Icebreaker question in pairs: Option A-If you could only have one kind of fruit tree in your yard, which one would it be? Option B-Have you or someone you know ever deceived by some kind of scam? This shows us how easy it is for many to believe false prophets or cults that masquerade as churches.
Matthew 7:15-20
- Why did Jesus say to “be on guard against false prophets”? Their goal was to mislead people by teaching wrong ideas about God. They wanted people to follow them and not God. Since they tried to disguise themselves, people needed to use extra caution and to be on guard.
- Why did false prophets disguise themselves as true prophets? Because they knew no one in his right mind would listen to a false prophet.
- Do cults today try to pass themselves off as churches? Yes, they do.
- Have they been successful? Millions of people have believed them.
- How did Jesus say we could recognize false prophets? By their fruit
- What is fruit? Their life style and behavior.
- Why can’t a bad tree produce good fruit? What’s in the root comes out in the fruit. Why can’t an apple tree produce oranges?
- What is Jesus referring to in 7:19 about the unproductive trees being thrown into the fire? God’s coming judgment.
Matthew 7:21-23
- Who is Jesus referring to in 7:21? The false prophets but could refer to anyone who professed to be a Christian but was not one.
- Jesus said that only those who did the will of his Father would enter the kingdom of heaven. Does that sound like he is promoting salvation by works? Perhaps it does on the surface. The discussion in James 2:14-26 i.e., 18-20, refers to two kinds of faith-a false faith that has no works and a genuine faith that produces works. A person who does the will of the Father is one who has genuine faith, and not a false faith.
- What can these false prophets do or claim to do in Jesus’ name? A. Prophecy B. Drive out demons C. Do miracles
- What will Jesus say to these people in the end? I never knew you. Depart from me.
- In what sense were they lawbreakers? See I John 3:4 for the answer.
Matthew 7:24-29
- What was the one thing that differentiated those whose house was built on the rock and stood during the storm and those whose house was built on sand and collapsed? Both heard the words of Jesus but only those who put them into practice were like the ones who built on the rock.
- Would the phrase “Walk the walk and not just talk the talk” be appropriate for these two groups? Discuss.
- Why were the crowds astonished at his teaching? He taught like one who had authority and not like their scribes.