We're looking at a sharp exchange between Jesus and the Sadducees. They set a trap for Jesus, and he purposefully springs it. What's the use of heaven, especially right now? How is it not just pie in the sky, a crutch for people without resolve? Jesus makes it clear that heaven is not a silly, esoteric concept, but what we think about heaven matters on earth. It changes how we live right now. What would make him tell the Sadducees "you know neither the Scriptures nor the power of God?" Let's see how Jesus is restoring life through “Restoring the Word” (Mark 12:18-27).

Discussion Questions

The Bible says we’re dead without Christ, yet we’re trying to reconnect with eternal life in so many ways. What has been an example of this in your own life?

The Sadducees didn’t believe in miracles, angels, or the spiritual nature of things. They reduced life down to ethical norms. Obviously, we observe a similar world view in today’s society. But how have you acted like a Sadducee?

When you build your own god, like children “Build-A-Bear” in the mall, you end up with a comfortable god that doesn’t confront you or change you. In what ways have you built your own version of God - incomplete and partially biblical? What have you emphasized and what have you omitted? What are the consequences (to you) for such discriminating choices?

Explain what you remember or understand about a “kinsman redeemer”. In the book of Ruth, Boaz had to “show up” to buy-back Ruth. The parallels to Jesus are intentional and meaningful. Explain how Jesus is our kinsman redeemer, like Boaz was to Ruth. If one doesn’t allow Jesus to “show up” or “come down” to them, what high-cost alternatives are sought? In other words, how do we look for salvation, apart from Jesus?

We severed our connection with the author of life. Now we are grasping for eternal life and we can’t get it. It’s about connection with God - not an extension of this life, we’re hoping for transformation. Is there any beauty, art, music, or movie that focuses on this kind of transformation?

Gospel: As there are better things than chocolate, so also there is more than we can imagine that awaits us in Jesus - and it can start now. He lost so that we would not lose permanently. Jesus wants to connect with us through a much more powerful bond than our strongest relationship now.

What did you need to hear in the sermon or during this discussion?