The Big Idea of this study is God is more concerned with the interior reality of our hearts than the outward appearances of our lives.

As we focus on Jesus’ definitions on “The Good Life” this week we see his emphasis on the internal life. We can all be tempted to put on appearances, if even for good reasons. We can be led to believe the good life consists of having a persona or image that is approved of by the people around us. We can even believe that God is impressed with the exterior appearances of our lives.

The Pharisees were a group of religiously-motivated people in Jesus’ day whose goal was to maintain the ritual purity of the people’s worship. Their initial goal was good – to honor God with the system of worship he had given them – but they had lost the plot, the heart of the issue. “To love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and strength.” They began to concern themselves with the exteriors of piety, hoping that would move God to solve their problems. But God is much more concerned with interior truth than exterior appearances.

David is a great example of someone who, though entangling his heart in false pursuits of the good life, recognized his need for a new heart. He did not hide his sin before God but prayed for God to restore his heart, and spirit which had been encumbered by sin and idolatry. He knew that his sin was always on full display, and couldn’t be hidden. We need this kind of openness before God, in order for God to do the interior work of purifying our hearts.

God has promised to give us new hearts – and he does this by making us new creations in Christ. When we come to Jesus and open our lives in submission to him, he pours his Holy Spirit into us and turns our hardened hearts into soft ones, sensitive to him. This is the good life.

Questions for Discussion:

One way to determine if your heart has been captured by a false idol is by paying attention to your unusually strong emotional reactions. Have you ever noticed yourself having an unusually strong emotional reaction that was associated to an unhealthy dynamic in your heart?
The centre of Israel’s identity was “Hear O Israel, the Lord our God is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and strength.” Discuss the challenge of having a singular devotion to God in the world today.
How can the good intention of honoring God with our lives become too much about our appearances, and not so much about interior reality? How can we foster an emphasis on our hearts without neglecting external obedience?
Read Jeremiah 17:9 – does this resonate with you as true? Then read Ezekiel 36:26. How does this promise give you hope?
A good phrase to remember is : “Don’t ask ‘How Do People See Me?’ Rather ask: ‘How Can I See God?’” Discuss the challenge of remembering this in your life.