Back to the Future: The final judgment: Assumed entry

Matthew 7:21-23 | “Not everyone who calls out to me, ‘Lord! Lord!’ will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Only those who actually do the will of my Father in heaven will enter. On judgment day many will say to me, ‘Lord! Lord! We prophesied in your name and cast out demons in your name and performed many miracles in your name.’  But I will reply, ‘I never knew you. Get away from me, you who break God’s laws.’

• In your own words, what happens in today’s reading at the final judgment? 

  • Does this surprise you? Why or why not? 

  • Does this worry you at all? Why or why not? 

• How is it possible that people think they are doing things for God but don’t actually know Him? 

• What does a real relationship with God (knowing Him and being known by Him) look like? 

• Think about your own faith. Do you have a real RELATIONSHIP with God? Or do you just do a lot of things ‘in His name’ or because you think you’re supposed to? (This might include reading your Bible, going to church, serving, being good/doing right, etc.). What, if anything, needs to change?