The Heart of the Matter (Morning)
Mark 7:14-23
Discussion Questions
Read Mark 7:14-23.
What sticks out to you most in the Scripture as encouraging, confusing, challenging or otherwise noteworthy?
What do you think it means that “the things that come out of a person” are what defile us?
Read Jeremiah 17:9-10. How does it strike you to see our hearts described as deceitful and sick? How does it affect you to also read that the Lord “searches out” our heart?
Look at the list of things that come from our hearts in Mark 7:21-22. Are there any things on the list by which you feel particularly convicted?
Do you have an easier time recognizing your outward sinful thoughts on your inward “evil thoughts” and the sins of your heart? Why?
How does the gospel give us hope when we see not only sinful actions in our lives, but also recognize how wicked our hearts are? (If helpful, feel free to look back at Zechariah 3 which Joel preached on for a good bit of his sermon.)