The following outline and discussion questions have been prepared to accompany the sermon on March 10/11, “What Defiles and What Cleanses: Part One” (Mark 7:1–13). The questions can be used for discussion in small groups or for personal reflection.

Outline

1. The Background (vv. 1–4)
2. The Question (v. 5)
3. The Rebuke (vv. 6–13)

Discussion Questions

• What was one of the ways that the Pharisees used to assess whether someone was clean or unclean?
• How did Jesus turn the tables on their charge against him? What are the three stages of Jesus’ rebuke?

Application Questions

• How do Roman Catholics add to Scripture? How are Protestants tempted to add to Scripture to determine who is an “insider” or an “outsider”? Can you recall a time when you did this or had this done to you?
• How can we battle against a mundane reading of the Bible, in which our hearts feel no trembling? How can we guard against our faith being merely intellectual? How do you fight merely going through the motions?
• Do you believe that the work of Christ is enough to save you, to cleanse you? Are there things in your life that you are tempted to believe have made you too dirty or too unclean? Are you resting in the truth that Jesus’ blood cleanses thoroughly and pays the price of our salvation completely?

Prayer Focus
Pray for a grace to beware adding to the Bible. Pray for a grace to read the Bible with trembling. Pray for worship that is reverent and accurate: engaging head and heart, radiating light and heat, and affecting doctrine and life.