Sermon Study Guide

Q1: (Icebreaker) Tradition: What are some traditions that you have in your family or your country? Do you know the meanings and stories behind these rituals? What traditions do you like and will pass down to the next generation? What traditions will you not keep?

Q2: Tradition: The passage describes some cleansing rituals that the Jewish elders had. These are traditions in that they are not mandated by the Old Testament books of the Law. Jesus was not against these traditions themselves, but called out their place in relation to the Law. The Roman Catholic Church is the modern-day example of Sacred Tradition and Holy Scripture (the Bible) being of equal authority. How does Tradition rank for you as a source of authority?

Strengths:
Dangers of Ignoring:
Limitations:
Danger of Over-emphasizing:

Q3: Scripture: Jesus quotes Scripture throughout His earthly ministry. “Sola Scriptura” is a latin phrase meaning “Only Scripture” that evangelical churches hold in highest regard, as the Bible is evangelical Protestant churches’ highest authority. How does Scripture rank for you as a source of authority?

Strengths:
Dangers of Ignoring:
Limitations:
Danger of Over-emphasizing:

Q4: Reason: Jesus begins to interpret these Old Testaments scriptures and also talk about the logic of whether food entering the body can defile the heart. How does Reason rank for you as a source of authority?

Strengths:
Dangers of Ignoring:
Limitations:
Danger of Over-emphasizing:

Q5: Experience (Personal): Jesus talks about the person’s actual cleanliness versus ritual cleanliness. Ritual without reality lacks meaning. How does Experience (Personal) rank for you as a source of authority?

Strengths:
Dangers of Ignoring:
Limitations:
Danger of Over-emphasizing:

Q6: Experience (of the Holy Spirit): Jesus ends the passage talking about what comes out of one’s heart, versus what one goes in. We can tell a person’s quality of inner spiritual life by their fruit. The fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23) are evidences of the Spirit’s inworking. How does Experience (of the Holy Spirit) rank for you as a source of authority?

Strengths:
Dangers of Ignoring:
Limitations:
Danger of Over-emphasizing:

Q7: Take-Home: What do you live by personally when it comes to the Wesleyan Quadrilateral “REST”? What do you desire to live by? What was was most helpful in your walk with God? What part was most challenging?