Week 14 Discussion Questions and Bible Study
False Prophets
Study Passage Matthew 7:15-20
1. Discuss whether it is coincidental that Jesus' discussion on false prophets follows immediately on His discussion of the wide and narrow gates.
2. Discuss in some detail what your understanding of prophecy is. What was the task of the biblical prophets? Who are prophets today and where are they called to prophesy?
3. What are false prophets, and what do they look like? What disguises do they wear today?
4. When Jesus says that you will recognise them by their fruit, what does He mean?
5. What is the Fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5: 22 & 23 will be helpful) and how can they help in discerning between true and false prophets? If one or more of the fruit is missing, does that necessarily imply that the person is a false prophet?
6. How should we react to false prophets and false prophecy in our midst?
7. Using examples, discuss whether it is possible to brand something that we don't agree with as false teaching coming from a false prophet just because we don’t agree with it? Discuss issues in the church today which might be seen by some as false teaching?
8. What serves as our primary source of help when we are trying to determine whether something is true or false teaching?
9. What is the risk of leaving false prophets and false prophecy unchecked in the church?
10. Mission Pillars
Discuss the statement: “False prophecy and false teaching have been used in recent history to entrench injustice, and even stifle development and economic empowerment.” Can you think of examples where false teaching or false prophecy has affected spirituality, evangelism and Church growth?
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