THE GOLDEN RULE OF THE KINGDOM
(Sermon on the Mount Part 5)
Matthew 7:1-12
Key Verse: 12
What should we avoid doing and why (1)? What does it mean to judge? Why is this difficult to practice? How will we be judged (2)?
What does Jesus’ illustration in 3-4 suggest about how we judge others? What are some examples of “specks” and “planks” (Mt 23:23)? Before helping others, what should we do first and what does this mean (5)? Why is this so important for God’s kingdom community?
What do you think “what is sacred” and “pearls” are (6a)? Why not give them to “dogs” and “pigs” (6b)? What do you think this means in the context of verses 1-6?
What does it mean to “ask,” “seek,” and “knock” (7-8)? In view of the Sermon on the Mount as a whole, what should we ask, seek, and knock for? What does Jesus promise those who keep asking, seeking, and knocking1?
What does Jesus say that fathers, though evil, would do for their children (9-11a)? What does he teach us about the character of God, our Father in heaven (11b)? How should this impact the prayer and lifestyle of God’s kingdom people?
Read verse 12. What principle does Jesus give us? With what scope should we apply this? Who should initiate? How does this sum up the Law and the Prophets (5:17; 22:37-40)? Who motivates us to do this and how?
In Greek, “ask” means “keep asking,” “seek” means “keep seeking,” and “knock” means “keep knocking.”↩