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”?
February 26th, 2017 (Mark 3:1-19)
- Healing on the Sabbath (Vs. 1-6)
- 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?
- Unclean Spirits (Vs. 7-12)
- 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?
March 5th, 2017 (Mark 3: 20-35)
- 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?
March 12th, 2017 (Mark 4:1-20)
- 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?
- Describe the person on the path.
- Describe the person on the rocks.
- Describe the person in the thorns.
- Describe the person in the good soil.
- 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)
March 19th, 2017 (Mark 4:21-34)
- 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)
- Do you think you would have understood them the first time?
- Be honest: do you fully understand them even now?
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