Narrow and Wide Gates

Discussion Questions: “Narrow and Wide Gates”

The Narrow (Strait) and Wide Gates is an excellent parable described by Jesus, comparing the choice of two different paths everyone will eventually make.  The story begins with someone from the crowd asking Jesus a distressing question.

1)     The Narrow and Wide Gates.  (Read the verses outlined in blue: First read Luke 13:22-24, then Matthew 7:13-14).  Someone asks Jesus “are there only a few people who will be saved?”  What is His response? ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

2)     Strive to enter.  What does it mean when Jesus states in Luke 13:24 to “Strive to enter?” _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

3)     The Strait Gate:  Why is the gate narrow? _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

4)     Compare Matthew’s version.  Finish the scripture Matthew 7:14: “Difficult is the way (or pathway) which leads to life, and _________________________.”  Explain why only a few find it. _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

5)      Why is the narrow way difficult? ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

6)     What does it mean “the narrow path leads to life?”  _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

7)     What is the wide or broad gate? _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

8)     What does it mean that the way is broad? _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

9)     What does it mean that many enter through it? _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

10)            What happens to those who enter the wide gate and are led to destruction? _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

11)            I am the door. (Read the verses outlined in purple: John 10:7-9) What or who is the ‘gate’ being referred to? ___________________________________________

12)            Who are the sheep?  _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

13)            The master of the house. (Read the verses outlined in black: Luke 13:25-27) Who is the master of the house?  ___________________________________________

14)            What is the master’s reply when someone knocks at the door? _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

15)            Why does Jesus say in Luke 13:25-27 “I tell you I do not know you, where you are from. Depart from Me, all you workers of iniquity.”  _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

16)            Controversial question.  Read Matthew 7:7-8. How is this different from someone knocking on Jesus’ door and Him opening it, compared to knocking on the master’s door and Jesus’ response, I do not know you?”  _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

I Am the Way (Read the verses outlined in green: John 14:6) What does it mean when Jesus says, “I am the way.” _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________