Do Not Judge Others: An ESL Bible Study on Luke 6:37-42

This Bible study series is for people who are learning English. It is designed for advanced beginner and intermediate learners, but children or adults who prefer simple English may also enjoy it. I also have a Sunday School lesson on Luke 6:37-42 that may work better for native English speakers.

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Luke 6:37-42 Printable Discussion Questions

Luke 6:37-42 Printable ERV Passage

Lesson Icebreaker Question

Have you ever helped a friend or family member clean something from their face, like dust or dirt? How did you feel about helping them?

Lesson Highlight

In this lesson, we will learn how Jesus teaches us not to judge others. He tells us to forgive, be kind, and first look at our own hearts before trying to fix others.

Vocabulary Lists for the ERV Bible Translation

Key Vocabulary Words (10 words)

blind: (adjective) Not able to see.
condemn: (verb) To say that someone is guilty and must be punished.
criticize: (verb) To say that someone is doing something wrong.
ditch: (noun) A long, narrow hole in the ground for water.
forgive: (verb) To stop being angry at someone for a wrong they did.
hypocrite: (noun) A person who pretends to be good but is not.
judge: (verb) To decide if something is good or bad.
lead: (verb) To show the way by going in front.
spill: (verb) To accidentally let liquid flow out of a container.
take out: (phrase) To remove something from a place.

Important Words to Know (20 words)

another: (adjective) One more of the same kind.
blind: (adjective) Not able to see.
clearly: (adverb) In a way that is easy to see or hear.
condemn: (verb) To say that someone is guilty and must be punished.
criticize: (verb) To say that someone is doing something wrong.
ditch: (noun) A long, narrow hole in the ground for water.
fall: (verb) To drop down to the ground.
forgive: (verb) To stop being angry at someone for a wrong they did.
fully: (adverb) In a complete way.
hypocrite: (noun) A person who pretends to be good but is not.
judge: (verb) To decide if something is good or bad.
lap: (noun) The flat area between the waist and knees when sitting.
lead: (verb) To show the way by going in front.
notice: (verb) To see or pay attention to something.
piece of dust: (phrase) A very tiny bit of dirt that is hard to see.
pour: (verb) To make a liquid flow out of a container.
receive: (verb) To get something that is given to you.
spill: (verb) To accidentally let liquid flow out of a container.
take out: (phrase) To remove something from a place.
wood: (noun) The hard part of a tree.

Complete Lesson Word Bank

about: (preposition) Telling what a thing or person is like.
another: (adjective) One more of the same kind.
better: (adjective) More good than something else.
blind: (adjective) Not able to see.
both: (adjective) Two people or things together.
careful: (adjective) Paying close attention to what you are doing.
clearly: (adverb) In a way that is easy to see or hear.
condemn: (verb) To say that someone is guilty and must be punished.
criticize: (verb) To say that someone is doing something wrong.
ditch: (noun) A long, narrow hole in the ground for water.
dust: (noun) Tiny pieces of dirt in the air or on the ground.
eye: (noun) The part of the body used for seeing.
fall: (verb) To drop down to the ground.
first: (adjective) Coming before all others in time or order.
forgive: (verb) To stop being angry at someone for a wrong they did.
forgiven: (adjective) To have your sins taken away by God.
friend: (noun) A person you know and like.
fully: (adverb) In a complete way.
get out: (phrase) To leave the inside of a place like a room, a house, or a jail.
give: (verb) To hand something over to another person.
given: (verb) To have handed something over to another person.
God: (noun) The creator and ruler of everything.
hand: (noun) The part of the body at the end of the arm.
hold: (verb) To have something in your hand or arms.
hypocrite: (noun) A person who pretends to be good but is not.
Jesus: (noun) The Son of God and the Savior of the world!
judge: (verb) To decide if something is good or bad.
lap: (noun) The flat area between the waist and knees when sitting.
lead: (verb) To show the way by going in front.
let: (verb) To allow something to happen.
like: (preposition) Similar to something else.
much: (adjective) A large amount of something.
notice: (verb) To see or pay attention to something.
other: (adjective) Different from the one already mentioned.
own: (adjective) Belonging to a specific person.
piece of dust: (phrase) A very tiny bit of dirt that is hard to see.
pour: (verb) To make a liquid flow out of a container.
receive: (verb) To get something that is given to you.
spill: (verb) To accidentally let liquid flow out of a container.
story: (noun) A description of people and events that happened.
student: (noun) A person who is learning.
take out: (phrase) To remove something from a place.
taught: (verb) To have helped someone learn something.
teacher: (noun) A person who helps others learn.
than: (conjunction) A word used to compare two things.
told: (verb) To have given information to someone.
way: (noun) A path or a method of doing something.
will: (verb) A word used to talk about the future.
wood: (noun) The hard part of a tree.

Summary of the Passage

This passage shares how Jesus teaches his followers to treat other people. At that time, many people were quick to judge others, saying who was good or bad. Jesus taught them not to judge or condemn others. He explained that if we forgive and give to others, God will be kind to us too. God uses the same kindness we give to others when he gives to us.

Then, Jesus told a short story to explain his teaching. He said that a blind person cannot lead another blind person because they would both fall down. In the same way, a person should learn and grow before trying to teach others. When we follow a good teacher, we become like that teacher.

Next, Jesus gave a picture about a speck and a log. He asked why people look for small mistakes in others while not seeing big mistakes in themselves. Jesus called this person a hypocrite. He said that we should fix our own hearts first, and then we will be able to help others in a good, loving way.

This passage teaches us to be kind, not quick to judge, and careful to look at our own lives before pointing out what others do wrong.

Read The Passage

Most English learners should use the Easy-to-Read Version (ERV), the New International Reader’s Version (NIRV), or the Good News Translation (GNT). If you want to try something harder, you can read one of the other Bible versions.

Be Careful About Criticizing Others
37 “Don’t judge others, and God will not judge you.
Don’t condemn others, and you will not be condemned.
Forgive others, and you will be forgiven.
38 Give to others, and you will receive.
You will be given much.
It will be poured into your hands—more than you can hold.
You will be given so much that it will spill into your lap.
The way you give to others is the way God will give to you.”
39 Jesus told them this story:
“Can a blind man lead another blind man?
No. Both of them will fall into a ditch.
40 Students are not better than their teacher.
But when they have been fully taught, they will be like their teacher.
41 “Why do you notice the small piece of dust that is in your friend’s eye, but you don’t see the big piece of wood that is in your own eye?
42 You say to your friend, ‘Let me get that little piece of dust out of your eye.’
Why do you say this?
Can’t you see that big piece of wood in your own eye?
You are a hypocrite.
First, take the wood out of your own eye.
Then you will see clearly to get the dust out of your friend’s eye.
Luke 6:37-42 (ERV)

Very Easy: Easy-to-Read Version: Luke 6:37-42 (ERV)
Very Easy: New International Reader’s Version: Luke 6:37-42 (NIRV)
Easy: Good News Translation: Luke 6:37-42 (GNT)
Medium: New Living Translation: Luke 6:37-42 (NLT)
Hard: New International Version: Luke 6:37-42 (NIV)
Very Hard: English Standard Version: Luke 6:37-42 (ESV)

Luke 6:37-42 Printable ERV Passage

Comprehension Questions

What does Jesus say about judging others?
What happens if we forgive others?
What will God give to people who give to others?
Why can a blind person not lead another blind person?
What happens to students after they finish learning from their teacher?
What is the problem with looking at the speck in someone else’s eye?
What should a person do before trying to help someone else?
What word does Jesus use for people who do not see their own mistakes?

Application Questions

Why is it hard not to judge other people?
How can we forgive people when they hurt us?
What are some ways you can be generous to others this week?
Why is it important to look at your own heart before pointing out others’ mistakes?
What is one way you can practice kindness instead of judgment this week?

Theological Insights

God forgives those who forgive others.
We should not judge people because only God knows the heart.
Jesus teaches that our kindness to others shows our love for God.
It is wise to fix our own hearts first before correcting others.
Following Jesus as our teacher makes us more like him.

Closing Prayer

Dear Father, Thank you for teaching us to be kind and forgiving. Help us to see our own hearts and be gentle with others. Make us more like Jesus every day. Amen.