Religion: Damning and Destructive

BEWARE of False Religious Teachers!


BEWARE! They DEMAND​ . (Mk 12:38-39)

BEWARE! They DESTROY. (Mk 12:40a)

BEWARE! They DECEIVE. (Mk 12:40b)

BEWARE! They are DAMNED. (Mk 12:40c)


"Do you see what I mean....?" (Mk 12:41-44)

Sermon Notes (PDF): BLANK
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Small Group Questions (Whole Group):
Read Mark 12:38-44

1. How can you tell if a religious leader is real or fake? What are some things Jesus said to look for?
    
2. Why would phony religious leaders receive "greater condemnation" (Mk 12:40)? What does that say about hell?

Breakout Questions:

Pray for one another!

Priority: Loving God and Loving People

One More Challenge... (Mk 12:28-34)


What Does it Mean to Love God?

1. Loving God involves my ENTIRE being. (Mk 12:29-30)


2. Loving God means loving PEOPLE . (Mk 12:31)


3. Knowing is not the same as DOING . (Mk 12:32-34)

Sermon Notes (PDF): BLANK
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Small Group Questions (Whole Group):
Read Mark 12:28-34

1. Sum up: How would you describe to someone what it means to love God with all of your heart, all of your soul, all of your mind, and all of your strength? What does it mean for EACH of these 4 things, and what does it mean for ALL of these 4 things (individually and corporately)?
    
2. Why did Jesus add "loving your neighbor" when the guy only asked for the greatest commandment? How do you love your neighbor as yourself?

Breakout Questions:

In which of the 4 areas (heart, soul, mind, strength = will, emotion, intellect, physically) do you struggle to love God the most? 

Biblical Illiteracy: Battling the Skeptics

Ask a silly question... (Mk 12:18-27)


5 Principles for "Bible Debates"

1. Be READY. (Mk 12:19-23)


2. Be CLEAR. (Mk 12:24, 47)


3. Be a Bible STUDENT. (Mk 12:24-26)


4. Be looking for common GROUND. (Mk 12:26)


5. Be focused on big ISSUES. (Mk 12:26-27)

Sermon Notes (PDF): BLANK
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Small Group Questions (Whole Group):
Read Mark 12:18-27

1. Why did the Sadducees ask Jesus a question about "life after death" if they didn't believe in it? What were the two problems they had that Jesus pointed out ? (Mk 12:24)
    
2. How did Jesus describe life in heaven? Is that different from beliefs that you have held?
    
3. Why did Jesus ask them a question after answering theirs? Why did Jesus take them to Exodus 3?

Breakout Questions:

How do YOU study the Bible? What techniques do you use to help you in growing in the knowledge of God’s Word? How can you be a better student of the Bible?

Politics and Religion: Rendering What is Due

1. A "Foolproof" Plan to Stop Jesus. (Mk 12:13-15):


2. Jesus Gives the Final Answer on POLITICS and RELIGION. (Mk 12:16-17)

1. God ORDAINED government.


2. The government is not GOD and God is not the GOVERNMENT.


3. God's people PAY what they owe:
   
   - To their GOVERNMENT
   
   - To their GOD

Sermon Notes (PDF): BLANK
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Small Group Questions (Whole Group):
Read Mark 12:13-17

1. What are some things that a Christian should "render to God"?
    
2. God ordained the government. Read Romans 13:1-7 and note all the words used to describe the government (Discussion leaders: hint - appointed, servant, avenger, ministers). Is this true even if the government has no regard for God? How should Christians be subject to the government, even if it is corrupt? 

Breakout Questions:

How does this message change the way you view submitting to the government and paying your taxes?

Rejected: From Cast Aside to Cornerstone

Guest Speaker: Taylor Brown

1. Jesus's story: FRUITLESSNESS leads to destruction. (Mk 12:1-9)


2. God's plan in the story: REJECTION leads to exaltation. (Mk 12:10-11)


3. Audience reaction: HARDHEARTEDNESS leads to rebellion. (Mk 12:12)

Sermon Notes (PDF): BLANK
Hint: Highlight blanks above with your cursor for answers!

Small Group Questions (Whole Group):
Read Mark 12:1-12

1. Like the wicked tenants in the story, why do we so often hoard the resources God has given to us and live as if we don’t owe God anything? Discuss some steps that you as a small group can take to be more faithful stewards of your time, talents, and resources on a daily basis.
    
2. Why do we live in fear of rejection so much as Christians? What are some ways you can begin to experience freedom from the enslavement of other people’s opinions of you?
    
3. Is Jesus the foundation of your family, your career, and every other aspect of your life? If Jesus isn’t your foundation then was has taken His place as the central point of your life?

Breakout Questions:

Pray that Jesus would be the foundation your lives are built upon.