It Comes From Within

Mark 7:1-37

Icebreaker - What are some traditions you’d consider changing in your home during 2022?

1. In recent years, how have you observed people manipulating the Bible in an attempt to justify their behavior?
   

2. Why do you think it’s challenging to try to reason with a prideful person about faith in Jesus Christ?
   

3. Are you a text-driven or tradition-driven Christian? In other words, can you provide a biblical position for what you believe and how it impacts your daily living?
   

4. In vv.20-23 Jesus mentioned several evils of the heart. Which of these do you often see in your own heart? Do any of these evils seem especially difficult to overcome? Which ones and why?
   

5. In what ways do people today, much like the Pharisees, wrongly think they can overcome their sinfulness through a few outward actions or rituals?
   

6. What do you make of Jesus’ compassion toward the woman and her daughter (vv.24-30) right after he rebuked the Pharisees? What significance do you see between these two interactions, considering the woman was a Gentile?
   

7. The imagery of vv.31-37 has both physical and spiritual implications. How many can you identify? What might this tell us about Jesus’ unique earthly ministry and spiritual power?