Sick of Religion? Week 4: Intro/LifeGroup Questions
WEEK 4
This guide pairs with Mark 2:18-22 and the sermon preached at Chapel Hill on March 16 and 17.
Written by Larry Hackman
Executive Associate Pastor at Chapel Hill. Theology nerd who also loves big, dumb blockbuster movies, dinosaurs (no kidding, I love dinosaurs), and classical music. What do these things have in common? They all point, in their own way, back to a big, beautiful God.
LifeGroup Guide
Head
Use a Study Bible to discover what was the practice of fasting in Jewish culture at the time of Jesus.
Jesus tells a story about a bridegroom. Look up Isaiah 62:5; Hosea 2:19-20 to see that in the Old Testament this is imagery used of the Lord. If Jesus is the bridegroom, what point is he making about fasting?
How do both the comments about cloth and comments about wineskins illustrate the relationship of Jesus to the Old Testament law? In what way is Jesus bringing in a new era?
Heart
When you consider the difference Jesus has made to your life, would you say that he has been an “addition” to a way of life you already had, or a radical transformation and a “new” way of life?
Let’s define “religion” as behavior and belief designed to get favor from God. Where do you see “religious” tendencies in your life? What would be the “new” way of behavior and belief that counters those tendencies?
The image of wine, wineskins, a bridegroom and a wedding all allude to the fact that close proximity to Christ, in this life and the next, is a cause for celebration! When did you experience a memorable wedding (yours or a friend’s) and how is a wedding an apt picture for the joy of union with Christ?
Hands
Do you see yourself in the grumbling attitude of the people? I know I can! Where are you grumbling about religious traditions or practice instead of rejoicing in people coming to know Christ?
There are many images of the “new” things Christ does in our lives. Isaiah 43:19 “See I am doing a new thing”. Psalm 96:1 “Sing to the Lord a new song”. 2 Corinthians 5:17 “If anyone is in Christ he is a new creation”. What is the new thing, the new wine, that Christ is bringing in this next season in your life?