It has always been a temptation for man to put “something” in the place of God and make it more important than God.  As you study this chapter, pray that you will keep God in his rightful place in your heart.

Summary of the chapter:

            1.  The Pharisees get in a dispute with Jesus over their traditions

            2.  The Greek woman shows faith in Jesus

            3.  Jesus heals a deaf-mute

1.  Read Mark 7:1-5.  Why did the scribes and Pharisees come to where Jesus was?

2.  Is religion supposed to be made up of “finding fault” with others?  Mark 7:2  Why or why not?

3.  What is the topic in of discussion in this chapter?  Is it the type of food being eaten or the way the food was eaten?  V. 3

4.  What is a tradition?  Is it good or bad? Read verse7-13 again, looking for the word.

            Note:  the tradition of the elders in this story was that they had to ceremonially was their hands before they ate because they might have touched a Gentile.  They had to wash the cups, plates, pots, etc. because a Gentile might have touched them.  The Pharisees believed if you ate without washing you took in the defilement of the Gentiles.

5.  Read verse 6.  What is a hypocrite?  How has Satan used this word to discourage honest hearted people?

6.  Read Mark 7:7-23.  What is the meaning of what Jesus told the Pharisees?  How does it relate to us today?

7.  Some people say these verses mean that you can eat whatever you want, nothing is unhealthy.  Read these two verses and decide if this story is really saying that:  1 Corinthians 6:19,20; 1 Corinthians 3:17.

8.   What were the Pharisees doing with the real principles of God?  V. 8,9,10

9.  What does it mean in 15 when it says nothing that enters a man from outside can defile him in the context of the story?

10.  Read verse 17.  Did the disciples understand everything about the story?  How does that make you feel when you don’t get things right away?

11.  What does verse 19 mean?  How would you explain it to someone else in the context of the story?

12.  The key explanation of this discourse of Jesus is in verse 21-23.  How would write this in your own words?

13.  Read verses 24-30.

            a.  What does this story tell you about God?

            b.  What does it tell you about yourself?

            c.  What does it tell you about society?

14.  Does it seem to you that Jesus was rude to this woman?  V. 27  Why did he say that?

15.  Read Mark 7:31-37.  Who do you think the “they” are in verse 32?

16.  What was this man’s problem? 

17.  What does it mean to be spiritually deaf and mute?

18.  What was Jesus’ method of healing this man?  V. 33.  Why?

19.  What did the man do after he was healed?  V. 35.  Would you like Jesus to heal your spiritual deafness and muteness so that you can speak plainly for Him to others?

20.  Again Jesus tells them not to tell.  What do they do?  Why?

21.  What is the best thing you have learned from this chapter about God?

22.  Who, in your circle of influence, needs what you have learned from God?  Pray for opportunities to open for you to share with them.