DISCOVERY BIBLE STUDY ON FALSE PROPHETS
Discerning False Prophets and Avoiding Them
Matthew 7:15–20
LOOK BACK
How can we pray for each other?
(Each person shares one short prayer need.)
What is the Holy Spirit saying to you? How are you responding?
(Each person briefly shares how they obeyed or responded since the last meeting.)
LOOK UP
Text: Matthew 7:15–20
15 “Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves.
16 By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles?
17 Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit.
18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit.
19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.
20 Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.”
Drama (Act it Out) — Oral Learner Version
Roles: Narrator, Jesus/Teacher, False Prophet, Disciple, Villager (optional)
Simple props: shawl/scarf (sheep clothing), stick/rope (wolf), fruit (real or pretend)
How to do it
Narrator tells the story. Actors repeat short lines.
Narrator: Jesus is teaching His disciples.
Jesus/Teacher: (repeat) “Watch out!”
Narrator: A man comes looking very holy.
(False Prophet wraps shawl like “sheep clothing.”)
False Prophet: (repeat) “I am from God. Follow me.”
Narrator: The disciple is confused.
Disciple: (repeat) “How can I know?”
Jesus/Teacher: (repeat) “Look at the fruit.”
Narrator: The villagers watch the man’s life.
Villager: (repeat) “Does he obey Jesus?”
Villager: (repeat) “Does he love people?”
Villager: (repeat) “Does he speak truth?”
Narrator: The false prophet becomes angry.
False Prophet: (repeat) “Give me money! Obey me!”
Narrator: The disciple remembers Jesus’ words.
Disciple: (repeat) “Bad fruit!”
Disciple: (repeat) “I will not follow you.”
Jesus/Teacher: (repeat) “By their fruit you will know them.”
Verse to Memorize
Matthew 7:16
“By their fruit you will recognize them.”
(Say it together three times.)
Key Truth
False prophets may look good outside, but we can recognize them by their fruit (their words, life, and obedience to Jesus).
Story to Memorize
A false prophet looks like a sheep, but inside he is a wolf. Jesus says: look at the fruit.
Questions for Discussion (8 total):
What does Jesus tell us to do in this passage?
How do false prophets look on the outside?
What are they like on the inside?
How can we recognize a false prophet?
What does “fruit” mean? (Give examples.)
What are examples of good fruit in a teacher’s life?
What are examples of bad fruit in a teacher’s life?
What should we do when we see bad fruit?
LOOK AHEAD
Who is teaching you right now? What fruit do you see?
Is there anyone you should stop listening to because of bad fruit?
Who can you warn lovingly so they do not follow a false teacher?
How can you help new believers stay safe from false prophets?
How can your house church test teaching using God’s Word?
Who can you disciple this week to obey Jesus and grow in discernment?
PRAY FOR AND COMMISSION ONE ANOTHER
Pray briefly:
Thank God for His Word that protects us
Ask God for discernment
Ask God to help us obey Jesus and bear good fruit
Commission together:
“We will watch out for false prophets.
We will recognize them by their fruit.
We will follow Jesus and His Word.”