Discussion Questions:

1. How do you respond when you feel judged by someone? Explain.
2. Read Matthew 7:1–6. Have you ever heard or said the phrase, “Don’t judge me”? How is this personal statement different from Jesus’ command not to judge others?
3. In this passage, what is Jesus calling for: no judgment, self-judgment, fair judgment, divine judgment, or something else?
4. How does verse 6 connect to the context of judging others presented in verses 1–5? Hint: In The Good and Beautiful Life, James Bryan Smith writes, “Just as pigs can’t digest pearls, people can’t digest being judged or condemned. It does not meet their need; it cannot be digested” (p 193).
5. Do you agree that condemnation is not digestible? Why?
6. What is the difference between judging others and practicing good judgment? Hint: Think about decisions pertaining to relationships with others.
7. In The Good and Beautiful Life, Smith writes, “Judging is making a negative evaluation of others without standing in solidarity with them.” What would it look like for you to be heartbroken over another person’s sin and stand in solidarity with them rather than judging them?

Confession

Jesus, we thank you that we can come to you with everything. We can come with our strengths and weaknesses, our victories and our defeats, our obedience, and our sins. Today, we ask you to forgive us for the ways we judge others. In this specific season of our world, it is easy to make a snap judgment of others. We ask that you forgive us. Help us love, not judge. Help us unite, not divide. In Jesus’ name. Amen.