Sunday, April 19, 2026
Not That Jesus #3 - Religious Jesus

WELCOME   (15 minutes)
Ice Breaker: Describe what level of exposure you had to “Rules-Based, Performance-Driven Religion” during your childhood (parents, family, church, school, etc.)

 WORSHIP (10 minutes)
Use your favorite streaming service & sing, “Christ Be Magnified” by Cody Carnes.

 WIN   (15 minutes)
Do you know anyone who seems to be disillusioned with “Religious Jesus?”  What approach could you see being effective in helping them rethink their viewpoint? Pray for them now!

WORD   (25 minutes)

1. Retell the childhood religious experiences of Katy Perry and Brad Pitt to the best of your memory & what happened in both of them during their teenage years? Can you relate to any of their disenchantment with strict behavioral control, hypocrisy among Christians, no questioning allowed, or overly-simplistic answers?
2. Read Matthew 6:1-6.  What is Jesus critiquing here?  Why?  What does He say is the remedy? How would doing certain spiritual activities “in secret” serve to push back against a religious spirit?
3. Read Matthew 11:28-30.  How is what Jesus offers here different from what the Pharisees were offering?  In what ways does His self-description of being “gentle and lowly in heart” stand in stark contrast to how “religious” people often want to be viewed?
4. Read Matthew 9:9-13.  Why did Matthew seem to be an unlikely candidate for recruitment by a Rabbi? What about Jesus’ interaction with him should give all of us hope?

 WORKS (25 minutes)
Break down into groups of 2 or 3