Bringing it Home A Different Kind of Religion 1. Pastor Jeremiah said, “The legalists of [our day] have determined that being a October 14, 2012 Dr. David Jeremiah Christian is like going to a funeral.” How might your life feel this way? What Mark 2:13-22 might be keeping you from the joy of Jesus? What new tradition, or practice, could help you reconnect with Jesus in a fresh, new way? Sermon Notes I. Jesus did not come for saints, but for sinners. - Mark 2:13-17 A. The calling of Levi - Mark 2:14 B. The celebration in Levi’s home - Mark 2:15 2. Look back at question #5. You might be one of the three kinds of people C. The criticism by the Scribes and Pharisees - Mark 2:16 listed, right now. Which kind are you and what is keeping you from coming to Jesus to experience the joy that He promises? D. The conclusion of Jesus - Mark 2:17 II. Jesus did not come for sadness, but for gladness. - Mark 2:18-20; John 15:11 III. Jesus did not come for reformation, but for regeneration. - Matthew 2:21-22 A. Christianity is not something new added to something old. - Mark 2:21 B. Christianity is something new replacing something old. - Mark 2:22; Acts 4:12 www.shadowmountain.org/smallgroups 2100 Greenfield Drive, El Cajon, CA 92019, 619.440.1802 © Copyright 2012 by Shadow Mountain Ministries Small Group Questions 3. And yet, “… joyful celebration should be the normal experience of those who Getting Started follow Christ.” Read the following scriptures and discuss the truth of God’s 1. Families observe traditions. Describe one of your family traditions from the desire for us to experience joy. following list: holidays, school year, vacations, or daily/weekly traditions. How did this tradition begin? What is it about this tradition that makes it important to Nehemiah 8:10 you? Psalm 16:11 Isaiah 12:1-3 2. Have you ever exchanged an old family tradition for a new one? Why did the old tradition need to be changed? What emotions did you feel when you John 15:11 changed that tradition? When did the “new” tradition become comfortable and enjoyable for you? Romans 14:7 4. Many rabbis, scribes, and Pharisees lost their joy for the Word of God; they Digging Deeper were spiritually sick. This happens today as well. When a person loses their 1. Local churches observe traditions. Describe a tradition that you’ve observed in joy, what drives him/her to continue living without joy day after day? What your church experience. Describe a time when an old church tradition needed keeps people committed to something that renders their lives joyless? to be exchanged for a new one. What was that experience like for you? What was it like for the rest of that local church? 5. We also heard, “There are three kinds of people that Jesus cannot heal from their spiritual sickness.” 2. This week we heard, “The rabbis wrote the graffiti of their own man-made traditions all over the wall of the Word of God.” What happens when people a. Those who do not know about Jesus choose to keep a man-made tradition that does not honor God? How might a b. Those who know about Jesus, but refuse to trust Him man-made tradition limit the spreading of the Gospel (see Romans 10:14 & c. Those who will not admit that they need Jesus 15)? Which kind of person were you, before coming to Christ? Describe how your heart was changed. .