City Group Guide: The Kingdom Week 10 – “Judgement, Prayer, & the Golden Rule”
1. Setting the Kingdom Vision (10 min)
In Matthew 7:1–12, Jesus addresses how Kingdom people relate to others: avoiding hypocritical judgment, praying with confidence, and treating others as we want to be treated.
“Do not judge, or you too will be judged… Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you… So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you.”
Kingdom relationships are rooted in mercy, humility, and active love. God calls us to evaluate ourselves first, pray faithfully, and treat others with grace and fairness.
Discussion:
Why is it tempting to judge others rather than ourselves?
How can prayer transform our attitudes toward people and circumstances?
In what ways does practicing the Golden Rule change daily interactions?
(Leader note: stress that this is about heart posture, not perfection.)
2. Guide Overview: Kingdom Relationships (2 min)
Jesus teaches that our treatment of others reflects the condition of our hearts. Avoiding judgment, praying faithfully, and applying the Golden Rule align us with Kingdom values. Tonight, we’ll explore how to cultivate mercy, humility, and loving action in our relationships.
3. Kingdom Practice: Reflection and Prayer (30 min)
Step 1: Read the Passage (5 min)
Read Matthew 7:1–12 aloud. Pause and ask: “Which phrase challenges your current relationships or perspective?”
Step 2: Reflect (5 min)
In quiet prayer, consider:
“Where am I quick to judge rather than seek understanding?”
“How might God be inviting me to pray more faithfully for others?”
“Where can I actively apply the Golden Rule this week?”
Step 3: Share and Pray (15 min)
Invite each person to share one area where they want to grow in mercy, prayerfulness, or action toward others. Pray together:
“Father, help [name] to see others through Your eyes, act in mercy, and live according to the Golden Rule. Transform their heart so that their relationships reflect Your Kingdom.”
(Leader tip: model transparency by sharing your own areas of growth in judgment, prayer, or loving action.)
Step 4: Group Reflection (5 min)
Discuss together:
How can applying the Golden Rule influence our family, workplace, or community?
How does prayer shape our perspective and actions toward others?
4. Reflection: Kingdom Heart Posture (5 min)
Re-read Matthew 7:12:
“So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you.”
Reflect: Kingdom living begins in the heart and flows into action. Where might God be calling you to practice mercy, prayer, or proactive love this week?
5. Exercise for the Week Ahead (3 min)
Practice: Intentional Kingdom Relationships
Identify one person to whom you can show real mercy, kindness, or intentional prayer this week.
Actively apply the Golden Rule in words and actions.
Reflect on the impact of these small Kingdom choices on your heart and relationships.
Closing Prayer:
“Lord Jesus, You call us to reflect Your mercy and love in every relationship. Teach us to avoid judgment, pray faithfully, and treat others as You would have us treated. May our hearts and actions make Your Kingdom visible in our communities. Amen.”