SERIES: Jesus, Son of God: Headlines from Mark

TOPIC: Jesus Challenges Religious Rules

TEXT: Mark 2:23-3:6

SCRIPTURE:

• As you retell these two Sabbath stories, what is the common thread?
• Define the “God directive” and the man-made interpretation of that rule?
• What was Jesus’ goal in these situations?
• What was the goal of the Pharisees who witnessed Jesus’ actions in these incidents?

ACCOUNTABILITY:

• Why do you think the religious rulers were so determined to catch Jesus in doing something wrong?
• How have “religious rules” impacted your life?
• Do they offer true freedom?
• Can it be difficult to discern the difference between God’s directives and religious rules? How do we make that distinction?

TRANSFORMATION:

• Do you ever struggle with following man’s rules or God’s? Share with your group a memory of this happening in your life?
• As we have studied throughout Scripture (and most recently in Proverbs and Titus), God has given us helps to lead our lives. What are some examples that stand out from these recent sermon series?
• Spend some time dissecting the quote below.

“Legalism is far more than the conscious belief that ‘I can be saved by my good works.’ It is a web of attitudes of heart and character. It is the thought that God’s love for us is conditioned on something we can be or do. It is the attitude that I offer certain things – my ethical goodness, my relative avoidance of deliberate sin, my faithfulness to the Bible and the church – that support Christ’s work and contribute to God’s goodwill toward me.”  Tim Keller