1. What is the difference between judging and discerning? (Romans 2:1, John 7:24) What is the danger of judging others freely? (2;6:14-15) By what standard do you think God judges his people?
2. Whom is Jesus addressing when he says "your brother"? Why is the illustration in verses 3 and 4 a common problem not only in human society but also in the Christian community? Why does Jesus describe such people in verse 3 as hypocrites?
3. How can we avoid the sin of judging others and instead truly help our brothers overcome sin? (5)
4. What does "what is sacred" or "your pearls" refer to? (13:45) Who do "dogs" and "pigs" symbolize? (2 Peter 2:22, Proverbs 11:22) Why is discernment and wisdom necessary in helping people? (Proverbs 9:8)
II. Everyone Who Asks Receives (7-12)
5. Why do you think we can best help our brothers through prayer? In what way can we say that prayer is "asking", "seeking", and "knocking"? What promise are given to those who pray?
6. How does a son's asking in verses 9-11 illustrate the good attitude Christians ought to have as they pray?
7. Why don't people ask God for his good gifts? What does Jesus try to teach his disciples about God the Father in verses 9-11?
8. Verse 12 is often called "the Lord's golden rule." How does this teach us that Christians must have a basic objectivity in putting themselves in the place of others? In what way is this golden rule the principle of Christian conduct and the goal of the law and the Prophets?
