Mark 11:1-11; 14:66-72 - “GOING PUBLIC”
- Rico Tice, in his book Exploring Christianity, describes a follower of Jesus as one who knows who Jesus is, understands why Jesus came, and is prepared to follow him whatever the cost. How do these two Scripture passages affirm that description?
- Why is the final week of Jesus’ earthly ministry often portrayed as “the week that changed the world”?
- As Jesus rode into Jerusalem, how did the crowds receive him? How does his entrance compare with other accounts of Roman leaders entering cities as conquering heroes? Why might Mark’s gospel highlight the difference?
- Peter promised to follow Jesus anywhere, regardless of the cost (Mark 14:27-31). How did Peter respond when accused of being a follower of Christ? How are the three denials different? The same? What was his response to his actions?
- Why are promises broken? What’s the ultimate cost of broken promises to an individual? To a community?
- Why are promises kept? How does Jesus affirm that his promises stand and will be fulfilled in Mark 11:1-11?
- What is the power behind promises? How do promises define one’s identity? How do promises promote community? What happens when commitments are fulfilled?
- What are some risks with promise making? What are some risks of not making promises?
- 2 Corinthians 1:19-22 affirms the power of promise keeping. Why does Paul state that all God’s promises find their “Yes” in Jesus? What are some additional promises that are true because Jesus has kept his promises (see verses 21 & 22)?
- How can you trust Jesus to enable you to keep your commitments?
Ask the Lord to use this meditation on His Word to increase our love for Him and for each other as we seek to live daily by the grace of God.
Mark 10: 32-52 “THE PATH OF SERVICE”
- Discipleship involves a commitment over the long haul. What have you learned about the difficulties of making a commitment to something over a long period of time (hint: learning to play the piano; being on an athletic team or church board)?
- The disciples discovered Jesus focus was on Jerusalem. How did Jesus tell the disciples of his commitment to enter the religious capital of the Jewish world (see 8:31; 9:31; 10:32)? What was their response each time?
- The disciples asked Jesus to do for them whatever they asked him to do. Have you ever experienced someone who asked that you do that for them? What was you response?
- Jesus clarified the request by asking that they be more specific. How did James and John answer? Why did they want to be seen? How did the other disciples respond? What would you ask Jesus to do for you?
- Mark 10:45 is the key verse for Mark’s Gospel. Why? What two words highlight Jesus’ service for the many who will be saved? How does the verse describing the service component of the Christ follower? Why is the source of all Christian service in the world found in the crucified and risen Christ? How does his death provide freedom for our lives?
- When Jesus is confronted by blind Bartimaeus, how does he respond to his cries for mercy? How did this man display faith? Compare Bartimaeus’ response with that of James and John. How would you describe the difference?
- How does humble service make one great? Is this a matter of works righteousness or is it a matter of understanding God’s grace?
- What area of service are you offering to the Lord? How does this action serve Christ’s kingdom?
- Why is discipleship a long obedience in the same direction?
Ask the Lord to use this meditation on His Word to increase our love for Him and for each other as we seek to live daily by the grace of God.
Mark 10: 13-31 - “WHAT’S SO AMAZING ABOUT GRACE?”
- When you hear the word “amazing”, what first comes to your mind? What has amazed you recently? How were you surprised by what you discovered?
- Why is grace so amazing? How is grace counterintuitive to the law of cause and effect?
- Mark’s gospel places two events back to back for effect. How does Jesus’ response to the children (see 10:13-16) surprise the disciples? How does Jesus’ response to the wealthy young man (10:17-27) surprise the disciples?
- How do you spot the sacred in everyday life? Why are we often too busy to embrace the grace that comes our way each day?
- What characteristics does Jesus look for in the life of a disciple? Why does the rich young man not qualify in Jesus’ eyes? What was the central issue in his life?
- In the response of Jesus, the young man was told to give away his money to the poor. Is Jesus making this a requirement for all Christ-followers? Why or why not?
- This man also had moral wealth. He was a good person, cared for his mother, and fulfilled a majority of the Ten Commandments. Why does Jesus connect the last six commands with the first four commands of the Decalogue? What’s at the heart of this connection?
- How does grace threaten us? How does Jesus smash our cherished assumptions and practical righteousness?
- Study the interaction of Jesus with the young man. Why is verse 21 one of the greatest verses in the Bible? What does this tell us about Jesus?
- If grace is so amazing, why don’t we like it? If we are offended by Jesus use of grace, what does that tell us about our hearts? If we take grace for granted, what does that tell us about our hearts?
- Think about 1 Corinthians 6:19, 20. How do these verses apply to Mark 10:13-31? Why must we remember that Jesus became poor that we might become rich in him?
Ask the Lord to use this meditation on His Word to increase our love for Him and for each other as we seek to live daily by the grace of God.
