Reflection & Study Questions (Student Copy)
These questions are designed for personal reflection, group discussion, or classroom study.
Write carefully. Support your answers from Scripture where possible.
1.
How does Scripture define the difference between God’s commandments and human traditions?
2.
Why did Jesus confront religious leaders more often about tradition than outright immorality?
3.
In Matthew 15 and Mark 7, what specific danger does Jesus identify when tradition replaces obedience?
4.
How can religious traditions appear faithful on the surface while actually nullifying God’s word?
5.
Why are traditions especially dangerous when they are inherited rather than examined?
6.
How does Jesus’ use of the phrase “you have made void the word of God” challenge modern religious practices?
7.
What role does authority play in determining whether a practice is obedient or merely traditional?
8.
Why is sincerity insufficient when a tradition contradicts or replaces a command of God?
9.
How does the conflict between tradition and command affect unity among believers?
10.
What safeguards does Scripture provide to help believers distinguish between faithful practice and human tradition?
11.
In what ways can tradition subtly shift trust away from God’s word and toward human systems?
12.
How does this Topic prepare the reader to understand later New Testament warnings about false doctrine and departure from apostolic teaching?
Scripture for Further Reading
- Deuteronomy 4:1–2
- Isaiah 29:13
- Matthew 15:1–9
- Mark 7:6–13
- Colossians 2:6–8
- Galatians 1:6–9
- 2 Timothy 3:14–17
- Titus 1:9–14