Sermon Study Guide

Q1: (Icebreaker) Leaven: Have you ever had unleavened bread? How did it taste? What statistics about the leaven and leavening process was most interesting to you?

Q2: Spiritual Eyes and Ears: The passage talks about leaven, but it’s not physical yeast. Rather, Jesus is pointing out the spiritual leaven that can permeate His disciples and followers. What are some examples of spiritual leaven that you’ve experienced in your life

Q3: Pharisees: The Pharisees were religiously zealous, but their true motivation and internal state was marked by pride and the self. How do you guard against this external-only religiosity, and focus on the internal relationship with God? How do you also have a faith that has works?

Q4: Herod: Herod loved to listen to John the Baptist preach, but when it came to his personal life, Herod was tripped up by pleasures and the pursuit of political power. Not that we cannot enjoy our life or explore higher offices and positions, but they were the guiding forces of his life. How have you experienced this or witnessed this in your life and people around you? How do you guard against this type of leaven?

Q5: Leaven v Matzah: There is a Hebrew language play-on-letters using these two words. Leaven is marked by having something lead and guide your life, whereas Matzah the guiding factor is one of humbleness and service, as Jesus offered His life for us and came to serve (Mark 10:45). In what way does this help you understand Jesus more, and the difference between Him and the Pharisees and Herod?

Q6: How do you tell? How do you tell the difference between a leavened bread and a matzah in real life, symbolically speaking? Is it purely external? How do you gauge someone’s internal life and walk with God?

Q7: Leaven of Life What types of leaven do you allow in your life? Something that seems minuscule but could have a big impact and permeate many facets of life? What about the good leaven such as love, faith, and the Kingdom of God? How does a little amount, grow into something great and beautiful?

Q8: Take-Home: What part of this message on bewaring the leaven of the Pharisees and Herod resonated with you most? What will be your take-home?