8.

The Teachings of the King: Making Righteous Choices and Judgements

Matthew 7:1-29

  • Session: 8
  • Week: 2
  • Day: 1
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Introduction

Matthew chapters 5-7 shows how Christ’s disciples (students) could inherit the Kingdom of God (the rule of God on earth, dominion on earth) by changing their minds (repentance). For repentance to occur, Jesus must educate the minds of His students in knowing God and His will so that they can serve and worship God without fear. Jesus is the King of kings, educating His kings for service. In this session, we explore one area in which King Jesus educated His disciples on making God-honouring choices and judgments to maximise their rule on earth. This session introduces us to emotional intelligence, focusing first on internal greatness and control, followed by external greatness. In this section, Jesus gave His students the Kingdom principles of making God-honouring choices and judgments for themselves and others as students of the King, to help them inherit the Kingdom of God (dominion of God, rule of God on earth).

Objectives

By the end of this session, you will have:

  • Learned the principles of making the right judgment by avoiding external standards, not seeking wisdom from the world (dogs and swine), asking for wisdom from God, the righteous Judge, using the Golden Rule, and comparing two alternatives or options.
  • Appreciated the importance of spiritual discernment when applying the truth of the Kingdom to the world.
  • Reflected on the obstacles we face when making God-honouring judgments and considered how to overcome these obstacles.

Outline

Jesus was the Expected Messiah as expressed through:

  • Principles of making God-honouring choices for oneself and others.
  • Entering and possessing the rule of God on earth (the Kingdom of God), and overcoming obstacles.

Group Study Time

Matthew 7:1-29

Connecting

  • Gather with two or more people for a community discovery bible study session.
  • Start with a heartfelt prayer, inviting God to guide and bless your understanding.
  • Explore the passage by reading it at least twice, using different Bible versions if available, then retell the story together as a group.
  • Reflect and share the challenges and blessings you experienced from the previous study.

Comprehending

What do the verses mean?
(In small groups, attempt the following questions):

  • Read Matthew 7:1-6. What did Jesus reveal about judging within the community of believers? Why should the church never take their disputes to be judged by the world (referred to as dogs and swine by Jesus)? How does God judge us? How do people without God judge?
  • How do we speak the truth in love about disputed issues within us? (Ephesians 4:14-15)
  • What did Jesus reveal about sharing our faith with hostile cultures? (Matthew 7:6) What does this verse say about sharing the gospel with the world? (Luke 23:8-9) When should you share your faith with the world? (1 Peter 3:15)
  • Read Matthew 7:7-11. What do these verses reveal about asking for wisdom from God to settle disputes or any other matters?
  • What rule should guide us in judging others? (Matthew 7:12)
  • Read Matthew 7:13-29. What lessons do you learn about making decisions or judgments by comparing two alternatives or options?
    Two ways with two ends,
    Two trees with two fruits,
    Two servants of Jesus with two ends, and
    Two builders with two different results.
  • Read Matthew 7:24-29. What did Jesus say in summing up His Sermon on the Mount to His disciples about hearing and obeying His words?

Committing

  • Engage with the Bible—read, study, memorize, meditate, pray, listen, and live it out.
  • List three lessons you have learnt as an agent of change that you would like to put into practice and teach others about.
  • Take time and worship Jesus with the attributes revealed about Christ.
  • Use the SPACEPETS model, to assist you in putting God’s word into practice. Look for:
    • Sin to confess
    • Promise to claim
    • Attitude to change
    • Command to keep
    • Error to change
    • Prayer to make
    • Example to copy
    • Truth to obey and
    • Something praiseworthy

Communicating

  • Identify one person you can connect with and share the valuable insights and lessons you gained from this session.
  • Reach out to a new believer—either in person or by phone—and pray with them to support them through their challenges, including any concerns about attending church.
  • Create a new group and guide others through this study to help them grow in their understanding.