"Strange that so few come to the woods to see how the pine lives and grows and spires, lifting its evergreen arms to the light – to see its perfect success."
~ Henry David Thoreau ~

Empty Religion

Scripture Verse:  As he taught, Jesus said, "Watch out for the teachers of the law. They like to walk around in flowing robes and be greeted in most marketplaces, and have the most important seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at banquets. They devour widows houses and for a show make lengthy prayers. Such men will be punished most severely. Mark 12:38-40

Materials Needed: White board or easel.

Notes to the Leader:  It is amazing to see how quickly Jesus was proclaimed the King and within just a few days, hung on a cross to die.  With this study, you will look at the last week of Christ's life and try to understand our Savior's impassioned pleas to His people.  The study concluded with a format of open discussion centered around what it means to be a Christian.  If you are looking for a study to open up your group and practice sharing opinions in a constructive and open forum, then you might want to consider this study.

Section One: Christ Makes His Triumphant Entry

Read Mark 11:1-11 to your group.  Christ was now only eight days from the cross. He would literally go from being praised as King to cursed, condemned and crucified. This must be the world's record for the fastest drop in popularity.

Now read Zechariah 9:9.  They knew He was their Messiah (vv 9-10).

Why was their joy and faith so shallow and short lived?

Help your group understand Passion Week.  Have your group read selected Scripture verses from Mark.  Then discuss the events as you draw a form of the following information:

Day of Week Scripture Events
Sunday Mark 11:11 Triumphal entry, visit to temple
Monday Mark 11:12-25 Fig tree cursed, temple cleansed
Tuesday Mark 11:27-13:37 Controversy in temple, Olivet discourse
Wednesday Mark 14:1-11 Anointing in Bethany, plot of traitor
Thursday Mark 14:12-72 Passover & Last Supper, Gethsemane, Jewish Trial
Friday Mark 15:1-47 Trial before Pilate, crucifixion & burial
Saturday Mark 16:1-14 Resurrection

Now lets look that some of the events of that week.

Section Two: A Nation Without Fruit

Have someone in your group read Mark 11:12-14.

Christ is God and, therefore, must have known the fig tree had no fruit. It wasn't even the season for figs. To curse it was not a petty action on Christ's part. It was to be symbolic of Israel (who's symbol was often a fig tree). Israel was a nation abounding in religious profession, but it was barren of the fruit of righteousness.

How is it that we the "Church" today can avoid this same kind of problem?

Section Three: What is an Effective Prayer?

Have someone in your group read Mark 11:20-26.

Christ used the withered fig tree to teach each of us key elements necessary in prayer. What are they?

Why do you think it is so important to forgive others?

Section Four: The Defiled Temple

Have someone in your group read Mark 11:15-19, 27-33.

While we can see why Christ was so upset at the merchants, many churches today use bazaars, bingo, raffles, etc. to raise money.

How should we use this story of Christ and the money changers to avoid making similar mistakes?

Section Five: Christ's Plan

Have someone in your group read Mark 12:1-12.

Christ defines His plan. What others were about to reject, Christ would build into His church. Because of our faith, it is hard for us to understand the rejection of Christ. However, Christians all over this world continue to reject Christ in other ways.  Using a white board or easel, work with your group to build a list of answers for the next two questions.

What are some of today's excuses used for not attending church?

What are some of the excuses used by non-Christians for not becoming a Christian?

Do you think that the people who use these excuses understand what Christianity really is? What is it to you?

Section Six: Tricky Questions

Have someone in your group read Mark 12:13-37a.

While Christ's opponents were trying to trap Him in a mistake of doctrine, Christ gave us some important lessons.

What were they?

Section Seven: The Warning

Have someone in your group read Mark 12:37b-44.

Christ was now focused on the followers of empty, formal, ritualistic religion. From His message discuss the following lessons for us:

What relevance can you derive from Christ's words?

Notes:  This is a good point to shift your discussion to a current state of events.  You may wish to use your group's experiences at other churches or even your own church.  Keep the discussion positive by focusing on what each person can do to minimize the problems that are discussed.

Discussion Points: Empty religion is of no interest to Christ. His measure is of the fruit, not the size of the tree but in how sweet the fruit is.

What are some of the ways spiritual dullness and hypocrisy could manifest themselves in a church?

What can each person do to prevent it?

What "fruit " does God expect of us?

What can keep us from bringing forth fruit?

Bible Truth Being Taught: You cannot worship our God with half a heart.  He demands all that we are and to become to be placed in the hands of our Christ.
Our Response: To recognize that hypocrisy is abhorrent to the Lord and to avoid the pitfalls of empty religion.  The Christian life is one that is constantly under construction, allowing God's Spirit to produce the fruit within our lives.
   
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Written By: Robert Samson   Copyright © 2001, 2010 [Lost Pine]. All rights reserved.