Discussion Questions
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As you viewed the Gethsemane Grotto and the religious artifacts in the cave, what reminders did you have of religious rituals that fall short of a growing relationship with God?
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People praying to objects and things instead of a living God
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Not so much a ritual but a practice that is coming to light in Canada – the residential schools. Horrible and far from what God wants for His children.
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When I saw the pictures of the Grotto, I was trying to imagine it without all the religious art and pieces in it. I was trying to imagine it as the disciples would have seen it as a plain cave. In my opinion, “religion” can cause you to feel like you are just going through the motions of “practice”. Jesus is a real person, who longs to be in communion with us through our hearts/minds. For me, religion can seem “cold”, and not personable. Which is just the opposite of what God wants for us . He wants close personal relationship with us, and not for us to just appear “holy/religious”. He wants our hearts, and not our lip service. I believe that it is “religion” that has turned many people off and away from Jesus, because religion does contradict the very core message of Jesus Himself. Just like the religious scribes and pharisees scorned/accused Jesus, the same kind persecute “true followers” today. It happens right in our churches- they get too caught up in Practicing religion, and Jesus gets put to the side. If we are going to build up the kingdom of God, we must keep God first. Jesus was God in the flesh, and no other name can save. We as a society have got to get away from false doctrines, and seek the truth. That truth is Jesus, and no other name can save.
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The artifacts are part of the story, but the real story is the Person Himself. I see the artifacts as a connection to the events of the Person, but we are to worship the Person, not the things associated with the Person. You can’t have a relationship with things, only people.
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In what ways did Jesus anger the religious leaders during His three years of public ministry within the walls of Jerusalem and along the shores of Galilee?
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His life showed a way (the way) to be alive with Him without the following the rules of the religious leaders of the time. He freed His followers by Grace (free) and He paid the price for them
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Jesus challenged their authority by providing people with a means that no other religious faith could promise to anybody, Jesus offered himself as a source of forgiveness and life. Jesus spoke against the religious leaders and performed miracles others could not.
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He claimed to be God, he performed many miracles and spoke against the religious leaders
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To put it short & sweet; He challenged the way they did things as they were not the way to the Father. By doing this He challenged their authority and threat their powerful grip on society.
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I have always loved how Jesus “challenged” them upon their accusations of him ! The kind of gracioius “rebuke” that Jesus gave them, stirs my soul ! ( I love everything about how he did it). They believed themselves to be Holy, and they were so caught up in practicing their holiness, they failed to truly “see” the holy God right in their midst . I have often thought about how I would’ve loved to have been there, and witness it all taking place first hand. I think they were jealous. Ate up with jealousy of the miracles Jesus was performing ( that they could not) and for the very fact that he could confound them ( despite all their collective wisdom) The very words that Jesus spoke, made the “wise” dumb . They didn’t want others following him. They wanted to stroll around in their robes and sit in the choice places, and appear that they were holy and doing what was right in the sight of God, all the while their hearts were far from God. So, they ultimately accused him of blasphemy out of their jealousy- in the attempt to get people to stop following him and get back to what was “holy”. They wanted Jesus done away with ( out of sight/ out of mind) because he was a problem for them. I have often prayed to be able to rebuke people who act this same way, and to be able to rebuke in the way Jesus did, “cool/ calm ” knowing the truth was cutting them to the very core. I believe that’s why the bible makes it clear that the Word is sharper than any two edged sword. Truth Hurts.
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Vernon Grounds asserts that religion has caused many unnecessary burdens in the past and continues to do so today. What does he suggest are the results? Can you think of other results besides these?
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Hatred violence, separation.
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Religion, for what it is, is simply rules to follow that are supposed to get you to a certain point. Rules and unnecessary laws that only place a burden on the follower.. The results can send the follower away from the supposed purpose of the religion.
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People not wanting to put up with the many rules that come with follow a specific religion and decide to walk away from faith as a result. People also have their own belief on what religion is to them and tat their religion must be the only true one otherwise its not worth the time and effort put into it.
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People walking away from their faith. People not wanting to get involved in organized religion because of the many rules passed down
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The results are that many people look done on those that follow that religion because of the impact the religion (not the person) has had on the world. Even now, look how religion is playing a part in politics and therefore how we respond to the current pandemic.
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What is unique about a relationship with Christ when compared to other religious movements and experiences of the first century?
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What is unique about a relationship with Christ is the principle of grace. Jesus has done everything to enable who believes in Him to enter a new relationship with God. There is no merit, all is by grace and through faith. The other religious movements were burdening and enslaving while Christ’s doctrine is liberating.
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Christ rose from the dead. He is the only god that accomplished this, All other religious happenings were mere dead idols.His physical body appeared alive to hundreds of people.
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Jesus did what no other had done before,he prophesied his death and his Resurrection as well as healed all those with faith in him.
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Jesus prophesied his own death and resurrection which came to pass. Jesus had compassion, healed those with infirmities and comforted those in need
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I think one unique thing is that He became man and has a deep understanding of what we go through. He has “walked in our shoes so to speak”. Also, the fact they we have a relationship with Him and don’t need any “go between”.