January 11, 2026 – Matthew 7:15-29

Jesus’s words have authority.

Sometime along the way, authority became a four-letter word. Some historians point to the rebellious and riotous 1960s. Still others point to postmodern influences and the belief that everyone defines right and wrong for themselves. Whatever the cause, many people have a negative view of authority in any form.

People in Jesus’s day lived in an atmosphere of totalitarian authority. Politically, Rome and its governors dominated regions like Israel. Spiritually, Jewish religious leaders exerted their own coercive authority. The common folks knew both were inherently false.

But Jesus’s audiences heard something different. He spoke with genuine authority, unlike the Jewish teachers. In Jesus, the people found an authentic voice, a voice of true authority they could accept and follow.

As you prepare to teach this final session from the Sermon on the Mount, evaluate your own attitude toward authority—including God’s authority over your life. Ask Him to help you surrender to Him and to give you the wisdom you need to guide the adults in your Bible study to acknowledge His authority in their lives.

Resources Available

In addition to the resources below, you also have access to the Quick Source, Daily Discipleship Guide, Leader Guide, and Pack Items. Please reach out to us using the form below if you do not have access to these materials and would like them.

Podcast

Members of the Explore the Bible team review the main points of the study, discuss some critical questions from the study, and provide teaching tips along the way.

Extra Ideas

Extra provides an idea for using a current news story to supplement the Engage (introduction) and Challenge (application) features during the group time.

Prayer Guide

The quarterly prayer guide provides suggestions for praying verses from each Adult Explore the Bible session during the week. Click below to access the guide.

Need help?

If you need assistance accessing the resources available to you as a teacher, please let us know using the form below. You can also reach out if you need help arranging a substitute or finding another teacher to fill in during your absence. We’re here to support you.