Clean on the outsideMatthew 23:23-28Length: Standard

1 Eat

Read the passage slowly, read it again, then retell it in your own words. If you can't retell it, read it once more.

• Read
• Reread
• Retell

2 Digest

Answer from what the passage actually says — stay in the text.

1. What does this passage show me about God?

   • What does Jesus say the religious leaders were careful about, and what had they neglected?
   • Why do you think justice, mercy and faithfulness matter so much to God?

2. What does it show me about people — and about myself?

   • Where are you more careful about how things look than about what is true inside you?

3. What will I obey this week? (a concrete step, with a day)

   • Name one place where you will choose mercy or faithfulness this week instead of appearances. What will you do, and when?

4. Who will I tell?

   • Who has been hurt by religion that looked good on the outside? How could you show them that Jesus cares about the heart?

3 Grow

Growth is God's part, not yours. Do the cycle faithfully and trust Him to give the growth (1 Corinthians 3:6–7).