This is one of those passages that we tend to gloss over. Oaths are foreign to us. The only time that anyone talks about oaths is in a courthouse setting, so it does not seem to be relevant to us. But looking closer, Jesus is doing more than talking about an ancient custom. He’s asking to think carefully about our words, and how we talk about the God that we worship.

Matthew 5:33-37

33 “Again, you have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘Do not break your oath, but fulfill to the Lord the vows you have made.’ 34 But I tell you, do not swear an oath at all: either by heaven, for it is God’s throne; 35 or by the earth, for it is his footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the Great King. 36 And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make even one hair white or black. 37 All you need to say is simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one.

[ WHAT ] is this passage saying and what is a key truth or thought that we learn?

+ What is an oath?

_ Some background on oaths: oaths in ancient times were quite common. They could be used for simple agreements and careless promises (see Judges 11:30-37). The Pharisees especially would use different oaths depending on which were binding. For example, swearing by the temple would be an oath that was permissible to break. But swearing by the gold of the temple would not be a breakable oath (Matt 25:16) It is these oaths that Jesus takes issue with.

+ Why would Jesus take issue with these oaths?

+ What sin does careless oaths reveal?

+ What is Jesus’ solution for his followers?

[ HOW ] is the Lord calling me to action/obedience?

+ Is there a sin to confess or a next step to take? How has it gone since last time?

+ What careless promises have you made that you need to repent of?

+ What careless words have you spoken that have hurt your friends/ family/ coworkers?

[ WHO ] am I walking with and praying for to discover Jesus?

+ What is my next step?