

iii)   _______________________________________________________________

iv)  _______________________________________________________________

v)    _______________________________________________________________

vi)  _______________________________________________________________

4)   Have someone read: (outlined in blue) Matthew 7:25 and Luke 6:48. Think of a lighthouse. 

a)   How can a lighthouse withstand constant powerful waves beating on its doorstep? _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

b)     How does this compare to a person’s life with obstacles and challenges who has a strong foundation with God? _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

5)   Have someone read: (outlined in black) Matthew 7:26 and Luke 6:49a.

a)     What happens to a physical sand-based foundation when the rain comes? _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

b)     What happens to someone who does not build a strong spiritual foundation? _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

c)      What are the reasons why someone loses their faith? _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

6)   Have someone read: (outlined in purple) Matthew 7:27 and Luke 6:49b.

a)   What happens to the house made on sand? _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

b)   What happens to someone who builds his house on sand and does not build his house on a rock?  ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

7)   What do you think it means to be a wise man? _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

8)   What are the characteristics the world considers to be a wise man? 

i)     _______________________________________________________________

ii)    _______________________________________________________________

iii)   _______________________________________________________________

iv)  _______________________________________________________________

v)    _______________________________________________________________

vi)  _______________________________________________________________

vii) _______________________________________________________________

viii)   ____________________________________________________________

ix)  _______________________________________________________________

x)    _______________________________________________________________

9)     What are the characteristics the Bible considers to be a wise man? 

i)     _______________________________________________________________

ii)    _______________________________________________________________

iii)   _______________________________________________________________

iv)  _______________________________________________________________

v)    _______________________________________________________________

vi)  _______________________________________________________________

vii) _______________________________________________________________

viii)  ____________________________________________________________

ix)  _______________________________________________________________

x)    _______________________________________________________________