Introduction

• Matthew 7:1-6

How To Avoid Hypocritical Judging.

1. Consider how you want to be judged.

• Matthew 7:1-2

• Matthew 5:7

• Matthew 6:14-15

• Matthew 18:21-35

2. Be honest about your own sin.

• Matthew 7:3-5

• Romans 2:1-3

• 1 Corinthians 5:12-13

3. Show mercy and love to others.

• Matthew 7:5

• Galatians 6:1-5

• Luke 17:3-4

• Ephesians 4:31-5:2

• James 5:19-20

4. Use discernment when you share the truth.

• Matthew 7:6

• Matthew 10:14-15

• Acts 18:5-6

• Matthew 7:12

Application

1. Admit you have beams in our eyes.

• James 2:10

• 1 John 1:5-2:2

2. Believe Jesus has taken our beams (sins), and has atoned for them.

• 1 John 2:2

• Mark 10:45

3. Ask Jesus to take the beam out of your eyes today.

Leaders,

I've added all group resources into the Church Center App. The Connection Builder for this week involves two optical illusions. People should be able to see those in the App. Then work your way through the questions as usual!

CONNECTION GROUP RESOURCES

Connection Builder

Show your group the following optical illusions

• What do you see in the pictures above?

• Did anyone see something different?

• How does this relate to how we judge others?

• When have you made a wrong assumption about someone? What happened?

Sermon Questions

Read Mathew 7:1-6.

Matthew 7:1-2

Does Jesus mean we should never judge? (See Matthew 18:15-17, 1 Corinthians 5:12-13)

How does our judgment of others impact how we are judged?

Matthew 7:3-5

Which do you use more in relationships—self-examination (mirror) or finding faults in others (magnifying glass)? Explain.

Why do we tend to see small sins in others but ignore our own bigger sins?

What is Jesus calling us to do before we correct others?

How do we remove the “log” from our eyes?

How does correction look different when done with humility rather than self-righteousness/hypocrisy?

What are some practical ways to help a struggling friend without being judgmental?

Matthew 7:6

How do we know when someone is receptive to correction or truth?

How do we balance boldness and wisdom when sharing truth?