Exhausted by religion? Jesus has a better way! Discussion Questions for Matthew 23, Mark 2, Luke 10, and John 7:
- In Matthew 23, Jesus warns about the heavy burdens the Pharisees place on people. How do we sometimes fall into the trap of carrying religious burdens God never intended for us?
- Why does Jesus expose the hypocrisy of the religious leaders? What does this reveal about God’s heart for us to walk freely in His grace?
- In Mark 2, Jesus speaks of new wine requiring new wineskins. How does this illustrate the radical difference between law and grace?
- Why do you think mixing the old with the new is so destructive? How does trusting the purity of God’s grace free us from religious striving?
- In Luke 10, Jesus tells Martha that Mary has chosen what is better. What does this teach us about relaxing with Jesus rather than worrying about religious performance?
- Why do we sometimes feel like we need to “do more” to please God, and how does Jesus’ response to Martha challenge that mindset?
- In John 7, Jesus invites the thirsty to come and drink, promising rivers of living water. How does this contrast with the exhausting efforts of legalism?
- What does it mean for the Spirit to flow from within us? How does this reshape the way we walk with Jesus—without heavy lifting?