Once again, Jesus encounters religious people – people who believe they can save themselves, people who believe they are good. In this final match between Jesus (the gospel) and religiosity, we get a glimpse into what followers of Jesus can easily devolve into if we are not wary. Find out what to be on guard against and how Jesus has rescued us from it all in “Jesus Versus the Religious – Final Round,” part of The Gospel According to John Series.
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MESSAGE STUDY NOTES (also as PDF download above)
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WARM UP
Do you have a generally positive outlook toward churchgoers or negative? Why?
READ
John 9:13-41; Daniel 7:14
KEY INSIGHTS
Signs of Religiosity:
1. Judgmentalism
2. Superiority
3. Unteachability
Four signs of being judgmental:
A. When you criticize someone, it devastates them
B. You have formed a habit of finding fault in others
C. You not only enjoy telling people about their faults, you enjoy hearing them
D. You believe you not only know what people did, but why they did it
QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION
1. Christians are often known for being judgmental. Do you think this is a fair assessment? Why or why not?
2. What do you think are the effects of religiosity on the church? On those outside the church?
APPLICATION
After four separate battles Jesus has had so far with religious people in John, what do you think God is trying to tell you?
FOR MENTORING
How would you train someone to protect themselves from the religiosity that Jesus encountered?
