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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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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Jesus strived to have a relationship with all people. The religious leaders were works oriented and tried to follow rules. Relationship with undesirables was not what they thought was proper. This caused them to put themselves in the place of God in some ways. Jesus desired a relationship with ALL people, especially with the sinners. The leaders didn’t want to have anything to do with the sinners. They felt they were above the people.
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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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I think “religion” sadly causes a decline in belief in God in general . Jesus said, “ye shall know them by their fruits”. When non-believers ( and even new Christians) can “see” that the supposed leaders and people proclaiming the name of Christ – are not what they say they are, ( specifically when our words/actions do not coincide with the words/actions of Jesus) then that sets the precedent for hypocrisy; thus creating a decline in people wanting to learn and know more about Christ personally, and some even becoming apostate. We have got to seek Truth, true believers are not always going to do the right thing, we will make mistakes, but we will ultimately seek to mimic Christ in all ways, and do our best to abide to His teachings. Keeping Christ First- Anything less than that, would just be merely keeping up appearances, and not bearing fruit. You can be assured that those who don’t know Christ “yet” are watching those who claim that they do know Christ. And our words/actions matter. I recently had a discussion with my husband on this matter. He has come to believe that he would rather choose apostasy, that claim to be religious ( because he sees the hypocrisy). My words to him ( before I started this course ) were this… I asked him if he remembered the scribes / pharisees and how they scorned Jesus for healing / performing miracles on the sabbath. So, Jesus asked them, if the ox was in the ditch ( pit) on the sabbath would they not pull it out???? ( My husband remembered this) I told him it was the scribes religious practices that Jesus himself rebuked. In essence… if Jesus himself rejected the “holiness” of the scribes… he was rebuking their so called “religion”. I told my husband, reject it too- but accept Jesus. Jesus is Truth, we need a Savior ( he understood the point I was making) Now, I keep praying for him, and keep believing… because I know My God is a God of possibilities, and He can turn any situation around. Since I’ve been in your courses, I had previously been studying the Old Testament closer. I had just completed Daniel- Micah… and your website changed to this new one ( which is great by the way ) I happened upon this course, and I am delighted I went out of the order I was taking, and enrolled in this one. This is “hitting home” for me… and I am encouraged and strengthened that your message here is Jesus ( not religion ) .
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I do not know about him and didn’t see specific reading by him. But religion, in my head, is about living a certain way and being judgmental of those that don’t follow the rules exactly. this causes people to be unforgiving of others and themselves. It causes people to think they are better than others, more worthy in the eyes of God. But Jesus came to save us all. We don’t have to be perfect, just be willing to love Him with our whole heart so we can love others like He did.
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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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For me, what I believe sets a relationship with Christ “apart” from all others.. is “accessibility”. When you choose to accept Jesus as Lord and Savior of your life, you have just accepted the creator of the universe to come and make a home inside you. When you believe , you have just tapped into the power that is Living… Living and Active, able to do great and mighty things. You have access to His love, His forgiveness . Accepting means you are heirs , and co -heirs to all he has to offer in this life and in the next. I can access Jesus anytime , any place , anywhere. He is always accessible. I don’t have to go through some “ritual” to access him. I call on His name, and he meets me wherever I am. That relationship is everything, and what other god is like that? There is no other god, and none like My God.
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A relationship with Christ is a life of peace. You have forgiveness when you make a mistake, you are loved unconditionally, you can have hope that you will be able to live with Jesus in heaven even though you made mistakes. Other religions hold you to an impossible standard you can never reach. Relationship changes everything. A relationship is open to all people regardless of race, status, education, occupation, or works.