5-10-20
May 10, 2020

“False Religion and Its Victims”

Mark 12:38-44
May 10, 2020

Main point: Jesus cautions His disciples about false religious leaders and their character traits and points out a case study of one of their victims.

I. The Caution
Mark 12:38a

II. The Characterization
Mark 12:38b-40

III. The Case
Mark 12:41-44

Questions for Spiritual Growth

  1. Why does Jesus provide such a strong caution against the scribes?

  2. What sins are the scribes guilty of? What seems to motivate them? Where do we see these sins today?

  3. What does Jesus mean when He accuses the scribes of “devouring widows”?

  4. How does the example of the widow in verse 42 illustrate the Lord’s teaching in verse 40?

  5. In what ways can you fall into salvation by works rather than salvation by faith?

  6. In what situations is it difficult for you to be motivated by God’s values in the way you live, act, and serve?

“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, because you travel around on sea and land to make one proselyte; and when he becomes one, you make him twice as much a son of hell as yourselves.” - Matthew 23:15

“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs which on the outside appear beautiful, but inside they are full of dead men’s bones and all uncleanness.” - Matthew 23:27

“Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood. I know that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; and from among your own selves men will arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them.” - Acts 20:28-30