Want to get a little deeper into the study? Below are some questions and thoughts to consider based on the sermon message. Feel free to work through them on your own, as a family or in your small group. (Discussion questions for elementary-age kids can be found below.) If you have questions, please contact us.

• Do you think hypocrisy is a choice, or is it the result of expectations? Why?
• Read Matthew 23:1-30. Let’s look at this text through three lenses. What is Jesus’ message to the disciples? What is Jesus’ message to the Pharisees? What is Jesus’ message to us?
• In Tim Harlow’s book, What Made Jesus Mad?, he writes, “If you can’t see yourself, you’ll never fix yourself.” Why is self-awareness important in our fight against hypocrisy? Why is honesty an important part of spiritual growth?
• Let’s look at Matthew 23:13 again. How does hypocrisy keep people from Jesus? When have you seen examples of this in today’s church culture? For further discussion – How does hypocrisy conflict with Jesus’ mission? How is hypocrisy a distraction from God?
• In Matthew 23, how would you describe Jesus’ anger? What are some adjustments followers of Jesus need to make to be more authentic?

YOUR CALL TO ACTION:

• Visually think of looking into a spiritual mirror – what do you see? Am I authentically following Jesus? What adjustments do I need to make this week?