Bible Study Questions
FACTS ABOUT MARK, THE AUTHOR OF THE BOOK
There are many interesting facts about the author of the book of Mark which are not evident from the book itself. Study the following carefully, to get an idea of just what type of man Mark was. This will help you in your later studies in the book:
A. Mark’s Early Life:
1. The first allusion to the writer of this book may be in Mark 14: 51, 52. How old was he then, and what did he do?
2. He is first mentioned by name in connection with his mother in Jerusalem in Acts 12:12. Find his name, which was Jewish, and his surname, which was Latin or Roman:
3. What were many gathered at his home to do? Acts 12:12
Therefore, what would you realize about his home life? (THINK!)
B. His First Recorded Christian Service: Read Acts 13:1-13
1. Shortly after the events mentioned above, John Mark left Jerusalem with what two important people? Acts 12:25
2. When God called these two to be foreign missionaries, John Mark accompanied them as their _________, which meant helper or assistant
Acts 13:5
3. After less than half of their journey was completed, what did John Mark do? Acts 13:13b
C. His Next Christian Service Opportunity: Read Acts 15:36-41
1. When Barnabas later wanted to take John Mark with them on another journey, why did Paul object? Acts 15:38
2. As a result of this disagreement Paul and Barnabas separated and which one took John Mark as his assistant? Acts 15:39b
3. From Colossians 4:10, find one reason why this man might have been so interested in John Mark. (The Greek word for this relationship is “anepsice”, which should be translated “cousin” rather than “nephew” or “sister’s son”.)
D. Mark’s Later Relationships to Paul:
1. When Paul was a prisoner in Rome (Philemon 1: 23), what term did he use in referring to Mark? Philemon 1:24
2. What did Paul tell the church of Colosse to do if Mark should come to visit them? Colossians 4:10
3. What does this prove about Paul’s attitude toward Mark at this time? (THINK!)
4. What did Paul later ask Timothy to do? 2 Timothy 4:11b
5. Why did he make this request? 2 Timothy 4:11c
6. What does this prove had happened to Mark since his experiences in
Acts 15? (THINK!)
E. Mark’s Relationship to Peter:
1. What affectionate words did Peter, the most active, powerful, and authoritative of the twelve apostles, use in referring to Mark? 1 Peter 5:13
2. Why do you suppose he used these words? In what sense was Mark Peter’s son? (See 1 Timothy 1:1, 2a for a clue)
QUESTIONS FOR ME TO THINK ABOUT:
1. Although Mark started out very unfaithful and undependable, what did God later use him to do? What did he later write? (THINK!)
2. Could God make me one who is valuable as a helper to great Christian leaders today? Could God use me to do some great work for Him?
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| (See end of this study for detailed steps of how to complete the Parallel Diamond Chart.) |
PREPARATION FOR JESUS’ MINISTRY
Mark 1:1-13
Since Mark presents Jesus as the Servant of God, he gives nothing about His ancestry and early life, and very little about His preparation for His great life’s work. Study below all that is given concerning the introduction to His ministry:
A. The Announcement of Jesus” Coming: Read Mark 1:1-8
1. What is the subject of the entire book of Mark? Mark 1:1a
2. What title is given to Jesus in Mark 1:1b?
3. Who had the Old Testament prophets foretold would come before the Lord should come? Mark 1:2a, b; Malachi 3:1
4. What two things would he do? Mark 1:2c, 3b,3c
5. To what place would he come? Mark 1:3a; Isaiah 40:3a, c
6. What person came in fulfillment of these prophecies? Mark 1:4a
7. What two things did he do when he came? Mark 1:4a, b
8. What was the subject of his message? Mark 1:4b
9. What did he say people should do in order to have their sins removed?
Mark 1:4b
10. Who came to hear him? Mark 1:5a, b
11. What two things did they do after they heard him? Mark 1:5c, d
12. Where did these things happen? Mark 1:5c (Locate the three places mentioned in these verses on a map.)
13. With what two things was John clothed? Mark 1:6a
14. What two things did he eat? Mark 1:6b
15. Who did he say was coming after him? Mark 1:7a, b
16. How did John compare himself with this One? Mark 1:7c
17. What did John say He would do when He should come? Mark 1:8b
B. The Identification of Jesus as He Came: Read Mark 1:9-11
1. Who was among those who came to be baptized by John? Mark 1:9
2. From what place did He come? Mark 1:9 (Locate this on a map.)
3. When He came up out of the water, what two things happened?
a. Mark 1:10 b, c
b. Mark 1:11a
4. What did the voice from heaven declare Jesus to be? Mark 1:11b, c
C. The Testing of Jesus as He Came: Read Mark 1:12, 13
1. Where did Jesus go immediately after He was baptized? Mark 1:12
2. Why did He go there? Mark 1:12
3. What happened to Him there? Mark 1:13a
4. How long did this continue? Mark 1:13a
5. What else were there with Him? Mark 1:13b
6. What else happened during this time? Mark 1:13c
QUESTIONS FOR ME TO THINK ABOUT:
1. Who does each of the above incidents prove that Jesus is? Why did people have to repent of their sins in order to prepare the way before Him? (See Habakkuk 1:13a)
2. Have I genuinely repented of every sin, so that Jesus may come into my life? (See Isaiah 59:1, 2)
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| (See end of this study for detailed steps of how to complete the Parallel Diamond Chart.) |
THE BEGINNING OF JESUS’ MINISTRY
Mark 1:14—20
After Jesus has been proven beyond the shadow of a doubt to be God’s Son, the One Whose coming had often been predicted in the Old Testament—and John had led many to prepare for His coming by repenting of their sins, Jesus actually began His own public ministry. Read now to see how this came about, and what happened as He began:
A. Jesus’ Ministry Begun: Read Mark 1:14, 15
1. What happened to John after he had prepared the way for Jesus and had baptized Him? Mark 1:14a
2. Where did Jesus begin His ministry? Mark 1:14b (Locate this place on a map.)
3. With what activity did He begin His ministry? Mark 1:14c
4. What was the subject of His preaching? Mark 1:14d
5. What did He say had happened? Mark 1:15a
6. What did He say was at hand? Mark 1:15b
7. Therefore, what two things did He say people should do? Mark 1:15c
B. One Event By the Sea: Read Mark 1:16-20
1. How did Jesus have to travel during His ministry? Mark 1:16a
2. Where did He go soon after He began His ministry? Mark 1:16b
3. What two people did He see there? Mark 1:16c
4. What were they doing? Mark 1:16d
5. Why were they doing this? Mark 1:16e
6. What did Jesus ask them to do? Mark 1:17a
7. What did He promise He would do for them if they would do this?
Mark 1:17b
8. What two things did they do as a result? Mark 1:18
9. How soon did they do this? Mark 1:18a
10. After He had gone a little further, whom else did He see? Mark 1:19a
11. Where were they? Mark 1:19b
12. What were they doing? Mark 1:19c
13. What did Jesus do right away? Mark 1:20a
14. What did they do as a result? Mark 1:20c
15. What three things did they leave in order to do this? Mark 1:20b
a.
b.
c.
QUESTIONS FOR ME TO THINK ABOUT:
1. What do you suppose made the four fishermen willing to leave their jobs, their whole way of life, and everything they had in order to follow Jesus?
2. Have I heard the voice of Jesus calling me to repent and believe the gospel, and leave all in order to follow Him? If so, what has been my response? Have I gladly, immediately, obeyed? Mark 1:17, 18
4. 4
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| (See end of this study for detailed steps of how to complete the Parallel Diamond Chart.) |
A BUSY DAY IN JESUS’ MINISTRY
Mark 1: 21—34
Shortly after Jesus had launched His public ministry in Galilee, He went into one of the major cities of Galilee., Read now to see what happened while he was there:
A. Events in the Morning, in the Synagogue: Read Mark 1:21-28
1. Where did the events of this day take place? Mark 1:21a (Locate this city on a map.)
2. On what day of the week did these events occur? Mark 1:21b
3. Where did Jesus go on this day? Mark 1:21c
4. What did he do there? Mark 1:21d
5. What was the reaction of the people to His doctrine (teaching)? Mark 1:22a
6. Why did they feel this way? Mark 1:22b
7. Who was among those in the synagogue? Mark 1:23a
8. Right in the midst of the meeting, what did he do? Mark 1:23b
9. Notice the four things this man said: Mark 1:24. What did Jesus then do to the unclean spirit in the man? Mark 1:25a
10. What two things did Jesus tell the spirit to do? Mark 1:25b
11. What three things did the spirit then do? Mark 1:26
12. How did the people feel because of this? Mark 1:27a
13. What did they do? Mark 1:27b
14. Notice the three things they said: Mark 1:27c-e. What most impressed them about the way Jesus had done this? Mark 1:27e
15. What happened as a result of this event? Mark 1:28
16. How soon did this happen? Mark 1:28a
B. Events at Noon, at Simon’s House: Read Mark 1:29-31
1. Where did Jesus and His friends go after the church service? Mark 1:29
2. Who was with Jesus, Simon and Andrew? Mark 1:29c
3. What sad condition existed in that home? Mark 1:30a
4. What did they do about this condition? Mark 1:30b
5. What two things did Jesus then do for the sick woman? Mark 1:31a
6. What happened to her? Mark 1:31b
7. How soon did this happen? Mark 1:31b
8. What was she about to do for them after this? Mark 1:31c
C. Events in the Evening, as the Sabbath Ended: Read Mark 1:32-34
1. What two groups of people were brought to Jesus at this time? Mark 1:32
a.
b.
2. How many people came? Mark 1:33
3. What two things did Jesus then do? Mark 1:34a, b
4. In what way did He limit the devils? Mark 1:34c
5. Why? Mark 1:34d
QUESTIONS FOR ME TO THINK ABOUT:
1. What do you suppose caused the people to tell Jesus about their sick relative, and bring their sick and demon-possessed relatives and friends to Jesus?
2. Do I have any friends or relatives whom I should tell Jesus about, or bring to Him? (See Luke 1:37; Matthew 21:22)
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| (See end of this study for detailed steps of how to complete the Parallel Diamond Chart.) |
JESUS’ MINISTRY EXTENDED
Mark 1: 35—45
If Jesus had come for mere popularity, He might have stayed in Capernaum indefinitely, now that His fame had been established there. But see what He did do, and why:
A. Events the Next Morning: Read Mark 1:35-38:
1. What time did Jesus get up the morning after His busy sabbath day?
Mark 1:35a
2. Where did He go? Mark 1:35b
3. What did He do there? Mark 1:35c
4. What did His disciples do after they got up? Mark 1:36
5. What did they tell Jesus after they had found Him? Mark 1:37
6. Where did Jesus suggest that they go? Mark 1:38a
7. What did He want to do there? Mark 1:38b
8. Why did He especially want to do this? Mark 1:38c
B. Jesus Goes on a Preaching Tour: Read Mark 1:39
1. Where did Jesus’ tour take Him? Mark 1:39b
2. What two things did He do everywhere He went? Mark 1:39a, c
C. One Event on the Tour: Read Mark 1:40-45
1. Who came to Jesus on this tour? Mark 1:40a
2. What two things did he do as he came? Mark 1:40b
3. What did He say to Jesus? Mark 1:40c
4. How did Jesus feel when He heard this? Mark 1:41a
5. What did Jesus do? Mark 1:41b
6. What did Jesus say to Him? Mark 1:41c
7. What happened after this? Mark 1:42b
8. How soon did this happen? Mark 1:42a
9. What did Jesus then charge the man not to do? Mark 1:43, 44a
10. What two things did He tell the man to do instead? Mark 1:44b
a.
b.
11. Why was he to do these two things? Mark 1:44c
12. What two things did the man do instead of obeying Jesus’ first charge?
Mark 1:45a
13. What was the result of this man’s testimony to others? Mark 1:45b
14. Where did Jesus teach from then on? Mark 1:45c
15. What happened as He continued there? Mark 1:45d
QUESTIONS FOR ME TO THINK ABOUT:
1. What do you suppose was the secret of Jesus’ desire to do what God had sent Him to do? Of His ability to perform great miracles? Mark 1:35
2. Have I learned how to lay hold of God in prayer so that I will always desire God’s will for me and be able to accomplish great things through Him?
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| (See end of this study for detailed steps of how to complete the Parallel Diamond Chart.) |
JESUS’ MINISTRY TO ONE SICK MAN
Mark 2: 1—12
Jesus’ preaching tour lasted for several days. Read now to see what happened after He returned to Capernaum, especially as it affected one sick man:
A. The Condition of the Man: Read Mark 2:1-3
1. What happened soon after Jesus arrived in Capernaum? Mark 2:1, 2a
2. What was the result of this? Mark 2:2b
3. What did Jesus then do? Mark 2:2c
4. Who was among those who came? Mark 2:3a
5. What shows how bad his condition was? Mark 2:3b and (THINK!)
B. The Persistence of His Friends: Read Mark 2:4
1. What did the man’s friends discover when they arrived at the house where Jesus was? Mark 2:4a
2. Therefore, where did they go? Mark 2:4b
3. What two things did they do to the roof? Mark 2:4b, c
4. Then what did they do? Mark 2:4d
C. The Response of Jesus: Read Mark 2:5
1. What did Jesus see was the reason for the friends’ persistence? Mark 2:5a
2. Therefore, what did He say to the sick man? Mark 2:5b
D. The Reaction of the Onlookers: Read Mark 2:6, 7
1. Who were among those who heard Jesus’ words? Mark 2:6a
2. The Pharisees were the most strict and most influential religious leaders of their day. What did they begin to do? Mark 2:6b
3. What did they think Jesus was doing? Mark 2:7a
4. Who did they think was the only one who could forgive sins? Mark 2:7b
5. Did they think that Jesus was God? (THINK!)
E. The Answer of Jesus: Read Mark 2:8-11
1. How did Jesus know what these men were thinking? Mark 2:8a
2. Think how they must have felt when Jesus began to answer their unspoken thoughts! What question did He then ask them? Mark 2:9
3. What did He then tell the sick man to do? Mark 2:11
4. Why did He say this? Mark 2:10a
F. The Results of Jesus’ Answer: Read Mark 2:12
1. What was the first result of Jesus’ words? Mark 2:12a
2. What two things did the others do after this? Mark 2:12b
3. What did they say? Mark 2:12c
QUESTIONS FOR ME TO THINK ABOUT:
1. What might have happened if this man’s friends had become discouraged and given up when their first attempts failed? Would it have made any difference to the sick man? To them?
2. Do I have the kind of faith in God that makes me so persistent that I keep on trying until I find some way to get my friends and relatives to God?
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| (See end of this study for detailed steps of how to complete the Parallel Diamond Chart.) |
OBJECTIONS TO JESUS’ MINISTRY
Mark 2: 13—22
Until Jesus spoke of forgiving the palsied man’s sins, the only result of His miracles and ministry was increasing popularity. With this event, there began a second result, questioning. Notice how this continued and developed in the days which followed:
A. The Call of Levi and Its Results: Read Mark 2:13-17
1. Where did Jesus go next? Mark 2:13a
2. Who came to Him there? Mark 2:13b
3. What did He do for them? Mark 2:13c
4. What special person did He notice? Mark 2:14a
5. Where was he sitting? Mark 2:14
Note: This would indicate that he was a publican (tax-collector for the Romans, whom the Jews therefore hated.)
6. What did Jesus say to him? Mark 2:14b
7. What did Levi do? Mark 2:14c
8. Notice that Levi also made a feast for Jesus, and invited many of his friends. What two kinds of people were therefore at dinner with Jesus and His disciples? Mark 2:15
9. What was true of all of these people? Mark 2:15b
10. Who saw what Jesus was doing, and objected to it? Mark 2:16
11. What was Jesus’ answer to them about this? Mark 2:17a
12. Whom do you think the Physician represented? Mark 2:17a
13. Who therefore would have need of His services? Mark 2:17b
B. Jesus’ Failure to Fast and Its Results: Read Mark 2:18-22
1. Whose disciples made it their custom to fast (do without food, usually in order to pray)? Mark 2:18a
2. Therefore what question did they ask Jesus, criticising Him? Mark 2:18b
For answer, Jesus gave them three illustrations:
3. Do the wedding attendants fast while the bridegroom is still with them?
Mark 2:19
4. When will they fast? Mark 2:20
5. Whom do you think the bridegroom represented?
6. Do people use new cloth to patch old clothes? Mark 2:21a
7. What might happen if they did? Mark 2:21b
8. Do people put new wine into old bottles, or wineskins? Mark 2:22a
9. What would happen if they did? Mark 2:22b
10. Therefore, where is new wine always stored? Mark 2:22c
11. What do you think each of the new things represented?
12. Would these fit into the Pharisees’ old way of doing things?
QUESTIONS FOR ME TO THINK ABOUT:
1. What was the Pharisees’ real objection to Jesus’ ministry?
2. Are there some things about Jesus’ teachings and the Christian way of life that I do not understand? What is my reaction to such things? Do I accept that as being normal, and seek to learn Christ’s new ways? Or do I object to such teachings, and criticize Him for not doing things my way? (See 1 Corinthians 2:14)
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| (See end of this study for detailed steps of how to complete the Parallel Diamond Chart.) |
OPPOSITION TO JESUS’ MINISTRY
Mark 2: 23 – 3: 6
The questioning attitude toward Jesus, which began with His words indicating that He had power to forgive sins, had now spread to other areas of His behavior. Notice how this attitude grew and deepened with succeeding events:
A. Plucking Grain on the Sabbath and Its Results: Read Mark 2:23-28:
1. As Jesus passed through cornfields on the Sabbath day, what did His disciples do? Mark 2:23
2. Was this permitted by the Old Testament law? (See Deuteronomy 23:25)
3. Yet what did the Pharisees say about the disciples’ actions? Mark 2:24b
4. For what reason did they consider it not to be lawful? Mark 2:24a and (THINK!)
5. Who else did Jesus indicate had done something similar to this on one occasion? Mark 2:25a, c
6. What had he done? Mark 2:26
7. Why had he done this? Mark 2:25b
8. For whose benefit did Jesus say the Sabbath was made? Mark 2:27a
9. What did the Pharisees’ frigid rules concerning what might and might not be done on the Sabbath indicate that they thought? Mark 2:27b
10. Who did Jesus say was Lord of the Sabbath, and therefore would have the right to say what might and might not be done on that day? Mark 2:28
B. Healing an Afflicted Man on the Sabbath and Its Results: Read Mark 3:1-6
1. Where did Jesus then go? Mark 3:1a
2. Who was among the worshippers there? Mark 3:1b
3. What did others there, probably Pharisees, do? Mark 3:2a
4. What did they especially want to see? Mark 3:2b
5. Why did they want to know this? Mark 3:2c
6. What did Jesus say to the afflicted man? Mark 3:3
7. What two questions did He then ask the onlookers? Mark 3:4
a.
b.
8. What was their response? Mark 3:4c
9. What emotion was in Jesus’ look toward them after this? Mark 3:5a
10. What emotion was in His heart because of them? Mark 3:5b
11. What did He see was the condition of their hearts? Mark 3:5c
12. What did He then say to the afflicted man? Mark 3:5d
13. When he obeyed, what happened? Mark 3:5e
14. What did the Pharisees immediately begin planning to do? Mark 3:6
15. Whom did they enlist to help them? Mark 3:6
(The Herodians were probably Jews who supported Herod, the king appointed by the Romans, who therefore approved of Roman rule over the Jews)
QUESTIONS FOR ME TO THINK ABOUT:
1. What was God’s real concern in establishing the sabbath day? Mark 2:27, 28
2. How do I spend my Sundays? Do I seek to make them days of real rests and refreshing, guided by and pleasing to the Lord? Or am I merely concerned about a rigid, mechanical list to “Do’s” and “Don’ts”?
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| (See end of this study for detailed steps of how to complete the Parallel Diamond Chart.) |
JESUS' MINISTRY CONTINUED BY THE SEA
Mark 3: 7—35
Since the Pharisees were seeking to destroy Jesus, it was necessary that He leave the city and go elsewhere to teach. See now where He went, and what happened there:
A. Jesus' Ministry by the Sea: Read Mark 3:7-12
1. To what place did Jesus and His disciples next go? Mark 3:7a
2. Who followed Him? Mark 3:7b
3. Notice all the places from which these people had come. Mark 3:7c-8. (Locate each of these places on a map.)
4. What had caused all these people to come to Him? Mark 3:8b
5. What did many of these people seek to do? Mark 3:10
6. What was there a danger that the multitude might do? Mark 3:9b
7. Therefore, what was kept waiting for Him? Mark 3:9a
8. What two things did unclean spirits do when they saw Him? Mark 3:11
9. Were they suitable messengers for this news? Therefore, what did Jesus charge them? Mark 3:12
B. Jesus' Choice of Helpers: Read Mark 3:13-19
1. Where did Jesus next go? Mark 3:13a
2. Whom did He call unto Him? Mark 3:13b
3. For what special reason did He choose twelve of them? Mark 3:14a
4. What three things was He later going to send them to do? Mark 3:14b
5. Notice that five of these He had already chosen before this time: Mark 3:16-19. Learn their names, and those of the other seven chosen with them at this time.
C. Reactions to Jesus' Ministry: Read Mark 3:19b-35
1. What happened when they again went into a house? Mark 3:20a
2. What did this keep them from doing? Mark 3:20b
3. When Jesus' friends heard of it, what did they think had happened to Jesus? Mark 3:21b
4. Therefore, what did they plan to do? Mark 3:21a
5. Notice the reaction of the scribes who had come from Jerusalem: Mark 3:22.
6. What did they have to admit that Jesus had done? Mark 3:22c
7. Yet by whose power did they say He had done this? Mark 3:22b
8. What means did Jesus use in answering them? Mark 3:23
9. Read Jesus' answer in Mark 3:23b-27. Could the Pharisees' accusation possibly have been true? (THINK!) (These verses contain a statement made doubly famous when quoted by Lincoln in one of his speeches at the time of the Civil War. Can you find it?)
10. What did Jesus indicate that the Pharisees had done? Mark 3:29a
11. Therefore, what two things faced them in the future? Mark 3:29b
12. Who then came looking for Jesus? Mark 3:31
13. Whom did He tell the crowds seated about Him that His mother and brethren were? Mark 3:35a, 34b
QUESTIONS FOR ME TO THINK ABOUT:
1. What was Jesus main concern in life? Mark 3:10, 20, 34, 35, 10:45; John 4:34
2. Am I so absorbed in doing that which is God's will for me, that earthly ties and matters concerning earthly life are of secondary importance to me?
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| (See end of this study for detailed steps of how to complete the Parallel Diamond Chart.) |
JESUS' FIRST MINISTRY THROUGH PARABLES
Mark 4:1-25
As Jesus continued His ministry, He began to teach through parables. Read to see what a parable is, and what His first parable taught to His followers:
A. The Occasion for the Parable: Read Mark 4:1-2:
1. Where was Jesus when He began again to teach? Mark 4:1a
2. Who had come to hear Him? Mark 4:1b
3. What did He have to do? Mark 4:1c
4. Where did His hearers stay? Mark 4:1d
5. Was this the only parable given at this time? Mark 4:2a
B. The Parable Itself: Read Mark 4:3-9
1. What word did Jesus use as He began this story? Mark 4:3a
2. Who is the main character of this story? Mark 4:3b
3. What would you think He would sow? Mark 4:3b and THINK!
4. From Mark 4:4-8, chart briefly the main events of this story in columns:
Where the Seed Fell: What Happened to it: Meaning:
4a 4b 15
5a 5b, 6 16, 17
7a 7b 18, 19
8a 8b 20
5. Was all the soil on which the seed fell of the same kind?
6. Were the results the same in each case?
7. What caused the difference in the effectiveness of the seed in each case? (THINK!) Mark 4:3a, 19, 23, 24
C. The Meaning of the Parable: Read Mark 4: 10-20
1. Did Jesus’ hearers understand at first the meaning of this parable? Mark 4: 10
2. To whom did He say He would explain this parable? Mark 4: 10, 11a
3. Why did He say He spoke in parables to others? Mark 4: 11b, 12
4. Notice that in giving the meaning of this parable, Jesus gave them a key as to how to interpret all parables: Mark 4: 13 He began by identifying the two basic nouns. What does each represent?
a. The seed: Mark 4: 14
b. Therefore, who would the sower be? (THINK!)
5. What do you think the soil represents in each case? (Look for something that all four types of soil have in common: Mark 4: 15b, 16b, 18b, 20b
6. In column 3 above, chart the meaning Jesus gave for each of the types of soil.
7. On the basis of these answers, what would you say makes the difference in the effectiveness of the Word of God when it falls on a human heart? (THINK!) Mark 4: 3a, 19, 23, 24
QUESTIONS FOR ME TO THINK ABOUT:
1. How do I hear God's Word when it is given out? Like which type of soil am I?
2. Do I always receive the Word of God into my heart, allowing it so to affect my life that I bring forth the greatest possible amount of fruit for God?
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| (See end of this study for detailed steps of how to complete the Parallel Diamond Chart.) |
JESUS' CONTINUED MINISTRY THROUGH
PARABLES and EVENTS
Mark 4: 26—41
We have seen from the parable of the Sower that a parable is a true-to-life story designed to teach some spiritual truth. See what spiritual truths are taught through the following parables, and what happened after Jesus had taught them:
A. The Parable of the Growing Seed: Read Mark 4:26-29
1. To what did Jesus liken the kingdom of God? Mark 4:26
2. What happened to the seed after it was sown? Mark 4:27b
3. Therefore, what does this story teach you about the kingdom of God? (THINK!)
B. The Parable of the Mustard Seed: Read Mark 4:30-34
1. To what else did Jesus compare the kingdom of God? Mark 4:30, 31a
2. How large is a mustard seed? Mark 4:31b
3. Yet, when it is sown and grows up, how large does it become? Mark 4:32
4. What does this story teach you about the kingdom of God? (THINK!)
C. Other Parables: Read Mark 4:33, 34
1. For what purpose did Jesus use parables? Mark 4:33a
2. What determined how much Jesus taught the people? Mark 4:33b
3. What did He do after giving such teachings to the multitudes? Mark 4:34b
D. Events After Jesus' Day of Teaching in Parables: Read Mark 4:35-41
1. That same day at evening, what did Jesus decide that they should do?
Mark 4:35
2. Therefore, what did they do first? Mark 4:36a
3. Notice that Jesus was already in the ship (Mark 4:1) so they simply started the trip at His word. Who else also went? Mark 4:36d
4. What happened as they traveled? Mark 4:37a
5. What happened to the ship? Mark 4:37b
6. Where was Jesus at this time? Mark 4:38a
7. What did His disciples do when the storm arose? Mark 4:38b
8. What question did they ask Him? Mark 4:38c
9. What did Jesus do after this? Mark 4:39a
10. What two things happened as a result? Mark 4:39b
11. What was Jesus' first question to them? Mark 4:40a
12. What did He indicate had caused their fear? Mark 4:40b
13. How did the disciples feel after this? Mark 4:41a
14. What question did they ask themselves? Mark 4:41b
QUESTIONS FOR ME TO THINK ABOUT:
1. Where had Jesus said that they were going to go? Mark 4:35 Did the disciples remember this after the storm arose? Why not? Mark 4:40
2. Do I pay such careful attention to Jesus' words that I remember them and count on them even when He permits severe tests to come into my life?
| Circumstance |
| Choice |
| Consequence |
| Biblical History |
| Parallel Principle |
| Personal Application |
| (See end of this study for detailed steps of how to complete the Parallel Diamond Chart.) |
JESUS' TRIP TO THE COUNTRY OF THE GADARENES
Mark 5: 1—20
After Jesus' wonderful miracle of calming the stormy sea, He and His disciples came to the other side of the sea to the country of the Gadarenes (See a map.) Read now to see what happened there:
A. Events as Jesus Arrived: Read Mark 5:1-9
1. Who met Jesus as soon as He came out of the ship? Mark 5:1, 2
2. Where did this man live? Mark 5:3a
3. What two things had people tried unsuccessfully to do to him? Mark 5:3b, 4a,
a. 3b
b. 4a
4. What two things did he spend his life doing? Mark 5:5b
5. How often and at what times did he do these two things? Mark 5:5a
6. What did he do when he saw Jesus coming? Mark 5:6
7. What did Jesus say to the spirit in the man? Mark 5:8
8. What did the man do as a result? Mark 5:7a
9. What two things did he say? Mark 5:7b, c
a.
b.
10. What was the name of the spirit in the man, and why? Mark 5:9b
11. What did the demons in the man ask Jesus not to do? Mark 5:10
B. Immediate Results of Jesus' Visit: Read Mark 5:11-13
1. What group of animals was feeding nearby when these events occurred? Mark 5:11
2. What did the devils ask Jesus to allow them to do? Mark 5:12
3. What two things happened after Jesus gave them permission to do this? Mark 5:13
a.
b.
C. Further Results of Jesus' Visit: Read Mark 5:14-20
1. What two things did the keepers of the swine (hogs and pigs) then do? Mark 5:14a
2. Therefore, what did many people do? Mark 5:14b
3. What three differences did they see in the man who had been demon-possessed? Mark 5:15a
4. What effect did this have on them? Mark 5:15b
5. What did some of them then ask Jesus to do? Mark 5:17
6. What did the man who had had the demons ask Jesus to allow him to do? Mark 5:18
7. Did Jesus give permission for this? Mark 5:19a
8. What did He tell him to do instead? Mark 5:19b
9. What happened when he obeyed and did this? Mark 5:20
QUESTIONS FOR ME TO THINK ABOUT:
1. Have I ever had a condition that was any way similar to that of the demon possessed man? (See John 8:34; Romans 6:16; 2 Timothy 2:26)
2. What would Jesus like to do for me? (See John 8:36). What should I do in return? Mark 5:19b
| Circumstance |
| Choice |
| Consequence |
| Biblical History |
| Parallel Principle |
| Personal Application |
| (See end of this study for detailed steps of how to complete the Parallel Diamond Chart.) |