Better + Brighter: Be different
Better + Brighter: week 4: Be different
Jesus calls His followers to live differently in a culture that has normalized brokenness in relationships. Faithfulness, purity, and commitment reflect God’s better design. When we choose holiness and run to grace when we fall, we make “different” the new normal.
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Week 4 — Be Different
Matthew 5:27–30
Culture constantly redefines what is “normal,” especially in relationships and sexuality. But normal doesn’t always mean healthy — and it rarely means holy.
Jesus calls His followers to live differently.
He begins with faithfulness, reminding us that marriage is a covenant, not a contract. Faithfulness protects what God joins together. It creates security, trust, and flourishing.
Jesus then addresses the heart issue of lust. He teaches that sin doesn’t start with action — it starts with desire. Lust distorts God’s design, damages intimacy, and pulls hearts away from Him.
That’s why Jesus uses strong language: cut it off. Remove whatever leads you toward sin, even if it’s inconvenient. Holiness requires intentional boundaries.
Commitment follows. In a culture that treats relationships as disposable, Jesus calls His people to perseverance. Divorce isn’t God’s design — faithfulness is.
And when failure happens, grace is available. Jesus never minimizes sin, but He always offers redemption. The call is not to shame, but to transformation.
Living differently may feel costly — but it leads to a better, brighter way of life.
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Small Group Curriculum – Better & Brighter
Small Group Curriculum – Week 4: Be Different
Main Scripture: Matthew 5:27–30 (NLT)
Big Idea: Make different the new normal.1. Connect (Icebreaker)
Fun: What’s something that used to be “weird” but is now completely normal?
Personal: When have you felt pressure to fit in with what everyone else calls “normal”?
Transition: We live in a culture that normalizes compromise—especially in relationships and sexuality. But Jesus calls His followers to a higher standard: to be different and make different the new normal.2. Discover (Scripture & Discussion)
Read Matthew 5:27–30; Job 31:1 (NLT).
Discussion Questions:
• Why does Jesus connect lust with adultery of the heart?
• What makes purity so countercultural in today’s world?
• What are some “normal” things in our culture that Jesus calls us to be different from?
• What practical steps can help us “cut off” temptation before it becomes sin?
• (Dig Deeper) Read John 8:3–11. How does Jesus balance truth and grace with those who have failed in this area?
3. Respond (Application & Prayer)
Personal Application:
Where is God calling you to live differently this week—faithfulness, purity, or commitment?
How can you make “different” the new normal in your relationships?
Group Prayer Prompt:
Pray for purity and strength to resist temptation in a hypersexualized world.
Pray for restoration for anyone who feels broken by sexual sin or relational wounds.
Challenge for the Week:
💬 Memory Verse: Matthew 5:8 (NLT) – “God blesses those whose hearts are pure, for they will see God.”
🌿 Next Step: Make a specific commitment to honor God with your eyes, thoughts, and actions this week. Replace temptation with truth—spend 5 minutes daily in prayer or Scripture every time temptation arises.⏱️ Designed for 45–60 minutes
Connect (10–15 min)
Discover (25–30 min)
Respond (10–15 min
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CONWAY
AYNOR
SOUTH STRAND