Week 4 – Only God Can Judge Me
Leader Guide
At The Cove Church, we value authenticity—keeping it real. Sometimes, folks misunderstand this as a license to say anything without filters. However, “keeping it real” does not mean criticism, condemnation, or gossip. It means being genuine and sincere in our words and opinions, without hypocrisy. Similarly, claiming “Only God can judge me” can be a way to justify and deny our own issues. This week, we'll explore the problems with this mindset and discover ways to live – and even judge, when necessary –with a more compassionate and understanding outlook towards others.
What you will need: A Bible or your Bible app, a notebook, pen, and highlighter. The verses highlighted below are linked so that you can easily access them during your study time.
Jump Start
Leader: This section is designed to get discussions started, examine God’s truth, and apply it to our week. Life Group leaders should not assume everyone in their group is a Christ follower. Because they are taking part in a Life Group, they must have some openness to knowing more, exploring. Pray for the Holy Spirit to work and let Him lead you as well.
1. What is a typical bias, even if unspoken, which you have?
Leader’s Note: We all have biases: lazy people, late people, overweight people, skinny, model-looking people!
2. Read Romans 2:1-3. Who is Paul speaking to: the community or the church? Who is “just as bad” as those living in sin? Read Romans 2:4. How do we typically judge others? How should our remembrance of the cross and the mercy of God in our own lives affect our judgments of others’ sins?
Leader’s Note: It can feel good to judge people. It makes us feel like we are in the right and that others need to improve. But Paul was speaking to the church and those believing they were “better than” the sinners outside the church when he warned them that they were “just as bad.” We judge through comparison, gossip, condemnation, and criticism. We don’t usually think we are judging, but we do it continually. Rather than judging others, we should focus on our sins and how Jesus has not only forgiven but forgotten them. He has shown us extreme mercy. How can we not extend the same mercy, not judgment?
3. Read 1 Corinthians 5:12-13. Who are believers not to judge, no matter what? Who may we judge, if we must? Read Matthew 7:1-5. What must we do before we confront someone else about their sin? In what order are we to go about correcting others? Read Galatians 6:1. What attitudes are we to have when we confront someone with their sin? What is the responsibility of a believer towards another believer who is struggling with sin?
Leader’s Note: Paul tells the Corinthians they are NOT to judge non-believers, those outside the fellowship of believers. On the other hand, they are to confront flagrant sin in their midst. Matthew repeats: “Do not judge!” And when/if we must confront, we must clean up our own hypocrisy first. Then, we are to do as Paul encourages the Galatians: gently and humbly help that person back onto the path. Indeed, we should do so with compassion and humility because this verse reminds us that we can easily fall into sin and temptation ourselves.
4. How then should we actually judge? Read Proverbs 27:17 and Ephesians 4:15. How does an object become sharper? How does this relate to our relationships? Why should we value others' opinions and experiences when they speak into our lives and issues? What is of utmost importance when we confront another believer?
Leader’s Note: We find wisdom in Proverbs: God has given us believing friends to shape us into the people He desires. The scraping and filing of iron on iron makes both instruments better. The wounds of a friend are for your good (Proverbs 27:6). A true friend--who loves and follows God can be trusted--to speak. But there is a warning to the “confronter” -- speak the truth in love, or it will not be received and may cause harm rather than unity in the body of Christ.
5. Pray: Use Psalm 139:23-24 as your personal prayers this week. See what areas God wants you to work on and ask Him what path He wants you to take. Focus on getting the “log” out of your eye before daring to judge another believer for their “speck.” Read John Repent of any judging attitudes you have or have had. Read John 3:17. Let the sacrificial, non-judgmental attitude which Jesus has revealed to you be at the heart of your discussions and thoughts this week.
Deeper
Leader: This section is designed for further use in your Life Group or for personal study. These can also be used as discussion points and ways to stay connected with your group throughout the week. Encourage your group to take time daily to walk through these questions.
Read through these examples of people judging others in the Bible and the outcomes that follow.
6. Read Job 22:4-20 and Job 42:7. What does Eliphaz believe is the reason for Job’s suffering? How does God respond to Job’s friends' judgement?
Leader’s note: Job’s friends join him in his mourning to comfort him. But after a while, they begin to say that Job must have sinned and that’s why he is suffering. Their judgement only leads him to more pain. And God entirely refutes their suppositions.
7. Read Matthew 18:21-35. How is the servant hypocritical in this passage? Who does this story depict? How should grace change our hearts?
Leader’s note: In this passage, the servant does exactly what he pleaded to the master not to do. Though he received mercy, he showed none. Jesus wants us to be open to forgiving others at every opportunity we have. Since Jesus’s love and grace for us makes us more like Him, our forgiveness to others will also be a picture of Jesus to them.
8. Read John 8:1-11. What was the goal of the Pharisees? Who was left with the woman? What does Jesus’ response show us about the example He was setting for us?
Leader’s note: The Pharisees wanted justice for every sin committed. While justice sounds great, they didn’t want to be judged themselves. Note that Jesus did not exact an apology, any penance, or example of change before He just forgave the woman!