transformed in my actions

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GET INTO THE STUDY 10 minutes GUIDE: Direct the group to look at the picture on PSG

SESSION 5

TRANSFORMED IN MY ACTIONS

page 56. DISCUSS: Question #1 (PSG, p. 56): What’s one of the nicest things anyone

The Point

has ever done for you?

The way we treat others should

GUIDE: Direct attention

reflect the way we’re treated

to The Bible Meets Life

by God.

(PSG, p. 57). Note the author’s reference to our

The Bible Meets Life

encounters with difficult

Tolerance is a word that gets tossed

people. Ask for a show of

around a lot by both Christians and

hands from members who

non-Christians, even though both

have encountered a difficult

sides have differing definitions for

person in the previous week.

tolerance. In spite of the high value placed on tolerance, we still tend to judge people and criticize their opinions or behavior. Jesus calls us to a far higher

Acknowledge that we’re often

standard. Even if our viewpoint is the correct one, Jesus calls us to treat people

tempted to respond in kind

as we desire to be treated.

when we’re treated badly. Or at least we may have contempt

The Passage

for the person. But Jesus calls

Matthew 7:1-12

us to a higher standard.

The Setting

Introduce The Point (PSG,

As Jesus continued to teach His disciples in the Sermon on the Mount, He

p. 57): The way we treat

guided them to deal with the problem of being critical or judgmental of others.

others should reflect the

He taught them to live according to a standard set by God Himself. God had

way we’re treated by God.

treated them with love expressed in mercy and grace. He expected them to treat others in the same way. In so doing, they would reflect the way they had been treated by God.

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Matthew 7:1-6

STUDY THE BIBLE Matthew 7:1-6

1 “Do not judge, so that you won’t be judged. 2 For with the judgment you use, you will be judged, and

10 minutes

with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. 3 Why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye but

don’t notice the log in your own eye?

GUIDE: Explain that as Jesus continued to teach His disciples in the Sermon on the

4 Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck

Mount, He guided them to

out of your eye,’ and look, there’s a log in your eye?

deal with the problem of being

5 Hypocrite! First take the log out of your eye, and then you

critical or judgmental of others.

will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye. 6 Don’t give what is holy to dogs or toss your pearls before

pigs, or they will trample them with their feet, turn, and tear

READ: Invite a volunteer to read Matthew 7:1-6.

you to pieces. SUMMARIZE: Focus on

Evaluate yourself instead of judging others.

verse 1. Note this is a favorite

Verse 1. Earlier Jesus taught His disciples how to address the problem of worry (6:25-34). As citizens of the kingdom of God, they needed to turn their backs on worry and embrace trust in Him. Then He turned attention to another problem that gets in the way of growth in Him—being judgmental. Jesus directed His disciples in no uncertain terms to give up judging other people. With His mandate, He did not imply they could never engage in evaluating others. Indeed, they would need to make accurate, constructive assessments of individuals with whom they would come in contact as they served Him. However, He left no room for them to be cold, cruel critics of individuals. Making an honest evaluation of a person is entirely different from being judgmental. As Jesus instructed His disciples, He gave them a reliable reason for refusing to sit as judges who condemn others. If they refrained from judging others in a vindictive or condemning way, they could look forward to the same treatment when they found themselves in the seat of the judged.

verse of those who believe we should tolerate almost any kind of behavior. Jesus was teaching against arrogant judgment that condemns—that damages another person. This isn’t a blanket statement against all criticism, but a challenge to be discerning when we appraise behavior. We are never to judge in the sense of avenging or condemning. That form of judgment belongs to God alone (Rom. 12:19).

Verse 2. By adding two sobering details to His statement, Jesus made His instruction about judging others even more striking. First, His followers could expect to receive the © 2015 LifeWay

S U G G E S T E D U S E | W E E K O F J U LY 3

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THE POINT

The way we treat others should reflect the way we’re treated by God.

OPTION: IN ADVANCE, procure a piece of firewood, lumber, or a tree branch.

GUIDE: Note verse 2. Emphasize that when we exercise condemning,

same kind of judgment they doled out to others. If they showed mercy, in turn they would be treated mercifully. However, they could not expect mercy if they handed out condemnation. Second, they could expect the same degree of judgment to be poured out on them. If they showed very little mercy in their treatment of others, they could expect mercy to be in short supply when they were judged. If they chose to be extremely merciful, they could expect extreme mercy to be measured out to them when they had their own turn to face judgment.

judgmental attitudes, we can expect to receive the same from God and other people.

READ: Ask a volunteer to read verse 3. (If you are exercising the option above, have some fun by holding up the piece of wood to your eye during the reading.)

Verse 3. Only God possesses the qualifications to judge. That fundamental truth emerges from the instruction Jesus had given so far. But even those who may agree about that vital truth still tend to be judgmental toward others just the same. We effortlessly slide into the seat of a judge when we overlook our own sin while we condemn the sins of the person on whom we’re passing judgment. Jesus described our tendency to look past our sin when we judge others as a log in our eye. Imagine a huge timber stuck in our eye as we try to see the tiny bits of saw dust in the eye of another. No matter how hard we try, we simply cannot clearly see the faults of others while we’re blinded by the faults in our own lives. Yet, we constantly give ourselves to ignoring our own flaws and arrogantly pass judgment on the flaws of others.

GUIDE: Stress that to confront others without first dealing with our own sins and failures is the height of hypocrisy. In contrast, when we are transparent about the sins and failures in our own lives, the door can open for making real differences in the lives of others.

Verse 4. Jesus continued to drive home the point about ignoring one’s sin while judging sins in others by raising a tough question. Pondering the question leads us to take a hard and perhaps painful look at ourselves. As kingdom citizens, we have no justification for thinking we can give spiritual advice to someone whom we have judged to be falling short when we’ve become blind to our own spiritual shortcomings. As we reflect on the question Jesus put before us, we find ourselves in agreement with Him. Directing others to change their ways while overlooking our own sins paints a picture of outrageous behavior that borders on absurd. Growing Christians do not let themselves live with such a glaring contradiction. Verse 5. Not only is that kind of behavior a contradiction, it’s also a counterfeit. That word comes to mind when we think about the name Jesus gave to people who exhibit such counterfeit spiritual behavior. By calling them hypocrites,

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Jesus brought up the picture of a person playing a role on a stage. In terms of kingdom citizenship, hypocrisy of this order brings shame to the kingdom of God and damage to the spiritual growth of a kingdom citizen. When we find ourselves being hypocritical in the way we judge others, we do well to deal with the problem by being honest with ourselves. By reckoning with our own sins first, we pull out the timbers that blind us and make us judgmental toward others. Only when we take that critical step can we actually treat others right. Verse 6. As Jesus continued to teach His disciples about judging others, he brought up dogs and pigs. The dogs He mentioned were mongrels that would eat anything, and the pigs would eat even spoiled slop. These two animals represented the ways some people respond to the precious treasure believers share in Christ. Some people attack a kingdom citizen because the good news of Christ doesn’t satisfy their self-indulgent appetites. Likewise, they may trample it under foot because they don’t recognize it as a treasure. Because of these kinds of responses, believers need to be aware that people may not appreciate the walk with God that we believers treasure. Therefore, we need to be wise judges of the people as we share our faith in Him. 1

DISCUSS: Question #2 (PSG, p. 59): What’s the difference between judging others and talking honestly about sin? (Alternate: What specific actions or attitudes are prohibited in these verses?)

SUMMARIZE: Use the Bible commentary 1 to briefly explain verse 6.

TRANSITION: “In our treatment of others, we should not only evaluate ourselves, we should also seek God’s wisdom.”

Matthew 7:7-11 7 “Keep asking, and it will be given to you. Keep searching,

and you will find. Keep knocking, and the door will be

STUDY THE BIBLE Matthew 7:7-11 10 minutes

opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives, and the one who searches

finds, and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.

READ: Invite a volunteer to read verses 7-11.

9 What man among you, if his son asks him for bread, will

give him a stone? 10 Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? 11 If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to

your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good things to those who ask Him! Seek God’s wisdom. © 2015 LifeWay

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THE POINT

The way we treat others should reflect the way we’re treated by God.

GUIDE: Focus on verses 7-8. Stress that to become and remain the kind of people that treat others the way we are treated by God, we must have wisdom, and we gain wisdom when we seek after God persistently. As we spend time in communion with God, He molds our hearts and cuts away the things that aren’t like Him. Through persistent prayer, we will begin to see people more as God sees them. A critical spirit will give way to a compassionate heart.

SAY: “It is nearly impossible to be critical of someone when you are praying for him.”

DISCUSS: Question #3 (PSG, p. 61): When has persistent prayer changed your relationship with someone?

Verse 7. Being wise in our judgments requires us to turn to the Lord for help. For that reason, Jesus brought up the discipline of prayer. Earlier He gave extensive instruction about the discipline of prayer (6:5-15). In this section of His instruction, He showed how to apply the discipline to the challenges that come with making judgments about others. We can’t take on such a daunting task by ourselves. We need His help in order to be discerning without being judgmental. He assured that we can find the spiritual discernment we need when we turn to Him in prayer. Jesus affirmed that when we seek His wisdom in prayer, He will answer. Notice that He didn’t say we will always get the answer we may expect or want. However, we can trust Him to help us when we open our hearts to Him. Notice also that Jesus alerted us to the need for persistence when we pray. Sometimes praying involves asking for something. At other times, it’s more like searching for something or trying to get a closed door to open. When we turn to Him in prayer, we don’t always get what we ask for immediately. Neither can we always find what we’re searching for in the instant we turn to Him in prayer. Furthermore, praying doesn’t always unlock the door that’s closed in our faces at a moment’s notice. Jesus taught that praying requires us to be persistent. We cannot give up on praying about what we need even when we find ourselves waiting a long time for an answer to come. Therefore, persistence in prayer is required for a growing believer who calls on the Lord for help. When we pray relentlessly, we will receive wisdom so we can exercise spiritual discernment in our relationships with others. Verse 8. When the answer doesn’t come, the search doesn’t end, or the door still doesn’t open, Jesus reassured that our praying is not in vain. He asserted that our prayer will definitely be answered, but perhaps not right away or within the time frame we expect. The assurance He gave about answered prayer helps us to see the need to keep on praying even though the answer still has not come. If we refuse to give up on prayer, we will see for ourselves that He keeps His word and answers us with the help we need. It might come immediately, or it might come later. But we can rest in the confidence that our prayer will be answered. Verses 9-10. Jesus encouraged us to trust His promise about answered prayer by pointing to the ways of wise and caring parents. A father who cares about his children will not

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give them something that will hurt them when they ask for something that will help them. Jesus shared two interesting examples to reinforce the reality that wise parents make decisions that will be in the best interest of their children. When a child asks for bread, a caring father will place it in his or her hand if he can. He would never think about responding by handing his child a stone. Even though a loaf of bread may resemble a stone, it’s entirely different. One will nourish a child, while the other has no nutritional value at all. Likewise, a snake may resemble certain fish, but it’s altogether different. In fact, it can be dangerous. When a child asks for fish, a caring parent won’t respond by giving him or her a snake. With these two examples, Jesus showed how we expect parents to give their children what will help them instead of responding in ways that will not be best for them. Verse 11. Observe the distinction Jesus made as He applied His instruction about caring parents and answered prayer. He reminded listeners that we’re given to evil. Of course, the tendency to do what’s evil is in our nature. Our sinful nature makes us prone to self-serving thoughts and actions. Evil shows itself in the way we tend to give our lives to getting what we want instead of doing what the Lord wants. With His direct statement about our tendency to evil, Jesus separated Himself from us in a most distinguishing way. He highlighted our sinful nature in that we tend to give ourselves over to evil behavior. But He Himself is not given to evil at all, and the reason is obvious: He is God. By using you to highlight our tendency to be evil, He separated Himself from our evil tendencies. We are sinners, but He is sinless. Even though caring parents are given to evil, we still try to do what’s best for our children. Jesus made that assertion then used it to make a striking comparison. Our heavenly Father doesn’t struggle with evil because it’s not in His nature. Therefore, we can always count on Him to do what’s in our best interest when we ask Him for help. He won’t make any mistakes when He answers our prayers. He always does what is right and best. The best Christians aren’t perfect. We make mistakes in our judgments about people. But our heavenly Father is perfect. He doesn’t make mistakes. As we grow in Him, we do well to ask Him persistently to give us His wisdom so we can practice His discernment. We will never be disappointed when we keep on asking Him, seeking Him, and trusting Him to help us as we encounter individuals who cross our paths each day. © 2015 LifeWay

SUMMARIZE: As we pray persistently over a matter, we, not our circumstances, are usually the ones who are changed. Like the father who gives his son bread instead of a stone, our heavenly Father will give us what we ask because He will refine our heart’s desires as we abide in Him! As we persistently pray for wisdom, God’s works to transform us. This transformation will be seen in our interactions and treatment of other people.

DISCUSS: Question #4 (PSG, p. 62): What are some practical ways we can see people through God’s eyes instead of our own? (LEADER PACK: Use Item 4: “Through God’s Eyes” to help group members imagine people they might be tempted to judge with a critical attitude.) (Alternate: What specific attitudes and actions are commanded in these verses?)

TRANSITION: “When we exercise wisdom, we will treat others the way we want to be treated.”

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THE POINT

The way we treat others should reflect the way we’re treated by God.

STUDY THE BIBLE Matthew 7:12 10 minutes READ: Invite a volunteer to read verse 12.

Matthew 7:12 12 Therefore, whatever you want others to do for you, do also

the same for them—this is the Law and the Prophets. KEY WORDS: The Law and the Prophets (v. 12)—This expression brought to mind the entire Jewish Scripture, our Old Testament.

Treat others the way you want to be treated. GUIDE: Note that others previously had presented the idea negatively, as: “Don’t do to others what you do not want done to you.” But that does not go far enough. We could live out this negative rule simply by doing nothing! But Jesus’ words call us to action, to work for the benefit of others. Emphasize that Jesus calls us to go beyond the world’s standards of morality and ethics; He calls us to step into people’s lives with love and grace.

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Verse 12. People everywhere refer to this verse as the Golden Rule. Parents refer to it as they teach their children how to treat other people. However, they often make a mistake when they give instruction about the reason for following this rule for living well. They leave the impression that following it will render something in return. Therefore, their children come to believe they should do something good for another person so he or she will do something good for them. Actually, the verse doesn’t make such a claim at all. Notice carefully that Jesus taught to treat others in the same way we want to be treated. Our reason for living out this rule isn’t because we get something in return. It’s because we’re kingdom citizens who want to treat others in a way that reflects how God has treated us. For growing disciples in Christ, therefore, it’s a life rule we never want to bend, break, or ignore. Jesus established the importance of this verse by linking it to what He had taught about living for Him as kingdom citizens. He had indicated He intends for us to have a unique perspective on life. Because we belong to Him, we have been transformed inside and outside. The transformation has made a difference in the way we worship, use our resources, deal with worry, and treat other people (Matt. 6:1–7:11). Now that we belong to Him, we see others like He sees them. In turn, we want to treat them in ways that reflect how He has treated us. As we ponder this verse, we can recall the innumerable ways God has been merciful and gracious to us. He loves us so much He has provided the way for us to be saved through the sacrifice of His Son, Jesus Christ. Because of His love for us, He has made it possible for us to go from being separated from Him to being named as His children. Now we enjoy an intimate relationship with Him as citizens in His kingdom, © 2015 LifeWay

and we have heaven as our eternal home. Because of the way He treats us, we have every reason to rejoice and be grateful to Him. That’s why we are prompted to treat others in the same way. Instead of being vindictive and judgmental, we strive to be merciful and gracious in our relationships with them. At the same time, we don’t expect people who aren’t Christians to embrace this verse fully and live it out consistently. Until they have a life-transforming relationship with Christ, they cannot begin to comprehend the reach of this verse in and through their lives. As Jesus taught this life rule to His disciples, He intended for them to be intentional as they lived it out in their relationships with others. In Jesus’ day, Jewish people had been taught a version of this life rule, but they learned to put it to work only in a passive way. Their spiritual leaders had instructed them not to do anything to others that they wouldn’t want someone to do to them. Notice that they could follow that rule by doing absolutely nothing for anyone at any time. But Jesus’ instruction prompted His disciples to take the initiative in showing God’s love to others. Observe that His instruction in this verse prompted His disciples to be intentional about treating others in the same way God had treated them. Jesus underscored the biblical basis for urging His disciples to take this life rule seriously. He asserted that it summed up everything taught in the Jewish Scripture. By referring to the Law and the Prophets, He had in mind all of what we know as the Old Testament Scriptures. Everything they had learned from God’s Word to them could be put into practice by following the rule He gave them. What Jesus taught His disciples then still holds authority for kingdom citizens now. Living out God’s Word means taking this verse seriously and putting it to work in our relationships with others. This foundational rule for living from Jesus always becomes easier when we reflect on how He has shown His love for us. As we live in the light of His salvation, we nourish a heart of love for Him. It also produces a heart that’s burdened for people to know Him personally. That burden prompts us to treat them in the same way God has treated us. In addition, we share new life in Christ with other believers. Therefore, we’re compelled to treat our spiritual siblings in the same way God has treated us. As a result, we strive to be honest with ourselves instead of being judgmental toward others. And we constantly seek His wisdom through persistent prayer so we will know how to put this basic rule to work and honor Him in our relationships. © 2015 LifeWay

GUIDE: Direct attention to the bullet statements on PSG page 63. Lead the group to read the statements aloud together. >> If I want to be forgiven, I should forgive others. >> If I would love some relational do-overs, I should offer do-overs to those who have hurt me. >> If I want grace extended to me, I should extend grace to others.

SAY: “Jesus is calling for us to love others the way He loves us.”

DISCUSS: Question #5 (PSG, p. 64): How can we help one another carry out Jesus’ command in Matthew 7:12? (Alternate: What specific attitudes and actions are commanded in these verses?)

DO: Invite volunteers to share their responses to “Remove the Log” (PSG, p. 64).

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THE POINT

The way we treat others should reflect the way we’re treated by God.

LIVE IT OUT 5 minutes GUIDE: Emphasize The Point: The way we treat others should reflect the way we’re treated by God. Review Live It Out (PSG, p. 65; see text to the right). Invite group members to think about which application speaks most to their needs.

Wrap It Up GUIDE: Remind the group that God has treated us with love expressed in mercy and

LIVE IT OUT The temptation will always be close by to respond in kind when someone treats us badly. Jesus told us His followers would be different. How will you live out the truths of this passage this week?

>> Confess wrong attitudes. If you are judgmental or

condemning of certain individuals or groups, determine the reasons for your attitude. Confess any wrong attitudes, and pray for wisdom in seeing people as God sees them.

>> Obey God’s Word. Begin every day this week by

reading and meditating on Philippians 2:3-4. Let it guide you in your interactions with other people as you go about your regular routine. Set a goal to memorize this passage this week.

>> Do some good. Commit to being intentional about

serving others as you go about your routine of activities this week. Ask God to give you opportunities to perform regular acts of kindness. Be sensitive to what He shows you about treating others the way He has treated you.

grace. He expects us to treat others in the same way. PRAY: “Father, thank You for showing us so much love and mercy even though we don’t deserve it. Transform us into people who show others that same love and mercy. Amen.”

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ILLUSTRATOR PHOTO/KEN TOUCHTON

law’ in 1 Corinthians 14:21 while

SHARING THE GOOD NEWS

quoting from Isaiah 28:11-12.

How has God treated

Since nomos also could refer

us? He has the right to

specifically to the law of Moses

condemn us, but His

or even more narrowly to the Ten

judgment of our sin fell

Commandments, the phrase ‘the

upon Christ. Instead

law and the prophets’ helped

of judgment, we are

clarify that one was referring to

now given grace and

the Old Testament works which

forgiveness when we place

had been accepted as Scripture.

our trust in Christ.

Jesus often summarized the Rabbis adjacent to the Western Wall converse before a Torah scroll.

Old Testament Scriptures with the phrase ‘the law and the prophets.’ He taught in the Sermon on the

The following excerpt is from the

Mount that He had not come to

article “The Law and the Prophets”

destroy the law and the prophets,

(Win. 2013-14), which relates to this

but to fulfill them (Matt. 5:17).”

session and can be purchased at www.lifeway.com/biblicalillustrator. “In the New Testament, the Hebrew word torah was translated by the Greek word nomos. Nomos often refers to the entire Old Testament. For instance, in John 10:34 and 15:25 Jesus referred to predictions in the ‘law,’ although they were found in Psalms 82:6 and 35:19. Paul referred to ‘the

Previous articles “Motes & Beams” (Win. 1996), “Hypocrite” (Win. 1983), and “Pearls in the Ancient World” (Fall 1978) relate to this

Each week, make yourself available either before or after the session to speak privately with anyone in your group who wants to know more about becoming a Christian. See the article, “Leading Someone to the Greatest Decision of All,“ on page 2 for guidance in leading a person to Christ.

session and can be purchased at

Remind group members that

www.lifeway.com/biblicalillustrator.

page 2 in the PSG offers

Look for Biblical Illustrator for Bible

guidance in how to become a

Studies for Life.

Christian. Encourage believers

Subscribe to Biblical Illustrator at www.lifeway.com/biblicalillustrator, or call 1-800-458-2772.

to consider using this article as they have opportunities to lead others to Christ.

>> Get expert insights on weekly studies through the Ministry Grid (MinistryGrid.com/web/BibleStudiesFor Life). >> Grow with other group leaders at the Groups Ministry blog (lifeway.com/groupministry). >> Additional ideas for your group are available at BibleStudiesFor Life.com/blog. © 2015 LifeWay

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