The Gospel Of Mark Bible Study Lesson 14

The Gospel Of Mark Bible Study Lesson 14:

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 17:23 NIV
I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent

me and have loved them even as you have loved me.

Ephesians 4:3 NIV
Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.

Romans 12:16

Be of the same mind one toward another.

Romans 15:5

Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus

2 Corinthians 13:11

Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you.

……………………………………………………………………………………..

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

Read the passage below:

Mark 3:20-30 New International Version (NIV)

Jesus Accused by His Family and by Teachers of the Law

²⁰ Then Jesus entered a house, and again a crowd gathered, so that he and his disciples were not even able to eat. ²¹ When his family^[a] heard about this, they went to take charge of him, for they said, “He is out of his mind.”

²² And the teachers of the law who came down from Jerusalem said, “He is possessed by Beelzebul! By the prince of demons he is driving out demons.”

²³ So Jesus called them over to him and began to speak to them in parables: “How can Satan drive out Satan? ²⁴ If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. ²⁵ If a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand. ²⁶ And if Satan opposes himself and is divided, he cannot stand; his end has come. ²⁷ In fact, no one can enter a strong man’s house without first tying him up. Then he can plunder the strong man’s house. ²⁸ Truly I tell you, people can be forgiven all their sins and every slander they utter, ²⁹ but whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven; they are guilty of an eternal sin.”

³⁰ He said this because they were saying, “He has an impure spirit.”

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

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 3:20-30 New International Version (NIV)

Jesus Accused by His Family and by Teachers of the Law

²⁰ Then Jesus entered a house, and again a crowd gathered, so that he and his disciples were not even able to eat. ²¹ When his family^[a] heard about this, they went to take charge of him, for they said, “He is out of his mind.”

²² And the teachers of the law who came down from Jerusalem said, “He is possessed by Beelzebul! By the prince of demons he is driving out demons.”

²³ So Jesus called them over to him and began to speak to them in parables: “How can Satan drive out Satan? ²⁴ If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. ²⁵ If a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand. ²⁶ And if Satan opposes himself and is divided, he cannot stand; his end has come. ²⁷ In fact, no one can enter a strong man’s house without first tying him up. Then he can plunder the strong man’s house. ²⁸ Truly I tell you, people can be forgiven all their sins and every slander they utter, ²⁹ but whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven; they are guilty of an eternal sin.”

³⁰ He said this because they were saying, “He has an impure spirit.”

1.    Content: What is this passage about?

·        Jesus, facing charges of insanity and satanic possession, taught about the “unforgivable sin”.  

Who are the people if any?

·         Jesus, The Disciples, A crowd of people, Jesus’ family, the Teachers of the  

            law.

          

What are they doing?   

·        Jesus enters a home where His Disciples were.  A crowd of people have gathered to see Him.

·        Jesus’ family comes to see Him.  Teachers of the law come from Jerusalem to see what Jesus is up to.

Where does this take place?

·        In someone’s home in Galilee probably near where Jesus family lived.

When does this take place?

·         Early in Jesus ministry after he appointed the 12 Apostles.

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

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

·        A “divided house” cannot stand.

·        To regard the Holy Spirit as evil is to reject one’s only hope for salvation.

Is there a warning, command or promise?

·        All the sins and blasphemies of men will be forgiven.  

·        Whoever blasphemies against the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven and is guilty of eternal sin.

Is there an example to follow or not to follow? 

·         We should not accuse others of wrong doing based on sketchy or unreliable information.

·        Jesus gave examples of division and said when things are divided against themselves they cannot stand.

·        Abraham Lincoln delivered a famous speech in 1858 which is noted for the phrase “A house divided against itself cannot stand”. (From Mark 3:25)

·        Whether at home, at church or business if we are not unified, there will be turmoil which can lead to disaster.

·        We should not accuse God of doing things that go against His Character and His Word.

·        We should test everything we are told by examining God ways and standards found in the Bible.

What are the main points in this passage?

·        Jesus enters a home in Galilee.

·        Jesus and His Disciples are in the midst of a crowd of people who have gathered to see Him.

·        Jesus’ family comes to see Him and take charge of Him because Jesus was being accused of “being out of His mind”.

·        The Teachers of the law came from Jerusalem to discredit Jesus by accusing Him of being demon possessed. They said that Jesus tapped into the power of Satan himself in order to drive out demons.

·        Jesus spoke to the Teachers of the law in parables.

·        Jesus rebukes and discredits the of the Teachers of the law by showing the fallacy behind their accusations.

·        Jesus explains that a house divided against itself cannot stand.

·        If Satan opposes himself and is divided, he cannot stand: his end has come.

·        Jesus said that all sin and blasphemies will be forgiven.

·        Then Jesus said that the worst type of sin is attributing the work of the Holy Spirit to Satan.

·        This blaspheming of the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven and the ones who speak it are guilty of eternal sin.

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

·        Jesus’ ultimate purpose was to die for our sins.

·        Opposing God is sin.

·        Those who oppose God will try to discredit those who follow him.

·        A House divided against itself cannot stand.

Why did God put this passage in the Bible?

·         To enlighten us to the fact that those who opposed Jesus tried to discredit Him and His ministry by accusing Him of all sorts of wrong doing. These persons would follow Jesus around twisting God’s law and using flawed

          legalistic arguments in order  to turn others against Him discrediting the

          miracles He did in God’s name.

·        To give us insight into God’s ultimate plan of salvation.

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

A. His attributes:   Wisdom, Authority

B. His ways of relating/communicating to people:  Jesus spoke in parables.  Jesus had the authority to speak God’s truth.                                                                                    

C. His emotions:  Strong feelings about His mission and sin against God.

D. His views:   Opposing God is sin. Sin will be forgiven. A house divided against itself cannot stand.

E. Reasons for us to love Him more:   Jesus was willing to suffer and give his life in order for us to have hope and a future.   

3.    Life Application (Personal): 

·        How do I “divide my house” by questioning, resisting, or refusing the work of the Holy Spirit in my heart or circumstances? 

·        Where could I be attributing God’s work to man or Satan because they don’t fit my pattern?

…………………………………………………………………………………….....

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 revere 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