Judging

Matthew 7:1-6
[1] “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.

DEEP SHEET:  Sermon Study Questions
1.  How has Jesus’ teaching against judging been hijacked and misused in our culture?
2.  What are some instances in which God has convicted you of judging or criticizing other Christians? How has this attitude and behavior negatively affected your relationships?
3.  How does Jesus relate our judgment of others to God’s future judgment of us? How much thought have you given to the fact that “we will all stand before the judgment seat of God” (Romans 14:10)? (John 5:24; 2 Corinthians 5:9-10; Romans 14:10, 12; 1 Corinthians 3:15)
4.  What does this activity of judging that Jesus is rebuking and forbidding look like in practice? (Romans 14; 2:1-5)
5.  How can we begin letting judgmental thoughts turn us inward, and how will this make us more useful in holding others accountable? (Galatians 6:1; Matthew 18:15)
6.  Why does dealing with our own sin enable us “to see clearly” (v. 5)?
7.  What kind of judgment/ discernment is Jesus telling us to have as we relate to unbelievers? (Proverbs 9:8; Matthew 7:15-16)