The Gospel of Mark Bible Study Lesson 1: Mark 1:1 20

3. Review Mark 1:14-20 a. Are you willing to give up good things you enjoy to spend one-on-one time learning from and being befriended by Jesus? The ...
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3. Review Mark 1:14-20 a. Are you willing to give up good things you enjoy to spend one-on-one time learning from and being befriended by Jesus?

The Gospel of Mark

Bible Study Lesson 1: Mark 1:1–20

b. What or who do you have to surrender to be with Jesus? First Day: 1. How did the sermon excite you to study Mark? c. How can you shape your day so that your primary focus at all times is walking with and learning from Jesus? 2. As you review notes from the sermon or think about this process what concerns or expectations do you have for this new way of learning and growing together as a church? d. How quickly and consistently are you obeying God in your life? Second Day: Read Mark 1: 1- 8 1. Who is the book of Mark about? 2. Who was Isaiah writing about, and what did Isaiah say he would do?

3. How does Mark say this prophecy was fulfilled?

4. What were the people doing before the coming of Jesus?

5. What was the difference between John’s baptism and Jesus’ baptism?

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Third Day: Read Mark 1: 9 - 11 1. Read 1 Pet. 2:22; 1 John 3:5; Heb. 4:15. Did Jesus commit any sins he needed to repent of ?

6. Is this a truth that you can apply to difficult times in your life? 7. What were the four parts of Jesus’ message?

2. Why do you think Jesus needed to be baptized by John’s baptism of repentance?

3. In your own words describe what happened during Jesus’ baptism.

4. Other than John and Jesus, who else takes part in Jesus’ baptism, and why is this significant?

Fifth Day: Read Mark 1: 16 - 20 1. What did Jesus offer Simon and Andrew? What did they have to do to receive this chance?

2. What did James and John have to surrender to follow Jesus? 3. What do we become if we follow Jesus? (see Jer. 16:15-19 for an OT prophecy.)

Fourth Day: Read Mark 1: 12 - 14 1. Who drove Jesus into the wilderness? Does this surprise you?

2. What is significant about the temptation taking place right after Jesus’ baptism?

3. Read Matthew 4:1 -11 and Luke 4: 1-13 What do these passages reveal about the nature of Jesus? Do you find this comforting?

4. How did Jesus victoriously endure the temptation by Satan? How can Jesus’ example help you when you face temptation?

5. What happened to John before Jesus began his public ministry? Why do you think God orchestrated John’s life this way? (see John 3:27- 30)

Sixth Day: Read Mark 1: 1 - 20 1. Review Mark 1: 1 - 8 a. Do you recognize your sinfulness and your need to repent? Has your repentance resulted in receiving the baptism of the Holy Spirit that Jesus offers? b. If you answered yes to the above, what are you doing to call others to repent and believe?

2. Review Mark 1:9-13 a. Do you anticipate temptation after repentance or after a special time of walking closely with God?

b. How do you prepare and arm yourself for temptation?

b. Has Christ given you spiritual healing? If so how are you fulfilling the purpose for which Jesus healed you?

3. Review Mark 1:35–39 a. Do you spend time with the Lord before starting your day?

The Gospel of Mark

Bible Study Lesson 2: Mark 1:21–45

b. What will you do to share in Jesus’ ministry by sharing the gospel with another person?

First Day: Review you notes from Mark 1:1–20 1. What stood out to you from the sermon that you found helpful?

c. What does the way I use my time each day indicate where my heart is?

2. Did the Holy Spirit convict you to make any changes in your life?

4. Review Mark 1:40–45 a. What situation or person will I bring to Jesus today for healing?

b. What body, soul, or spiritual needs do you have that you would like to bring to Jesus for healing?

c. In what ways have I hindered the work of Christ by my disobedience to him?

d. Will you obey Jesus in every small detail today no matter what it costs you?

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Second Day: Read Mark 1:21–28 1. Where does Jesus go, who comes with him, and what day of the week is it?

2. What stood out about Jesus’ teaching to the people? Whose teachings did the people contrast Jesus’ teachings to? What do you think made the difference between the teaching styles?

3. What happened immediately following Jesus’ teaching? What did this act reveal about Jesus?

4. What is significant about the conversation between Jesus and the demon?

5. How did the people respond to Jesus’ healing the man in the synagogue?

Third Day: Read Mark 1:29–34 1. Where did Jesus go after leaving the synagogue, and who went with him?

Fifth Day: Mark 1:40–45 1. What did the leper ask of Jesus, and how did he make his request?

2. What was Simon’s mother-in-law’s response to being healed? What does this reveal about Jesus’ power to heal?

2. How does the Bible describe Jesus’ motivation in healing the leper, and do you find anything significant about the way Jesus chose to heal the leper?

3. When did the townspeople bring people to Jesus for healing? Can you think of any reason this time of day might be significant?

3. What did Jesus ask of the leper? Why do you think he asked him this?

4. What was the result of the leper’s disobedience? 4. Why didn’t Jesus allow the demons to speak? What does this reveal about Jesus?

Fourth Day: Read Mark 1:35–39 1. Why do you think Jesus got up so early and went somewhere desolate?

Sixth Day: Read Mark 1:1–20 1. Review Mark 1:21–28 a. Jesus was in the synagogue on the Sabbath. What do you do on Sundays?

2. Why was Simon looking for Jesus?

b. Do I recognize the power of demonic activity in the world today and what do you do to arm yourself for Spiritual warfare (see Eph. 6 for help)?

3. What does Jesus’ response to Simon reveal about Jesus’ choice to get up early to pray alone?

c. Whom will you tell of Jesus’ power and authority this week?

4. How did Jesus spend the rest of His day?

2. Review Mark 1:29–34 a. Which needy person do you need to pray for and trust the Lord to respond to with compassion?

Sixth Day: Read Mark 2:13–22 1. Re-read Mark 2:13-17 a. Have you responded to Jesusʼ call to follow him?

b. What old habits or security are you willing to leave to follow Jesus?

c. Will you commit yourself this week to share Christ with someone no matter what others may say about you? If so, who, when, where, and how?

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Lesson 3: Mark 2:1–22

First Day: Review you notes from Mark 1:21–45 1. What stood out to you from the sermon that you found helpful?

2. Did the Holy Spirit convict you to make any changes in your life? 2. Re-read Mark 2:18–22 a. If you are not joyful since Jesus came into your life, why not?

b. Where in your life have you tried to patch up the bad places with a little Christianity? Has it worked or is your old wine skin leaking?

Second Day: Read Mark 2:1–12 6. What does Mark 2:1-2 show about the focus of Jesusʼ ministry? (Other verses that reveal Jesus primary ministry focus include 1:38-39, 3:14, 6:12, 13:10, 14:9).

c. When will you wholeheartedly make Christ the Lord of all? 7. Why do you think Jesus first healed the manʼs sins before healing his body?

8. What did forgiving the paralytics sins reveal about the paralytic? His four friends? The scribes? Jesus?

9. Would the scribes have been surprised when Jesus addressed them? Why?

10.What did healing the paralytic physically reveal about Jesus? What was the effect on all who saw the healing?

Fourth Day: Read Mark 2:18–22 (If question 3 and 4 are extremely difficult, ask the Holy Spirit to help you understand.)

1. What was the core truth of John the Baptistʼs message? Why did his disciples fast? 11.Is there an example to follow or not to follow in this passage? 2. Who is the bridegroom? (See Isa. 62:5, and Hos. 2:19- 20). Third Day: Read Mark 2:13–17 1. What does the location of Leviʼs tax booth indicate about whom he was probably taxing? What do you think Peter, James, and John thought of Jesusʼ choice to call Matthew?

3. What do you think “taken away” refers to in v. 20?

2. What did the scribes think about Jesus choice of dinner companions?

4. What do you think the un-shrunk cloth and the old garment symbolize?

3. What does Jesus example and response to the scribes teach us?

5. What do the new wine, old wine skins, and new wine skins symbolize?

4. What does this passage reveal about Jesusʼ perspective and relation to people?

Fifth Day: Read Mark 2: 1–12 1. Re-read Mark 2: 1-12 a. Do you exercise determined faith in bringing resistant people to Christ?

5. What is your response to those whom you know are taking advantage of you or are flagrantly sinning?

6. Is there a danger to dining with “tax collectors and sinners?” How can Jesusʼ example show us how to act around those who make us feel uncomfortable?

b. Whom do you bring to Jesus daily in prayer?

c. When you come to Jesus for healing/forgiveness are you willing for him to change you inside or do you just want him to change your hard circumstance?

b. Do you seek Jesus only for what he can do for you, or for what he wants you to do for him? c. What controls you? The pressures of people around you, Satan’s subtle sidetracks or God’s Holy Spirit? 3. Review Mark 3 : 13 - 19 a. How much time do you set aside to be with Jesus?

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Lesson 4: Mark 2:23-3:35

First Day: Review your notes from Mark 2:1-23 1. What stood out to you from the sermon that you found helpful?

b. How far are you willing to go to tell and teach others about Christ? 2. Did the Holy Spirit convict you to make any changes in your life? c. How are you responding to the special work for which Jesus has chosen you to do today? 4. Review Mark 3 : 20 - 30

Where could you be attributing God’s work’s to man or Satan because the work surprises you, makes you feel uncomfortable or doesn’t fit your tradition? 5. Review Mark 3 : 31 - 35 a. What do your actions say about your relationship to God?

Second Day: Read Mark 2:23-3:6 1. What are Jesus’ disciples doing that disturbs the Pharisees? How does Jesus respond to the Pharisees’ accusations? Do you see a similarity to how he responded to Satan’s accusations earlier in Mark?

2. What did Jesus mean by saying, “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath. So the Son of Man is lord even of the Sabbath?” Did the Pharisees like this answer? Why or why not?

b. How will you obey today and thus declare your love to your heavenly Father? 3. Why was Jesus angry with the Pharisees? c. Are you doing everything you can to help and build meaningful relationships with your brothers and sisters in Christ? 4. In what ways are you grieving Jesus by the hardness of your heart?

5. Are there laws or traditions that you are carefully following that are preventing you from helping others?

Third Day: Read Mark 3:7-3:19 1. What does this passage reveal about Jesus’ character and specifically about his willingness to serve even when it was inconvenient or even dangerous?

Fifth Day: Mark 3 : 31 - 35 1. Did Jesus’ family approve of His ministry and recognize that He was doing God’s will?

2. Write a job description for the 12 men chosen as disciples.

2. How does Jesus’ response to his family’s disbelief provide an example for us when our biological family disapproves of what we know is God’s will?

3. Review Mark 1:16-29, and Matt 10:1-4 Jesus handpicked his disciples. He chose a group that most people wouldn’t think would work well together. For example tax collector Matthew who worked for the Romans wouldn’t be a natural friend to Simon the Zealot who was working to overthrow the Roman government. Why do you think that Jesus chose such a diverse group of people and what would this diversity mean for the spread of the Good News?

3. When we are willing to do God’s will even when others think we are crazy what does this show about our relationship to God and other believers?

4. Do you treat others who are doing God’s will as family? Fourth Day: Read Mark 3: 20 - 30 1. What did Jesus’ family think about his new miracle filled ministry? Sixth Day: Review Mark 2 : 23 - 3: 31 1. Review Mark 2:23 -3:6 a, How much of your thinking is dominated by man’s interpretation of the law? 2. Read Luke 11:15 - 23. Jesus often walked away from conflict, but not when he was accused of being one with Satan. What do Jesus’ words tell us about His power over Satan? b. Do you keep God’s laws because you want God and others to love you or because you love God and others? 3. How do you divide your house by questioning resisting, or refusing the work of the Holy Spirit in your heart or circumstances?

4, Are you willing to be misunderstood by many because of your commitment to God’s plan?

c. Do you look for faults in other people or for good in other people?

2. Review Mark 3: 7 - 12 a. Is there an area of your life that is so busy that it prevents you from meeting the needs of those God has placed around you?

b. How much time do you spend hiding God’s Word in your heart so that it can come to light when it is needed?

c. How are you specifically using the knowledge and understanding given to you through the study of Mark to show Christ to others?

3. Review Mark 4: 26 - 29 (God’s Word will sprout, grow and produce a harvest in due time.) a How are you fulfilling Christ’s commands to sow the seed of God’s word?

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Lesson 4: Mark 4:1-34

First Day: Review your notes from Mark 2:23-3:34 1. What stood out to you from the sermon that you found helpful? 2. Did the Holy Spirit convict you to make any changes in your life?

b Where are you relying more on yourself than on the inherent Word of God to change lives?

Second Day: Read Mark 4:1-20 1. Read Mark 4:9. Isaiah 6: 9-10. 43:8. and 44:18. What does it mean to have ears that hear?

c. How much time do spend with Christ so that you are sensitive to the time for harvest? 2. Read Mark 4: 10-12 and Isaiah 6:9-10 Describe the difference between the disciples response to the parable and the crowd’s response. 4. Review Mark 4 : 30 - 34 (Small hidden beginnings can have tremendous growth and bless many when God’s power is within them.) a. What small thing is Jesus entrusting to your care now? 3. Who does the sower represent? What do the different soils represent? b. How available are you for God’s use in the growth of his kingdom? 4. What keeps the different soils from receiving the Word? What is different about the good soil? c. Will you begin now to ask God daily to explain His Word to you? 5. Considering that a normal harvest offers a yield of five to fifteen-fold, what do the results of thirty to a hundred-fold indicate to you?

Third Day: Read Mark 4:21-4:25 1. Read Matt 5:14-16 and Luke 8:16. What does the lamp in these passages symbolize?

2. Does the picture of the birds nesting in the mustard trees shade symbolize anything? (Consult Psalm 91:1-2, and Ezekiel 17:22-24 for other Biblical pictures of shade.)

2. What types of hidden things does God’s light illuminate? 3. In verse 34, What do you think “as they were able to hear it” means? 3. In verses 24-25, What will be added and what will be taken away? Consult Matthew 7:2. and Luke 6:38 for a better understanding of measure. And consult Matthew 25:29, Luke 8:16-18, and Luke 12:41-48 for similar teaching of Jesus.

Fourth Day: Read Mark 4:26-29 1. What is this parable describing?

4. Why did Jesus explain everything privately to his disciples, but not publicly to everyone?

5. Re-read Mark 4:13, and Mark 4:34. What do these two verses together reveal about Jesus’ character and teaching ministry to his disciples?

2. What two things does the man do in this parable and what happens automatically. Sixth Day: Review Mark 4:1-34 1. Review Mark 4:1 -20 (The soil’s quality determines the seed’s future.) a. What opportunities do you have to sow the seed of God’s Word today? 3. Does the Kingdom of God come suddenly all at once or does it grow inconspicuously, slowly, and steadily?

4. Does verse 29 encourage you. How so?

Fifth Day: Read Mark 4:30-34 1. The mustard seed was the smallest known seed in ancient Israel, but could produce a bush as large as .9 meters by 3.7 meters. What does the metaphor in this parable emphasize?

b. Do you pray for the quality of the soil around you or are you more concerned with with your sowing technique?

c. What circumstances in your life is God using to cultivate the soil in your heart so that you can receive new truth. 2. Review Mark 4:21-25 (Everyone is responsible to use what God has given him) a. What in your life needs to be brought out into the open?

2. Mark 5: 1-20 a. What areas of my life are bound by forces opposed to Jesus? Will I run to Jesus and fall down before him today asking him to free me from these chains?

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Lesson 6: Mark 4:35–5:43 b. What wonderful things has Jesus done for you that you should proclaim to your friends and family? What is keeping you from telling others of the things Jesus has done for you?

c. In what areas of your life are you pushing Jesus away because of fear and especially fear of financial loss?  . Sixth Day: Review Mark 5:21-43 1. What specific need do you need to bring to Jesus? 2. Do you view obstacles as impossible barriers that keep you from Jesus? Or does your faith grow stronger as it flexes its muscles to build a bridge over obstacles as you bring your needs to Jesus?

3. Do you ever get lost in the crowd so you can avoid meeting the needs of others?

4. With what seemingly hopeless problem is Jesus ready to help you with today if you will just believe and go to him?

5. What can you do to turn away from the unbelieving wails and laughter around you so you can look in faith to Jesus? 

First Day: Review your notes from Mark 4:1-34 1. What stood out to you from the sermon that you found helpful?

2. How did Sunday morning's discussion time help you understand the passage better?  Second Day: Read Mark 4:35-41 1. What was Jesus doing in the boat while the storm arose? What does this tell you about Jesus’ humanity and about his divinity?

2. What were the disciples doing when the storm arose? What was right and what was wrong with their response to the storm? Did Jesus care that they “were perishing”?

3. How did he calm the storm? Read Job 12:15, Psalm 33:7, Job 28:25, Psalm 107:25-30, Amos 4:13. What do these passages tell you about Jesus and his power over nature’s waters? 

4. Is there a difference in the type of fear that the disciples felt in verse 38 and in verse 41?

Third Day: Read Mark 5:1-20 1. What happened immediately upon Jesus arrival in Gerasa?

2. Read vs 3-5 Describe the state of this man. Have you ever known anyone who reminds you of this man?

2. What kinds of physical and social obstacles did Jairus overcome to get to Jesus? 3. What kinds of physical, emotional, and social obstacles did the hemorrhaging woman have to overcome to get to Jesus?

4. What was the key that both Jairus and the woman shared that overcame the obstacles to Jesus? 3. What does verse 5 tell you about the goal of demons. 5. In verse 34 what two commands does Jesus give the woman? 4. Compare verse 4 with verse 15. What does this tell you about Jesus power? 6. In verse 36, Why do you think Jesus takes time to say, “Do not fear, only believe?” 5. Read vs 13. What does the presence of so many pigs reveal about the area of the Decapolis? 7. In verse 40, how did the crowd respond to Jesus? How do you think this made Jairus feel? 6. Read verse 17-19 Explain the people’s response to Jesus compassion? How did Jesus respond?

7. Why do you think Jesus refused the healed man’s request to join him? Why do you think he told the man to return to his friends and to proclaim what Jesus had done instead of urging him to secrecy as he had done with similar cases earlier?

Fifth Day: Re-read Mark 4:34-5:20 1. Mark 4:1-34 a. When there are storms in your life do you rest drawing close to Jesus knowing He is completely in control or instead do you try to control the storm yourself by looking to other people or money for security? b. What habits can you develop that will allow you to experience Jesus’ peace no matter what your circumstances are?

c. What have you learned about Jesus in the middle of the storms he has planned for your life?

Fourth Day: Read Mark 5:21-43 1. Who meets Jesus at the shore first and second?  

3. Re-read Mark 6:14-16 a. How do you explain to yourself and others who Jesus is?

The Gospel of Mark

Bible Study b. Do your actions and attitudes make others think about who Jesus is?

c. How much time daily do you spend getting to know Jesus through his Word and prayer?

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Lesson 7: Mark 6:1–29

First Day: Review your notes from Mark 4:35–5:43  1. What stood out to you from the sermon that you found helpful? 2. What from Sunday school helped you understand the passage better?

4. Re-read Mark 6:17-29 a. Can you think of anyway that your words, actions, or attitudes are causing your children and grandchildren to sin?

b. Have you made any foolish and pride-filled promises from which you need to repent?

Second Day: Read Mark 6:1-6  1. Read Mark 6:1-6 Where does this take place? Even though they are astonished at the wisdom of his teaching, do the Nazarenes focus on Jesus’ humanity of divinity? 2. What made it so hard for Jesus to minister in Nazareth? 3. Do you find that the closer you get to home the harder it is to witness? 

4. What was the result of their rejection of Jesus’ divinity? Where in your life is Jesus’ power being limited because of your refusal to accept His sovereign power? 5. If it was so hard to minister in Nazareth, why did Jesus bother? Consider verse 5 and what you know about the futures of Mary, James, and Jude?

6. Are you willing to continue to witness to your family and community even when you may be scorned and may not see the results you’d like to see when you’d like to see it?

Third Day: Read Mark 6:7–13 1. Read Mark 6: 7-13, and Mark 3:14-15 Compare what you know of Jesus ministry so far with what Jesus has told the twelve to do.

2. Jesus had been and continues training the twelve to minister? Can you think of some reasons for the wisdom of sending them out in pairs?

3. If the disciples take no money and no bread with them how will they eat and where will they sleep? Based on his specific instructions, what lessons do you think Jesus wanted his disciples to learn from their first missionary journey?

Fifth Day: Read Mark 6:17-29 1. What does this passage reveal about the character of Herod Antipas?

2. Herod Antipas was not a Jew. He was an Edomite a descendent of Esau. Does this reveal anything about the demands of God’s moral law across culture? Why did John the Baptist take the time to share God’s message of repentance with an enemy of Israel?

3. In this passage can you list the people along with the sins each committed? Are the sins and their effects confined to the individual sinner, or do they bleed over staining others nearby?

4. How did Jesus tell his disciples to respond to a negative reception? How do you react to those who don’t listen to you?

Fourth Day: Read Mark 6:14–16 1. According to verses 14-16, there is much confusion about who Jesus is. What is Jesus doing and saying that is causing people to confuse him with John the Baptist and Elijah?

Sixth Day: 1. Re-read Mark 6: 1-6  In verse 6, Jesus marvels at the Nazarenes’ disbelief. Is there any disbelief in your life that is amazing Him? If so what is it and are you willing to ask him to help you with your unbelief ?

2. Re-read Mark  6:6-13 a. What instructions has the Lord given you to obey today? 2. What does this tell you about God’s communication with man throughout the course of history? b. Are you trusting him today for food, lodging, protection, and clothing? 3. Later Jesus addresses this confusion with his own disciples in Mark 8: 27-30? Who does Peter say Jesus is? Who do you say Jesus is? How does Jesus’ identity affect your daily life?

c. How does Jesus’ method of training the 12 compare with how most people are trained for ministry today?  

Sixth Day: Read Mark 6:53–56 1. Re-read  verse 45 and verse 53. Where was the boat headed originally and where did it land? 2. When circumstances re-direct your life from where you thought you were heading, do you focus exclusively on recovering your lost goal, or do you look around at the unexpected place God has put you and find ways to serve others there?

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Lesson 8: Mark 6:30–56

First Day: Review your notes from Mark 6:1–29  1. What stood out to you from the sermon that you found helpful? 3. Re-read verse 48. Considering that the fourth watch of the night is between 3:00 AM and 6:00 AM do you think that Jesus and the disciples were entering into this new day of ministry rested?

4. When you face many needs around you, what is your spiritual focus? Your own spiritual and physical needs or the spiritual and physical needs of others?

2. What from Sunday school helped you understand the passage better? Second Day: Read Mark 6:30–34 1. Read Mark 3:14–15; 6:7–13, 30–31. Summarize the three fold approach Jesus is using to train the 12 apostles?

2. Reflecting on this three-fold approach, can you describe how Jesus is or could be using it in your life if you let him?

3. What legitimate need led Jesus to take the disciples away in a boat? What choice did Jesus and the disciple make when they realized that this need was not going to be met in the desolate place?

4. In what way is Jesus asking you to die to your own personal needs like rest and to have compassion on someone else? 5. How can you mirror Jesus’ compassion when you face inconveniences, changes, and interruptions to your own needs and schedule?

Third Day: Read Mark 6:30–44 1. What word picture did Jesus use to describe the crowd?

4. What example does Jesus set for us in verse 41? Who is Jesus dependent upon? What does the working of this miracle tell you about the full identity of Jesus?

2. The sheep had two needs, a spiritual need and a physical need. How did Jesus meet both? 5. Who do you see around you who needs spiritual food from Jesus? Will you take part in bringing it to them and trusting God to multiply it in their lives? 3. What do the following passages tell you about God’s role as shepherd to his people and his people’s role as sheep? a. Numbers 27:16–17

6. What seemingly small thing can you offer to Jesus to use today that He may use to help others?

b. Ezekiel 34:10–16 c. Gen. 48:15

Fifth Day: Read Mark 6:45–52 1. Why did Jesus dismiss the crowd and send his disciples away in the boat?

d. Psalm 23:1–4 e. Isaiah: 40:11 f. Jeremiah 23:4 g. John 10:14 Fourth Day: Read Mark 6:30–44 1. Considering the fact that 200 denarii represent 200 days wages for a laborer, how would you describe the disciples response to Jesus?

2. The crowd had a legitimate hunger problem. Compare the disciples’ solution in verse 35 and 36 with Jesus’ solution in verse 37–39. Which seems like a more realistic solution to you?

2. Approximately how many minutes a day do you spend in prayer . . . When your life is calm? When your life is busy and you are tired? When your life is scary and stormy? How many minutes did you spend today? What do your answers reveal to you about your prayer life? 3. Read verse 45. Were the disciples in the will of God while the storm raged about them? 4. Whom or what do you seek when difficult circumstances come into your life? 5. Read Mark 4:40–41. What prevented the disciples’ faith? Read 6:51–52. In this second calming of the storm what additionally is hampering the disciples’ faith?

3. In what small way is Jesus asking you to obey him as you face problems that are much too big for you to solve on your own? In what ways that don’t seem reasonable is Jesus asking you to obey Him?

6. Is your fear and hard-heart keeping you from recognizing God’s action and power in your life?  

3. Describe what is different about this healing from earlier healings?

The Gospel of Mark

4. Are you willing to accept Jesus’ timing and methods of spiritual and physical healing in your life?

5. What does reading this passage along side of Isa. 35:5-6 tell you about Jesus?

6. Jesus asked those watching to tell no one. Why did they disobey? Considering that you have no prohibition about telling others about what Jesus is doing in your life, do you notice what He is doing? Are you astonished beyond measure?  Do you zealously proclaim it?

Sixth Day: Re-read Mark 7 1. Look at the interaction between Jesus and his disciples in this chapter. What positive traits do you see about the disciples? What negative ones do you see? How does Jesus respond to the negative traits?

2. Describe the people in this passage who had the least faith in Jesus?

3. Describe the people in this passage who had the most faith in Jesus?

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Lesson 9: Mark 7:1–37

First Day: Review your notes from Mark 6:30–56  1. What stood out to you from the sermon that you found helpful? 2. What from Sunday school helped you understand the passage better? Second Day: Read Mark 7:1–13 1. Read verses 2–5. Why are the Pharisees criticizing Jesus’ disciples?

2. Who are the elders? 3. What source did Jesus use to counter the scribes’ criticism? 4. According to verses 6 through 8, give two reasons Jesus calls the Pharisees hypocrites?

5. Can you think of anywhere in your own life where you are over-protective for outward appearances of godliness, but inwardly neglectful of the spirit of truth that a tradition represents?

4. What is surprising about the descriptions in question 2 and 3? 6. In your own words, summarize the example Jesus gives of one pharisaical tradition that voids the Word of God.

7. Read verses 8 and 9, and verse 13. What does Jesus say can happen when people hold too tightly to man-made tradition?

Fourth Day: Read Mark 7:24–30 1. Re-read Mark 3:8. Tyre and Sidon was a Greek, gentile region with some resettled Jewish residents. What is Jesus doing there? What does this incident foreshadow for the disciples? (hint: refer to Mark 7:27, Mark 13:10, and Mark 14:9).

8. According to Jesus what are some of the dangerous of human traditions? Can you think of any way that you use human traditions or twist God’s law to excuse your own selfishness? 2. Can you think of any reasons for why Jesus initially seemed to ignore the Syrophoenician woman’s request when verses 24, 29, and 30 makes it obvious that he cared about the woman and her daughter? Third Day: Read Mark 7:14–23 1. Why would Jesus’ statements in verse 14 have been hard for the disciples to understand causing them to ask Jesus more questions in private?

2. What is significant about verse 18?

3. The Syrophoenician woman cared so much about her daughter that she was willing to seek Jesus out even though this was not culturally acceptable. Are you living out a persistent faith in Christ for the spiritual healing of your family even when it is uncomfortable?

3. According to this passage, list what defiles a man and where do these things come from?

4. Are your intercessions for your loved ones marked by humility and faith?

4. Read Isaiah 29:13–16 and Jeremiah 17:9–10? Using these passages give a Biblical description of the human heart—the center of your being, your mind, emotions, and will?

5. In the past how have you responded to Jesus’ initial and intentional delays to your prayers? In light of this passage, how will you respond today?

5. When the stresses of life squeeze you on every side, what do they squeeze out of your heart? 6. How can you care for your heart’s desperately wicked condition so that when tough times come, the fruit of the spirit (Galatians 5:22), and not the fruit of your natural heart is squeezed out? As an extra challenge, try to use Scripture to answer this question.

Fifth Day: Read Mark 7:31–37 1. What problem did the man from the Decapolis have?

2. For what reasons did Jesus take the man aside from the crowd?

Sixth Day: Re-read Mark 8:10–21 1. Re-read Mark 8:10–13. a. Jesus always responds compassionately to genuine faith and need, but he will not be fooled or manipulated by those with unfaithful disbelieving hearts. Are you discontent with Christ’s revelation of himself to you in Scripture and as a result seeking signs for direction in your life?

b. Can you identify any way that you are grieving Jesus by your unbelief ?

c. How often do you seek a sign or ask for a miracle before you run to Jesus in prayer and ask him to reveal his mind to you through Scripture?

10

The Gospel of Mark

Bible Study Lesson 10: Mark 8:1–21

First Day: Review your notes from Mark 7:1–37 1. What stood out to you from the sermon that you found helpful? 2. What from Sunday school helped you understand the passage better? Second Day: Read Mark 8:1–9 and Re-read Mark 6:31–44

2. Re-read Mark 8:14 - 21 a. Just as a little bit of yeast has a dramatic and pervasive effect on a loaf of bread, a little bit of sin will have dramatic and pervasive effects. Knowing this are you willing to ask the Holy Spirit to reveal and remove areas of hidden sin and evil influences in your life that will in time grow to hurt you and others around you?

Mark 6:31-44 Where did each miracle happen?

(Hint: Mark 7:31)

Describe the nationality of the people that made up each crowd. How long was each crowd with Jesus before he responded to their need?

b. Over preoccupation with pressing physical needs will hinder spiritual understanding and growth. In what area of your life is your focus on your present physical needs causing you to forget God’s faithful provision for you in the past? What will you do to remember God’s past faithfulness so that you can be spiritually growing in the present?

Mark 8:1-10

What was Jesusʼ emotional response to the crowdsʼ need? What was the disciplesʼ response to the need? What did Jesus use to feed the crowd? What did Jesus do before distributing the food? How did the crowdsʼ feel after eating? How many baskets full were left over? How many people did Jesus feed?

Third Day: Read Mark 8:10–13 1. What four things did the Pharisees do when interacting with Jesus in verse 11?

3. How would you describe the leaven of Herod, and how would you describe the leaven of the pharisees?

2. What was Jesus’ response to them?

4. According to verse 16, the disciples do not grasp the spiritual lesson that Jesus is trying to teach them. What is keeping them from understanding this lesson?

3. Why did Jesus do some miracles for some people when they asked but not for the pharisees when they asked? 5. According to verses 17–20, how does Jesus diagnose their problem, and what does he remind them of in an effort to teach them? 4. Matthew 12:39–42 can help us understand Jesus’ seemingly harsh response to the Pharisees. How does Jesus describe the Pharisees’ generation? What has the generation done to make it deserve such a description?

Fifth Day: Re-read Mark 8:1–9 1. If the feeding of the 5000 was to demonstrate that Jesus is the living bread for Israel, what do you think that the feeding of the 4000 was to demonstrate?

5. According to Matthew 12:39-42, although Jesus has no need to prove himself to those with unfaithful and disbelieving hearts, He does promise the sign of Jonah. What sign is Jesus predicting?

6. What is Jesus referring to that is greater than Jonah and greater than Solomon?

Fourth Day: Read Mark 8:14–21 1. What pressing physical need are the disciple’s focused on?

2. In both the story of the feeding of the 5000 and of the 4000, Jesus took a little and did a lot. He did the multiplying, but who did the passing out? What has Jesus multiplied in your life that you need to be passing out to others?

3. Do you see any needs around you that are impossible to accomplish? Do you have limited resources that you could offer to Jesus to multiply to meet those needs?

2. In verse 15, what does Jesus caution the disciples about? What does he mean by the metaphor of leaven? 4. Will you show compassion for someone’s physical and spiritual needs today? How?

Sixth Day: Read Mark 8:34–9:1 1. In what ways are you more focused on gaining the world than you are on the danger of forfeiting your soul?

2. Considering the radical statements in this chapter can you honestly say that following Jesus is your top priority? If you answer no to this question what do you need to change in your life to make your answer yes?

The Gospel of Mark

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Lesson 11: Mark 8:22–9:1

First Day: Review your notes from Mark 8:1–22 & read Mark 8:22–26 1. What stood out to you from the sermon that you found helpful? 3. What is Jesus asking you to deny to yourself this coming week so that He can accomplish His purpose for your life this week?

2. What from Sunday school helped you understand the passage better?

4. What is Jesus claiming in verse 38?

3. In Mark 8: 22-26 how did the blind man get to Jesus?

5. What do you think Jesus means in chapter 9:1? You may look ahead to chapter 9.

4. Who begged Jesus to touch the blind man?

6. Re-read Mark 7:1-13 Describe how a life of sacrificial discipleship differs from a life filled with religious rituals?

5. Which spiritually blind person in your life are you bringing to Jesus by your words, actions, and prayers?

6. Re-read Mark 5:40, and 6:6, In light of these two verses, why do you think Jesus may have taken the man out of the village?

7. Describe the process Jesus used to heal the blind man in your own words.

8. Can you think of a lesson that Jesus may have been trying to teach the disciples by healing the blind man in stages?

Second Day: Read Mark 8:27–30 1. When does Jesus teach his disciples in this passage? Do you look for potential opportunities to point others to Christ during mundane activities like traveling?

Fourth Day: Read Mark 8:31–33 1. How did Jesus respond to Peter’s rebuke?

2. What does Jesus ask His disciples? How do the disciples respond?

2. In what ways are your words, thoughts, opinions, and actions being used by Satan in an attempt to impede God’s plans.

3. What is Jesus’ second question? Who answers for the group and what does he say?

4. What does the word Christ mean?

5. Everyone will one day have to answer for himself who Jesus is. How do you answer the question? Third Day: Read Mark 8:31–33 1. What does Jesus teach immediately following Peter’s confession that he is the Christ?

3. In His complete humanity, did Jesus want to suffer? (Read Mark 14:26)

4. In what ways are you tempting others to reject or not be content with God’s will for their life because it may involve suffering or sacrifice?

Fifth Day: Read Mark 8:34- 9:1 1. What did Jesus teach immediately before this passage and to whom? 2. Whom does Jesus address in this passage? 3. Is following Jesus your life’s top priority?

2. What is Peter’s response to Jesus’ prediction of his death and resurrection? 4. What does it mean to deny yourself and to take up your cross? 3. Did Peter’s response reflect his perspective or God’s perspective? 4. Do your words and actions reflect a human perspective or God’s perspective?

5. Can you truly follow Christ without denying yourself and taking up your cross?

5. Write down an example from your life where your words and actions reflected a human perspective.

6. How can a person’s life be saved by deliberately losing it?

6. Write down an example from your life where your words and actions reflected God’s perspective.

7. What is the price of a soul? Read Psalm 49:6-8.

Sixth Day: Read Mark 9:14–29 1. Read verses 28 and 29. Why couldn’t the disciples heal the boy?

The Gospel of Mark

Bible Study 2. Is your usefulness to Jesus hindered by an anemic prayer life?

3. How can you rearrange your schedule this week to set aside time for prayer? Will you?

12

Lesson 12: Mark 9:2–29

First Day: Review your notes from Mark 8:1–9:1 1. What stood out to you from the sermon that you found helpful?

2. What from Sunday school helped you understand the passage better?

Second Day: Read Mark 9:2–8 1. Read verses 2–8. List the 7 characters in this passage.

2. Describe in your own words what happened.

3. How do Heb. 1:3, Dan. 7:9, and Rev. 1:14 help you understand this passage better?

4. What part of the Old Testament revelation did Moses represent? What part did Elijah represent?

5. Who is seen as the authority in this passage Moses, Elijah, or Jesus? How would this knowledge challenge and change the disciples’ perception of Christ’s authority?

5. Are you listening to and obeying Jesus daily no matter what? Or does your faithfulness waver when God demands anything uncomfortable of you? Give a specific example of an area where He is asking you to step out in faith.

Third Day: Re-read Mark 9:2–8 1. What did Peter say? Why did he say it?

6. Read verse 9-13 Who is the Elijah who has come?

2. When He didn’t understand the situation instead of listening to Jesus and looking to him for explanation and direction Peter interjected his own goals and ideas into the situation. What can you do to avoid making the same error?

Fifth Day: Read Mark 9:14–29 1. Refer to verse 17, 18, 20, and 22. Describe what the spirit did to the boy and the spirit’s intent for the boy.

2. What words did the man use to ask Jesus for help the first time and what do they show about his heart? Fourth Day: Read Mark 9:2–13 1. Who is the voice from the cloud? What did He say? 3. How did Jesus respond? 2. Would you describe your prayer life with God as one where you listen or talk more? 3. List some instances where the disciples weren’t listening to Jesus?

4. What did Jesus say to the disciples in verse 9? How did they respond?

4. How did the man ask the second time and what does this show about his heart?

5. How can his response to Jesus offer encouragement to you when you are facing impossible situations in your life?

Sixth Day: Read Mark 9:42–50 1. In verses 43–48, is Jesus suggesting amputating actual body parts? 2. If it is not literal amputation then what is the point of the amputation that Jesus is suggesting in verses 43–48?

3. What is God asking you to cut out of your life so that you can avoid sinning yourself or causing others to sin?

The Gospel of Mark

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Lesson 13: Mark 9:30–50

First Day: Review your notes from Mark 9:2–9:29 1. What stood out to you from the sermon that you found helpful?

2. What from Sunday school helped you understand the passage better? 4. According to verse 50, what will be the result among Christians be if we are willing to die to self and to temptations and to serve one another humbly for Christ’s sake?

3. If you chose to rearrange your schedule to set aside more time for prayer, share with the group the difference it made in your life. 4. Think of someone whom you consider to be humble and selfless. Describe the person’s actions and attitudes.

Second Day: Read 9:3–32 1. Is this teaching public or private?

2. Read Mark 8:31, Mark 9:9–12, 30–32. What is Jesus teaching the disciples? What is keeping them from understanding?

3. From your study of Mark so far what is the solution to the disciples’ problem?

4. What hard parts of scripture intimidate you? What makes you afraid to ask? Will you seek answers this week?

2. Read Philippians 1:17–18 and Matt. 12:30. How can you harmonize these seemingly contradictory teachings?

Third Day: Read Mark 9:33–37 1. Considering the fact that Jesus knows all things, why did he ask a question in verse 33?

3. How can you encourage instead of criticize someone else who is serving the Lord differently than you think they should be?

4. Think of a specific person. How will you serve and encourage someone else who belongs to Christ today? This week? 2. What caused the disciples’ silence in verse 34?

3. What does this passage teach about servanthood?

4. What makes the teaching of verse 35 hard to believe and to put into practice?

Fifth Day: Read Mark 9:42–50 1. Read verse 41 and look back at verses 35–37. Twice in this chapter Jesus interacts with very young children. What insights and truths do these passages reveal about Jesus and about how He views children?

2. What does Jesus say is the result of helping a child?

3. What does Jesus say is the result of leading a child astray? 5. In what areas of your life do you need to stop seeking self-promotion and need to start serving others? 4. In what ways are you being too casual about your responsibility toward children? Fourth Day: Read Mark 9:38–41. 1. Summarize in your own words what happened in verses 38–39. 5. In what ways does your life reflect Jesus’ heart for children?

2. How is your reaction to this statement similar to the disciples? Does it cause you fear as it must have to some of the disciples like Peter who had a home and business?

3. What are your riches? Where do they come from? What do you do with them?

The Gospel of Mark

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Lesson 14: Mark 10:1–31

First Day: Review your notes from Mark 9: 2–50 1. What stood out to you from the sermon that you found helpful? 4. Do you find Jesus’ words in verse 27 comforting? 2. What from Sunday school helped you understand the passage better? Sixth Day: Read Mark 10: 28–31 1. What does Jesus say will be the rewards of those willing to follow him at all cost?

Second Day: Read 10:1–12 1. Where is Jesus leaving from and where is He going? (Also look at Mark 10:17, 32, 46; 11:1)

2. Have you ever made the decision to follow Jesus even if it means leaving things and people who are important to you? Was it worth it? 2. Even as he travels, what is the focus of his ministry (See verse 10:1)? 3. Are you holding on to anything or to someone who hinders your relationship with Jesus? 4. Do you have the faith to see the hundred-fold of blessings that Jesus is pouring out on your life? 5. According to the second part of verse 30 what will these rewards be mixed with?

6. What will these rewards be followed by? 7. Explain verse 31 in your own words?

3. What do the Pharisees ask Jesus? 4. What is the root purpose of the Pharisees’ question? ( Also see Mark 8:11; and Mark 12:15, Matthew 19:3)

5. According to Jesus why did Moses allow for divorce?

6. In what specific ways because of the hardness of your heart are you living according to your selfish desires instead of according to God’s will?

7. What was God’s original and perfect plan for marriage? 8. According to verse 9, what is Jesus’ answer to the problem of divorce? 9. Read verses 10–12 and Matthew 5:32; 19:9. What additional information does Jesus share with the disciple about divorce and re-marriage that he did not share with the pharisees?

Fourth Day: Read Mark 10:17–22. 1. In verses 10:13–16 Jesus encourages his followers to have a childlike trust in him. In contrast, what is the Rich young man trusting in? (Consult verses 20 and 22)

2. By asking the question “ Why do you call me good?” What is Jesus leading the rich young man to acknowledge about Jesus? (Also consult John 5:21–23, and 20:28 for other aspects of this concept that Jesus blatantly taught about himself.)

10. How has reading these passages changed your view of marriage and divorce? 3. What does verse 21 tell you about Jesus? Third Day: Read Mark 10:13–16 1. From the disciples’ actions what can you infer about the disciples’ attitude toward children?

4. What does Jesus tell the rich young man that he lacks?

2. In what ways are your attitudes toward others hindering their coming to Christ?

5. In spite of Jesus’s love, and gentle teaching what is the rich young man’s response? What causes him to respond this way?

3. How can you bring a child to Jesus this coming week? Write out an intentional plan.

6. What is your heart clinging to that is more important to you than following Jesus completely?

4. Also read Mark 9:36–37. From Jesus’ actions and words what can you infer about Jesus’ attitude toward children?

7. When others look at your life, do they think Jesus is first in your life or do they think that your possessions, friends, family, of goals are more important to you?

5. What does Jesus forbid in reference to children?

6. What lesson does he apply toward adults while teaching them a proper attitude toward children?

Fifth Day: Read Mark 10: 23–27 1. Read verse 23. What makes wealth a hindrance to entering the Kingdom of God?

Fifth Day: Read Mark 10:46–52 1. What city did Jesus and his disciples stop at on their way to Jerusalem? 2. Who was Bartimaeus? What was his problem? What did he call out to Jesus? What does verse 52 tell you about this cry?

3. What do you need Jesus to help you with today? Are you brave enough to ask Him for His merciful help? Are you willing to humble yourself enough to receive that merciful help?

4. How did the crowd respond to Bartimaeus? What made them respond this way? What does their response tell you about how they viewed Bartimaeus?

5. Think about and record a time when you persisted in calling on Jesus when others rebuked you telling you that your faith was in vain?

The Gospel of Mark

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Lesson 15: Mark 10:32–52

First Day: Review your notes from Mark 10:1–31 1. What stood out to you from the sermon that you found helpful?

2. What from Sunday school helped you understand the passage better?

Read Mark 10:32-34 1. Where are Jesus and his disciples going? 2. Where is Jesus in the crowd?

6. Record a time when you rebuked someone else for having faith in Jesus when yours was lacking. Sixth Day: Read Mark 10:46–52 1. What does Bartimaeus’ response to the crowd’s negativity tell you about Bartimaeus? 2. How does Jesus respond to Bartimaeus? What does this tell you about how Jesus views Bartimaeus?

3. In your own personal walk with Jesus, is He ahead of you? Are you following Him or are you trying to manipulate Him into following you?

Second Day: Read Mark 10:32–34 1. What two emotions does Mark use to describe those following Jesus? What was making them feel this way?

3. What did Bartimaeus do after Jesus heals him? 2. What does Jesus tell the twelve? 4. Do you daily ask Jesus to show you where your faith is blind, ask for his merciful healing, accept his forgiveness and follow him?

3. Are you willing to trust and follow Jesus even if following Him leads to personal suffering? What if walking with Jesus leads to personal humiliation, physical pain, and death?

Fourth Day: Read Mark 10:41–45. 1. Explain in your own words why the other 10 disciples were indignant at James and John.

4. When others look at my journey with Jesus do they primarily see fear and amazement or confident trust and peace?

2. Can you think of a specific time when you became indignant at someone else’s weakness forgetting that the same weakness is in your own heart? (Also read Romans 2:1–2)

Third Day: Read Mark 10:35–40 1. What did James and John request of Jesus? What does this request reveal about their hearts and their understanding of Jesus’ mission?

3. Based on Mark 10 what were James’, John’s and the other 10 disciples’ motivation for serving Jesus? What is your motivation for serving Jesus?

2. What do you think “to drink the cup that I drink,” or “to be baptized with the baptism with which I’m baptized” means? (See Matthew 26:39).

3. Are you willing to embrace with joy any suffering in your life as part of God’s good plan for you? 4. Considering James and John’s response in verse 39 what do you think they understood the statement to mean?

4. According to verse 42, how does the world define greatness, leadership and authority?

5. According to verses 43 and 44 how does Jesus define greatness, leadership, and authority?

6. What does verse 45 reveal about Jesus?

7. Write down at least one specific way you can imitate Jesus’ example of servanthood today in your home, workplace, and church. Will you do it? 5. What does verse 40 reveal to you about the relationship between Jesus and the Father? 8. If you did number 8 of Day Four, record how putting yourself last, otherwise known as exercising servant leadership, impacted your relationship with others and with God. 6. Re-read Mark 10:31 and 10:40. What does verse 31 add to verse 40?

4. How does Mark 11:20–26 help you understand Jesus‘ actions in Mark 11:12– 14?

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5. Is there an area in your life where an unforgiving attitude is preventing God’s working through you?

Sixth Day: Read Mark 11:27–33 1. Did Jesus answer the chief priests and scribes’ question? What did he do instead?

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Lesson 16: Mark 11:1–33

First Day: Refer to Mark chapters 8–10 Jesus predicts his coming death and resurrection three times in Mark 8–10 and three times the disciples fail to truly understand. In response to their lack of understanding and to help them understand, Jesus follows his predictions of his death with teachings about true discipleship. Please summarize each component in the chart below.

2. What kept the religious leaders from answering Jesus’ question to them?

Verses 3. Jesus often withholds truth from those who refuse to accept His authority and the truth He has already given them. Are you acting or living in anyway that shows your heart is questioning Jesus’ authority in your life? 4. What biblical truth do you know in your head, but are refusing to believe in your heart and act on in your life?

Prediction of Jesus’ Death

Disciples fail to understand

Discipleship Teaching

8:31–9:1

9:30–50

10:33–45

5. What hard question or biblical truth are you avoiding acting on by saying, “I don’t know?”

1. What makes Jesus’ teaching of the “first shall be last” so difficult for people to believe and act on?

2. Considering this teaching in conjunction of what you’ve learned about the disciples so far, how ready for leadership do they seem to you? 3. What does this tell you about God’s choice of men? What does this tell you about the potential for God to use you in leadership?

Second Day: Read Mark 11:1–11 1. What did Jesus send two disciples to do near Jerusalem at the Mount of Olives?

Fourth Day: Read Mark 11:15–19. 1. Read Malachi 3:1-4. Describe Jesus’ actions in the temple. What made him so angry?

2. What right did Jesus have to take the colt? 2. Read Jeremiah 7:11 and Isaiah 56:7 and compare what they say about the temple with what Jesus calls the temple. 3. If Jesus asks you for something are you willing to give it to him without reservation or question? 4. Read Zechariah 9:9 Who is the King that Zechariah is prophesying about? Does Matthew 21:1–5, and John 12:12–15 confirm your answer?

3. Who is the temple meant for? Was this group allowed access to the temple?

5. Read 2 Kings 9:12-13. What did the cloaks and branches signify?

4. In what way was the temple a den of robbers?

6. For the Hebrew meaning of Hosanna read Psalm 118: 25. This Psalm was often sung by pilgrims journeying to Jerusalem, The word translated as “Save us” in Psalm 118:25 is the Greek word Hosanna. By using the phrase “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David! Hosanna in the highest!” What is the mood of the crowd? What are they declaring about who they think Jesus is and what they think He is going to do?

5. How do the religious leaders react to Jesus’ actions? What emotion is motivating their reaction? Why do they hate Jesus so much?

6. How do you respond to Jesus when He reveals sin in your life? 7. Does Jesus live up to the expectations of the crowd’s praise? Does He in any way fulfill the expectation of their praise? Fifth Day: Read Mark chapters 11:20–26 1. List the two commands Jesus give in verses 22–25. Third Day: Read Mark 11:12–14 1. Figs normally grow together with fig leaves. Even though it wasn’t the season for figs what about this fig tree made Jesus search it’s branches for figs? 2. What promises and their conditions does Jesus give in verses 22-25? 2. What did Jesus say to the fig tree? What led him to this curse? 3. Is there an area of your life that from outward appearances and from a distance looks rich, fruitful, and even ahead of schedule but upon closer inspection reveals fruitlessness—a lack of fulfilling God’s purpose for your life?

3. What does it mean to have “faith to move mountains?” What does it not mean?

3. According to verse 24 what did Jesus say was the root of their problem with scriptural interpretation?

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4. How much time and effort do you give to know the Scriptures?

5. Explain in your own words how Jesus used Moses’ encounter with the burning bush to counter the sadducees false doctrine of no resurrection.

Sixth Day: Read Mark 12:18–27 1. From your knowledge of scripture what can you tell people about the resurrection, heaven, and life after death?

2. Come prepared with at least three passages about the resurrection, heaven, and life after death to share with the group.

17

Lesson 17: Mark 12:1–27

First Day: Review your notes from Mark 11 1. What truth from Mark 11 really stood out to you? The Holy Spirit could have opened your eyes to this truth during your own personal study, the discussion time, or the sermon.

2. What did you do in response to learning this truth? (Did it change your understanding of God, of other people, cause you to worship, cause you to pray, cause you to obey God?)

Read James 1:22–25 and Psalms 119:18. Take time now to pray that the Lord will open your eyes to behold wondrous things from his Word and that He will give you courage to act on what He shows you. This week as you study and as God impacts your heart make a list of specific ways to pray for your self, for others, and for the church. Record your list here and bring your partially completed list to prayer meeting to share with others.





Second Day: Read Mark 12:1–12 1. Who is Jesus telling this story to? If you are not sure look back at chapter 11:27 and re-read verse 12:12. 2. Explain what the following represent in the parable: a. The vineyard owner:

4. In what ways are you taking responsibility for what God has entrusted to you?

5. What is your personal response to the beloved Son?

b. The vineyard: (see also Isaiah 5:1–5) 6. What Scriptural truth do you understand, but refuse to accept? c. The fruit of the vineyard: d. The tenants:

Fourth Day: Read Mark 12:13–17. 1. Who did the chief priests send to Jesus and why (see also Luke 20:20)?

e. The three servants: (Consult Nehemiah 9:26–31, 2 Chronicles 36: 15–16) 2. How can you give to Caesar what is Caesar’s today? f. The beloved son: 3. For what reason did Jesus give for paying taxes to Caesar? g. The others who inherit the vineyard: h. The builders (vs. 10): i. The messianic stone: (quotation comes from Psalm 118:22, see Acts 4:11, 1 Pet 2:4) Third Day: Re-read Mark 12:1–12 Read Matthew 23 1. Read Matthew 23 Summarize briefly in your own words why the religious leaders of Israel were displeasing Jesus with their privilege of leadership.

4. What bears God’s image?

5. Following this logic what should we render to God? (If you are not sure consult Romans 12:1).

Fifth Day: Read Mark chapters 12:18–27 1. What group is challenging Jesus in this passage?

2. Which of Jesus’ criticisms of the pharisees stood out to you the most? 3. Which criticism convicted you personally? Are you willing to change from being like a pharisee in this way to being a Christ-like servant leader?

2. How did the Sadducees (the most wealthy and politically influential of all of the Jewish sects) interpretation of scripture differ from the Pharisees?

2. Do you through your study of the Scriptures truly know who Jesus is? Read John 17:3 to understand how important this is.

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3. How can knowing that Jesus is both God and man help you today?

18

Lesson 18: Mark 12:28–44 4. As you get to know Jesus better and better, does it cause you to worship him more and more as Lord? 5. How does Jesus describe the Scribes?

First Day: Review your notes from Mark 12:1–27 1. What truth from Mark 12:1–27 really stood out to you? The Holy Spirit could have opened your eyes to this truth during your own personal study, the discussion time, or the sermon.

6. Whose hypocrisy bothers you more, yours or others?

7. Will you ask the Holy Spirit today to reveal your internal pride and hypocrisy?

8. How can you live today in truth, honesty and openness to God and those around you?

Sixth Day: Read Mark 12:41–44. 1. Do you give to God sacrificially or out of your leftovers? 2. What is your motivation for giving to God? 3. How does your giving reveal your trust in God? 4. When did you last give to the point when you had nothing left for yourself ?

2. What did you do in response to learning this truth? (Did it change your understanding of God, of other people, cause you to worship, cause you to pray, cause you to obey God?)

Read James 1:22–25 and Psalms 119:18. Take time now to pray that the Lord will open your eyes to behold wondrous things from his Word and that He will give you courage to act on what He shows you. This week as you study and as God impacts your heart make a list of specific ways to pray for your self, for others, and for the church. Record your list here and bring your partially completed list to prayer meeting to share with others.





Second Day: Read Mark 12:28–34 1. What caused this scribe to ask Jesus a question?

Fourth Day: Read Mark 12:28–34 1. What does it mean to love God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength?

2. What was his question? 2. What evidence is there in your life that you are loving God above all other things?

3. What are the two greatest commandments? 4. How was Jesus answer to this scribe different than his answers to previous scribes? 5. What do you think caused the different response from Jesus to this scribe?

3. How do the following verses show us how to love God according to the first commandment? a. Psalm 18:1-3 b. Psalm 31:23

Third Day: Read Mark 12:28–34 1. This teachable scribe is not far from the kingdom of God, but he is still lacking an understanding of at least 3 things. Using these passages summarize how he’s still ignorant. a. Mark 9:7; 12: 35–37



f. Psalm119:72, 97, 103

i. Matthew 26:75 j. 1 John 2:15

2. Put these passages with the commandment they most closely support:



e. Psalm 69:9

h. Psalm 97:10

c. Mark 10:45



d. Psalm 119:165

g. 1 John 5:1

b. Mark 8:38



c. Psalm 63:1-8

Deuteronomy 6:4

Leviticus 19:18

Leviticus 19:34

Romans 13:8– 10

Deuteronomy 6:5

Gal. 5:14

1 John 4:10–11

1 John 4:19

John 8:42

John 13:35

John 14:15

Luke 6:32

First Commandment: Second Commandment:

k. 2 Timothy 4:8 l. John 14:21 4. Look back over the list above. Ask the Holy Spirit to show you where your love for God is lacking and ask Him to help you change. Read James 5:16. If you feel comfortable share with the group where you need to change and ask them to pray with you. Perhaps consider praying for one another specifically as a group right now. 5. In what way will you show God that you love Him today? If you are still not sure consult John 14:15 for ideas. Fifth Day: Read Mark 12:35–40 1. Jesus was a descendent of David, but He was also much more to David. What is Jesus using this prophetic psalm (110:1–5) to teach the people?

5. According to verses 26–27 and Daniel 7:13 what will Jesus do?

The Gospel of Mark

6. Are you resting with joy in the truth that God will bring joy out of the current darkness, turmoil and trouble of your life?

Sixth Day: Read Mark 13:28–37 1. What is the lesson that Jesus is teaching from the natural cycle of the fig tree?

2. What lesson is Jesus trying to teach from the parable of the man on a journey?

Bible Study

19

Lesson 19: Mark 13:1–37

First Day: Review your notes from Mark 12: 28–40 and read Mark 13:1–4 1. What truth from Mark 12:28–40 really stood out to you and how did you respond to this truth? The Holy Spirit could have opened your eyes to this truth during your own personal study, the discussion time, or the sermon. 2. What did the disciple say to Jesus in the first verse?

3. List some tasks Jesus has given you to do before His return?

4. In which of these tasks are you procrastinating?

3. How did Jesus respond? 4. How did Peter, James, and John respond to Jesus’ disturbing prediction? 5. What question from life or Scripture troubles you?

5. Are you living today as if Jesus might come at any moment?

6. What are you doing to warn your lost neighbors, colleagues, and family about Jesus’ coming? Review your answers to this week’s questions and make a list below of specific ways to pray for yourself, for others, and for the church.

6. How do you respond to life’s troubling question? Do you take them to Jesus in prayer and search the Scriptures for answers? Or do you brood upon them? Or do you ignore them drowning them out with life’s work, busyness, and/or pleasures?

Second Day: Read Mark 13:5–8 1. What does Jesus caution the disciples in verse 5 and 6? How can you avoid this danger personally?

2. In verses 7–8, what does Jesus predict and how does he tell believers to respond? 3. What predictions does Jesus make in verse 8? What does Jesus call these calamities?

Fourth Day: Read Mark 13:14–20 1. What is the abomination of desolation? Consult Daniel 9:27; 11:31; and 12:11. 2. How should the believer respond to the abomination of desolation?

4. How does this description give you hope? 3. In verse 18, what specific prayer does Jesus command believers to pray? Have you ever prayed this prayer? Will you incorporate it into your prayers? Third Day: Read Mark 13:9–13 1. What does Jesus command for believers in verse 9? 4. Just how bad is this time going to be? Will God save lives? Whose and why? 2. What does he predict is sure to occur to happen to believers? Can you think of Biblical examples where these predictions were fulfilled? Can you think of modern examples?

5. How frequently do you thank God for making you His elect and for the instructions and warnings He gives you in His Word? 6. Who will you warn about the coming judgement so they can escape also?

3. At the end of verse 9 and the beginning of verse 10 what does Jesus say is one reason for these persecutions?

Fifth Day: Read Mark 13:21–27 1. In verses 21–23 who does Jesus warn against?

4. What are you doing to spread the gospel to all nations? 2. Will these people be convincing? 5. In verse 11 what commands does Jesus give to persecuted believers? How do you think it is possible for believers to obey these commands?

3. Do you know Scripture well enough to be able to discern the true Jesus from a false Christ?

6. When you are persecuted do your words come from the Holy Spirit or do you defend yourself with your own resources?

4. According to verses 24–25 describe the universe after the tribulation? (Consult Isa. 13:10; 34:4; Ezek. 32:7; Joel 2:10, 31; and 3:15 for a fuller answer).

7. In verses 12 and 13 who can a Christian count on?

Sixth Day: Read Mark 13:22–25 1. Explain verses 19–20. Do the bread and wine actually become the body and blood of Christ? Is Christ present in the bread and wine? Is this a miracle or a symbolic practice?

The Gospel of Mark

Bible Study

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Lesson 20: Mark 14:1–25 2. What is the purpose of the Lord’s Supper?

3. Read 1 Corinthians 11:23–24. List Paul’s additional instructions about the Lord’s Supper.

First Day: Review your notes from Mark 13 and read Mark 14:1–2 1. What truth from Mark 13 really stood out to you and how did you respond to this truth? The Holy Spirit could have opened your eyes to this truth during your own personal study, the discussion time, or the sermon.

4. Read Exodus 12:1–4, and John 1:29, and 1 Cor. 5:7. What parallels do you see between the original Passover, the Lord’s supper, and Jesus‘ death on the cross?

2. When does this passage take place? 3. What are the priests and scribes seeking to do? What are they concerned about?

5. Have you accepted the broken body and shed blood of Jesus as the permanent cleansing of your sin and thanked Him for His sacrifice? 4. What should the priests and scribes have been focusing on at this time? 6. With whom will you pray for an opportunity to share the good news of Jesus’ sacrifice this coming week. Review your answers to this week’s questions and make a list below of specific ways to pray for yourself, for others, and for the church.

Second Day: Read Mark 14:3–9 1. Who is the woman in this passage? See John 12:4–6. 2. How lavish was the gift of the nard? (Hint: One denarri was worth one day’s wage.)

3. Why did some object? How did Jesus respond to this objection?

4. What does Jesus promise will happen to this woman’s story?

3. Can you think of some ways that God calls you to obey which seem strange to you or your culture?

5. How are you critical of how others express their love for Jesus? 4. Do you ask Jesus for his plan and instruction for your life daily? 6. Does this story motivate you to worship Jesus extravagantly? How can you sacrificially and joyfully express your love for Jesus today? 5. When you pray do you ask, listen, and obey? Or do you just ask? Third Day: Read Mark 14:10–11 1. Re-read Mark 14:3–9. This event took place on the previous Saturday. Can you think of a reason that Mark placed the event right before 13:10–11? Fifth Day: Read Mark 14:17–21 1. Read Luke 22:15. Describe Jesus’ attitude about this meal. 2. Where does Judas go and why? 2. What terrible news did Jesus announce at the Passover Supper? 3. What did the chief priests offer him? 3. Did the disciples have an idea about who would betray Jesus? 4. What is more important in your life, money or Jesus? If you can, provide at least three examples?

4. What does this tell you about Judas’ outward life compared to his inner life?

5. In what ways have you betrayed Jesus by ignoring the Holy Spirit’s warnings to you about unconfessed or unrepentant sin in your life? 5. Can you think of examples from your own life where you exalted Jesus? Where you betrayed Jesus? 6. What secret sin are you successfully hiding from others, and foolishly trying to hide from God? Fourth Day: Read Mark 14:12–16 1. Who were the two disciples who were responsible for preparing the Passover meal? See Luke 22:8. 2. What unusual instructions did Jesus give the two men for finding a place to celebrate?

7. When God reveals your sins to you privately or publicly do you repent or continue in sin anyway?

Sixth Day: Read Mark 14:51–52 1. Why do you think the detail of these two verses is included?

2. What is causing you to run from God or others?

3. How are you preparing yourself and others to face persecution triumphantly when it comes?

Review your answers to this week’s questions and make a list below of specific ways to pray for yourself, for others, and for the church.

The Gospel of Mark

Bible Study

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Lesson 21: Mark 14:26–52

First Day: Review your notes from Mark 14:1–25 1. What truth from Mark 14:1–25 really stood out to you, and how did you respond to this truth?

2. What part of the sermon prompted you to take action in you life.

Second Day: Read Mark 14:26–31 1. Read Zechariah 13:7, 9 What is God’s purpose in striking the Shepherd? 2. What is the hard part of Jesus’ prediction that Peter (and all the other disciples) object to? 3. What is the encouraging part of this prediction that they missed by arguing with Jesus? Consult also John 16:32, Mark 16:7. 4. Where in your life are you missing strengthening encouragement from God because you are so busy objecting to hard parts of his truth? 5. In what ways are you assured of your own strength, certain you would never fall. Read 1 Cor. 10:12-13. Ask God to reveal your over-confidence and show you the way of escape.

6. When you encounter hard things in God’s teaching are you silent long enough to hear all of what God is saying?

Third Day: Read Mark 14:32–42 1. What did Jesus ask Peter, James, and John to do? Fifth Day: Read Mark 14:43–50 1. In what two ways does Judas identify Jesus? How does this identification inflame the betrayal? 2. What were the reasons for this request of them?

2. Read verse 47 and John 18:10. Who cut off the high priest’s servant’s ear? 3. What caused them to fail?

4. Who has asked you to assist them in prayer? Are you fighting for them in prayer?

Fourth Day: Read Mark 14:32–42 1. How did Jesus describe the state of His soul? What did he do to find strength in this dark hour?

3. What point is Jesus driving home in verse 48? Why do you think the arrest was done at night with heavy guard?

4. How could the disciple act with such boldness against the heavy guard in verse 48 and then flee with fear in verse 50?

2. What do you learn about Jesus’s will in this passage? 5. How is God’s fulfilling His Word in the current pressures or persecutions in your life? How are you responding to the God-orchestrated difficulties in your life? 3. What do you learn about Jesus and His relationship to the Father from this passage?

4. Do you truly want God’s will in your present crisis or do you want your own will? 5. Do you take time to meditate on the suffering Jesus endured before the cross for you?

6. Are you able to stand triumphantly in Christ during difficult times because you know the Scriptures?

7. When have you betrayed Christ or a friend? Will you confess and receive forgiveness?

Sixth Day: Read Mark 14:66–72 1. Re-read Mark 14:29–31. Contrast Peter’s denial with his promise only hours before. What changed?

The Gospel of Mark

Bible Study

22

Lesson 22: Mark 14:53–72

2. After swearing and invoking a curse on himself, what is Peter’s response when the rooster crows?

First Day: Review your notes from Mark 14:26–52 1. What truth from Mark 14:26–52 really stood out to you and how did you respond to this truth?

3. How have you denied Christ with your thoughts, words, or actions because of fear of being identified with Him or his people? 2. What part of the sermon prompted you to take action in you life.

4. Read 1 Cor. 10:12 and Galatians 6:1. Which biblical warning or warnings have you ignored because you think you could never commit those sins?

Second Day: Read Mark 14:53–65 1. Read John 18:12–14. Which religious leaders head up Jesus’ first trial?

5. When have you like Peter wept over revealed sin in your life? 2. Read verse 55. What are the chief priests and the whole council seeking?

Review your answers to this week’s questions and make a list below of specific ways to pray for yourself, for others, and for the church.

3. In verse 58, what do the false witnesses accuse Jesus of ?

4. Did Jesus ever say that he would destroy the temple? Read John 2:19 if you aren’t sure.

Third Day: Read Mark 14:53–65 1. Read Proverbs 6:16–19; 12:22; 19:5, 9 What is God’s attitude toward false witness?

2. Read Deuteronomy 19:16–21. What does the law demand for false witnesses?

3. Read Deuteronomy 17:6. What does the law require to secure a death penalty?

4. How carefully do you examine evidence before judging and condemning others?

4. What is Jesus’ answer?

5. Read Psalm 110:1 and Dan. 7:13–14 and explain why Jesus’ statement was considered heresy by the Sanhedrin.

6. When is it best to remain silent and when is it best to speak?

Fifth Day: Read Mark 14:53–65 1. What is the verdict of Jesus first trial before the Sanhedrin?

5. How have you potentially condemned someone wrongly? 2. What logical conclusion about Jesus did the religious leaders refuse to even consider? Fourth Day: Read Mark 14:53–65 1. What new strategy did Jesus‘ accusers use to condemn him when they failed in securing the testimony of 2–3 witnesses?

3. Read Isaiah 50:6; 53:2–3. After the verdict how were these prophesies fulfilled in the way the religious leaders and their guards treated Jesus?

2. What is Jesus’ initial response to the chief priest’s questioning? 4. List ways that you are willing to suffer to see the truth of Christ proclaimed. 3. What is the chief priests second question?

Review your answers to this week’s questions and make a list below of specific ways to pray for yourself, for others, and for the church. Conclude your daily personal study and group discussion with prayer for these items.

The Gospel of Mark

Bible Study

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Lesson 23: Mark 15:1–20

First Day: Review your notes from Mark 14:53–72 1. What truth from Mark 14:53-72 really stood out to you and how did you respond to this truth? 2. What part of the sermon prompted you to take action in you life.

3. What from your Bible study should you be praying about this week. Write it down on your prayer list at the end of the Bible study. Second Day: Read Mark 15:1–5 1. Why did the Sanhedrin have to take Jesus to Pilate? 2. What did the Sanhedrin find Jesus guilty of ? 3. What did they tell Pilate that Jesus was guilty of ? 4. What prompted the main change in the charge?

5. What prophecy in Isaiah 53 does Mark 15:4–5 fulfill? 6. In this passage Jesus stands for truth without defending himself. How can you stand for Jesus, being fully under his control without defending yourself ?

Add to your prayer list at the end of the Bible study.

Third Day: Read Mark 15:6–15 1. What does Pilate realize is motivating the religious leaders?

Fifth Day: Read Mark 15:16–20 1. Also read Matthew 27: 27- 31 List the Roman soldiers’ offenses against Jesus.

2. Where in your life are you allowing envy to push you to do wrong? 2. What made the Roman soldiers so cruel? 3. Who stirs up the crowd to demand Barabbas’ release and Jesus’ crucifixion?

4. Where in your life are you allowing other people to push you into wrong actions?

3. How do you think, speak and act when you are unrestrained?

5. What is ironic about Pilates’ release of Barabbas?

4. In what areas of your life do your actions make a mockery of Jesus’ true rule over you as king?

5. How do you respond when those around you mock Jesus today?

Add to your prayer list at the end of the Bible study.

Fourth Day: Read Mark 15:6–15 1. What additional punishment does Pilate give to Jesus before delivering him over to be crucified?

2. Does Pilate believe that Jesus deserves to be crucified?

Sixth Day: Re-read Mark 14:53–65, Mark 15:6–15, and Isaiah 53:4–12 1. Compare Jesus’ two trials. How were they the same? How were they different?

Add to your prayer list at the end of the Bible study.

3. Why does Pilate give into the crowd’s demand that he crucify Jesus?

4. Where in you life are you pretending that you don’t know God’s will instead of obeying it?



Add to your prayer list at the end of the Bible study.

2. Read Isaiah 53:4-12 and make a list of the suffering willingly endured by Jesus on our behalf.



Add to your prayer list at the end of the Bible study.

5. List reasons why Mark may have singled out the women who loved Jesus in this passage?

The Gospel of Mark

Bible Study

6. How are you ministering to others in Jesus name right now?

Sixth Day: Read Mark 15:42–47 1. Why is Pilate surprised to hear that Jesus has already died?

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Lesson 24: Mark 15:21–47

First Day: Review your notes from Mark 15:1–20 1. What truth from Mark 15:1–20 really stood out to you and how did you respond to this truth?

2. When and what did Joseph of Arimathea do? 2. What part of the sermon prompted you to take action in your life. 3. What was Joseph of Arimathea’s job and what was his motive (see Matthew 27:57)? 4. What emotion is listed with Joseph or Arimathea’s actions? Why? 5. Do you obey God even when His direction seems dangerous? 6. What opportunity this week is God giving you to spend time and money for His body the church? Will you use this opportunity or let it pass? 7. How will you demonstrate your love for Jesus today even when a situation seems dead or hopeless?

Review your answers to this week’s questions and make a list below of specific ways to pray for yourself, for others, and for the church. Conclude your daily personal study and group discussion with prayer for these items.

3. What from your Bible study should you be praying about this week? Write it down on your prayer list at the bottom of the Bible study. 4. What does it mean to you that Jesus Christ was crucified for you?

5. Mark’s account of the crucifixion is not as detailed as some of the other accounts. Please complete the chart below, highlighting key events recorded by Mark. verses

29–32

34–36

39

event

eyewitness response

Second Day: Read Mark 15:21–23 1. Why did Jesus need help carrying his cross and who carried Jesus’ cross for him?

Fourth Day: Read Mark 15:33–37 1. During the 6th hour what happened supernaturally to the land and for how long?

2. What can you infer from the mention of Simon’s sons and from Romans 16:13 about the future of Simon’s family?

2. Based on Exodus 10:21–23 and Amos 8:9–10 what does this supernatural occurrence represent?

3. How do you react when someone else’s burden is forced on you?

3. Read Isaiah 59: 2 and Hab. 1:13. Based on these passages when Jesus cries out quoting Psalm 22:1 what is the source of his excruciating pain?

4. Read Gal. 6:1–4, and Romans 15:1–3. What burden have you borne for Jesus’ sake that will bring Him glory and will be a blessing to you and others?

4. Read all of Psalm 22. What does the prophetic Psalm in it’s entirety anticipate?

5. Read verse 23. Wine mixed with myrrh has a numbing effect. Why did Jesus refuse?

5. Read Hebrews 5:7–10 What makes Jesus willing to suffer in this way for us? What did he know would be the result of His sacrifice?

Third Day: Read Mark 15:24–32 1. Read Psalm 22:18. How is this prophecy fulfilled in this passage?

6. Have you accepted the fact that Jesus bore all of your sins on His body on the cross? How do you know you have accepted this? (If you can use Scripture to back up your acceptance, please do.)

2. Read Isaiah 53:12. How is this prophecy fulfilled in this passage? Fifth Day: Read Mark 15:38–41 1. Read Hebrews 9:2–3, 12, 24; 10:19–20. Explain in your own words why God ripped the curtain of the temple in two at this moment in history. 3. Read Psalm 22:7–8 How is this prophecy fulfilled in this passage?

4. How do you respond to insults and mocking?

2. Do you remember to give thanks to Jesus for giving Himself so that you can have access to God?

5. Do you demand that Jesus do something spectacular in order to believe in Him?

3. What made the centurion exclaim that “Truly this man was the Son of God!”?

6. Read Deut. 21:23 and Gal. 3:10–14 What do these verses reveal about the method of Jesus’ execution?

4. What are you doing now to bring others face to face with Jesus so that He can draw others to himself ?

Sixth Day: Read Mark 16:1–8 1. With whom will you share the message of the resurrection this week?

2. Read John 20:11–31. What do these post-resurrection appearance of Jesus mean to us?

3. List some practical ways you can show gratitude to God today for sending Jesus to die for you? If possible back up your list of practical ways with scripture verses.

The Gospel of Mark

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Lesson 25: Mark 16:1–8

First Day: Review your notes from Mark 15:21–47 1. How has the Holy Spirit used the message in your life this past week?

2. How has the Holy Spirit used your prayer time with him this past week? 4. List some specific ways your today and your tomorrow would be different if you lived in a constant awareness of the fact that Jesus is alive and present with you?

Review your answers to this week’s questions and make a list below of specific ways to pray for yourself, for others, and for the church. Conclude your daily personal study and group discussion with prayer for these items.

3. How has the Holy Spirit used reflecting on Jesus’ sacrifice to change you this past week?

Second Day: Read Mark 16:1–8 We serve and worship a risen savior! As you study this exciting passage ask God to speak to you and to transform you! 1. Read verses 1–2. Who is in this passage?

2. Where are they going and what are they planning to do?

3. When are they doing it and why now and not earlier?

Third Day: Read Mark 16:1–8 1. Read verses 3–4. What problem are the women anticipating? How is this problem solved?

2. Have you examined and believed the evidence of Jesus’ resurrection? 3. The witness of women in the first century was not considered as trustworthy as the witness of men. Can you think of a reason God chose to have women witness his death (15:40), burial (15:47), and be the first witnesses to his empty tomb (16:5), and to the truth of the resurrection (16:6)?

2. Read verse 5. Who did the women see in the tomb? How did they react emotionally?

3. Read Luke 24:4, John 20:12, and Matthew 28:2–5. What additional details do you learn from these parallel passages?

4. Read verse 6–7. What commands does he give the women?

Fifth Day: Read Mark 16:1–8 1. Read verse 6–7. Which disciple does the man single out? Why do you think this disciple was named when none of the others were? 4. Read verse 6–7. What does the man tell them?

Fourth Day: Read Mark 16: 1-8 1. Read the passages below and then summarize the prediction that the women have seen fulfilled over the last three days.

Prophecy Mark 8:31 Mark 9:9

Summary of fulfillment

2. Where does the man say that Jesus will meet the disciples “just as he told you?” Can you find Jesus prediction to this in chapter 14?

3. In verse 8, what emotions do the women experience and what is their response to their discovery of Jesus’ missing body and their conversation with the man in the tomb?

4. Verse 8 says they were silent. What does Matthew 28:8 add to this?

Mark 9:31 Mark 10:32– 34 Mark 14:25

5. How has the assurance of the resurrection changed your thinking or actions?

Sixth Day 1. How has the study of Mark increased your understanding or appreciation of God?

The Gospel of Mark

Bible Study Lesson 26: Review of Mark

2. How has the study of Mark revealed areas in your life that need to change?

First Day: Read Mark 1–4 1. What does chapter one reveal about sin?

3. How has this study of Mark improved your personal walk with God? 2. What does chapter two reveal about forgiveness?

4. What can you do to continue to grow now that the study has reached its conclusion? Will you do that? 3. What does chapter three reveal about those who reject Jesus?

Review your answers to this week’s questions and make a list below of specific ways to pray for yourself, for others, and for the church. Conclude your daily personal study and group discussion with prayer for these items.

4. What does chapter four reveal about those who follow Jesus?

Second Day: Read Mark 5–7

26

1. What does chapter five reveal about the relationship between fear and faith?

1. What does chapter eleven reveal Jesus‘ authority?

2. What does chapter six reveal about evangelism?

2. What does chapter twelve reveal about rejecting Jesus?

3. What does chapter seven reveal about worship?

3. What does chapter thirteen reveal about the future?

Third Day: Read Mark 8–10 1. What does chapter eight reveal about earthly-mindedness?

Fifth Day: Read Mark 14–16 1. What does chapter fourteen reveal about Jesus‘ knowledge of the culmination of his earthly ministry?

2. What does chapter nine reveal about prayer? 2. What does chapter fifteen reveal about Jesus’ death?

3. What does chapter ten reveal about following Jesus? 3. What does chapter fifteen reveal about Jesus’ victory over death?

Fourth Day: Read Mark 11–13

Mark Study

Overview

to be filled out listening to Mark Study, lesson 26 on thegospelinaction.com 1

Mark 1:1-20

Repent and believe in the

2

Mark 1:21-45

Accept Jesus‘

3

Mark 2:1-22

Repent and Believe . Jesus’ Authority in your life. Forgiveness and Joy for forgiveness and joy.

4

Mark 2:23-3:35

Follow Jesus intimately. Don’t

5

Mark 4:1-34

Respond to the word of God with

6

Mark 4:35–5:43

. Fruitfulness . Fear vs. Faith any longer, only believe.

7

Mark 6:1-29

Spread the truth

8

Mark 6:30-56

Learn to always

9

Mark 7:1–37



Relationship or Hardened Heart

Evangelism and Rejection . Hard Hearts and a Hard Lesson . Worthless Worship is worthless.

10

Mark 8:1–21

Spiritual Forgetfulness

Don’t forget that

11

Mark 8:22–9:1

Set your mind on the

12

Mark 9:2–32

Prayer and faith lead to

13

Mark 9:33–50

. Satanic Selfishness or Godly Sacrifice .

. True Greatness is the path to true greatness.

14

Mark 10:1–31

Follow Jesus like a child or

15

Mark 10:32–52

Childlike Faith . Servant-Leadership

by serving.

16

Mark 11:1–33

Accept Jesus‘ authority in your life

17

Mark 12:1-27

Hypocritical Submission . Self-destructive Rebellion leads to destruction.

18

Mark 12:28-44

Love

Love , and love

.

Mark 13:1-37

Be ready for all that

20

Mark 14:1–25

Are You Ready? . Conditional Worship without condition.

Only by Prayer

19

21

Mark 14:26–52

Failure without a Prayer that you may not enter into temptation.

22

Mark 14:53–72

Follow Him who suffered

23

Mark 15:1–20

Jesus quietly submitted to

24

Mark 15:21–47

Jesus suffered and died

25

Mark 16:1–8

Jesus defeated

26

The Gospel of Mark

Despised and Rejected . Like a Lamb to the Slaughter for your justification. A Meaningful Death . A Victorious Life .