Relational: Rules, Laws, and Obedience

Divide learners into groups of three or four. Invite learners to share with their groups a parental rule from their teenage years that they consistently resisted obeying. Lead learners to reflect on their earlier resistance to that rule and what they think of the rule today by discussing these questions:

• Why did you spend so much time and energy trying to disobey, resist, or otherwise get around this rule?
• Looking back on that time, why did your parents create this rule in the first place?
• How did the rules your parents created ultimately reveal the depth of their love for you?

After three or four minutes, call groups together and encourage volunteers to share: What is your current opinion of the rules you so heartily resisted as a teenager? How has your opinion of the rules changed as you have aged and gained more life experience?

Point out that the Jews living in Jesus’ time placed great importance on obeying the laws of the Old Testament. Explain that this lesson gives learners the opportunity to examine Jesus’ teaching that following those laws could not earn God’s favor.