Session 2
Matthew 15:1-11,16-20
Memory Verse: Matthew 15:8-9
One implication for believers is to examine where we have allowed
our traditions to go beyond the limits of the Word of God.
Many Christ followers accept extra rules that leave us carrying
a heavier burden than God Himself ever intended.
Even more important, believers need to examine whether any
of our traditions work against God’s Word.
Often, man-made regulations actually diminish the power
of God’s Word in our lives.
We never want to be guilty of ignoring or circumventing
what God has said in order to follow our own agenda.
Finally, this lesson challenges us to examine our spirituality.
We need to steer clear of superficial, outward conformity to rules
and expectations that are designed to meet the approval of others.
Instead, we are called to pursue what arises from God’s Word
and moves us to be transformed by His Spirit.
We tend to like things that are genuine.
We generally say no to knockoffs, artificial, or substitute anything.
Don’t give us blended vegetables and call them hamburgers.
We’ve developed an eye for spotting imitation leather and knockoff purses.
Our taste buds can discern the real thing compared to artificial sweeteners.
We like the genuine.
The same is true in relationships.
We want friends who are genuine, not superficial.
Likewise, God desires our relationship with Him and the practice
of our faith to be genuine. (PSG, p. 18)
In Jesus’s day, religious leaders had added so much to God’s laws
that it was hard to know what was true and what was legalism.
Summarize this content from Understand the Context (PSG, p. 19) to provide additional context:
“In Matthew 12, the Pharisees had challenged the disciples and Jesus
over failure to keep their traditions regarding the Sabbath.
In chapter 15, these religious leaders challenged the disciples and Jesus
concerning their failure to keep dietary laws
regarding the ceremonial cleansing of the hands.
Jesus condemned the Pharisees and scribes for their unbelief
and their adherence to man-made tradition. .
[Jesus] pointed out that what a person eats
doesn’t make a person unclean.
Rather, uncleanness comes from within a person’s heart.”
Over time, the Jewish religious leaders began focusing
on their own man-made rendition of God’s genuine law.
Today, we’ll consider Jesus’s definition of true religion.