Tradition versus Transformation, Part 2 | Why I Don’t Believe Anymore | Week 3
Opening
Go around the room and ask people to share how they felt listening to the sermon. Did it make them uncomfortable? Did they agree? What did they carry away from the sermon?
Overview
The Pharisees were the religious leaders of Jesus’ day. They continued in the traditions of their fathers, a tradition that had been developed to help them serve God. However, they got to a point where they considered their own extra rules as important as God’s law. The things that once helped them worship God now blinded them to God.
Often our beliefs need realignment. We should pursue unity with other believers even when we disagree on things that are not the fundamentals of the faith. Jesus being God and human is of critical importance. What style of preaching a church uses is not. We resist realignment and that threatens the unity of the church and even the stability of our faith.
Discussion Questions
- How has it impacted me to know Christians who have held different viewpoints on secondary issues?
- Have you ever changed your mind on part of your theology?
Practice
Acts 9 10 Now there was a believer in Damascus named Ananias. The Lord spoke to him in a vision, calling, “Ananias!” “Yes, Lord!” he replied. 11 The Lord said, “Go over to Straight Street, to the house of Judas. When you get there, ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul. He is praying to me right now. 12 I have shown him a vision of a man named Ananias coming in and laying hands on him so he can see again.” 13 “But Lord,” exclaimed Ananias, “I’ve heard many people talk about the terrible things this man has done to the believers in Jerusalem! 14 And he is authorized by the leading priests to arrest everyone who calls upon your name.” 15 But the Lord said, “Go, for Saul is my chosen instrument to take my message to the Gentiles and to kings, as well as to the people of Israel. 16 And I will show him how much he must suffer for my name’s sake.” 17 So Ananias went and found Saul. He laid his hands on him and said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road, has sent me so that you might regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” 18 Instantly something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he regained his sight. Then he got up and was baptized. 19 Afterward he ate some food and regained his strength.
Prayerfully read the Scripture passage out loud. Notice that God sent Ananias to minister to someone who had been an enemy of the church and Ananias went. What might have happened to Paul if Ananias had not went? What would Ananias have missed out on?
Ananias went to someone who had been throwing believers into prisoners. What believers are we trying to avoid unity and fellowship with? Is it over a foundation of the faith or just a preference? How do you decide if something is a primary issues (such as the Trinity) or a secondary issue (women in ministry, spiritual gifts, etc)?
Closing
Pray over your group asking God to cultivate unity and great love in spite of our differences. May the fruit of the Spirit grow out of our beliefs instead of bitterness and spite.
Galatians 5 22 But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!