The Paradox of the Narrow (Matthew 7:13-14)
Graduate Recognition Sunday 2015
Life Group Leader’s Guide
Introduction: Paradoxes in Scripture



The following are some profound paradoxes found in Scripture:
o Exaltation through humility (James 4:10)
o Strength through weakness (2 Corinthians 12:10)
o Receiving through giving (Acts 20:35)
o Freedom through slavery (Romans 6:18)
o Gaining through losing (Philippians 3:7-8)
o Living through dying (John 12:24)
o Finding through losing (Matthew 10:39)
Which of these is most meaningful to you in your life right now? Why?
Which of these is most troubling or difficult for you in your life right now? Why?
Scripture Passage: Matthew 7:13-14
13
“Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to
destruction, and many enter through it. 14 But small is the gate and narrow the road that
leads to life, and only a few find it. (Matthew 7:13-14)



How does the metaphor of the narrow gate and road relate to the two metaphors that follow it
(trees producing good fruit versus bad fruit and wise versus foolish builders)? How do they
relate to the Sermon on the Mount as a whole?
Why is the order in the metaphor (first entering the narrow gate and then following the
narrow road) important?
What is your initial reaction to reading these metaphors? Explain.
I. The narrow gate and the narrow road are not popular.


“The questions we must ask ourselves are what type of popularity we are seeking, for what
purpose, and at what cost.”
o What is the difference between a “good” type of popularity and a “bad” type of
popularity?
o What are the potential costs of seeking popularity above pleasing Christ?
“But if our desire is to fit in, to avoid the inevitable hostility that comes from living
differently from the world, the fly under the radar of challenging ethical conversations where
a Christian worldview is being silenced or ridiculed, or to protect relationships that we are
too afraid to lose, then there’s a problem. The world is in full scale enmity and rebellion
against God, and if we are living by Christ’s values and sharing his word, even the most
likable of us will become unpopular. And we have to be okay with that.”
o What tempts you personally to prioritize popularity above pleasing Christ?
2


Gabe Lyons in The Next Christians describes the various responses Christians have to
culture: separatism, antagonism, and relevance. In contrast to these responses, he calls
Christians to be “countercultural for the common good.”
o In your own life, what has been your primary response to culture?
o How challenging is it for you to live in the world but not be of the world? (Share a
personal story of this struggle.)
o Lyons said that “relevance” is the larger threat for Christian leaders today because it
“removes the church from its historically prophetic position in society.” Do you
agree with this statement? Why or why not?
“What is more concerning is that our culture’s values are becoming more openly hostile to a
Christian worldview. Those who believe in creation are called ignorant. Those who believe
in a traditional view of marriage are called haters and bigots. Those who believe in sexual
purity are called prudes. Those who abstain from certain entertainment influences are called
irrelevant. Those who would give up a smartphone or a social media account in order to flee
the temptation of sexually explicit material are called out-of-touch. Those who seek to live
simply to contribute to kingdom ministries or who sacrifice profits to embody kingdom
values are called impractical.”
o Which of these descriptions would really bother you if that’s what people called you
for being a Christian? Which perception would tempt you to compromise your
beliefs?
o Where do you feel the pull of the world most acutely?
II. The narrow gate and the narrow road are not easy.



The word “narrow” comes from a verb that means to experience trouble or difficulty while
the word “broad” carries with it the idea of prosperity.
o What is your reaction to the fact that Jesus invites us to follow a path he knows will
be hard?
o Cross-reference: 1 Peter 4:12-16. What does it mean to rejoice for participating in
the sufferings of Christ?
“Jesus encouraged people to count the cost for following him. For some, it might mean the
sacrifice of material comforts. For others, it might mean the loss of significant relationships.
For still others, it might mean martyrdom. For all of us, it means laying down idols,
changing priorities, crucifying the flesh, putting others ahead of ourselves, releasing control
of our lives and our futures to God, clinging to him in the midst of confusing and painful
circumstances, and trusting God when there are questions we cannot answer, mysteries we
cannot understand, and problems we cannot solve. The narrow road is not an easy road.”
o What costs for following Jesus have you experienced?
o What cost have you not experienced that would be particularly tough for you to face?
Cross-reference: Matthew 11:28-30.
o Does this passage give you hope or does it frustrate you as you look at the trials and
difficult circumstances in your life? Explain.
o How tempted are you to covet the lives of others when you face challenges in your
life?
3
Conclusion


“Just remember, popularity and comfort never sanctified anybody, and God is interested in
your heart, your character. He wants to change you to be like his Son. That’s what he made
you for, and his way is the only way to accomplish it. You don’t get much narrower than
that, but it’s the truth.”
o Do you agree or disagree with this statement? Why or why not?
o How hard is it to go against the flow at work, at school, or in your family?
React to this closing quote by Craig Groeschel:
Instead of living stressed, overwhelmed and exhausted, you can live a life of meaningful
relationships, intentional scheduling, and deep, fulfilling rest for your soul. Instead of
choking with constant financial fear and tension, you can let God’s Word lead you along
a path to financial peace, margin, and eternal investments. Instead of allowing your
marriage to drift into parallel lives or divorce by default, you can experience true
intimacy with your spouse. Rather than continuing on the normal sexual path toward
pain, emptiness, and idolatry, you can allow God to heal you, change the way you think,
and place deliberate safeguards in your life to protect you. God wants you to know him
and love him—not just acknowledge him or consider him a cosmic sugar daddy.
If you let him, if you choose not to coast along the world’s wide-open road but rather to
blaze a narrow trail with Jesus as your guide, then you’ll never settle for normal again.
You’ll only want one thing…The God kind of weird.