Week 2 - Matthew 7 v 24-29
New International Version
The Wise and Foolish Builders
24 “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. 26 But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. 27 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.”
28 When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching, 29 because he taught as one who had authority, and not as their teachers of the law.
1. In this analogy explain what is meant in Christian lives by:
a. The rain came down
b. the streams rose,
c. the winds blew and beat against that house;
2. In this analogy explain what is meant in foolish unbelievers lives by:
a. The rain came down
b. the streams rose,
c. the winds blew and beat against that house;
3. Why was Jesus able to say about the Christian “yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock”?
4. What did Jesus mean about the foolish unbeliever “and it fell with a great crash.”? Explain
5. What is foolish about being an unbeliever?
6. What was different about Jesus teaching and the way the religious leaders taught?
7. Where does the Christian find the words of Jesus in order to put them into practice?
8. Is it only those who hear the words of Jesus and not put them into practice that this analogy relates to ? Explain
9. Does the same sort of life outcome occur to the unbeliever who have not heard the words of Jesus? Or is there a difference?
10. Which other gospel covers the same story and are there any differences we can learn from. See “Our Daily Bread” notes for 2 January 2021 (If you use them)
