Matthew 15: 10 - 20  

Pastor Brian McGuffin

Introduction

How have you changed since you decided to follow Jesus?

Scripture

Matthew 15: 10 - 20  ESV

10 And he called the people to him and said to them, “Hear and understand: 11 it is not what goes into the mouth that defiles a person, but what comes out of the mouth; this defiles a person.” 12 Then the disciples came and said to him, “Do you know that the Pharisees were offended when they heard this saying?” 13 He answered, “Every plant that my heavenly Father has not planted will be rooted up. 14 Let them alone; they are blind guides. And if the blind lead the blind, both will fall into a pit.” 15 But Peter said to him, “Explain the parable to us.” 16 And he said, “Are you also still without understanding? 17 Do you not see that whatever goes into the mouth passes into the stomach and is expelled? 18 But what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and this defiles a person. 19 For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false witness, slander. 20 These are what defile a person. But to eat with unwashed hands does not defile anyone.” 

Please read the Bible passage from both the NIV and the NLT. 

They are located at the end of the questions.

Discussion Questions

1. What is your initial reaction/understanding of this scripture reading that was used in Sunday's sermon?

2. Why do you think it was so important for Jesus to speak to the Pharisees using the language He uses in this passage?  Why do you think the Pharisees were offended by His words when others were not?

3. How might you explain this passage to a non-Christian so they might not be offended the way the Pharisees were?

4. Why is it important to be aware of exactly what we are saying to others to be sure they understand us? How is Jesus' way of speaking in this passage from Matthew a good example for us to follow when sharing the Word of God with others?

5. When you were a young Christian first hearing God's teachings, how much were you offended by the way His words went against the way you thought about yourself and the World? What do you today when you find God's instructions challenging your world   view?

6. Using your imagination, say what it means to believe and follow through on the teaching that Jesus has given us in this sermon. Give examples from your life to show what you  believe.

7. How should spiritual leaders show their ability to hear from God and be able to see what this means for them and the people that follow them? Share examples that stand out for you.

8. Read the following verses:

            Galatians 5: 22 - 26 NLT

            "But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!

            24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there. 25 Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives. 26 Let us not become conceited, or provoke one another, or be jealous of one another."       

            Which of these changes have you seen happen in your life when you accepted Jesus and   the Holy Spirit came to live in you?

Additional Scripture Passages

Matthew 15: 10 - 20  NIV

10 Jesus called the crowd to him and said, “Listen and understand. 11 What goes into someone’s mouth does not defile them, but what comes out of their mouth, that is what defiles them.”

12 Then the disciples came to him and asked, “Do you know that the Pharisees were offended when they heard this?”

13 He replied, “Every plant that my heavenly Father has not planted will be pulled up by the roots. 14 Leave them; they are blind guides.[a] If the blind lead the blind, both will fall into a pit.”

15 Peter said, “Explain the parable to us.”

16 “Are you still so dull?” Jesus asked them. 17 “Don’t you see that whatever enters the mouth goes into the stomach and then out of the body? 18 But the things that come out of a person’s mouth come from the heart, and these defile them. 19 For out of the heart come evil thoughts—murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander. 20 These are what defile a person; but eating with unwashed hands does not defile them.”

NLT

10 Then Jesus called to the crowd to come and hear. “Listen,” he said, “and try to understand. 11 It’s not what goes into your mouth that defiles you; you are defiled by the words that come out of your mouth.”

12 Then the disciples came to him and asked, “Do you realize you offended the Pharisees by what you just said?”

13 Jesus replied, “Every plant not planted by my heavenly Father will be uprooted, 14 so ignore them. They are blind guides leading the blind, and if one blind person guides another, they will both fall into a ditch.”

15 Then Peter said to Jesus, “Explain to us the parable that says people aren’t defiled by what they eat.”

16 “Don’t you understand yet?” Jesus asked. 17 “Anything you eat passes through the stomach and then goes into the sewer. 18 But the words you speak come from the heart—that’s what defiles you. 19 For from the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, all sexual immorality, theft, lying, and slander. 20 These are what defile you. Eating with unwashed hands will never defile you.”