The Good Fruit by the Narrow Gate

Following Jesus means providing the example of the love we’ve struggled to find.

For reflection:

1. Does the “Golden Rule” differ from common expectations about how to navigate interpersonal relationships? If so, how?
2. What about the pathway of the believer makes the gate narrow? Why are we often drawn to the wider gate?
3. In the face of another treating us improperly or harshly, how might we change the course of our interactions with them to match how we are called to treat each other?
4. Can you think of a time when you figured out you were bearing bad fruit and you wanted to do better? What did you do about the situation? What challenged you to face your fruit?
5. We cut down bad trees w/ bad fruit to plant good trees to bear good fruit. But that’s trees. How do we deal with people who bear bad fruit? How do we love those people, and how do we see them as literal people beloved by Jesus and not just someone to cast aside in judgment?
6. How do you want to be treated? What makes you know that you are being treated well?
7. How do people who follow Jesus treat others as Jesus did? Try to put this in a situation from your own life with an actual place and actual actions, and try to avoid speculating or offering advice.
8. How can examine ourselves for “bearing good fruit.” What do you see as the common values in what you find?

Digging deeper:

1. What types of actions or comments can we share with someone we’re just meeting to ensure we are both treating each other how we should be treated?
2. How does the discernment of a person’s fruit fit together (and not conflict) with the command to not call out the speck in their eye? At what point does mere recognition of their fruit become actual judgment of them?
3. How does the metaphor of a fruit tree help us to shape a servant attitude in our lives?
4. In Genesis 3 we see the serpent’s temptation to eat the forbidden fruit of a tree in the garden. In what ways are we still being tempted today to eat the wrong fruit?
5. Can you think of a time in your life where you have not been treated in a negative manner, even though you deserved it? What impact did that extension of love and grace have on you?
6. If we are to discern fruit, what exactly does good fruit look like? Can you think of any scriptures to support your answer?
7. Is there a difference between bearing fruit and producing fruit? Did the fact that Jesus later refers to Himself as the vine inform your answer? Should it?