PHARISAISM EXPOSED – Matthew 23:1-12
- Why do some people object to “organized religion”?
- To whom was Jesus speaking? (23:1)
- About whom was Jesus speaking? (23:2)
- Of what did Jesus accuse the religious leaders? (23:3)
- What motivation did Jesus say governed the behavior of the Pharisees? (23:5–7)
- What eternal destiny did Jesus pronounce on religious hypocrites? (23:13)
- How can a spiritual leader affect his or her followers?
- What kinds of nitpicky rules and regulations tend to blind us to more serious sins?
- In what ways do people sometimes fake the Christian life?
- What are some of the dangers of having a “checklist” of dos and don’ts that go beyond God’s written Word?
- What temptations are faced by those in positions of spiritual authority?
- Which feeling best describes how you view non-Christians: sadness or anger?
- In what area(s) have you been failing to practice what you preach?
- How would you reach out to someone who has become embittered by religious hypocrites or empty religion?
- What attitudes or “matters of the heart” do you need to confess to God today so that your inside looks as good as your outside?
- What could you do to help a young Christian grow stronger this week?
- What older, more mature Christian can you spend time with this week to seek advice and wisdom?