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Active Christians Today at The University of Toledo
Bible Study ~ “The Narrow Gate & the Broad Road" ~ Matthew 7:13-14
Our study in Matthew will show us how he structured his account of Christ as a new Torah with Jesus at the center. It is divided into five sections that each conclude with “when Jesus had finished saying these things” or something similar. Those words describe the power and impact of the words of Christ and what they mean for us today.
Locations & Times
Delta Church of Christ
2018 Bretton Pl, Toledo, OH 43606, USA
Wednesday 7:00 PM
Jesus and scripture itself make it clear that we only have two options when it comes to eternity: heaven or hell. So, what will we do about it? Which have we chosen? Are we concerned about those who have missed the gate?
Opening Questions
Why are most people apt to believe in heaven but quick to dismiss the reality of hell?
If you were setting the standards for who gets into heaven, what requirements would you establish?
What do you think heaven will be like?
Why are most people apt to believe in heaven but quick to dismiss the reality of hell?
If you were setting the standards for who gets into heaven, what requirements would you establish?
What do you think heaven will be like?
Unpack the Text
We are coming to the end of the Sermon on the Mount which began in Matthew 5 and ends at the conclusion of Matthew 7. Things get very serious at this point.
This section of Scripture is very hard for many people because it clearly spells out the choice we have. We can choose to follow God or be damned to hell. There are no other options.
We are coming to the end of the Sermon on the Mount which began in Matthew 5 and ends at the conclusion of Matthew 7. Things get very serious at this point.
This section of Scripture is very hard for many people because it clearly spells out the choice we have. We can choose to follow God or be damned to hell. There are no other options.
What command did Jesus give His followers in this passage? (7:13)
What does the narrow gate represent? Why is it narrow?
How did Jesus describe the gate to the kingdom of God? Why? (7:13)
In what way did Jesus describe the gate that leads to destruction? (7:13)
What was said about the road that leads to destruction? (7:13)
What does the narrow gate represent? Why is it narrow?
How did Jesus describe the gate to the kingdom of God? Why? (7:13)
In what way did Jesus describe the gate that leads to destruction? (7:13)
What was said about the road that leads to destruction? (7:13)
Does it bother you that the Bible clearly spells out the two gates and the results? Why or why not?
Does it encourage you to read this or is it discouraging? Why?
How many people are said to travel the path to destruction? (7:13)
What makes the broad way easy? Why do so many people choose it?
Does it encourage you to read this or is it discouraging? Why?
How many people are said to travel the path to destruction? (7:13)
What makes the broad way easy? Why do so many people choose it?
What is Jesus saying in this verse? What does He mean?
How would it have felt to hear Jesus saying this in person? Do you think you would have understood it? Why or why not?
How would it have felt to hear Jesus saying this in person? Do you think you would have understood it? Why or why not?
What kind of gate leads to life? (7:14)
What makes the narrow way difficult? Why is it difficult to find?
What makes the narrow way difficult? Why is it difficult to find?
How is this verse related to the narrow gate?
The small gate is attached to what kind of road? (7:14)
Where does the narrow road lead? (7:14)
How many people find and follow the narrow road? Why? (7:14)
How would one “enter” the narrow gate? After he enters is the way difficult or easy?
What is Jesus telling us about being a disciple?
Where does the narrow road lead? (7:14)
How many people find and follow the narrow road? Why? (7:14)
How would one “enter” the narrow gate? After he enters is the way difficult or easy?
What is Jesus telling us about being a disciple?
Your Story
Do you generally take the path of least resistance?
Do you tend to follow the advice of unbelieving family members and friends?
Do you sometimes choose to follow culture rather than the instructions in the Bible because it is easier?
Do you follow your own desires and live for your own pleasure or do you set your eyes on and follow Jesus?
What broad roads did you travel before you met Christ?
How did you find Christ?
What was your entry through the narrow gate like?
What wide gates and broad roads are some of your acquaintances following?
How should we fit or not fit into the world?
How might you respond to the charge that Christians are narrow-minded and arrogant?
In what sense is it narrow-minded to believe in Christ?
Why do many people prefer the broad way that leads to destruction?
Why is it difficult to stay on the narrow road?
Do you generally take the path of least resistance?
Do you tend to follow the advice of unbelieving family members and friends?
Do you sometimes choose to follow culture rather than the instructions in the Bible because it is easier?
Do you follow your own desires and live for your own pleasure or do you set your eyes on and follow Jesus?
What broad roads did you travel before you met Christ?
How did you find Christ?
What was your entry through the narrow gate like?
What wide gates and broad roads are some of your acquaintances following?
How should we fit or not fit into the world?
How might you respond to the charge that Christians are narrow-minded and arrogant?
In what sense is it narrow-minded to believe in Christ?
Why do many people prefer the broad way that leads to destruction?
Why is it difficult to stay on the narrow road?
Apply It to Your Life
What can you do this week to point someone toward the small gate?
How can you show God your appreciation for His mercy and grace in leading you to the path of eternal life?
What action can you take this week to help you stay on the narrow path?
What can you do this week to point someone toward the small gate?
How can you show God your appreciation for His mercy and grace in leading you to the path of eternal life?
What action can you take this week to help you stay on the narrow path?
Looks Like a Sheep, Smells Like a Wolf
Matthew 7:15-23
Opening Question
What kind of inner alarm (if any) alerts you to the fact that a person is a phony?
Matthew 7:15-23
Opening Question
What kind of inner alarm (if any) alerts you to the fact that a person is a phony?
Unpack the Text
A wolf in sheep’s clothing:
A wolf in sheep’s clothing:
Against whom did Jesus warn us? Why? (7:15)
What is a false prophet? Just a person who makes false predictions?
Why does Jesus use the term “sheep’s clothing?”
How would people view a sheep? A wolf?
What do people do when they see a sheep coming? How about a wolf?
What is the nature of a “false prophet?” (7:15)
What are false prophets like inwardly? (7:15)
What is a false prophet? Just a person who makes false predictions?
Why does Jesus use the term “sheep’s clothing?”
How would people view a sheep? A wolf?
What do people do when they see a sheep coming? How about a wolf?
What is the nature of a “false prophet?” (7:15)
What are false prophets like inwardly? (7:15)
How did Christ say we could recognize false prophets? (7:16)
Would a false teacher be able to fake good actions? What might the motivation of a false teacher be?
What does nature reveal about a tree and its fruit? (7:16)
Would a false teacher be able to fake good actions? What might the motivation of a false teacher be?
What does nature reveal about a tree and its fruit? (7:16)
In this passage, what does "good tree" mean?
How about "good fruit?" Bad fruit? Bad tree?
What kind of fruit do good trees bear? Why? (7:17-18)
What type of produce grows on bad trees? Why? (7:17-18)
What happens to trees that fail to produce good fruit? (7:18)
Why does Jesus say a bad tree cannot bear good fruit? Can't an unbeliever do some good deeds?
How about "good fruit?" Bad fruit? Bad tree?
What kind of fruit do good trees bear? Why? (7:17-18)
What type of produce grows on bad trees? Why? (7:17-18)
What happens to trees that fail to produce good fruit? (7:18)
Why does Jesus say a bad tree cannot bear good fruit? Can't an unbeliever do some good deeds?
How do these two verses relate to everything else that we have covered so far in the Sermon on the Mount?
Verse 20 sounds like works. Is it? Will we be judged by our “fruits” or not? Explain.
Does the fruit make a tree good or vice- versa? Why is this distinction important?
Do all the good trees bear the same amount of good fruit?
How could you bear good fruit (have good roots and drink more water)?
Verse 20 sounds like works. Is it? Will we be judged by our “fruits” or not? Explain.
Does the fruit make a tree good or vice- versa? Why is this distinction important?
Do all the good trees bear the same amount of good fruit?
How could you bear good fruit (have good roots and drink more water)?
Who will enter the kingdom of heaven? (7:21)
How will some people try to talk their way into heaven? (7:22)
What credentials or accomplishments will some people claim? (7:22)
How will some people try to talk their way into heaven? (7:22)
What credentials or accomplishments will some people claim? (7:22)
How will Jesus respond to these impostors? (7:23)
What is necessary for entry into heaven? (7:23)
What is necessary for entry into heaven? (7:23)
Your Story
Why do we continue to sin if we have Christ in our heart and the Holy Spirit in our lives?
What does this passage tell us about the importance of doing good works?
How do good works and salvation fit together?
How can people be "religious" yet not follow Christ?
What kind of good works have you been producing lately?
What evidence in your life points to your relationship with Jesus?
Why do we continue to sin if we have Christ in our heart and the Holy Spirit in our lives?
What does this passage tell us about the importance of doing good works?
How do good works and salvation fit together?
How can people be "religious" yet not follow Christ?
What kind of good works have you been producing lately?
What evidence in your life points to your relationship with Jesus?
Apply it to Your Life
What spiritual disciplines can you use to cultivate your soul this week?
In what area of your life can you place more emphasis on making sure there is actual fruit in your life each day this week?
What spiritual disciplines can you use to cultivate your soul this week?
In what area of your life can you place more emphasis on making sure there is actual fruit in your life each day this week?
Praise & Prayer