Kingdom Perspective | Discussion Guide
Summary
In this sermon, Pastor Michael explores Jesus’ teaching on judgment from Luke 6:37-42. He explains that while ‘Do not judge’ is often misunderstood and misused, Jesus isn’t prohibiting all forms of discernment but rather warning against applying our own standards as the measure for others. The sermon distinguishes between righteous judgment (based on God’s standards with redemptive motives) and sinful judgment (based on our personal standards that magnify others’ faults while diminishing our own).
The pastor emphasizes that Jesus calls us to forgiveness rather than judgment and condemnation. Just as Christ has forgiven us, we are called to forgive others – not merely withholding retaliation but removing the offense as if it never happened. The sermon concludes with Jesus’ parable about removing the beam from our own eye before addressing the splinter in another’s, highlighting the importance of self-examination, repentance, and following Christ’s standard rather than our own.
Intro Prayer
Heavenly Father, as we gather to discuss Your Word today, we ask that You would open our hearts to receive Your truth. Lord, help us to examine our own lives before we look to judge others. Give us the humility to see the beams in our own eyes and the grace to extend forgiveness as You have forgiven us. Guide our conversation today, that we might gain Your kingdom perspective rather than clinging to our own standards. May Your Spirit lead us to apply these truths in ways that transform our relationships and bring glory to Your name. Amen.
Ice Breaker
What’s the first thing that comes to mind when someone says, “Don’t judge me”?
Key Verses
Luke 6:37
Luke 6:41-42
Ephesians 4:32
1 Corinthians 15:33
Questions
What’s the difference between righteous judgment and sinful judgment according to the sermon?
How does our tendency to judge others reveal something about our own hearts?
The pastor said, “You cannot magnify the faults of others and magnify Christ at the same time.” What does this mean to you?
How is forgiveness different from mercy, and why is this distinction important?
In what ways might you be following ‘blind guides’ in your spiritual life without realizing it?6. What does it mean practically to ‘take the beam out of your own eye’ before addressing issues in others?
How has being forgiven by Christ affected your ability to forgive others?
What area of judgment in your life do you need to surrender to Christ this week?
Life Application
This week, identify one relationship where you’ve been judgmental based on your own standards rather than God’s. Take time to pray about the ‘beam’ in your own eye regarding this situation. Then, commit to approaching this person with a posture of forgiveness and grace rather than judgment and condemnation. Write down specific ways you can shift from magnifying their faults to magnifying Christ in how you think about and interact with them. At the end of the week, reflect on how this change in perspective affected both you and the relationship.
Key Takeaways
Judgment becomes sinful when we apply our own standards rather than God’s, and when we position ourselves as the authority over others.
Forgiveness goes beyond withholding retaliation (mercy) to removing the offense as if it never happened – just as Christ has done for us.
We must be careful about who we follow and allow to influence our thinking, as ‘the blind cannot lead the blind.’
Before addressing others’ faults, we must first deal with our own through consistent repentance and submission to Christ.
A kingdom perspective is Christ-centered rather than self-centered, allowing us to help others from a place of humility rather than superiority.
Ending Prayer
Lord Jesus, thank You for the grace You’ve shown us by taking every beam and splinter of our sin to the cross. Forgive us for the times we’ve been quick to judge others by our own standards while ignoring the areas in our lives that need Your cleansing touch. Help us to live with kingdom perspective – seeing others through Your eyes of compassion rather than our critical gaze. Give us the courage to examine ourselves honestly, the humility to repent daily, and the grace to forgive as we have been forgiven. May our lives magnify You rather than the faults of others, and may our relationships reflect the transforming power of Your gospel. In Your name we pray, Amen.