Week 10: Matthew 7:1-6 – Judging Others
In Matthew 7:1-6 we find a teaching of Jesus that has been quoted many times, and often out of context. So, what does God really think about judging others? Any why does it matter?
LIVE OAK CONNECTION POINT:
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DISCUSSION/REFLECTION QUESTIONS:
- What was a highlight for you from July?
- What are you looking forward to in August?
- When do you find yourself being judgmental? What circumstances bait you into judgement?
READ: Matthew 7:1-6.
Spend some time SOAPing this passage. You can either spend time SOAPing individually and documenting for a several minutes and then spend time sharing with each -OR- SOAP in real time with each other. Either way make as many observations as you can.
- Observations: What are the things that stand out to you about this passage?
- How would you summarize this passage in one sentence?
- In what areas of your life are you most likely to be judgmental of someone (e.g., finances, work, health, spiritual disciplines, parenting, marriage, emotions, etc.).
- Does social media increase or decrease your temptation to judge others? How do you use social media without sinfully judging someone?
- Are you more sensitive to the sin of others than to your own sin? If so, how can you swap this sensitivity?
READ: Matthew 7:5.
Doug pointed out who we are challenged by Jesus to go first and lean into correction by Jesus so we can help others do the same. What stands out to you about verse 5 and how we should “first” examine ourselves.
- Doug said that to live this out well in helping others our through correction require thinking about the WHY and the HOW… MOTIVE and METHOD.
WHY: What are good motives for trying to correct someone? - HOW: What are the best methods and best practices for being intentional with others about areas that they may need the help of correction?
Doug said that personally we need God speaking into our life through 1) God’s Holy Spirit, 2) through God’s Word and 3) through God’s people. What are some ways you can be intentional about leaning into each of those personally.
- Doug said, “Kingdom people help each other not judge each other.” How do the following verse speak to how we can help others in what God is doing in their lives?
Hebrews 3:13
Matthew 18:15-20
Galatians 5:15
Galatians 6:1-2
Ephesians 4:32
Ephesians 4:15
- What aspect of the way God has treated you in the gospel should compel you to be humble and patient instead of judgmental?
- What else stood out from this week’s sermon?
- APPLICATION: What is your big takeaway from this week’s sermon? Be specific.
NEXT STEPS:
Everyone has a next step to apply what we have learned. What is your next step? Be specific.
MEMORY VERSE: *Challenge yourself or your group to commit this verse to memory:
Ephesians 4:15 “Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ.”
PRAYER:
Spend some time praying for each other.
Scripture References:
Matthew 4:17; Matthew 7:1-6; Hebrews 9:27; 2 Samuel 11:1-17/ Psalm 51; Matthew 6:22-23; Matthew 6:2, 5, 16; John 7:24; John 16:8; Hebrews 4:12; 2 Timothy 3:16-17; Matthew 18:15-20; Hebrews 3:13; Galatians 5:15; Galatians 6:1-2; Ephesians 4:32; Ephesians 4:15; Romans 3:23-26
