Weekly Discussion Guide

Pastor Chris reminded us that there’s a difference between healthy discernment and the practice of trying to judge someone’s motives. Only God knows what’s in people’s hearts, so it’s a waste of our time and disobedient for us to judge them.

MY STORY

What are some common sorting activities for you? In these activities, what are your criteria for what goes where?

WHAT DOES GOD WANT US TO HEAR?

“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was thrown into the sea and gathered fish of every kind. When it was full, men drew it ashore and sat down and sorted the good into containers but threw away the bad. So it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come out and separate the evil from the righteous and throw them into the fiery furnace. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”

“Have you understood all these things?” They said to him, “Yes.”

(Matthew 13:47-51)

What is it about the nature of a net, at least when it comes to fishing, that lends itself to capturing types of seafood that were not intended?

Who does the sorting in the parable: the fishermen or the angels? What’s the significance of this?

What does God want us to hear? Based on the passages above, what are the factual “takeaways” that are meaningful to you?

WHAT DOES GOD WANT US TO DO?

According to Pastor Chris, what is the difference between holding someone accountable and judging that person’s motives or likelihood for redemption?

How can you assess the spiritual health of another person’s words and actions, while not jumping to conclusions about the motivations behind why they said or did those things?

The net Jesus described in his parable captured good and bad fish. When it comes to doing ministry, what can be some unintended results, both good and bad?

Where do we draw the line when it comes to “human sorting,” and what we should simply leave in the hands of God, especially in regard to other people?

What does God want us to do? Flowing out of our reading and interpretation, what action does this passage or the Spirit’s nudging us toward?

WHAT DOES GOD WANT ME TO DO?

Pastor Chris said, “We're not called to make final judgments on people's souls.”

When are you most tempted to take “sorting” responsibilities away from God, especially in regard to other people?

What kinds of things have been caught up in your personal “net” that obviously need to be thrown back in the ocean? Who could help you determine what those things should be?

Take care of that this week.

What does God want ME to do? What is the personal application and action step that the Holy Spirit is calling you toward?