Age: 18-20

Gender: Both
Culture: American
Title: Two Gates

Theme: God commands us to chose between two gates, we must pray that we might have
the fortitude to choose the narrow gate.

Text: Matt 7:13-14

Learning Goal: We/the learner should choose the narrow gate when you come to a fork in
the road.

Learning Indicators:
Knowledge: The participant will list the two main choices in this passage and
show the group their findings.
Comprehension: The participant will explain the differences between the two
choices to the large group.
Application: The Participant will pray that they will chose the narrow path when
they come to a decision that will lead them down the wide path or up the narrow
path daily.

Hook/Intro: I will ask for two volunteers. They will both have a ball and will try to
through that ball into a circle that is across the room. One of the circles is small and the
other is very big. Tell the to trough, the one with the big circle should make it. After that
leave them in the dark as to how it goes with the lesson. Some will probably figure it out.
We will come back to that at the end.

Background:
Author-Matthew
Audience-Greek-speaking Jews
Date-Probably between 60 and 70 A.D.
Setting-Matthew most likely wrote from Israel, though some believe he wrote from
Syrian Antioch
Theme-Matthew’s message is clear: Jesus is the long-awaited Messiah, the King of kings
and Lord of lords.
Propose-To prove to his Jewish readers that Jesus is their Messiah.

Tie In:
-In previous sections of the Lord’s sermon, he described the character of those who were
the subjects of His kingdom and had laid down the rules by which we must walk.
-This was not so popular with the Jews of the day who thought that because they were
natural descendants of Abraham they were subjects of the Messiah kingdom. Jesus
makes this very clear that no lineage or ceremonial rites are required of anyone.
-Instead there is a much straighter gate and narrower way to be united to Christ (Gal.
3:29).

Book:
-Enter through the narrow gate.
-It’s a command
-It is not enough to listen to preaching about this “gate” or to study and admire the
wisdom of the passage: it must be entered!
-The Greek word here for “straight/narrow” signifies that is difficult to past through
because of how restraining it is.
-What's the significance of the “gate” or what does a gate do?
-A “gate” serves two purposes: it lets in and shuts out.

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-Entering this gate is the only “way” which leads to life, and all who do not enter are
eternally shut out of the presence of God.

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Tie In:
-The use of a “gate” is illustrated at the close of the parable of the virgins. The foolish
ones lacked the necessary “oil” (the work of the Spirit in the heart) and when they went
to the Bridegroom “the door was shut” (Matthew 25:10) just like the gate to those who
chose the other gate.

Gate Number Two:

-God gives us a choice; the other choice is the “wide gate”
-This is the path of self-will and self-gratification. It is “wide” because those in it own no
restrictions. It is the easy way of the flesh. (Prov. 14:12)

Analogy:
“A dead fish can float with the stream, but only a living one can swim against it”

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Look/Took:
Have the large group split up into small groups and answer these questions then
have them send a representative up and write the answer up on the board.

Wide-why is it so inviting?

Narrow-Why is it so hard?

Now ask for the volunteers to come back up and have the get ready to shoot again. But
right before they do move the small circle right in from of the person and talk say. The
narrow path is hard but remember, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens
me” Philippians 4:13.

Conclusion: God can do anything (Philippians 4:13); he can even move the small circle
so you can make the basket. He will help you run on the narrow path you just have to
trust him in all things. Then pray for the group to be able to choose the narrow path when
life hands them a choice.

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