Review: Last week, we talked about our identity as salt and light (Matt 5:13-14), and we were encouraged to practice looking for opportunities to let our light shine. Any praises or challenges from this past week?

Take a moment in prayer, welcoming the Spirit's presence. Then read Matthew 7:1-6. What strikes you most about this passage and why? 

Phil reminded us this Sunday of an overarching principle we see all throughout the Bible:“God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble” (James 4:6; 1 Peter 5:5; Matthew 23:12; Luke 14:11; Luke 18:14; Proverbs 3:34; Proverbs 18:12; Proverbs 29:23; Psalm 138:6, etc). How do we see this principle connect to this passage? How does this impact the way we view and treat one another?

In 'judging', Jesus is not speaking against our responsibility to discern, but against our proneness to condemn. Read Luke 9:51-56. Spend a moment of quiet reflection: "Where and with whom are you likely to act like James and John in this story and why? What might be Jesus' response to you (v56)?"

​Read and consider Romans 2:1. 

Phil suggested three responses to this passage. Reflect upon each and what it might look like in everyday life:

1. ​Humble Self-Examination: “first take the log out of your own eye” (Lord's Prayer; Prayer of Examen-Ps 139:23-24).

2. Humble Candor: “then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye” (Ephesians 4:15).

3. Humble openness to help: “do not throw your pearls before pigs, lest they trample them underfoot and turn to attack you" (Prov 19:20; James 1:19)

Prayerfully consider how God might be calling you to respond this week. ​