Gospel of Mark Study Questions

The Gospel of Mark 

 Introduction

 At the end of Peter's  life, he was in a Roman prison, before he was ultimately martyred for his faith in Jesus, his God and his Lord.  During this time, his dear friend John Mark was with him and wrote an account of Jesus' life for the believers in Rome, to encourage them to hold fast to their faith in spite of Rome's cruel persecution. 

 This book is the fast-moving, dramatic story of Jesus' ministry, based Peter's recollection of these events.  In this gospel, Jesus' actions are emphasized and His words are few, so we will closely examine His words.  Also, the Gospel asks two important questions:
  1. Who do you say Jesus is? (see Mark 8:29)
  2. What are you willing to give up to remain faithful to Him? (see Mark 8:34)

Unlike Peter, we are not asked to give up our lives ... but maybe we are ...

 Interested in a PDF/Printable version of this study? Click here for the link.  

Mark 1:1-20

 Open Question

 After you left the holiday dinner, kissed everyone goodbye and went out the door, those who know you best (family/friends) were still gathered around the table.  What do you think they said about you?  What do you want them to say?  In other words, what kind of person do you want to be?

 Read Mark 1:1-20
  1. Any great speaker or entertainer gets a great introduction, when their sterling qualities are announced before their entrance.  In the same way, John the Baptist enters the stage of history to announce the arrival of Jesus.  What qualities did John state Jesus had? Why do you think God orchestrated this introduction?  (Verses 1-11)
  2. Immediately after this amazing introduction, Jesus is sent by God's Holy Spirit into the desert (verses 12-13).  Why would God do this?  What does it tell us about God the Father?  About Jesus?  
  3. Jesus' first recorded words in Mark's gospel are in Mark 1:15: “The time has come. The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!”  What did Jesus mean?  What was He trying to tell them?  What do you think their reaction was to this teaching?
  4. Jesus did not waste any time inviting men to be part of His inner circle.  What does this tell us about Jesus? Jesus said to them: “Come, follow Me, and I will send you out to fish for people.” (Mark 1:17) What do you think this means?   
  5. Peter, Andrew, James and John left their families, communities, and their career to follow Jesus (verses 18-20).  What does that tell you about them?  What does that tell you about Jesus? 
Reflect Questions
  1. Jesus makes a big impact on lives.  This is a normal and expected result of true faith.  How has Jesus made an impact on your life?  Is He calling you now to leave something and in order to better follow Him?
  2. What would you do if you were confident God was with you, in you, and for you? What would be different about your life?


Mark 1:21-45


 Open Question

 How are you at asking other people for help?  Does that come easy for you, or are you more of a "It's my problem and I'll take care of it myself" person?  

 Why do you are you like that?  When is this a good thing and when does it not work for you?

 Read Mark 1:21-45
  1. In Mark 1:21-28, Jesus teaches the people in the synagogue and heals a man with a demonic spirit.  What was the people's reaction to Jesus?  Why?  What was the demon's reaction?  What was Mark trying to teach us in this account?
  2. What does Mark 1:29-34 tell us about prayer? 
  3. What does Mark 1:35-39 tell us about prayer?  About the Jesus' mission?  What does it tell us about the relationship between our life's purpose and prayer?
  4. What does Mark 1:40-45 tell us about prayer? Why healing was healing such a big part of Jesus' ministry?
Reflect Questions

  1. Like the leper, often I am convinced of Jesus' power to give me my request, but I am not always sure of His willingness.  Does this happen to you?  How do we have faith in these instances?  How do we process the hurt when it seems like Jesus is not willing?
  2. Often when Jesus heals my immediate need, I run off and forget to do what He says.  Does this happen to you? How can we help to remember and submit to His authority? 
  3. When was the last time you were moved with compassion?  What action, if any, did you take?  How did that turn out?

Mark 2:1-17

Open Question

Think of a favorite teacher. What were the qualities that made them great?
  1. The need of a paralyzed friend moved these men to compassion and so they brought him to Jesus, and did whatever it took to get him there. Jesus was also moved by compassion to help the paralyzed man. In contrast, what was the attitude of the Jewish teachers of the Law (verses 6-7)? Why do you think they felt this way? What do you think of Jesus' reaction to their attitude (verse 8-11)?
  2. What do you think of Jesus' initial words to the paralyzed man, "Son, your sins are forgiven."?  Was this surprising to you?  Why do you think Jesus forgave the man first before He healed him?
  3. Levi is another name for Matthew, Jesus’ disciple who wrote the book who bares his name.  Tax collectors like Levi were despised because they robbed their own people in order to get rich. But Jesus asks Levi to follow Him and join His group (verse 14).  What does that tell us about Jesus?  Jesus says the same thing to Levi as He did to Peter, Andrew, James and John: “Follow Me.”  And Levi did.  What does that tell us about Levi?
  4. What do you think of the religious teachers of the Law’s reaction to Jesus having dinner with Levi’s friends (verse 16)?  What does that tell us about the teachers of the Law?  Shouldn’t they, who knew the Law so well, have recognized Jesus?  Why do you think they did not? 
  5. What do you think of Jesus’ reply to the teachers of the Law (verse 17): "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners."  What does that tell us about Jesus? 
  6. Notorious sinners flocked to Jesus.  Religious leaders mocked Him.  Why?  What’s going on here?
Reflect

  1. We too are a group of religious people who study the scriptures, just like the Jewish teachers of the Law did.  How can we recognize if we are becoming like them?  How can we avoid this trap?
  2. Jesus showed special and extreme grace to tax collectors and other sinners.  What are the equivalent types of people in our culture today?  Who are our “tax collectors”?  How about in your neighborhood, workplace and everyday life? How do we show love, forgiveness and grace to them like Jesus did?  How can we keep our grace filled with truth?  
Mark 2:18-3:6

Open Question

When you were growing up, what do you remember doing on Sundays?   Did you enjoy it?

Read Mark 2:17 - 3:6

This section talks about two religious traditions, fasting and the Sabbath.  Religious Jews (Pharisees) of that time fasted twice a week.  They also meticulously kept a list of 400+ rules regarding what you could and could not do on the Sabbath.  These detailed rules were created initially to clarify God’s commandment (Deuteronomy 5:12-15).

These stories contrast the Old Testament “keeping the Law” with Jesus’ New Testament covenant of grace and truth.  In each section the Pharisees ask Jesus: “why aren’t You keeping the Jewish traditions?” And Jesus each time explains why.
  1. Why are Jesus and His disciples not fasting? (Mark 2:18-22)
  2. Why are Jesus and His disciples harvesting grain (work) on the Sabbath? (Mark 2:23-28)
  3. Why does Jesus heal (work) on the Sabbath? (Mark 3:1-6)
  4. How do the Pharisees feel about Jesus? (Mark 3:2, 6)
  5. How does Jesus Feel about the Pharisees? (Mark 3:5) 
Reflect
  1. In general, what does this scripture tell us about the difference between following the Law vs. Jesus’ new way of grace and truth?  How are they different?  How are they the same?  How can we avoid the trap of following the Law and missing Jesus?
  2. What does this tell us about the Sabbath? Based on this scripture, what would be a God-honoring way to keep the Sabbath? What practical way can you set aside a time of rest and remembering in our lives? Are there specific things you should not do? 
Mark 3:7-35

Open
Does your family share your faith?  Are they supportive of your faith-journey?

Read Mark 3:7-35
  1. As I write this, it is days before the first NY Metro area Super Bowl, just a few miles away from my home.  The event is expected to attract as many as 150,000 visitors to the New York-New Jersey area. Not only at MetLife Stadium, but also the surrounding area, even NY Times Square, will be on the highest security level alert. Why do you think the Super Bowl is such a huge attraction?
  2. Jesus and His disciples also had to plan for crowd control.  What was their plan?  What did it say about the number of people flocking to him?  What was the attraction? (Mark 3:7-12)
  3. Jesus calls 12 men out of this crowd for a special purpose.  What was that purpose?  (Mark 3:13-15)  Try to imagine yourself in the crowds following Jesus with all the others, when He calls to you and takes you aside for a special purpose.  What would you have thought? How would you have felt? What would have been your reaction?
  4. Contrast this popularity of Jesus with those who thought He was crazy (His earthly family in Mark 3:20-21) and others who thought He was demon-possessed (the Jewish teachers of the Law in Mark 3:22).  What is “blasphemy against the Holy Spirit” and why do you think it is unforgivable?  Why is the unbelief of Jesus’ earthy family different from the rejection of the teachers of the Law?
  5. What is Jesus’ argument against Him casting out demons by the power of demons?  For prophesy on the Messiah regarding this, see Isaiah 49:24-25.
  6. What is Jesus saying about family in Mark 3:31-35?  What is He saying about the relationship followers of Christ should have with each other and with Him?
Reflection
  1. Have you been ridiculed or rejected for your faith?  How is this scripture comforting?  What direction can we take from this?
  2. Do you feel accepted, as Jesus says in Mark 3:34-35? Do you feel called by God?  Do you understand the purpose of your call?
Mark 4:1-25

Open
When you hear the word “witnessing” what do you think?  Recall a time when you shared your faith with a friend or family member.  What happened?

Read Mark 4:1-20
Jesus often taught using parables which made the truth clear and engaging to those willing to hear, but concealed the truth from those who were stubborn, prejudiced, or apathetic.
  1. To whom is Jesus telling the parable of the four soils?
  2. In this parable, on what does the size of crop depend: the seed, the sower, or the soil?  How so?
  3. Have you seen people like one or more of these four soils?  Has your heart been like the path, the rocky soil, or among the thorns during a prior season of your own life?  If yes, what changed in your life to make you more receptive to God?
Read Mark 4:21-25
  1. Jesus follows this parable with an illustration about the lamp.  What does this tell us about the light of Jesus in our hearts?
  2. Jesus keeps saying we should hear. In verse 9 He says this to the crowd.  In verse 12, He quotes the prophet Isaiah 6:9-10. He says it again to His disciples in verse 23-25. What do you think He means? How can we pay close attention to what we hear from God? Why would God give more to someone who already has (verse 25)?
Reflect
Jesus preserved this truth for us to hear today so that we would be encouraged to share our faith in a culture that is often apathetic and sometimes hostile.
  1. How can this section of scripture encourage us when others do not seem to be listening to us when we share our faith?
  2. How can we be witnesses of the truth of the Gospel in a way that is clear and engaging and not weird?
Mark 4:26-41

Open
Do you like to plant flowers or vegetables in the spring/summer?  If you do, what do you like about it?  If not, why not?

Read Mark 4:26-34
In this section, Jesus uses two illustrations to describe the kingdom of God to us in human terms we can understand.   
  1. What does the illustration of the growing seeds tell us about the kingdom of God? What is growing? How does it grow? What does it tell us about God’s part in the growth process?  Our part?
  2. What does the illustration of the mustard seed tell us about the kingdom of God?
  3. Why do you think it is important for Jesus to explain the kingdom of God to us?
Read Mark 4:35-41
  1. Who tells the disciples to take the boat to the other side of the lake?
  2. Why were the disciples afraid? They had seen Jesus do so many other miracles, why did they not have faith in this situation?
  3. When the disciples saw Jesus calm the storm, what was their reaction?
  4. What does this scripture tell us about dark and fearful situations?
  5. Why would Jesus do this huge demonstration of His power and give them this test of faith right after His teaching about the kingdom of God? What is He trying to tell/show them?
Reflect
  1. How can we explain the kingdom of God to others?
  2. Have you ever been in a situation where you wondered if Jesus really saw what was happening?  If He cared? What happened?
  3. If the wind and the sea obey Jesus, why do we have such a hard time?
Mark 5:1-43

 Open
How much of a germaphobe are you? What activity/circumstance most makes you want to run and wash your hands?

Read Mark 5:1-20
  1. Here Jesus meets a man with an impure spirit. How is this man’s life described, verses 3-5 ?  What must it have felt like to have been this man?
  2. Jesus’ words to the demon were: “Come out of this man.” What was Jesus’ focus?
  3. What was the demon’s goal?
  4. What was the reaction of the towns people?  What was their focus?
  5. After he was healed, what was the man’s desire? What was he instructed to do instead?

Read Mark 5:21-43:
  1. Jairus was a synagogue leader, also a Jewish leader.  How was his interaction with Jesus different from the other Jewish leaders we have seen so far in Mark's Gospel? How did he act towards Jesus?
  2. The woman who was subject to bleeding had not only a medical problem, but also a religious problem.  According to the Jewish Law (Leviticus 15:25-30) she was unclean until the flow of blood stopped and anything she touched was also considered unclean. She could not worship, or be out among people. She took a great risk to be out at all, let alone reach out and touch a rabbi like Jesus. Why do you think she took this risk?
  3. Why do you think Jesus made sure He saw her and spoke to her? What additional impact was made because of His words to her?  
Reflect
  1. To some people He meets, Jesus says “come” like Matthew and Peter.  To others, He says “go” like the man with the unclean spirit and the woman who was healed of her bleeding.  What’s up with that?  
  2. The dead girl, like the woman, was also unclean by Jewish Law (see Numbers 9:6). In all three healings, Jesus engaged with the unclean: the man with the demon, the bleeding woman, and the dead girl. But instead of being made unclean, Jesus healed them. When in your life have you felt like this: unclean and unworthy? Jesus would say: “Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be freed from your suffering.”  Where in your life do you need Him to say that now?  
  3. Sometime we are tempted to give up on a "hopeless" situation and stop praying, as the mourners said: “Why bother the teacher anymore?”  Instead Jesus would say, “Don’t be afraid; just believe.” Where do you think He is saying that in your life?


Mark 6:1-29

Open
What is your reaction when your mom or dad, or someone else in your family, gives you unsolicited advice regarding an area of your life?  If you feel comfortable, share a recent example.

Read Mark 6:1-6
  1. What is the reaction of the people from Jesus’ hometown?
  2. Why do you think Jesus could not do any miracles there?

Read Mark 6:7-13:
  1. Why do you think Jesus sent the 12 disciples out with only the bare essentials?
  2. Why do you think Jesus had such a harsh judgment for those who did not welcome the disciples?
  3. What did the disciples do on their journey?  Where did they get this power to minister?  

Read Mark 6:14-29
  1. What did Herod think about Jesus (verses 14-16)?
  2. How did Herod feel about John the Baptist (verses 1-20, 26)?
  3. Why did Herod kill John anyway?
Reflect
  1. Jesus said: “People everywhere give honor to a prophet, except in his own town, with his own people, or in his home.”  Have you seen this in your own life?  How so?  If yes, what has been your reaction so far to treatment?  What should our reaction be?  
  2. Confronting people with truth can be a difficult thing.  You can lose a friendship.  In John the Baptist’s case, he lost his life. Because John knew it would be dangerous to confront King Herod, he must have felt telling the truth was worth the risk.  Under what circumstances is it important for us to confront others with painful truth?
  3. As women, often we underestimate the power we have to influence men for good and for bad. If you considered this more seriously, what aspects of your life would change?
  4. When are we like Herod, hearing truth, knowing it is truth, but going on with our own plans anyway, and being irritated with the people trying to warn us?
Mark 6:30-56

Open


Did you ever plan a vacation or weekend away and your plans went totally wrong?  What is your natural reaction when things do not go as expected?


Read Mark 6:30-44

  1. The twelve disciples returned from their journey and looked forward to a time to rest, eat, and share their stories with Jesus (see verses 6:7, 12-13, 30-31). How did their plans work out? What is Jesus’ reaction?
  2. Instead of having an intimate dinner with closest friends, the disciples had to play host to 5,000 hungry men and their families.  When they brought their dilemma to Jesus, what was His reaction?
  3. The result was a great miracle.  List the tasks that the disciples did.  List the tasks that Jesus did. What does that tell us about ministry to others?


Read Mark 6: 45-52

  1. Jesus does another extreme miracle: He not only calms the storm, He also walks on the water.  In retrospect, when Peter told this incident to Mark, he said their hearts had been hardened. Can you remember a time when you’re your heart was hardened to God?  If yes, what changed your heart?
  2. What does Jesus’ words and actions towards the disciples in this section tell us about Jesus?


Read Mark 6:53-56

  1. Why do you think the crowds swarmed to Jesus?
  2. What does Jesus’ reaction to the crowd tell us about Jesus?


Reflect

  1. What does Jesus’ reaction to the unexpected turns of events tell us about what our reaction should be when things don’t go as planned?  How are you doing in this area?
  2. This section contains some of the mightiest miracles of Jesus.  What is your personal reaction to reading about these acts of power, compassion, and leadership? How can you apply these principles to your life this week?
  3. When have you faced an impossible task or unexpected situation and realized your desperate need for Jesus? How did it turn out? What did you learn in the experience?

 Mark 7:1-23

Open
How are you with respecting authority, at home, at work, in the community? When you disagree with authority, under what conditions do you keep quiet and go along? When do you feel compelled to speak up?

Read Mark 7:1-23
  1. Here Jesus and the Jewish religious leaders are having a disagreement.  What problem did the leaders have with Jesus?
  2. Why do you think the Jewish leaders came all the way from Jerusalem to see Jesus? Why do they confront Jesus with this fault?
  3. What problem did Jesus have with the Jewish leaders? Why do you think Jesus was so confrontational with them?
  4. Because this event happened 2000 years ago, it is difficult to relate to the situation. Consider this: You are on a trip to Rome led by a young (30ish) catholic priest from New Jersey. You are in a suburb of Rome and he is teaching and suddenly you see the Pope and a contingent of Cardinals coming to listen to him teach, checking him out.  Now imagine you are in crowd when this conversation takes place. What is your reaction to the priest? To the Pope?  Why?
  5. Jesus will later speak in Mark 12:14-17 regarding respecting political authority.  Why is Jesus going against the religious authorities here?    
  6. In the last chapter, Mark records Jesus’ extreme miracles: feeding 5000 families, walking on water, healing masses of people.  Consider you are in this crowd and your son was one of the people Jesus just healed.  What is your reaction to Jesus? To the leaders?
  7. In verses 20-23 Jesus makes His main point.  In your own words, what is it?  How were the Jewish leaders missing the point on how to be pure?
  8. If we are defiled from our hearts within us, how can we get clean? What do we do about this? For additional insight, see Jeremiah 17:5-14.
Reflect
  1. What can we take away from this regarding our discernment of Christian leaders?
  2. Consider Jesus’ list from verses 21-22: evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, wickedness, deceit, lustful desires, envy, slander, pride, and foolishness. Have any of these been swirling around in your head or your heart? Take a moment to pray to Jesus: confess and request Him to heal your heart.

 Mark 7:24-37

Open
When you ask someone to help you, and they are unwilling or seem reluctant, what is your reaction? How do you feel?

Read Mark 7:24-30
  1. From verse 24, what do you think Jesus was planning to do that day?
  2. What do you think of Jesus’ initial reaction to the woman, in verse 27? Note: In 586 BC, when the Jew’s holy city of Jerusalem was destroyed, the nation of Tyre rejoiced because Israel was in competition with Tyre for trade routes.  Therefore, the Jews often called these people “dogs” meaning scavengers. Jesus uses the word here that is better translated “puppy” or beloved family pet.
  3. What do you think of the women’s reaction?  What was her attitude? Her expectation?
  4. Why do you think Jesus healed her daughter?
Read Mark 7:31-37
  1. Look again at verses 33-34. List all the things Jesus did as part of the healing process.
  2. Jesus spit on His fingers and then put His fingers in the man’s mouth.  What’s your reaction to that? If you went to a doctor and he did that to you, what would be your reaction?
  3. Why do you think Jesus healed the woman’s daughter from afar, but Jesus did all these things to this man to heal him?
Reflect
  1. We’re read about lots of miracles so far.  They are all so different.  What does that tell us about Jesus? About experiencing God in our lives?
  2. What does Jesus’ interaction with the women tell us about prayer and about our faith journey?
  3. Because Jesus made the deaf hear, the people were amazed and thought Jesus did everything well. Other translations use the word excellent. What would it take to happen in your life for you to believe that everything Jesus did was excellent? Or maybe it’s already happened.  If so, tell us about that.

 Mark 8:1-22

Open
The dinner party is at your house today. There will be 12 of us.  What are you cooking? As you prepare, are you calm or crazy?

Read Mark 8:1-13
  1. What do verses 2-3 tell us about Jesus?
  2. What does verse 4 tell us about the disciples?
  3. What does verse 8 tell us about Jesus?
  4. The Pharisees (Jewish religious leaders) ask for a specific kind of miracle in verse 11. What was it? What does this tell us about their attitude? For more information, see Matthew 16:1-4.
  5. The large crowd asked for nothing, and yet Jesus did a great miracle for them.  The Pharisees asked for a specific miracle and Jesus refused.  Why do you think Jesus treated them both differently?
Read Mark 8:14-21
  1. What is the leaven of the Pharisees? For more information, see Luke 12:1.  How is this character flaw like leaven or yeast?
  2. Explain how and why the disciples were confused.
  3. What is the point Jesus is trying to make to His disciples? See Matthew 16:8-12.
  4. Jesus’ disciples are still lacking faith and their hearts were still hard, even after following Jesus all this time. What are they doing that makes them different from the Pharisees? How were they worthy of being one of the 12--the ones Jesus was teaching to become the ones who would carry forward His important message?
Reflect
  1. Consider your own life: in what areas are you still struggling in believing in Jesus’ power, provision or compassion?
  2. In verse 1, we see Jesus fed the crowd on the 3rd day. If you could be convinced it is day 2 and Jesus will provide on day 3, what would you be doing differently now while you wait?

Mark 8:22-9:1

 Open

What does your family do to celebrate Easter? Is there a tradition you do together? A special meal you eat?



Read Mark 8:22-26

Here Mark shares another story about Jesus healing a man. What is unique about this event compared to the others we have read? What truth can we glean from this?



Read Mark 8:27-30

  1. What do you learn about the crowd following Jesus from this conversation? Why do you think Peter’s answer is different from the crowd?
  2. What does Peter mean when he calls Jesus “the Christ” (some versions have “the Messiah”)?

Read Mark 8:31-33

  1. Why would Peter rebuke/reprimand Jesus? What do you think Peter was thinking?
  2. Note how Jesus was sharing with all the disciples, then Peter takes Jesus aside alone to reprimand Him, but then Jesus takes Peter back to the group to rebuke him. Why do you think Jesus did that?
  3. In verse 33, what did Jesus say Peter was doing or thinking wrong? How serious was this?

ReadMark 8:34-9:1

  1. What does this mean for the disciples?
  2. What does this mean for us today, living in New Jersey?
  3. This is a choice for us, to follow Jesus or not. What are the consequences for following Jesus? What are the consequences for not following Him?
Reflect
We are used to advertisements promoting their product and putting the potential dangers/side effects/hidden costs in small print. No matter what the disciples have seen and believed so far, here Jesus is now putting the earthly costs and eternal consequences in their faces in large print.
  1. Where are you today in this journey in knowing who Jesus is and choosing to follow Him?
  2. What earthly costs have you experienced so far in following Jesus?
  3. What motivates you to continue to follow Jesus despite the costs? 

Mark 9:2-29


Open


You have been give the choice of two all expense paid vacations, either to a tropical beach or a mountain lake retreat. Share which one would you choose and why.


Read Mark 9:2-13
  1. In the last section, Jesus had told His disciples about His suffering, death and rising again (verse 8:31). He also told them that if they intended to follow Him, they would also have to deny themselves and take up their cross (verse 8:34). How many days have passed since then?
  2. Who did Jesus take up with him to the mountaintop?
  3. What did the disciples see?
  4. Who is Moses? (hint: Hebrews 11:23-29) Who is Elijah? (hint: Malachi4:5-6, 1 Kings 18:18-40)
  5. What did Peter suggest? What was Peter thinking (verses 5-6)?
  6. What happened in verses 7-8?
  7. What does this whole section tell us about Jesus? Why would Jesus want to show the disciples this at this specific time? Why only the three of them?
  8. What additional information did Jesus give the disciples about Elijah afterwards? Jesus said Elijah had already come.  Who was that? Why do you think they asked Jesus about Elijah and not about rising from the dead (verse 10)?


Read Mark 9:14-29

  1. The disciples had been unable to help the son with the demons. What do you think Jesus meant by verses 19, 23 and 29?
  2. The father’s reply was “Lord, I believe; help my unbelief.” What does this tell us about Jesus’ willingness to hear our prayers and His compassion for us when we doubt?  
  3. What does this section tell us about the disciples?

Reflect

  1. How can you explain the gift of faith in a God who can do all things verses wishful or positive thinking?
  2. If you had been chosen by Jesus to see Him transfigured to glory as the disciples did, what would have been your reaction? Would you have been able to keep the secret?  How would you have treated Jesus differently after this?
Mark 9:30-50
Open
Fill in the blank: I want to be the best ______________ ever!

Read Mark 9:30-37
1.    In verse 34-35, what are the disciples arguing about?
2.    How can someone be great in Jesus’ kingdom?
3.    How does verse 31 illustrate how Jesus was going to be great? Note how Jesus is modeling this leadership attribute to His disciples. What is the disciples’ reaction in verse 32?  

Read Mark 9:38-50
1.    Jesus said: “For no one who does a miracle in My name can in the next moment say anything bad about Me.” Why would that be?
2.    Compare verses 39-41 to Matthew12:30. When we look at these two truths together, what larger truth can we see?
3.    How would you explain verses 43-48 in your own words?
4.    How important is it for us to avoid sin? How awful must hell be?
5.    How can we “have salt among ourselves” ? For more on this, see Matthew 5:13-16, Ephesians 4:29 and Colossians 4:5-6.

Reflect
1.    When we are not trying or pushing to be the greatest, how can we then be great? How can we be great if we aren’t making it happen ourselves?
2.    All of us have power in our lives somewhere: in our home, office, classroom, among friends.  How can we use our position or power to serve others, instead of making them serve us? If we did that this week, what would that look like?  
3.    Is there anything in your life that is “causing you to stumble” ? What would it look like to “cut it off” ?
4.    Has some else’s actions/attitude ever hurt your faith? How can our actions/attitudes cause someone to stumble in their faith?
5.    How can you be “salt” in your home? Your work place? With your extended family? In your neighborhood?


Mark 10:1-31

Open
When you find yourself in a jam (need money, flat tire, need advice, whatever), who do you call? Do they always come through for you?

Read Mark 10:1-12
  1. What command did Moses give regarding divorce? Read the original command in Deuteronomy 24:1-4.
  2. Why did Moses give this instruction?
  3. What is Jesus’ position on marriage and divorce? What does He base that on? See Genesis 2:21-24.
  4. What questions does this raise for you? Please list your questions so we can discuss them together. Additional scripture on divorce can be found in Malachi 2:13-16,Matthew 5:31-32 and 1 Corinthians 7:10-15.

Read Mark 10:13-16
When we are a child, we trust because we have not yet encountered people lying to us, disappointing us, and hurting us. As we experience life we learn there is no Santa Claus and fairy tales don’t come true. How can we move past cynicism and bitterness to fully trust in God?

Read Mark 10:17-31
  1. What is the man’s question to Jesus in verse 17? How does this man think he is doing in following God’s law (verse 20)?
  2. Why would telling this man to give up his possessions be a loving thing to do (verse 21)?
  3. Is this teaching about selling all our money and giving it to the poor? What does Jesus really mean?
  4. When we can forsake everything and follow Jesus, what is the result?  See verses 29-30.

Reflect
  1. How do you feel about Jesus’ commandments regarding divorce? Do you find it too hard to accept? What should our expectations be about ourselves? About others who are not Christians?
  2. Like the man, have you ever felt like Jesus’ commands are too hard?  What feelings surface for you when you realize Jesus standard is too high to comply with? What should our response be? How does verse 27 give us hope?

IMPORTANT NOTE: These are hard topics, so please remember: it is not our lifestyle that gains us heaven. It is our trust in Jesus to save us. While our life choices should be influenced by our faith, this is a journey not a guilt-trip. No matter where we find ourselves, we need to run to Jesus with confidence because He will never turn us away.  See Revelation 3:20.



Mark 10:32-52
Open
In this section, Jesus asked the same question twice: What do you want Me to do for you? If He was here today and asked you this question, what would you respond?

Read Mark 10:32-34
  1. How were the followers of Jesus feeling as they walked the road towards Jerusalem? Why do you suppose they felt this way?
  2. Jesus then tells of His suffering and death. Who specifically does He tell this to?
  3. This is the third time in Mark’s gospel that Jesus tells them of His death, the other two are 8:31 and 9:31. Compare the verses. How is this different than the others?
  4. If you were there with the Twelve, how would you have felt?
Read Mark 10:35-45
  1. How did the Twelve understand what Jesus just told them? What were they expecting?
  2. What does Jesus say about the cost of leadership?
  3. Who places people in position of leadership?
  4. What character quality should leaders have?  
Read Mark 10:46-52 
  1. What character qualities do you see in Bartimaeus?
  2. Compare the response of response of the “Many” in verse 48 to Jesus’ response. Why did Jesus call for him? Why did Jesus ask him the question: “What do you want Me to do for you?”
  3. What quality does Jesus commend Bartimaeus for?
  4. What was Bartimaeus’ response to the healing?
Reflect
  1. This section is all about Leadership: taken all together, what does Jesus’ example of leadership in Mark 10:33-34 & 46-52 and Jesus’ teaching on leadership in Mark 10:35-45 tell us? As a leader in areas of your life, (home, business, ministry, community) how can you apply this? As a follower, how can you apply this?
  2. This section is all about Prayer: what does this tell us about prayer? How can you apply this to your prayer lives?

Mark 11:1-12:12
Open
Tell us about a dear old friend of yours. Why is she/he dear to you?

Read Mark 11:1-11 ~ Palm Sunday
  1. Jesus could have entered Jerusalem walking, riding a white horse, or on a chariot. But this time He chose to ride a donkey colt. Why? See Zechariah 9:9-10.
  2. Jesus could have gotten the donkey colt in many ways, but He decided to send two disciples into the city to get it. Why?
  3. What is the meaning of the people spreading palm branches and shouting Hosanna? See Psalm 118:21-26 and Leviticus 24:39-41. What does this tell us about who Jesus is?

Read Mark 11:12-26
  1. Why did Jesus curse the fig tree? What was the result of His curse? See 11:20-21.
  2. Why does Jesus drive those who were selling and exchanging money out of the temple? See Isaiah 56:7-8 and Jeremiah 7:1-11.
  3. What does this section tell us about prayer? 

Read Mark 11:27-33
What does this section reveal about the heart of the Jewish leaders? Were they interested in finding truth?

Read Mark 12:1-12
  1. What does this parable teach about the Jewish leaders?
  2. Who is ultimately victorious in this story? How does this relate to what would happen in the coming week in Jerusalem?
  3. What was the response of the Jewish leaders to this story? Perhaps the fig tree was an allegory representing them. 
Reflect
  1. Jesus has been gentle and forgiving to all of the sinners He has encountered but He judges the Jewish leaders and is angry at the sellers in the temple. What is the difference? Why do these types of sins/attitudes lead to judgment and not forgiveness?
  2. How should this section inform us on how we share who Jesus is with others?

Mark 12:13-44
Open
You met a woman who recently moved to New Jersey from Tennessee. What one Jersey “rule” would you tell her that will help her living here?

Read Mark 12:13-17
  1. The Pharisees are religious professionals, concerned mostly with following the Law. The Herodians were a political group against the rule of Rome. What did they ask Jesus? What was their intent?
  2. What does Jesus’ reply tell us about Him? What does this tell us about our obligations to the government and to God?
 Read Mark 12:18-27 (also Deuteronomy25:5-6 and Exodus 3:6) 
  1. The Sadducees were a religious group who believed God’s Law did not support the resurrection. In your own words, what was their question? What was their intent?
  2. What did Jesus tell them about heaven and the resurrection?    
 Read Mark 12:28-34 (also Deuteronomy6:4-5 and Micah 6:6-8) 
  1. What is the attitude of this religious teacher? What is his reaction to Jesus’ answer?
  2. Jesus likes the teacher’s response. Why is it more important to love God and our neighbors than to offer sacrifices?
 Read Mark 12:35-44 (also Psalm 110:1)
  1. Who is David? Who is the Son of David? What is Jesus telling them about Himself in verses 35-37? Why were the people delighted?
  2. Jesus contrasts the giving and religious activity of the teachers and rich people verses the poor widow. What does Jesus say is the difference? What do the teachers like? Why are they worthy of punishment?
Reflect
  1. Based on this chapter, how would you describe true worship/religion? What is most important to God?
  2. When we do religious stuff, it is tempting to fall into the trap of thinking we are better than others based on what we are doing or what we know. Do you know of anyone who has fallen into this trap? How can we avoid this trap ourselves?

Mark 13

 Open
A new “end-of-the-world” movie is coming out soon. Do you: (a) Go see it at the IMAX theater with the 3-D glasses and surround sound? (b) Wait till it comes out in Netflix?  (c) Avoid seeing it at all costs!

Read Mark 13
1.    The temple in Jerusalem was magnificent and impressed these backwoods boys from Galilee. What was Jesus’ point (verse 1-2)?
2.    What questions did the disciples ask Jesus in verse 4?
3.    Jesus then describes the end of the world. How is it described?
4.    Jesus gives them specific instructions also. List them.
5.    What do you think is “the abomination that causes desolation” (verse 14)? This comes from the prophet Daniel 9:27; 11:31; 12:11.
6.    What should our response be to the abomination? What does Jesus say would tempt us from doing that?
7.    The timing of the end of the world has often been speculated. What does Jesus say about when these things will happen in verses 28-37? What does Jesus tell us to do until then?
8.    These are my questions, I am sure you have some too! List the questions or concerns you have with this chapter and we will discuss them together.

Reflect
1.    Life goes quickly and it is easy to get caught up in the whirlwind and forget the unseen reality that the end of the world is creeping closer. What is most tempting and distracting for you?
2.    What would help you to stay consistent in following God and being watchful? How can we be watchful and careful in our everyday life?


Mark 14:1-52
Open
Think of a time you were betrayed by a close friend or family member. Tell us about that.

Read Mark 14:1-16
1.    Jesus’ love for the poor has been demonstrated throughout the gospel of Mark. Why do you think Jesus would say what He did in verses 6-9?
2.    More details for this story are given in John 12:1-8. Why did Judas chastise Mary for “wasting” the perfume?
3.    Mary was the sister of Lazarus who had been raised from the dead.  What do you think her motivation was in anointing Jesus with this precious, expensive perfume?
4.    Like the donkey colt on Palm Sunday, the upper room on Holy Thursday was all arranged by Jesus ahead of time.  What does this tell us about Jesus? How can this give us peace when we worry about life’s details?

Read Mark 14:17-31
1.    The last supper is a mixture of intimate friendship and betrayal. We focus of Judas’ betrayal but all of the disciples fled when Jesus was arrested. But Jesus tells us it was better if Judas had never been born and yet Peter became the leader of the church. What’s the difference between Peter and Judas?
2.    Jesus shares His last meal and important information with these men who He knew would run out on Him during His biggest trial.  Why would He do that? What does that tell us about Jesus?

Read Mark 14:32-52
1.    Here we see Jesus deeply troubled and distressed.  What does He do to cope and be strengthened?
2.    How did Jesus treat his accusers? His betrayers?

Reflect
1.    What do you usually do when you are deeply troubled and distressed? How does reading Jesus’ story encourage you?
2.    Were you able to forgive the person who betrayed you? If yes, how were you able to do that? If no, are you willing to take a first step towards forgiveness now? What would that first step look like?


Mark 14:53-15:20

 Open
Think of someone in your life who treats you well, and someone in your life who treats you badly. Tell us about that.

Read Mark 14:53-65
1.    The Sanhedrin was the supreme court of the Jews in Israel. They were 71 of the wisest and most respected priests and scribes in the nation. Did they give Jesus a fair trial? Why or why not?
2.    Why was Jesus judged worthy of death? What was the charge?
3.    When Jesus admitted He was the Messiah, what was their reaction? How did the Sanhedrin treat Jesus?  

Read Mark 14:66-72
1.    Peter tried to stay close to Jesus and followed Him into the high priest’s courtyard. What happened there?
2.    Peter failed Jesus too.  What was Peter’s reaction?

Read Mark 15:1-20
1.    What defense did Jesus give Pilate? Why do you think Jesus acted that way?
2.    What was the chief priests’ motivation to crucify Jesus? See verse 10.
3.    What was Pilate’s motivation to crucify Jesus? See verse 15.
4.    How did the Roman soldiers treat Jesus?
5.    Since Jesus is God’s perfect and powerful Son, why was He allowing Himself to be treated in this manner?

Reflect
1.    How can we be more like Christ to people in our life who treat us badly? Is there a limit to what we should allow people to do to us? Where is that limit for you?
2.    Jesus is God’s Son. He proved that when He healed, when He walked on water, when He calmed the storm, when He rose from the dead. He takes the treatment we give Him now too, just like He took the treatment of the priests, His followers, and the Romans. How do we treat Jesus? Do we judge His actions in the world? Do we give Him our sacrifice of our praise? Do we talk to Him often in prayer? Do we trust Him with our everyday life? Do we share Him with our friends? Do we serve His beloved children in this world? In what areas of your life can you treat Him better?


Mark 15:21-16:20
Open
Have you ever witnessed a death of a friend or family member? If yes, tell us about that.

Read Mark 15:21-47
1.    Men who were taken to be crucified carried their own crosses. Jesus needed help. What does that tell us about His physical state?
2.    In verse 23, the wine mixed with myrrh was a sedative.  Given His physical state, why would Jesus decline this one kindness from the Romans?
3.    Verses 31-32 describe the Jewish leaders’ final test for Jesus. What did they ask Jesus to do to prove He was the Messiah? Why won’t Jesus comply?
4.    Jesus has only known uninterrupted fellowship with God the Father. But in verse 46 He quotes Psalm 22:1; He feels forsaken. List all the things Jesus suffered in the last days of His life.
5.    Immediately after Jesus breathed His last breath, the curtain of the temple is torn in two. This curtain separated the Holy of Holies and the rest of the temple. The Holy of Holies would be entered only once a year by the High Priest to make a sacrifice for the sins of the Jewish people. Symbolically, the curtain separated the Holy God from a sinful people. What could the tearing of the curtain symbolize?
6.    Mark tells us about two people who recognize Jesus as whom He really is: a Roman centurion (verse 39) and Joseph of Arimathea (verse 43). While all the other Romans and Jewish leaders were out to condemn and kill Jesus, these two men were exceptions. What meaning does this have for us?

Read Mark 16:1-20
1.    Were any of Jesus’ followers expecting Him to rise from the dead? What was their initial reaction to the resurrection? See verses 5, 8, and 11.
2.    What is Jesus’ instruction to the eleven in verse 15-16?

Reflect
1.    Jesus has free will and is all powerful so He did not have to die this horrific death. Why did He do it?
2.    On the other hand, as the Creator and Sustainer of all life, Jesus could not stay dead. Why did He appear to His disciples?
3.    Do you too believe Jesus is alive? Why? How has this belief impacted your life?



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