Mark – Part 2

February 19th, 2017 (Mark 2:23-28)

Were the Pharisees correct in saying that Jesus’ disciples should not have been picking grain on the Sabbath? Yes or No? (note 20:8-11; Ex 34:21; Deut 5:14; Deut. 23:24-25;)
How did Jesus prove his point by citing the case of David and the consecrated bread? (note 24:5-9; 1 Sam 21:1-6)
Did David break the law as King, a ruler of laws?
Does Jesus cite exceptions to the law? Is He recommending breaking the law based on exceptions? Yes or No?
Do people break God’s law in the New Testament based on “exceptions” today? How do you know? Give some examples of “exceptions” commonly offered-not the people who make them.
How are we to handle our brethren when they make exceptions to God’s laws? How do we make sure we aren’t doing the same?
Overall, what do you think Jesus meant when He said, “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath”?

Why did Jesus court disaster by healing on the Sabbath? Is this not just being a “rabble-rouser”?
Analyze Jesus’ logic/argument for healing on the Sabbath (vs.4). Is His argument convincing to you? Why or why not?
Was it ok for Jesus to get angry? Why or why not? (vs. 5)
Notice carefully why Mark says Jesus was Do you think Jesus gets angry today with us for the same reasons?
What does verse 6 tell us about the Pharisees new desperation to destroy Jesus? Who are they planning to partner with? Why is this interesting?

Why did the unclean spirits confess Jesus?
We discussed this a few weeks ago, but let’s touch on it Why didn’t Jesus want the spir its to speak about Him? Didn’t He need the attention to spread His message?

Jesus appointed 12 special disciples. Why not lOO’s?
Should we take then, from Jesus’ example, that having a few close friends is better than having many? Or is there a deeper spiritual lesson here about discipleship? Explain your answer
Notice from verse 14 one of the main purposes for Jesus calling the apostles-a key theme to the Gospel of Mark-what is it?

Why do you think Jesus’ family believed He had lost His senses?
Why was it necessary for the scribes to accuse Jesus of being possessed by Beelzebub?
What do you think blasphemy of the Holy Spirit is?
Why do many say that blasphemy of the Holy Spirit is the only sin which can’t be forgiven? Are they correct?
What does this context suggest blasphemy of the Holy Spirit might be?
Why do you suppose Jesus disclaimed any special relationship to His earthly family?
To be a brother, sister, or close relative of Jesus, Jesus says we must do His Can you summarize God’s will in just a few words? If so, how would you describe it?

Should this be called the Parable of the Sower or the Soils? Why? Does it make a difference?
How do the “soils” fit today’s hearers of the gospel?

Does the description of the good soil’s crop give us a standard for what the “good soil” really is?
Is it possible to be in more than one soil at once?
How do we move “soils”?
Be honest-which “soil” are you in right now? How do you know?

2) What do you think was Jesus’ purpose for teaching in parables? (Clue-see 4: 11- 12)

What was Jesus wanting His hearers to understand when He spoke about lamps, measures, and finding and losing things?

Are there things that are meant to be hidden?
Today, what specific things are often concealed that should be brought out into the open?

Why are Jesus’ comments about the Kingdom in verses 26-28 so important for us to remember in times of discouragement in the church?
What do you think was the main point Jesus wanted His hearers to understand from the mustard seed parable?
If parables produced “clarity”, why did Jesus have to explain them to His disciples privately? (Vs. 34)