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Small Group Guide:
Open with prayer.
Go around and give everyone a chance to share about how the past week has been. What’s one highlight? What’s one lowlight?
If your small group has talked about it before, feel free to use this time to hold people accountable to what they’ve asked to be held accountable for previously, and go through the “missional” part of this discussion guide.
Judging Others
7 “Judge not, that you be not judged. 2 For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you. 3 Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? 4 Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when there is the log in your own eye? 5 You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye.
6 “Do not give dogs what is holy, and do not throw your pearls before pigs, lest they trample them underfoot and turn to attack you.
We are currently going through a sermon series in the Gospel of Matthew. Today, we’re continuing in the Sermon on the Mount portion of Matthew, where Jesus teaches us what it looks like to be a part of His Kingdom.
First, realize:
1. Discernment is different than judgement
Matt. 7:1, 6, 15-20, 1 John 4:1, Heb. 5:14, Phil. 1:9-10
2. We are judged with the same judgment we use
Matt. 7:2, James 2:13, Luke 6:38, Mark 4:24, Ob. 1:15
3. Your own sinfulness
Matt. 7:3-5, Rom. 3:23, 5:12, 7:18, 1 John 1:8, Jer. 17:9
So then, ask yourself the difficult questions of:
1. Who am I judgy towards?
Rom. 2:11, Acts 10:34, Lev. 19:15
2. Who do I show favoritism towards?
James 2:1-9, John 3:16-17
3. What sins do I harp on?
James 1:26, 4:17, 1 John 4:20, Rom. 2:3, John 8:7-11
4. What sins do I easily overlook?
Matt. 5:19, Rom. 6:23
Finally, spend time with God and ask Him to:
1. Reveal any unknown prejudices you might have
Ps. 139:23-24, 26:2, Heb. 4:12, 1 Pet. 1:6-7, 1 John 1:9
2. Give you more patience
Gal. 5:22-23, Col. 3:12-13, Eph. 4:1-3
3. Help you be a more joyful person
Gal. 5:22-23, Ps. 51:11-12, Prov. 17:22, John 16:22
Reflecting on God’s Word
Getting Started
- Take some time to read over Matthew 7:1-6 and pray.
- Have you ever read or heard about this before? What stood out to you as we were talking about it?
- What was your biggest take away from this message? Why?
- Take some time to think and pray about God helping you to not be a judgy Christian, and then jot down some of your takeaways.
Diving In
- Read over Matthew 7:2 again. Jesus makes it clear that we are judged with the same judgment that we use towards others. When you think of that concept, what kind of judgment comes to mind?
- How does remembering your own sinfulness enlighten the way you judge others?
- How can you effectively use discernment while not becoming judgy?
- How would it change your life and your relationship with God if you were to not become judgy, while still using good, Biblical discernment?
Be honest with yourself: what people and/or sins are you extra harsh towards? What people and/or sins do you offer too much passivity (or even approval) towards? Spend some time in prayer asking God to reveal any unknown prejudices you may have, and make sure to write them down.
- What was your biggest take away from spending that time in prayer?
- How can you avoid forgetting about what God just revealed to you?
- How would it change your life and your relationship with God if you were to take what God put on your heart and apply it to your life?
Patience and joy are two fruit of the Spirit that help us to avoid becoming a judgy Christian. Spend some time in prayer and ask for God to help you to become a more patient and joyful person.
- What situation(s) do you find yourself in often that steals your joy?
- What causes you to lose your patience?
- How would it change your life and your relationship with God if you were a more patient and joyful person? How would it affect your relationship with others if you were a more patient and joyful person?
Applying the Scripture
What are your biggest takeaways from this passage of God’s Word?
- What practical step(s) do you need to implement in your life to apply what God has taught you in this passage of Scripture?
- How would applying this affect your life and your relationship with the Lord?
- Who can you ask to keep you accountable to applying this to your life?
Prayer Time:
Pray for each other in your small group to be faithful take the step(s) that you shared above. Pray for each other and the interactions that they have with those who don’t know Jesus. Pray that God would soften the people’s hearts to what He has for them. Pray that God would give everyone opportunities to share the Gospel.
Staying Missional:
Share spiritual/missional conversations you’ve had where you live, work, and play:
Who did you have a conversation with that took a spiritual/missional turn this week?
What questions did you ask to discover where God is at work in their life, even if they are not aware?
How were you able to share your story of life change or how you have experienced Jesus?
How can you be intentional this week with people where you live, work, and play to have spiritual/missional conversations if the opportunity arises?
Who in your life do you think could be discipleable or open to spiritual/missional conversations?
What’s next?
Discuss the next step for your small group. When will we gather again and what purpose will it fulfill?