Traditions of the Pharisees

Community Group Discussion Guide
Mark - Traditions of the Pharisees
Icebreakers:

1. How would you define legalism within the context of the church?  (Can you give us an example?)
2. How do you think "the world" views the American Church?  (Is our primary fruit love or rules?)
3. How does the letter of the law kill spiritual life?

Scripture: Mark 7:1-13 NASB95
The Pharisees and some of the scribes gathered around Him when they had come from Jerusalem, [2] and had seen that some of His disciples were eating their bread with impure hands, that is, unwashed. [3] (For the Pharisees and all the Jews do not eat unless they carefully wash their hands, thus observing the traditions of the elders; [4] and when they come from the market place, they do not eat unless they cleanse themselves; and there are many other things which they have received in order to observe, such as the washing of cups and pitchers and copper pots.) [5] The Pharisees and the scribes asked Him, “Why do Your disciples not walk according to the tradition of the elders, but eat their bread with impure hands?” [6] And He said to them, “Rightly did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written: ‘THIS PEOPLE HONORS ME WITH THEIR LIPS, BUT THEIR HEART IS FAR AWAY FROM ME. [7] ‘BUT IN VAIN DO THEY WORSHIP ME, TEACHING AS DOCTRINES THE PRECEPTS OF MEN.’ [8] Neglecting the commandment of God, you hold to the tradition of men.” [9] He was also saying to them, “You are experts at setting aside the commandment of God in order to keep your tradition. [10] For Moses said, ‘HONOR YOUR FATHER AND YOUR MOTHER’; and, ‘HE WHO SPEAKS EVIL OF FATHER OR MOTHER, IS TO BE PUT TO DEATH’; [11] but you say, ‘If a man says to his father or his mother, whatever I have that would help you is Corban (that is to say, given to God),’ [12] you no longer permit him to do anything for his father or his mother; [13] thus invalidating the word of God by your tradition which you have handed down; and you do many things such as that.”

Digging Deeper: Jesus was causing enough waves that He garnered the attention of the Pharisees in Jerusalem.  The Pharisees along with some Scribes traveled down to Galilee to "see" what Jesus was doing.  It did not take them long to draw the ire of Jesus.  It all started when they asked Jesus to give an account for why His followers were not following the traditions of the elders.

Read verses 1-5: [1] The Pharisees and some of the scribes gathered around Him when they had come from Jerusalem, [2] and had seen that some of His disciples were eating their bread with impure hands, that is, unwashed. [3] (For the Pharisees and all the Jews do not eat unless they carefully wash their hands, thus observing the traditions of the elders; [4] and when they come from the market place, they do not eat unless they cleanse themselves; and there are many other things which they have received in order to observe, such as the washing of cups and pitchers and copper pots.) [5] The Pharisees and the scribes asked Him, “Why do Your disciples not walk according to the tradition of the elders, but eat their bread with impure hands?”

1. Why do you think Jesus was unconcerned about His disciples ignoring the ritual washing of hands?
2. What do the questions of the Pharisees tell you about their general attitude towards Jesus?
3. Was the ceremonial washing before meals a part of the Law of Moses?  (Should this law have been applied to all Jewish people?)

Read verses 6,7: [6] And He said to them, “Rightly did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written: ‘THIS PEOPLE HONORS ME WITH THEIR LIPS, BUT THEIR HEART IS FAR AWAY FROM ME. [7] ‘BUT IN VAIN DO THEY WORSHIP ME, TEACHING AS DOCTRINES THE PRECEPTS OF MEN.’

1. Why is lip service dangerous?
2. Can you think of examples of where the precepts of men have been presented as doctrines from God?  (This is a common characteristic of cult groups)

Read verses 8-13: [8] Neglecting the commandment of God, you hold to the tradition of men.” [9] He was also saying to them, “You are experts at setting aside the commandment of God in order to keep your tradition. [10] For Moses said, ‘HONOR YOUR FATHER AND YOUR MOTHER’; and, ‘HE WHO SPEAKS EVIL OF FATHER OR MOTHER, IS TO BE PUT TO DEATH’; [11] but you say, ‘If a man says to his father or his mother, whatever I have that would help you is Corban (that is to say, given to God),’ [12] you no longer permit him to do anything for his father or his mother; [13] thus invalidating the word of God by your tradition which you have handed down; and you do many things such as that.”

1. How was the giving of an offering (Corban) used to circumvent the commandment to honor your parents?
2. What would have been the results of violating the commandment to honor your parents?
   

Wrap-up: Jesus wrapped up His time challenging the "works" of the Pharisees by telling them that they were doing many underhanded things.  There is no doubt that Jesus challenged the corruption that had become accepted parts of the Jewish religion.