Group discussion Each number below includes questions that relate to the scripture. I offer a few answers, but your perspective may be better. The point is to discuss, not to get 100% agreement. Rule of thumb: the fewer questions you ask, the better. Save time for “the big question.”
Read Mark 7:1-23 aloud.
The Logicof the Pharisees (7:1-5)
1. How would you describe the logic of the Pharisees? See notes.
Why was cleanliness and purity so important to this logic?
In your own words, how did their logic ultimately miss the point?
Have you ever had a time in your journey of faith where you missed the point? What happened? What did you learn?
How should Christians respond to others if we think they are missing the point in how they express their faith?
The Response of Jesus: Part 1 (7:6-8)
2. Jesus’ response indicates two aspects of how the Pharisees were missing the point. The first is about the kinds of people they were producing with their faith logic. Jesus calls them “hypocrites” (6).
What is a hypocrite? See notes.
In what ways were the Pharisees creating a hypocritical faith?
Do you see Christians today guilty of creating this same kind of faith? If so, then what might be an example?
How might a Christian fight against turning into a hypocrite with their faith? What advice would you give them?
The Response of Jesus: Part 2 (7:9-13)
3. The second aspect of the Pharisees’ faith logic that Jesus points out is their posture towards the commands of God and traditions. How does Jesus describe their posture towards each?
In what ways are traditions a potentially dangerous thing?
In what ways are traditions a potentially good thing?
How can we make sure that we keep the commands and intentions of God our top priority no matter what?
The Point of Jesus (7:14-23)
4. This story closes with Jesus making a comment to the crowds and then explaining that comment to the disciples. In contrast to the logic of the Pharisees (question 1), what is the faith logic of Jesus here?
How is what Jesus says here liberating and refreshing?
How is what Jesus says here challenging and convicting?
What do you think it looks like for a person to work on their heart?
What do you think a church looks like that places a priority on the internals over the externals?
What other insights and applications might we gain from what Jesus says here?
The million-dollar question If you ask only one question, let this be it. Allow at least 20 minutes. Go around the circle and give each person an opportunity to answer. It’s okay if they pass, but at least they get a chance to respond.
A well-known Christian once said, “Purity of the heart is to will one thing.” Part of what Jesus is getting at in this passage is purity of the heart for those who follow him.
Based on your discussion and this quote, what might be one area of your heart that you could work on this week (use v. 21-22 for some possible ideas)? Close in a time of prayer over each other.
Resources
Bible notes
The Pharisees were a group of 1st century Jews who believed that the most faithful way for them to honor God was through being set apart in their behavior. In fact their name literally means: “separate ones.” Part of this separation came through their purity laws that we read about in this episode with the disciples (v.3-4).
These laws were often called “tradition of the elders” because they were instructions passed down verbally by their ancestors of faith. They believed that through separation and purity their were being faithful to God, so they passed down to each generation what that separation should look like in their everyday life. As Jesus points out, though, these verbal traditions became more important than the commands and intentions of God.
The accusation Jesus uses to describe what had become of the Pharisees is the word “hypocrite.” This is a term that comes from a word describing actors on stage wearing masks.
Kid-friendly activity. An activity designed to help kids and adults grow in faith together. Do this first, then dismiss the kids so the adults can talk.
“What’s on the Inside?” Activity
Prep: Collect an assortment of food that can be mushed and get two identical containers. Make sure you cannot see through them.
Activity: Let the kids make a mess with the food and leave it as a pile. Then have them leave the room. Put the mess inside one container and put candy treats in the other. Bring them back in.
Delivery: Tell them that inside of one of the containers is a delicious treat and in the other is mush. Let them all vote and take sides. After building suspense reveal which container has the mush and treats. If you are having a bad day, then you may want to make them eat it.
Read: Mark 7:17-23
Some Questions: Why is it difficult to judge things/people based on their outsides alone? What does Jesus’ response teach us about the importance of our insides (hearts)? Why is what Jesus says challenging? Why is what Jesus says refreshing?
Close: God wants to transform us from the inside out. Let’s pray that God would make us more like him in all that we do.
College Hills LIFE Group Guide
October 2013 Guide 2
Mark 7:1-23 – All In: Missing the Point
By Wilson McCoy ()
The theme:Every person of faith struggles, at some point, with figuring out what it looks like to honor God. Our passage today tells the story of a group of people (the Pharisees) who thought they knew what it looked like to honor God. However, Jesus comes along and challenges their assumptions. Instead, he offers a different view on what it looks like to live our faith to God in a way that goes deeper and changes us from the inside.
During the fall Kevin is leading us through the Gospel of Mark. This sermon series, called “All In,” is going to focus on the way in which the Jesus of Mark’s Gospel calls each of us to a deeper discipleship commitment.
Leadership Tip: Next month begins a holiday season of Thanksgiving and Christmas. Life gets busy and hectic and this has the potential to impact your LIFE Group. In order to make sure your group meeting does not get lost in the shuffle of the holidays take some time this meeting to go ahead and mark on your calendar for when you all would like to meet. You might even think about making plans to have some kind of holiday party or gift exchange.
Relate Use a few to introduce the theme, check everyone’s spiritual pulse, and “break the ice.” No right or wrong answers – maybe goofy but not wrong! Look for opportunities to affirm and encourage through these questions.
Who is one of the cleanest people you know? Why?
Who is one of the messiest people you know? Why?
Do you consider yourself a clean or messy person? Why?