Home Group Study Questions // Aug 23rd

What Would Jesus Say Session 23: What Would Jesus Say About False Prophets?

  

[Matthew 7:15–20]

  1. Read through Matthew 7:15–20 and pray for the Holy Spirit to give you increasing wisdom and discernment.
  2. What are some false teachings and/or teachers you have encountered? Who have you seen come under the influence of false teachers? Describe the teaching/teachers.
  3. How might false teaching twist or misuse the Bible? Think of some examples or possible teachings that could arise from falsely interpreting and applying the Bible.
  4. Jesus promises that false prophets (false teachers today) are recognizable by their fruits.
    1. What kinds of fruits can you look for in their teaching? (See 1 Corinthians 12:3; 2 Corinthians 4:5; 1 John 4:1–3)
    2. What kinds of fruits can you look for in their character? (See 2 Corinthians 1:12; 2:17; 4:2; 6:2–10; 12:10; 2 Peter 2:2; 2:10; 2:13–15)
  5. What makes false teaching/teachers so dangerous? See Matthew 7:19 and 2 Corinthians 11:3–15)
  6. Imagine a friend has come under the influence of false teaching. How might you speak the truth in love to your friend to help them? What about the false teaching is attractive to them? How does the Gospel provide the real solution to what his or her heart is seeking?
  7. Jesus warns us to be alert and beware false teachers in Matthew 7:15. What does being alert look like for you?