Single lesson
Judging Others and Looking at Ourselves
Matthew 7:1–6
Jesus uses strong word pictures in Matthew 7:1-6 to teach his listeners how to deal with other people’s faults. This lesson helps children notice the difference between harsh judgement, honest self-examination and wise discernment.
Before you teach
In this part of Jesus’ teaching, he speaks directly about judging, measuring, seeing a speck, removing a beam and treating what is holy with care. The passage stays focused on how a person looks at others and how that person should first look at himself or herself.
Students will be able to explain that Jesus teaches people to examine themselves first, help others humbly, and act wisely with what is valuable.
Welcome: What do we notice first?
5 minBegin by asking children to think about how easy it is to spot someone else’s mistake. Explain that Jesus warns against judging others in a harsh way and says the same standard comes back to us. Introduce the lesson words judge and measure using the wording of the passage.
Matthew 7:1, Matthew 7:2
Read and explain: The measure we use
7 minRead verses 1 and 2 slowly. Explain that judge here is linked with the way a person treats others, because Jesus says, ‘with whatever judgment you judge, you will be judged’. Measure is a picture for the standard we use. Children can hear that Jesus is calling for careful, humble treatment of others.
Matthew 7:1, Matthew 7:2
Discuss: The speck and the beam
7 minRead verses 3 to 5. Jesus uses an illustration about a tiny speck and a huge beam in someone’s eye. Point out the order in verse 5: first remove the beam from your own eye, then you can see clearly to help your brother. Jesus calls pretending to help while ignoring your own fault hypocrisy.
Matthew 7:3, Matthew 7:4, Matthew 7:5
Make and respond: A clear-eyes reminder card
8 minRead verse 6 and explain that Jesus also teaches wisdom. What is holy and what is pictured as pearls should not be treated carelessly. Children make a reminder card with a short phrase from the passage, such as ‘First remove the beam’ or ‘See clearly’. Discuss one everyday example of pausing before criticising someone.
Matthew 7:5, Matthew 7:6
Closing: Say the lesson back
3 minFinish by inviting children to retell the flow of the passage in three steps: do not judge harshly, examine yourself first, then help wisely and carefully. Repeat one key verse together. Close by thanking God for help to be honest about our own faults and kind to others.
Matthew 7:1, Matthew 7:5, Matthew 7:6
Questions to explore
In verse 2, what does Jesus say happens with the measure we use on others?
Guide children to answer from the verse itself: the same measure will be measured back, so our standards toward others matter.
Matthew 7:2
According to verse 5, what must happen first before someone can help remove a speck from a brother’s eye?
Help them notice the word ‘First’ and the order Jesus gives: remove the beam from your own eye, then you can see clearly to help.
Matthew 7:5
What two valuable things in verse 6 are not to be thrown or given carelessly?
Encourage children to name ‘that which is holy’ and ‘pearls’, then talk about why Jesus may be teaching careful, wise handling of what is valuable.
Matthew 7:6
Make, think or respond
Speck and Beam Reminder Card
What you’ll need
- Card or paper
- Pencils or textas
- Scissors
- Sticky tape or glue
Try it together
- Write a short phrase from Matthew 7:5 or Matthew 7:1 on a small card, such as ‘First remove the beam’ or ‘Don’t judge’.
- Draw two simple pictures: a tiny speck and a large beam, to remember Jesus’ illustration.
- On the back, write one practical action such as ‘Check my own attitude first’ or ‘Speak kindly when helping’.
- Take turns reading the card aloud and explaining how it connects to the passage.
The card gives children a simple visual reminder of Jesus’ illustration and his instruction to examine themselves first before trying to correct others.
Adapt for your group
- For younger children, keep the discussion concrete by using simple contrasts such as tiny speck and big beam, and let them repeat a short phrase from Matthew 7:5.
- For older or more confident readers, ask them to compare verses 1-2 with verses 3-5 and explain how the warning about judging connects with the illustration.
An optional closing prayer
Dear God, please help us to look honestly at ourselves, to be gentle when others do wrong, and to use wise words that fit what Jesus taught here.
Read the Bible passage World English Bible Classic
Matthew 7
1 “Don’t judge, so that you won’t be judged.
2 For with whatever judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with whatever measure you measure, it will be measured to you.
3 Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but don’t consider the beam that is in your own eye?
4 Or how will you tell your brother, ‘Let me remove the speck from your eye,’ and behold, the beam is in your own eye?
5 You hypocrite! First remove the beam out of your own eye, and then you can see clearly to remove the speck out of your brother’s eye.
6 “Don’t give that which is holy to the dogs, neither throw your pearls before the pigs, lest perhaps they trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces.
World English Bible Classic. Public domain.