Bible guides - Mark |
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Bible guides – Mark 1:40-2:12 - 11 May 2009
Two of Jesus’ miracles are recorded in some detail, for they each reveal something specific about Jesus’ mission.
- People with leprosy were social outcasts and regarded as spiritually ‘unclean’. In the light of this, what is unusual about what Jesus does in verse 41?
- Being ‘unclean’, lepers were forbidden from worshipping God in the temple. How is this man’s life changed in verses 42-44?
What does the example of this man’s healing show us about how Jesus can transform our lives?
- What is the man’s most obvious problem (verses 3-4)? In view of this, what is surprising about Jesus first words to him in verse 5?
- How do the scribes (Jewish leaders) react in verse 7? What does Jesus do in verses 8-12 to demonstrate that he has authority to forgive sins?
Our most serious problems often lie under the surface of our lives. What, according to this episode, is our most serious problem of all? What can Jesus do about it?
Bible guides – Mark 1:21-39 - 8 May 2009
Jesus continues his ministry, healing the sick, casting out demons and teaching with great authority, and the news about him spreads rapidly.
- What did the people think of Jesus’ teaching? Why?
- How does Jesus demonstrate the authority of his words in verses 25-26?
How should we respond to Jesus’ words today?
- What reaction does Jesus’ ministry produce in verses 28 and 32?
- How does Jesus demonstrate his power in verses 29-34?
Many people think that Jesus was just an inspiring religious leader and nothing more. Do you agree? Why or why not?
Bible guides – Mark 1:1-20 - 7 May 2009
Welcome to what will, God willing, become a short series of Bible guides, designed especially for new Christians and for Christians rediscovering their faith for the first time in a few years.
Brief introductions to the passage of Scripture are in normal paragraphs; bulleted questions are designed to open up the passage we’re looking at; questions for personal reflection are in italics.
Verse 1 introduces the book, and then John the Baptist, who prepared the way for Jesus, is introduced in verses 2-8. Jesus arrives on the scene in verse 9 and begins his ministry. Verses 16-20 record how some people responded to Jesus.
- What does verse 1 tell us about Jesus?
- What do we find out about John the Baptist in verses 2-8? According to verses 7-8, how does he compare to Jesus, who will come after him?
- Who speaks in verse 11? What does he say?
- What is Jesus’ message summarised in verses 14-15? How does Jesus want people to respond to him?
- What did the different people do when Jesus called them to follow him in verses 16-20?
How does your personal response to Jesus compare to the different responses in verses 16-20?
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