March 20, 2022
Byron Harvey

Don’t Follow The Rules

If with Christ you died to the elemental spirits of the world, why, as if you were still alive in the world, do you submit to regulations—“Do not handle, Do not taste, Do not touch” (referring to things that all perish as they are used)—according to human precepts and teachings? These have indeed an appearance of wisdom in promoting self-made religion and asceticism and severity to the body, but they are of no value in stopping the indulgence of the flesh. —Colossians 2:20-23

1. Legalism is an
   Reveal Answer
   to Christian living.
   

2. Legalism is an
   Reveal Answer
   of holiness.
   

3. Legalism is an
   Reveal Answer
   to conquer the flesh.
   

4. The cure for legalism is our
   Reveal Answer
   in
   Reveal Answer
   .
   
   
   -Who we are:
   Reveal Answer
   with Christ and
   Reveal Answer
   with Christ.
   
   
   -What we have:
   A. The
   Reveal Answer
   of God
   
   
   B. The
   Reveal Answer
   of God
   

1. What were some household “rules to live by”, with which you grew up?
   

2. Have you ever been a part of a ministry that, looking back, you now see as legalistic? If so, what do you remember about that experience? Did it influence your thinking in a way that you still have to fight against and if so, how?
   

3. What are some of the specific “rules” that you’ve heard legalists espouse?
   

4. Read I Corinthians 6:12-20. What are some things Paul says with regard to legalism? What are some principles which might guide our thinking and behavior?
   

5. Consider Luke 9:23-25. How might we be faithful to Christ’s words without falling into the trap of legalism?
   

6. How might you reason with a Christian who is stuck in the rut of legalism, to encourage the person to follow Jesus, rather than rules?
   

Close in prayer.