Should We Judge Others? · Woodlawn Student Ministry

Sermon Outline

1

Understanding Judgment in Context

Supporting Scripture: Matthew 7:1-2

¹“Do not judge, so that you won’t be judged. ²For you will be judged by the same standard with which you judge others, and you will be measured by the same measure you use.

Summary: Jesus is not forbidding all judgment but is warning against self-righteous and hypocritical judgment (Matthew 7:1-2).

Make your case for this point with the text. Use scripture, story, and direct application.

2

Self-Examination First

Supporting Scripture: Matthew 7:3-5

³Why do you look at the splinter in your brother’s eye but don’t notice the beam of wood in your own eye? ⁴Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the splinter out of your eye,’ and look, there’s a beam of wood in your own eye? ⁵Hypocrite! First take the beam of wood out of your eye, and then you will see clearly to take the splinter out of your brother’s eye.

Summary: Before correcting others, we need to examine our own hearts and motives (Matthew 7:3-5).

Build on the previous point. Where does the text take us next?

3

Loving Accountability

Supporting Scripture: Galatians 6:1, James 5:19-20

Galatians 6:1

¹Brothers and sisters, if someone is overtaken in any wrongdoing, you who are spiritual, restore such a person with a gentle spirit, , watching out for yourselves so that you also won’t be tempted.

James 5:19-20

¹⁹My brothers and sisters, if any among you strays from the truth, and someone turns him back, ²⁰let that person know that whoever turns a sinner from the error of his way will save his soul from death and cover a multitude of sins.

Summary: Christian community involves helping one another grow through loving accountability, not harsh condemnation (Galatians 6:1, James 5:19-20).

Bring the trajectory home. What's the final move in the argument?

Where it lands

While we should avoid self-righteous judgment, true Christian love involves holding each other accountable with grace and humility.