Matthew 7:13-23

The Narrow and Wide Gates

1. What does the narrow gate look like?

-Is it advertised well in our society?

-Why is it that only a few find it? Can someone on this road expect persecution?

-If you found this gate, what should your response be to those that could still be looking for it?

2. What does the wide gate look like?

-Why is this gate marketed and promoted differently in this society?

-As people enter this gate, do they realize where the road leads?

-Can someone that enters this gate change his or her mind and get off the road at anytime?

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A Tree and its Fruit

1. What does a false prophet look like?

-What is the message that they would be spreading?

-What would they gain by spreading this message?

2. Review vs 16-19

-What are examples of the "bad fruit" that you can find on a "bad tree?"

-What about the examples of the "good fruit" from a "good tree?"

-Do these verses apply in other contexts? For instance, can you use this method to determine if someone is a follower of Christ or not?

-In either case, what is your responsibility after reading this section of the text? Has God called us to be "fruit-inspectors?"

-In regard to these verses, how should we examine our own lives?

3. Review vs 21-23

-Why would someone call Jesus, "Lord," and not do the will of God?

-How can someone do the things noted in vs 22 and not be known by Christ? Without a personal relationship with Christ, what would their motivation be to do these things?

-What steps can you take to avoid Jesus' proclamation in vs 23?

Teacher: Troy Nesbitt

Matthew 7: 13-23