Wolves In Sheep's Clothing - MSQ
Part of Red Letter Living
July 2, 2023

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Wolves In Sheep’s Clothing - Message Study Questions

Message Summary

In this passage, Jesus warns believers against false prophets. False prophets (preachers, or other Christian leaders) are those who claim to speak for God and good. They appear harmless, and look like other believers (sheep) on the outside. But inside they are greedy, selfish destroyers. like wolves preying on sheep. Their goal is to deceive and lead people away from God by teaching other doctrines and twisting the truth of scripture to fit their agenda. They are people who claim to be Christians, and they speak about God but live in sin.

You can recognize them by their fruit, ultimately by their deeds, their way of life, which will reveal their true inner nature—one dedicated to serving self rather than serving God. Like fruit trees versus thorn bushes and thistles, time will ultimately reveal both the plant and the person by their fruit. If so called Christians live in gross sins and teach others to do the same, they are false prophets. On the other hand, true believers will remain connected to God, will have the Holy Spirit in their lives, they will remain green and will grow in their faith and ultimately bear fruit in season.

  1. How do you determine if a person is a fake or not?

  2. What is the best way to avoid being deceived?

Consider This

Jesus makes his disciples aware of the reality of false prophets. Not only will we encounter them, but we will find them on the narrow road we are traveling.

  1. Read Matthew 7:15-20. What does the word “beware” mean to you? When someone uses that word, what does it do to you?

  2. What do false prophets (preachers) look like on the outside? Where can you find them? What do they look like on the inside?

  3. How can you recognize a false prophet or leader? How do you tell a sheep from a wolf?

    • What is the fruit Jesus talks about? Read the following context to our passage this week, Matthew 7:21, 24 and Galatians 5:22-23.

    • What do their deeds, or lack thereof, look like?

  4. How can you avoid being deceived?

  5. How does salvation and obedience to God work (good deeds) together?

  6. Read Psalm 1:1-6.

    • What does a godly person spend a lot of time doing (verse 2)?

    • List the ways a godly person is like a good fruit tree with plenty of water (verse 3).

    • How is the godly person rewarded (verse 3, 6)?

    • How are the wicked people described in this passage (verse 1, 4-5)?

    • What is the result of living as a wicked person (verses 4-6)? What do these things mean?

Moving Forward – Application

Do you want to know Jesus better? Then study His Word (the Bible) and follow the leading of His Spirit. “Those who accept my commandments and obey them are the ones who love me. And because they love me, my Father will love them. And I will love them and reveal myself to each of them (John 14:21 NLT).

  1. What evidence do you have in your life that you follow Jesus? What can others “see” in you? How could you make that better?

  2. What words of Jesus could you obey or put into action this week?

  3. What plan to study God’s word could you implement this week to help you know what God wants and so become a doer of God’s word, not merely a hearer?

  4. How could you hear from God this week (John 8:31-32)?