You're Not Far
Rethinking Religion and Its Rules • 8-Part Study
Part 1 • Write This Down
Andy Stanley
We often read the Bible for application, inspiration, or direction. However, there are times when the author wants to simply point the reader to a big idea—an idea that fits with God's grand story. In the Gospel of Mark, we read about Peter's experience with Jesus that led Peter to believe in one big idea: The kingdom of God is near, and everyone is invited to participate.
Part 3 • Flipping the Script
Andy Stanley
Whether it’s school, sports, or religion, when we focus only on the rules, it can be difficult to remember the overall purpose of something. Jesus reminds us that when we focus so much on the letter of the law, we may forget why the law was written in the first place.
Part 4 • Loophole Religion
Andy Stanley
From an early age, we learn quickly to look for loopholes in the rules. We try to figure out what we can get away with and still be okay. We tend to take this same mindset into our relationship with God, but it doesn’t work. When we opt for loopholes and workarounds, we find ourselves in a category no one wants to be in—hypocrites. Jesus calls us to move beyond loophole religion.
Part 5 • Kingdom Great
Andy Stanley
Fear invites us to follow the path of self-preservation. However, if we follow that path long enough, we will neither preserve nor have anything to show for our lives. Jesus’s original disciples had the same tendency at times. On one occasion, Jesus reminded them of what it meant to follow him by saying four powerful words that still apply to his followers today.
Part 8 • The Day No One Believed
Andy Stanley
When Jesus died, hope died along with him. No one was planning to keep this new movement going because, after all, it seemed Jesus wasn’t who he had claimed to be. Immediately following the crucifixion, there were no Christians because there was no Christ. But then something happened.