Meeting guide · command 70

Obey Authority

Honor true instruction without imitating leaders whose lives contradict their teaching and whose authority burdens others.

Read

Read the complete passage aloud.

Primary passage

Matthew 23:2–7

2 saying, “The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses’ seat. 3 All things therefore whatever they tell you to observe, observe and do, but don’t do their works; for they say, and don’t do. 4 For they bind heavy burdens that are grievous to be borne, and lay them on men’s shoulders; but they themselves will not lift a finger to help them. 5 But they do all their works to be seen by men. They make their phylacteries broad and enlarge the fringes of their garments, 6 and love the place of honor at feasts, the best seats in the synagogues, 7 the salutations in the marketplaces, and to be called ‘Rabbi, Rabbi’ by men.

World English Bible

Jesus recognizes the scribes' teaching seat while exposing their hypocrisy, status-seeking, and refusal to carry the burdens they impose.

Discuss

Listen carefully to what Jesus says.

  1. What does Jesus command?
  2. What does this passage reveal about Him?
  3. Where do we resist this command?
  4. What is difficult or unclear?
  5. How can respect for a role coexist with truthful resistance to hypocrisy, exploitation, or unlawful demands?

Practice

Choose one specific act of obedience.

Separate one true responsibility from the unhealthy example of the person presenting it. Practice the truth while documenting and addressing any genuine misuse of authority safely.

Return

Come back and discuss what happened.

What truth did you practice, and what harmful example or demand did you refuse to imitate?

Close together

Pray. Then prepare to teach.

Pray

Jesus, give us discernment under authority. Help us obey what is true, refuse hypocrisy, and protect people from burdensome leadership.

Teach

Do not turn this passage into blanket obedience to every leader; Jesus publicly exposes the authorities' conduct and limits imitation of them.