Enter Through the Narrow Gate

(August 10, 2008)

Matthew 7:13-29

Key verse 7:13

“Enter through the narrow gate.  For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it.  

Read verses 13-14.  Where does the narrow gate lead?  Where does the wide gate lead?  What makes that the narrow gate narrow and the wide gate wide?  What should we do to enter through the narrow gate?

Read verses 15-20.  How can we recognize false prophets?  How can we recognize the good trees (those people who have entered through the narrow gate)?  What will happen to those trees (people) who do not bear good fruit?  

Read verses 21-23.  Who will enter the kingdom of heaven?  What does it mean to do the will of the Father?  What’s the problem of those who say “Lord, Lord”, but continue to do evil?  

4.  Read verses 24-29.  What are those who put Jesus’ words into practice compared to?  What about those who hear Jesus’ words, but don’t practice them?  What will happen to the house built on the rock, and the one built on the sand?  What did the crowds think about Jesus’ teachings?