{"id":3920,"date":"2026-08-03T22:44:42","date_gmt":"2026-08-04T02:44:42","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/darrenschalk.com\/?page_id=3920"},"modified":"2026-08-03T22:44:42","modified_gmt":"2026-08-04T02:44:42","slug":"small-group-study-guide-get-used-to-different","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"http:\/\/darrenschalk.com\/?page_id=3920","title":{"rendered":"SMALL GROUP STUDY GUIDE &#8211; Get Used to Different"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Small Group Guide: Get Used to Different<\/h1>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Opening Prayer &amp; Icebreaker<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Icebreaker Question:<\/strong> What&#8217;s one significant change you&#8217;ve experienced in your lifetime that was difficult to accept at first but you&#8217;re now grateful for?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Sermon Overview<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This sermon challenges us to examine how we, like the Pharisees in Jesus&#8217; day, can elevate human traditions above Scripture. Jesus was an agent of change, calling people back to God&#8217;s Word rather than man-made rules. The core message: if we can&#8217;t accept change and remain open to God&#8217;s leading, we risk missing what God is doing right in front of us.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Key Scripture<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Mark 7:6-8<\/strong> &#8211; &#8220;Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you hypocrites; as it is written: &#8216;These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. They worship me in vain; their teachings are merely human rules.&#8217; You have let go of the commands of God and are holding on to human traditions.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Discussion Questions<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Understanding the Message<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>What stood out to you most from this sermon? Why?<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>The sermon mentioned the Pharisees&#8217; hand-washing tradition. Can you explain how a well-meaning practice became a legalistic rule? How does this happen today?<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Jesus said some people &#8220;worship in vain&#8221; (Mark 7:7). What does this mean? How can our worship become empty or meaningless?<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Personal Reflection<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ol start=\"4\" class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>The pastor asked: &#8220;What&#8217;s your hand-washing?&#8221; What are some outward appearances or actions that Christians today use to judge someone&#8217;s relationship with God?<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Have you ever experienced a church tradition or rule that seemed more important than Scripture itself? How did you navigate that situation?<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Jesus was more concerned with inward heart change than outward appearances. On a scale of 1-10, how much do you focus on:<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Outward religious appearances? (1-10)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Inward heart transformation? (1-10) What does this reveal about your spiritual journey?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Going Deeper<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ol start=\"7\" class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>The sermon stated: &#8220;Legalistic practices often begin as good ideas that are eventually raised to the same level of Scripture.&#8221; Why do you think this happens? What makes us prone to this?<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Read Psalm 139:23-24. The pastor called this &#8220;the hardest prayer you&#8217;ll ever pray.&#8221; Why is it so difficult to pray this? What makes us resistant to asking God to search our hearts?<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>The church in Jesus&#8217; day had the Messiah right in front of them but missed Him because of pride and tradition. What might we be missing today because we&#8217;re too attached to &#8220;the way we&#8217;ve always done things&#8221;?<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Application<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ol start=\"10\" class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Jesus wasn&#8217;t really calling for change as much as calling people to RETURN to God&#8217;s Word. What&#8217;s the difference? Why is this distinction important?<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>What&#8217;s one tradition, belief, or practice in your life (or in the broader church) that you need to examine against Scripture? How will you do this?<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Key Takeaways<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u2713 <strong>Jesus was an agent of change, calling people back to Scripture over tradition<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u2713 <strong>Outward appearances without inward transformation lead to vain worship<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u2713 <strong>Human traditions can subtly replace God&#8217;s commands if we&#8217;re not careful<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u2713 <strong>Pride keeps us from admitting &#8220;I might be wrong&#8221; and blocks spiritual growth<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u2713 <strong>If it doesn&#8217;t line up with God&#8217;s Word, it needs to be reconsidered<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u2713 <strong>Change is difficult, but necessary when we&#8217;ve drifted from Scripture<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Practical Applications<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">This Week&#8217;s Challenge:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Choose ONE of the following to practice this week:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Option 1: Scripture Audit<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Identify one belief or practice you hold strongly<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Search Scripture to verify it&#8217;s biblically based, not just traditional<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Journal what you discover<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Option 2: Heart Check<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Pray Psalm 139:23-24 daily for 7 days<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Ask God to reveal any &#8220;hand-washing&#8221; tendencies in your life<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Write down what He shows you<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Option 3: Tradition Evaluation<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>List 3-5 &#8220;unwritten rules&#8221; you&#8217;ve observed in church culture<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Examine each one: Is it biblical, traditional, or cultural?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Discuss your findings with a trusted friend or mentor<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Option 4: Motive Examination<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>For one week, before any religious activity (prayer, worship, serving), ask yourself: &#8220;Why am I doing this? Is my heart truly engaged, or am I just going through the motions?&#8221;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Prayer Focus<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Closing Prayer Themes:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Humility to admit when we might be wrong<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Courage to change what doesn&#8217;t align with Scripture<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Wisdom to distinguish between biblical truth and human tradition<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Open hearts to see what God is doing, even when it&#8217;s different than expected<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Protection from pride that blinds us to truth<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Pray together using Psalm 139:23-24:<\/strong><br><em>&#8220;Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.&#8221;<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">For Further Study<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Mark 7:1-23<\/strong> (full context of the sermon passage)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Matthew 15:1-20<\/strong> (parallel account)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Isaiah 29:13<\/strong> (the prophecy Jesus quoted)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Colossians 2:8<\/strong> (warning against human tradition)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Acts 10<\/strong> (Peter&#8217;s struggle with tradition vs. God&#8217;s new direction)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Leader Notes<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Be sensitive: some group members may have been hurt by legalism<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Keep the focus on personal examination, not criticizing other churches<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Encourage grace: we&#8217;re all learning and growing<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>This topic can be controversial\u2014maintain a humble, learning posture<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Remind the group: the goal isn&#8217;t to abandon all tradition, but to ensure Scripture remains supreme<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Small Group Guide: Get Used to Different Opening Prayer &amp; Icebreaker Icebreaker Question: What&#8217;s one significant change you&#8217;ve experienced in your lifetime that was difficult to accept at first but you&#8217;re now grateful for? Sermon Overview This sermon challenges us to examine how we, like the Pharisees in Jesus&#8217; day, can elevate human traditions above<\/p>\n<p class=\"more-link\"><a href=\"http:\/\/darrenschalk.com\/?page_id=3920\" class=\"themebutton\">Read More<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-3920","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/P4mgFO-11e","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/darrenschalk.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/3920","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/darrenschalk.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/darrenschalk.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/darrenschalk.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/darrenschalk.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=3920"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"http:\/\/darrenschalk.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/3920\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3921,"href":"http:\/\/darrenschalk.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/3920\/revisions\/3921"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/darrenschalk.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=3920"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}