We, like the Pharisees, hate the idea of being average or ordinary, especially when it comes to the things of God. We want to be dedicated and obedient, fervent and bold. The problem is, in order to prove our spiritual progression, we compare our lives to the strugglers, stragglers, and doubters around us. As a result, we begin to build traditions in our lives that we hope will protect us from straying. But while our traditions can lead to good activity, our hearts can easily begin to fade. We can look the part, but actually be far from Christ. That is why the gospel is centered on transforming our hearts not just our behavior. ~ Pastor Dave
Open: Do you have any family traditions? Describe them. How can traditions be both good and bad?
Read: Mark 7; Isaiah 1; 29; Exodus 20; Galatians 3:15-29
Discuss:
1. What is ceremonial cleansing and why is it so important to the Pharisees (Mark 7:1-2)? Describe the three types of laws God gave His people in the Old Testament. What role does the law play in our salvation (Galatians 3:15-29)? Why did the Pharisees build “fences” around these laws? Did the Pharisees have good intentions? What went wrong?
2. Define legalism. How do traditions become legalistic? What are the differences between religious legalism and permissive legalism? Have you ever struggled with legalism in any of these ways? Share your story.
3. Jesus quotes from Isaiah (Mark 7:6). Why did Jesus quote from Isaiah? How do these words confront the Pharisees’ thinking about traditions? Why does Jesus call them hypocrites? Have you ever been a hypocrite?
4. Jesus confronts their worthless worship (Mark 7:6-7). According to Jesus, what is essential to true worship? How do we get caught up in the performance of worship without the heart of worship? Have you ever experienced this?
5. How did the Pharisees give precedence to tradition over Scripture? What traditions do we often place above God’s Word? In this passage, Jesus continues to go after the heart behind the actions. How are our hearts central to the gospel? Do you agree with this statement: “The purpose of the Bible is not behavior modification, but heart transformation”? Do you see the Bible in this way?
Pray: Pray that the Lord would reveal any legalism in your heart (whether it be religious legalism or permissive legalism). Pray that you would have the strength to fight against going through the motions. Pray that your heart would be revived for the things of Christ.
Memorizae/Meditate: And he said to them, “Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written, ‘This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me; in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’” Mark 7:6-7
