Prayer (5 Minutes)
- Pray, asking God to help everyone see where they need to change to become better followers of Jesus.
- Pray that God would grant us humility and love toward others.
Song (5 Minutes)
Catechism (5 minutes)
Have everyone read aloud simultaneously or allow everyone to try to answer before revealing the answer.
Q44: What is baptism?
A: Baptism is the washing with water in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. (Matthew 28:19)
A: Baptism is the washing with water in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. (Matthew 28:19)
Questions from: https://newcitycatechism.com/. Go there to start from beginning or to read more.
Scripture (5 Minutes)
Matthew 7:1–5 (NLT)
“Do not judge others, and you will not be judged. For you will be treated as you treat others. The standard you use in judging is the standard by which you will be judged.
“And why worry about a speck in your friend’s eye when you have a log in your own? How can you think of saying to your friend, ‘Let me help you get rid of that speck in your eye,’ when you can’t see past the log in your own eye? Hypocrite! First get rid of the log in your own eye; then you will see well enough to deal with the speck in your friend’s eye."
“And why worry about a speck in your friend’s eye when you have a log in your own? How can you think of saying to your friend, ‘Let me help you get rid of that speck in your eye,’ when you can’t see past the log in your own eye? Hypocrite! First get rid of the log in your own eye; then you will see well enough to deal with the speck in your friend’s eye."
Discussion (5-10 Minutes)
You can lead through a teaching or use the following questions to start a discussion:
- What does Jesus mean by having a "log" in our eye? Can you think of a time when you focused on someone else's mistake while ignoring your own?
- Why do you think it's easier to see others' faults than our own?
- How does judging others hurt our witness as Christians to non-believers?
- What steps can we take to be more gracious toward others, remembering our own need for grace?
Closing Prayer (3 Minutes)
Loving Father, forgive us for the times we have been quick to judge others while being slow to examine our own hearts. Help us to remember that we all need Your grace daily, and give us humble hearts that reflect Your love to others. Guide us to help others in a way that shows Your mercy rather than our pride. In Jesus' name, Amen.