Bible Study Resources

That’s Just What You Say!

Mark 11 begins with Jesus entering Jerusalem, being hailed as King (a descendant of David)

The crowd’s welcome was quickly met with the Jewish leaders’ opposition which would subsequently lead to Jesus’ death

a. (i) The religious leaders questioned Jesus regarding His supreme authority from God (11:27-32)

(ii) Jesus narrated a parable regarding the senseless hostility of the evil tenants (12:1-12)

b. The Pharisees & Herodians questioned Jesus regarding the secular duty to Caesar (12:13-17)

c. The Sadducees questioned Jesus regarding the spiritual reality of resurrection (12:18-27)

Questions for consideration & discussion

How does my life show that how I live & what I think are different from what the bible actually says? How do I go about reconciling the differences?

Who’s First & Who’s Last

Key Verse: Mark 10:31

But many that are first shall be last; & the last first

a. The First who became Last

– The Pharisees who were very religious (10:1-12)

– The young man who was extremely rich (10:17-27)

b. The Last who became First

– The children who weren’t highly regarded (10:13-16)

– The disciples who were firmly resolved (10:28-30)

Questions for consideration & discussion

a. What are examples in my life which show that my religiosity & resources could be hindering how I follow Jesus?

b. What does it mean for me to always rely on Jesus & stay resolved to follow Him?  

Beholding the King’s Glory

God’s kingdom comes with power (9:1)

1. Jesus relates His glory with how He will complete His Father’s work (9:2-13)

– The significance of the different people & events

– The response of the disciples

2. Jesus rebukes His disciples for how they have relied on themselves to do His work (9:14-29)

– The conversations with Jesus Christ

Questions for consideration & discussion

a. How have I been (or not been) listening to & talking about Jesus?

b. How can I tell if I’m relying on myself to do God’s work & serve Him?

Double Unexpectedness

1. The Woman’s Unexpected Belief (7:24-30)

   – The Gentile woman trusted the Lord

2. The Lord’s Miraculous Work (7:31-8:10)

   a. The Lord touched & opened the ears of the deaf  (7:31-37)

   b. The Lord cared for & fed the four thousand  (8:1-10)

3. The Pharisees’ Unexpected Unbelief  (8:11-13)

   – The religious Pharisees doubted the Lord

Questions for consideration:

Who are my friends & family (who are steeped in unbelief) whose salvation I can pray for? What are the areas in my own life (which I struggle with unbelief) that I can turn over to the Lord?

What do you see?

1. Jesus, his followers & the famished ‘flock’  (6:30-44)

2. Jesus, his followers & their hardened hearts  (6:45-52)

3. Jesus, the masses & His mighty miracles  (6:53-56)

Questions for consideration:

Do I see how the Lord has been really great & good in my life? How does this perspective in turn shape the way I see my limitations, current situations & motivation in following Jesus?