Series Summary:
How do we balance “Immediately” with waiting on the Lord? After centuries of waiting for a Messiah and Jesus waiting 30 years in obscure living, Mark portrays Jesus coming on the scene with urgency as a servant. Mark uses the word immediately over 40 times! He traveled with Paul, Barnabas, and Peter. He failed and was restored. Now, he is writing about Jesus through the apostle Peter’s first hand account. Mark asks us to consider who Jesus really is. Will we surrender and follow with a sense of urgency as we wait for the return of Jesus Christ the son of Man and son of God?
Starter
What is your favorite family tradition?
Pray
Study Questions
- What stuck out to you from the passage of scripture we read?
- Do you notice any themes?
- In what ways, does this chapter reveal the dangers of valuing tradition over God himself and His word?
- What did the the Pharisees seemed concerned about?
- This was not actually an issue of hand washing but a ceremonial way to wash your hands made up by the religious leaders.
a. As usual, Jesus answers the Pharisees with the proper view of the written word. What scriptures does he quote? Why?
b. How does Jesus describe the Pharisees?
c. Why won’t we be that bold with religious people today?
d. How is Jesus’ handling of this situation an example to us?
- In your life, how are you like the Pharisees?
- How can you go to God and ask him to change your heart towards Him and His word and your “traditions”?
READ: Psalm 51:16-17, Proverbs 21:27, Isaiah 1:11-13, Hosea 6:6, Proverbs 21:27, Matthew 7:28-29, Matthew 23:2-4
- What do these verses warn us about when it comes to our heart?
- In what ways can we challenge our traditions and practices against God's Word in our day?
Why do we often refuse to?
- How do we see people ignoring or rejecting the word of God in our christian culture today to chase their traditions?
- In what ways do we honor God with our mouth only? How is that a sin?
- What does Jesus say defiles a man?