The Gospel Of Mark Bible Study Lesson 19

The Gospel Of Mark Bible Study Lesson 19:

This week’s Bible Study of Mark’s Gospel will again include questions for you to answer. Once you finish the lesson on your own. You can look at my answers. Anytime you do Bible study ask yourself these 3 questions:

3 questions:

·        What is this passage about?

·        What do I learn from this passage?

·        How can I apply what I have learned to my life?

Scripture to meditate on before you do this week’s Bible study:

Romans 1:16 NIV

I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile.

……………………………………………………………………………………..

This Week’s Bible passage from the Gospel of Mark:

Read the passage below:

Mark 4:30-34New International Version (NIV)

The Parable of the Mustard Seed

³⁰ Again he said, “What shall we say the kingdom of God is like, or what parable shall we use to describe it? ³¹ It is like a mustard seed, which is the smallest of all seeds on earth. ³² Yet when planted, it grows and becomes the largest of all garden plants, with such big branches that the birds can perch in its shade.”

³³ With many similar parables Jesus spoke the word to them, as much as they could understand. ³⁴ He did not say anything to them without using a parable. But when he was alone with his own disciples, he explained everything.

.....................................................................................................................................

Answer the questions below:

1.   Content:  What is this passage about?

·        Who are the people if any?  

  

·        What are they doing?         

                                 

·        Where does this take place? 

·        When does this take place? 

2.   Lesson:   What do I learn from this passage?

·        Is there a warning, command or promise?

·        Is there an example to follow or not to follow?

·        What is/are the main truth/truths of this passage?  

·        Is there a lesson or principle that is a universal truth?

·        Why did God put this passage in the Bible?

What does the passage reveal about the character of God?

·        His Attributes/Characteristics (ex. loving, caring, Holy, Merciful etc.):

·        His ways of relating/Communicating to people:

·        His emotions:

·        His views:

·        Reasons for us to love God more: 

3.  Application:  How can I apply what I have learned to my life?

·        Can you think of a current situation in your personal life, home life, 

         Church, or business which is similar to what you are learning?

·        How can I apply what I am learning to my current circumstances?

·        Are there specific things in to which to pray about?

·        Is there a new thought to me? An encouraging thought?  

………………………………………………………………………………………

Mark 4:30-34New International Version (NIV)

The Parable of the Mustard Seed

³⁰ Again he said, “What shall we say the kingdom of God is like, or what parable shall we use to describe it? ³¹ It is like a mustard seed, which is the smallest of all seeds on earth. ³² Yet when planted, it grows and becomes the largest of all garden plants, with such big branches that the birds can perch in its shade.”

³³ With many similar parables Jesus spoke the word to them, as much as they could understand. ³⁴ He did not say anything to them without using a parable. But when he was alone with his own disciples, he explained everything.

………………………………………………………………………………………

Here is my layout for Mark 4:30-34

1.    Content: What is this passage about?

Jesus’ parable compares the kingdom’s growth to the phenomenal growth of a tiny mustard seed

Who are the people if any?

·        Jesus, Jesus’ disciples and others.

          

What are they doing?   

·         Jesus is teaching   

Where does this take place?

·        In Galilee

When does this take place?

·        Early in Jesus Ministry around the time He taught The Parables of the Sower, lamp on a stand & growing seed.

.....................................................................................................................................

2.    Lesson: What do I learn from this passage?

Small, hidden beginnings can have tremendous growth and bless many when God’s power is within them

Note:

The Parable of the Mustard Seed can also be found in Matthew 13:31-32 & Luke 13:18-19

Is there a warning, command or promise?

·        Jesus describes the kingdom of God.

·        The Kingdom of God is Like a mustard seed

·        Through God’s Word & divine power the kingdom of God has grown in an amazing way and will continue to reach the ends of the earth.

Is there an example to follow or not to follow?           

·                              If we want a deeper understanding of God’s Word we need to spend time    

           studying it and asking the Holy Spirit to teach us its meaning.  We will need

     the strength from the Holy Spirit to help us apply it to our lives. 

·        Like the disciples we need time alone with Jesus. 

·        Spending time in prayer and God’s word is important for spiritual development.

What are the main points in this passage?

·        The kingdom of God is like a mustard seed. (the smallest seed you plant in the ground)

·        The smallest seed becomes the largest of all garden plants.

·        The Mustard plant becomes so large that birds can perch in its shade.

·        Jesus spoke God’s Word to His followers.

·        Jesus used parables to teach.

·        When Jesus was alone with His disciples and others, He helped them understand the parables.

Is there a lesson or principle that is a universal truth?

·         When we become followers of Jesus and we plant ourselves in the Word of God, we will grow in our relationship with God and in our knowledge of God’s Word.

·        In turn, as we plant the seeds of hope in others, we can see how God will use our testimony and sharing of the Gospel to help others become as followers of Jesus.

·        God waters the seeds in a person’s heart and over time we will see incredible growth in a person’s faith and trust in God.  From a faith that starts out the size of a “mustard” seed to then a faith as large as a full grown “mustard plant”.

·        Historically God’s Kingdom started small. After Jesus began teaching  the Word of God, the truth about God’s Kingdom began to spread throughout the world.

·        Why did God put this passage in the Bible?

·        To inspire us to look deeper into His word for deeper truth and meaning.  

·        To inspire us to share the Gospel with others.

What does the passage reveal about the character of God/Jesus?

A. His attributes:   Teacher: Jesus helped His disciples understand the parables

B. His ways of relating/communicating to people:   Through parables. Jesus explained the parables to His disciples.   

C. His emotions:  Jesus loved and cared about His disciples.    

D. His views:  The Kingdom of God will continue to grow. God wants us to take part in the miracle of helping others receive a new life in Jesus by sharing the Gospel with them.

E. Reasons for us to love Him more:   Jesus opens the door to God’s Kingdom for us.  Followers of Jesus have received the Holy Spirit who teaches us                  God’s Word.  We then have the privilege of sharing God’s Word others.                                                                 

 

3.    Life Application (Personal): 

·        What “small thing” is Jesus entrusting to my care now?

·        How available am I for God’s use in the growth of His kingdom?

·        Will I begin now to ask God daily to explain His word me?

…………………………………………………………………………………….....

My prayer for you:

I pray you will take God’s Word to heart and ask God to help you apply what you have learned. I hope and pray that this Bible Study helps you grow spiritually by deepening your faith, trust and love for God.

Jesus declared that if we seek God, he will take care of the rest of the things in our lives:

Matthew 6:33 New Living Translation (NLT)

Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.

In your life, put God first and He will take care of "all these things."

Also, remember the importance and impact of embracing of God’s Word in light of how we are to be God’s Ambassadors and Teachers, as well as to live abundantly in a fallen world:

1 Peter 3:15 NIV

But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect,

2 Timothy 3:16-17 NIV

All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

Psalm 119:105 ESV   

Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.

John 8:31-32 New International Version (NIV)

To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.

Daily Application ideas:

·        Pray. Ask God to help you understand the passage of scripture you are reading.

·        Pray. Ask God to help you apply what you are learning.

·        Write down your thoughts and prayers. Seek to understand what God is trying to teach you.

·        Begin to make changes in your patterns of behavior in accordance to God’s teaching.

·        Act on God’s answer to prayer.

·        Put God first in your life in every area of your life (Marriage, Parenting, Ministry, Work etc.).

·        Be determined to make quality & quantity time for God in your life (ex. Quiet time, prayer time, Bible reading/study).

Helpful Hints for this Bible Study:

·        Not everything we read will contain enough info to answer all the questions.

·        Other questions may come to mind as you read.

·        The questions are just helpful guidelines.

·        Following the reading of the passage of scripture take a moment to write down your thoughts.

·        After you have read the above questions, answer the questions specifically. 

·        Refer back to above questions when you need to.

·        Then concentrate on a couple of things that are meaningful to you personally. 

·        Then go to the application section.

·        Think through the application questions and journal your thoughts and prayers.

                              

Just Sayin……………..Dave

The Gospel Of Mark Bible Study Lesson 18

The Gospel Of Mark Bible Study Lesson 18:

This week’s Bible Study of Mark’s Gospel will again include questions for you to answer. Once you finish the lesson on your own. You can look at my answers. Anytime you do Bible study ask yourself these 3 questions:

3 questions:

·        What is this passage about?

·        What do I learn from this passage?

·        How can I apply what I have learned to my life?

Scripture to meditate on before you do this week’s Bible study:

John 15:5 NIV

"I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.

……………………………………………………………………………………..

This Week’s Bible passage from the Gospel of Mark:

Read the passage below:

Mark 4:26-29New International Version (NIV)

The Parable of the Growing Seed

²⁶ He also said, “This is what the kingdom of God is like. A man scatters seed on the ground. ²⁷ Night and day, whether he sleeps or gets up, the seed sprouts and grows, though he does not know how. ²⁸ All by itself the soil produces grain—first the stalk, then the head, then the full kernel in the head. ²⁹ As soon as the grain is ripe, he puts the sickle to it, because the harvest has come.”

Here is another version of the passage that may help you understand the parable. To really gain insight, ask the Holy Spirit to teach you about the meaning of the passage.

Mark 4:26-29Living Bible (TLB)

²⁶ “Here is another story illustrating what the Kingdom of God is like:

“A farmer sowed his field ²⁷ and went away, and as the days went by, the seeds grew and grew without his help. ²⁸ For the soil made the seeds grow. First a leaf blade pushed through, and later the heads of wheat formed, and finally the grain ripened, ²⁹ and then the farmer came at once with his sickle and harvested it.”

.....................................................................................................................................

Answer the questions below:

1.   Content:  What is this passage about?

·        Who are the people if any?  

  

·        What are they doing?         

                                 

·        Where does this take place? 

·        When does this take place? 

2.   Lesson:   What do I learn from this passage?

·        Is there a warning, command or promise?

·        Is there an example to follow or not to follow?

·        What is/are the main truth/truths of this passage?  

·        Is there a lesson or principle that is a universal truth?

·        Why did God put this passage in the Bible?

What does the passage reveal about the character of God?

·        His Attributes/Characteristics (ex. loving, caring, Holy, Merciful etc.):

·        His ways of relating/Communicating to people:

·        His emotions:

·        His views:

·        Reasons for us to love God more: 

3.  Application:  How can I apply what I have learned to my life?

·        Can you think of a current situation in your personal life, home life, 

         Church, or business which is similar to what you are learning?

·        How can I apply what I am learning to my current circumstances?

·        Are there specific things in to which to pray about?

·        Is there a new thought to me? An encouraging thought?  

………………………………………………………………………………………

Mark 4:26-29New International Version (NIV)

The Parable of the Growing Seed

²⁶ He also said, “This is what the kingdom of God is like. A man scatters seed on the ground. ²⁷ Night and day, whether he sleeps or gets up, the seed sprouts and grows, though he does not know how. ²⁸ All by itself the soil produces grain—first the stalk, then the head, then the full kernel in the head. ²⁹ As soon as the grain is ripe, he puts the sickle to it, because the harvest has come.”

Here is another version of the passage that may help you understand the parable. To really gain insight, ask the Holy Spirit to teach you about the meaning of the passage.

Mark 4:26-29Living Bible (TLB)

²⁶ “Here is another story illustrating what the Kingdom of God is like:

“A farmer sowed his field ²⁷ and went away, and as the days went by, the seeds grew and grew without his help. ²⁸ For the soil made the seeds grow. First a leaf blade pushed through, and later the heads of wheat formed, and finally the grain ripened, ²⁹ and then the farmer came at once with his sickle and harvested it.”

………………………………………………………………………………………

Here is my layout for Mark 4:26-29

1.    Content: What is this passage about?

Jesus likens the kingdom of God to scattered seed that grows unobserved and spontaneously produces a harvest.

Who are the people if any?

·         Jesus, His 12 Apostles and others.

          

What are they doing?   

·        Jesus is teaching a parable to the 12 Apostles and others.  

Where does this take place?

·        Somewhere in Galilee assuming a place near the lake where he taught about the “Parable Of The Sower”.

When does this take place?

·         Still early in Jesus ministry after appointing the 12 disciples to be

           Apostles: (Those commissioned to preach the Gospel)

.....................................................................................................................................

2.    Lesson: What do I learn from this passage?

God’s Word will sprout, grow, and produce a harvest in due time

Is there a warning, command or promise?

·        God has appointed us the task of spreading the seeds of the Gospel.

·        God will reap the harvest from those who are ready and receive the Gospel.

Is there an example to follow or not to follow?  

·        As followers of Jesus we need to continue to spread the Good News of Jesus wherever we are.

What are the main points in this passage?

·        Jesus teaches the “Parable of the Growing Seed”.

·        Jesus gives an example of what the Kingdom of God is like.

·        Man scatters the seeds of the Gospel to others through God’s Word and personal testimony.

·        In time it is God that makes the seed grow in each person. This is done through divine power.

·        God will then reap the harvest from the grain when it is ripe.

Is there a lesson or principle that is a universal truth?

·        The growth of God’s Kingdom is the result of divine power, not the efforts of man.

Why did God put this passage in the Bible?

·         To teach us our part in building God’s Kingdom.

What does the passage reveal about the character of God/Jesus?

         A.   His attributes:  Teacher 

         B. His ways of relating/communicating to people:   Through Parables.

         C.   His emotions: Focused on His mission and purpose  

         D.   His views:  Man has a role to play in building God’s Kingdom.  

         E. Reasons for us to love Him more:   
         God gives us purposeful kingdom work   which includes sharing the Gospel.       
         This privilege He gives His followers plays a role in reconciliation with the lost 
         who are still separated from Him due to unrepentant sin.    

3.    Life Application (Personal): 

·        How am I fulfilling Christ’s command to sow the seed of God’s Word?

·        Where Am I relying on myself more than the inherent power of God’s Word to change lives?

·        How much time do I spend with Christ so that I am sensitive to the time for harvest?

  

…………………………………………………………………………………….....

My prayer for you:

I pray you will take God’s Word to heart and ask God to help you apply what you have learned. I hope and pray that this Bible Study helps you grow spiritually by deepening your faith, trust and love for God.

Jesus declared that if we seek God, he will take care of the rest of the things in our lives:

Matthew 6:33 New Living Translation (NLT)

Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.

In your life, put God first and He will take care of "all these things."

Also, remember the importance and impact of embracing of God’s Word in light of how we are to be God’s Ambassadors and Teachers, as well as to live abundantly in a fallen world:

1 Peter 3:15 NIV

But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect,

2 Timothy 3:16-17 NIV

All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

Psalm 119:105 ESV   

Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.

John 8:31-32 New International Version (NIV)

To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.

Daily Application ideas: 

·        Pray. Ask God to help you understand the passage of scripture you are

         reading. 

·        Pray. Ask God to help you apply what you are learning. 

·        Write down your thoughts and prayers. Seek to understand what God is

          trying to teach you. 

·        Begin to make changes in your patterns of behavior in accordance to God’s

          teaching. 

·        Act on God’s answer to prayer. 

·        Put God first in your life in every area of your life (Marriage, Parenting,

          Ministry, Work etc.). 

·        Be determined to make quality & quantity time for God in your life

         (ex.  Quiet time, prayer time, Bible reading/study).

Just Sayin……………..Dave