Following Jesus: Focus On The Message – Matthew 7

Description

Welcome to Focus On The Message – the first component of our Following Jesus discipleship program. This web page contains the lessons for:

Matthew 7

Purpose

Follow this link for information about these key aspects of our training: Purpose, Goals, Habits, Ministries, and Assignments.

Matthew 7

This chapter has 5. lessons. You should ideally cover one chapter (with all of its lessons) in a week, but please don’t let a week go by without completing at least one lesson.

Lesson 1: Judging Others

Main text and related passages:

  • Judging Others – Matthew 7:1-6
    • This isn’t the only passage in scripture that deals with judging.
    • The point is not that we should never judge, but rather that we shouldn’t judge hypocritically. We need to assume that our own eyesight may be impaired before trying to fix a problem with someone else.
    • Beyond judging, don’t give share precious truths with people who won’t value them or who can’t appreciate them.

Checkout the following:

Topics to explore:

  • Describe a time when someone else judged you.
  • Describe a time when you judged someone else.
  • Describe a recent situation you’ve encountered that calls for judgment.

Additional resources to check out:

Training assignment (do this yourself, and use it to help train someone else):

  • Read the main passage and related passages above.

Lesson 2: Ask, Seek, Knock

Main text and related passages:

  • Ask, Seek, Knock – Matthew 7:7-12
    • God is a loving father who wants to provide generously for his children.
    • The context for this is the partnership into which God has called us.

Checkout the following:

Topics to explore:

  • The apostles were the initial recipients of this teaching by Jesus. Over the course of their subsequent lives (as recorded in the four Gospels and the Book of Acts), what kinds of things did they ask for? What did they seek? Where did they “knock”?

Additional resources to check out:

Training assignment (do this yourself, and use it to help train someone else):

  • Read the main passage and related passages above.

Lesson 3: Narrow and Wide Gates

Main text and related passages:

  • Narrow and Wide Gates – Matthew 7:13-14
    • Following Jesus requires intentional effort. If we don’t make that effort, we will get carried along with the crowd.
    • Illustrations:
      • Heading south on MA-28 onto I-93 S in order to take MA 24S.
      • Heading onto I-93N from South Short Plaza in order to stay on I-93N.

Checkout the following:

Topics to explore:

  • Can you describe a situation in which you faced a choice between the narrow gate and the wide gate? Which one did you choose?

Additional resources to check out:

Training assignment (do this yourself, and use it to help train someone else):

  • Read the main passage and related passages above.

Lesson&