Opening
Consider opening your group by asking “what tradition currently is beneficial in pointing you to Jesus?” Give space for people to also share how those traditions strengthen them in Christ.
Overview
Human traditions, such as wearing your Sunday best to church or using a certain translation of the Bible, can be established from good places especially if we take these traditions for ourselves. But when these traditions become requirements for others, they are misaligned. Misaligned traditions change from a helpful guide to a prison guard. They start becoming the way to Jesus instead of pointing the way. Instead of clarifying Jesus, they start to contradict him.
There are things that can help us discern our traditions: red and green lights, if you will. A green light is tradition that is centered on worship, obedience, and thankfulness. A red light is tradition that produces judgment, division, and contempt. Another green light is tradition that produces Spirit-empowered peace, joy, and righteousness. A red light is when the Spirit is pushed out of our tradition and pride takes its place.
Discussion Questions
- What traditions are comfortable for you?
- Do you hold a tradition that has become misaligned?
Practice
Romans 14 5 In the same way, some think one day is more holy than another day, while others think every day is alike. You should each be fully convinced that whichever day you choose is acceptable. 6 Those who worship the Lord on a special day do it to honor him. Those who eat any kind of food do so to honor the Lord, since they give thanks to God before eating. And those who refuse to eat certain foods also want to please the Lord and give thanks to God. 7 For we don’t live for ourselves or die for ourselves. 8 If we live, it’s to honor the Lord. And if we die, it’s to honor the Lord. So whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord. 9 Christ died and rose again for this very purpose—to be Lord both of the living and of the dead.10 So why do you condemn another believe? Why do you look down on another believer? Remember, we will all stand before the judgment seat of God.
Prayerfully read the Scripture passage out loud. Give your group 5-10 minutes of silence to pray and ask God to reveal their traditions. After you share with each other, take another 5-10 minutes and ask the Spirit to reveal which ones are helpful and which ones have become misaligned. Let those who feel comfortable share with the group and, as it is appropriate, pray over one another.
Practice for the week
If anyone had trouble identifying their traditions, ask them to take notes throughout the week. What do they think is necessary for them to spend time with God? Where are they adding extra guidelines out of fear or just to be safe? Ask God to reveal these things throughout the week.
Closing
Pray for the fruit of the Spirit to grow in each group members and for willingness to cast aside traditions that lead to pride instead of growth.
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!
