Jesus challenges the predictable understanding of what defiles someone and redirects attention to the heart and the interior life.
Matthew 15:1-20
Sermon Outline
“The things that come out of a person’s mouth come from the heart, and these defile them.” (Matthew 15:18)
Conflict Between God’s Commands and Human Tradition (Matthew 15:1-9)
- The visit from Jerusalem
- “The tradition of the elders”
- Corban (qorban)
Jesus the True Teacher (Matthew 15:10-20)
- Understanding the purpose of God’s commands
- Identifying what really defiles human life
- Discerning between false and true guides
- Listening and understanding
Making It Real
- Seeking to listen and understand
- Recalibrating God’s truth in relation to human traditions
- Choosing Jesus the True Teacher
- Letting Jesus the Heart Doctor give attention to our hearts
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
- Who is one of the people you most admire in life and why do you admire them?
- This week we continue the new series, “Who Do You Say I Am?”, by looking at Matthew 15:1-20. Begin your study in prayer by asking God to speak to you through the Scripture. Then, whether you’re on your own or with others, read that passage aloud.
- What is the situation that gives rise to this teaching from Jesus?
- Why might it be significant that these religious teachers came up from Jerusalem?
- The concept of devoting something to God, called Corban or qorban (see Mark 7:11), was sometimes used as a way to dedicate possessions or money to temple use. Such a vow could not be easily broken. What sort of misuse of this vow is Jesus addressing in verses 3-6?
- When have you seen a human tradition or practice get in the way of true knowledge of or encounter with God? Have you ever seen that tendency arise in your own life?
- What is the summary teaching Jesus wants His disciples and the crowds to understand (verses 10-11)? Why would this be significant?
- Jesus’ confrontation with the Pharisees causes offense (verse 12). How does Jesus characterize the Pharisees and religious scribes who visited Him in verses 13-14?
- Why do you think Jesus responds so strongly to Peter’s question (verses 15-16)?
- Jesus clarifies His teaching in verses 17-20. How would you summarize in your own words what Jesus is trying to say here?
- Why do you think the heart is so central to Jesus’ teaching here? You may want to look at Matthew 12:33-37.
- What is one thing God is speaking to you through this study? If you’re on your own, write that down, pray over it, and share it with someone this week. If you are with a small group, share your answers with one another before closing in prayer.
DIG DEEPER
- Memorize Matthew 15:10-11 and/or 15:16-17
- Journal, draw, paint, or ink this story or some aspect of it as a way of reflecting on who Jesus is and how you most need to meet with Him.
- Take some time to reflect on the nature of your own heart with God. Perhaps you could use the guide developed by Nancy Lee DeMoss Wolgemuth, “A Heart God Revives,” found here.
- Consider digging deeper into this concept by reading A. W. Tozer’s book The Pursuit of God or Henri Nouwen’s book The Way of the Heart.