Study Guide: Cross Examination Q&A

Sunday June 12, 2022 | Bill Doherty, Cedrick Baker, Greg Boyd, Shawna Boren

Brief Summary:

This panel conversation addresses the practical implications of the teaching on what it means to live in love and forego judgment of others.

Extended Summary:

A panel that includes Cedrick Baker, Shawna Boren, Greg Boyd, and Bill Daugherty entertains questions regarding how the teaching about not judging others actually plays out our common lives. Over 30 questions were submitted and most of them were related to the questions that were addressed. These questions included:

What is the difference between discernment and judgement?
I am a supervisor in a large organizational setting and a big part of my job is judging people’s work performance – including their personal attitudes and behaviors towards others on the job. How do I “not judge people” when most of my job description as a leader is about making judgements about people who work for me?
We need to take Jesus’ words “Do not judge” seriously. However, Jesus also says things like: “Why do you not judge for yourselves what is right?” (Luke 12:57). And the Apostle Paul says: “Those who are spiritual judge all things, yet they are themselves judged by no one” (I Cor 2:15). What advice do you have on applying these biblical teachings that say we should make judgments?
The no-judgment message of the last few weeks seems to conflict with another message that Woodland Hills has preached on, since the George Floyd murder, that we ARE to judge racism – and racists – as bad. If we “don’t judge” anyone, then doesn’t that lead to putting up with the same racial status quo that led to George Floyd’s death and the millions of other instances of racial injustice?
What about other Christians? Can we confront them with their sins and judge them? I have a close friend who claims to be a Jesus follower, but who has some very un-Jesus-like things going on in their life. Whenever I bring these things this up, this person always gives me the same response: “Jesus says not to judge people, so who are you to judge me? God unconditionally loves us just the way we are, so quit being so self-righteous.”
I’m in the middle of a relational break-down in my family where we no longer even talk to each other because of many heated arguments over political differences. What do I do?
You often speak of God’s unlimited, unconditional, unsurpassable love for us. So, are there no conditions, no limits to God’s love? Does God love the mass murderer? Doesn’t this cheapen, make a mockery of God’s love. If God loves everyone, then what is love?

This conversation will help you work out Jesus’ teaching in Matthew 7:1 so that you are empowered to live in love in your everyday life.

Reflection Questions:

How has this conversation helped you apply Jesus’ teaching on judgment?
Where are you in the journey toward living this teaching out? What hinders you?
Who are you talking to about your journey on this subject?
What is one area of your life where you can work out this teaching?
Take some time right now to pray for one person that you have judged in the past.