House Rules: Cherish God’s Children | Matthew 18:5–9

Main Point: Christians must cherish one another as they cherish Christ by promoting behavior that prevents themselves and others from stumbling.

Teaching Points:

1. Treat One Another as God’s Kids (V. 5)
2. Prefer Death Over Causing God’s Kids to Stumble (V. 6)
3. Dread the Thought of Causing God’s Kids to Stumble (V. 7)
4. Do Whatever It Takes to Eliminate Opportunities for Sin (VV. 8-9)

Application Questions:

1. Write down one observation or application you found helpful from this week’s sermon.
2. Read Matthew 5:8. How do you typically treat the average Christian you know? Do you cherish them as you would if they were Jesus?
3. How can you better cherish each Christian as God’s kid?
4. Read Matthew 18:6. What does this verse reveal about how seriously God views anyone who causes a believer to stumble?
5. How does the severity of Christ’s warning sharpen your own vigilance to ensure that you will not be the reason someone else trips spiritually?
6. Read 2 Peter 3:4-7 and Romans 14:10-12. Why should the sober reminder of God’s coming judgment keep you from adding more stumbling blocks in an already sinful world?
7. Read Romans 13:10-14 and Matthew 18:8-9. What do these verses offer to help you see the necessity of taking any measure necessary to eliminate opportunities for sin in your life?
8. What are some things you can eliminate in your life that are causes for sin, either for you or others?