Main Text: Matthew 23:23–24 (ESV) 23 “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint and dill and cumin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faithfulness. These you ought to have done, without neglecting the others. 24You blind guides, straining out a gnat and swallowing a camel!

Preaching Point: Knowing what God values most should lead us to prioritize the weightier matters of Scripture without neglecting the rest.

Teaching Points:

1. Distinguish the Majors from the Minors (v. 23a)
2. Pursue Faithfulness in Everything (v. 23b)
3. Recognize the Folly of Majoring on Minors (v. 24)

Application Questions:

1. Write down one observation or application you found helpful from this week’s sermon. Why did it stand out to you?
2. Read Matthew 23:23 and Hosea 6:6. How can you grow in your ability to distinguish between the weightier things of God’s Word and the lighter matters of God’s Word?
3. What dangers arise when Christians fail to distinguish between the weightier and lighter matters of Scripture?
4. Why is growing in this kind of spiritual discernment so necessary?
5. Read Matthew 23:23b (starting with the word “these”) and Matthew 5:19. What balance does Jesus expect you to maintain between the weightier matters of Scripture and the rest of God's commands?
6. What does pursuing faithfulness in everything while distinguishing between the weightier matters and lighter matters of scripture look like at church, at work and at home?
7. Read Amos 5:21–24. Why did God reject Israel's worship? How can you be guilty of obeying some of God’s commands, while ignoring some of the weightier commands of God throughout the week?
8. Read Matthew 23:24. If Jesus evaluated your life the way he evaluated the Scribes and Pharisees, where might he say you are "straining out a gnat while swallowing a camel"? (e.g., favorite theological topics, easier areas of obedience, hobby horses, current hot topics, etc.)?
9. After identifying an area where you may be "majoring on the minors," write out a prayer of confession and repentance that reflects your desire to live according to God’s priorities.