Catch up on how things have been since the last time your Impact Group met. Allow anyone new to introduce themselves. Then ask a few group members:
Ask for a volunteer to read Matthew 7:1-12 to the group, praying a short prayer that however much they’ve come to know Jesus, they’d get to know him better because of your time together.
Watch Video One
Jesus is using the word ‘judge’ here in the sense of ‘condemn’.
Jesus knows that it takes wisdom to know how to correct others. Planks need taking out of our own eye so that we have humility when approaching others. But sometimes, it’s best to still not say anything.
As Jesus helps his hearers to consider how to relate to one another, he warns them to be slow to judge. But he also says there are times when we shouldn’t offer advice at all. There might be occasions when speaking won’t be of any use (for example, if someone is totally unwilling to hear correction or engage in constructive conversation).
This is why Jesus refers to the dogs and pigs here. He’s drawing on an ancient proverb “Don’t correct a fool, or you could become like them’.
Jesus wants us to discern how our correction will be received. Sharing wisdom and giving advice is a precious thing. Jesus says, don’t share what is precious with those who won’t recognise it’s worth.
Jesus loves to help his people to live wisely. And so when we are discerning whether or not we should offer advice and correction, we should ask him for help.
Correction requires humility and wisdom and, like a generous parent, God longs to provide for his people.
Watch Video Two
[video coming soon]
Correcting others takes humility and wisdom and it brings the potential for conflict. We might feel that it’s easier to just let people get on with their lives.
Jesus says: ‘blessed are the peacemakers’. Following Jesus’ words here allows us to walk into disorder and conflict and bring peace. Doing this can be hard.
Share honestly in 2s and 3s:
None of us will have mastered this. So Jesus invites us to knock, seek and ask for His help. Spend some time seeking the help of your Heavenly Father together.
Ask group members to create two lists on their phone or a piece of paper:
| The kind of people I find it easy to spend time with | The kind of people I struggle to spend time with |
|---|---|
Give group members a few minutes to add to their lists.
Writer Elizabeth Oldfield writes that we can replace the titles of these lists with “People like me” and “People not like me”. But, the way of Jesus calls us away from judgement and towards empathy.
Discuss:
Seek the Lord in prayer to end your time together.
Thank You – Thank everyone for coming, and ask someone to thank God for your time together in prayer.
Ask – Ask those who are new to reading the Bible if they’d like to explore Uncover, a set of sessions in Mark’s Gospel, allowing them to investigate one of the earliest accounts of Jesus’ life alongside one of you.
Church and CU – What does the CU have planned ahead? And what help would group members value in finding a local church?
Others – Who else could you invite to join your CU Impact Group next week? These friends don’t need to be followers of Jesus and may really appreciate being invited.
See You Soon – Tell the group where and when you’ll meet next week, and arrange who will bring snacks. (You might like to alternate healthy and less healthy weeks!). See if anyone would be up for sharing a meal or just hanging out in the meantime!
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