The Gospel Of Mark Bible Study Lesson 16

The Gospel Of Mark Bible Study Lesson 16:

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:

1 John 5:20 NIRV

 We also know that the Son of God has come. He has given us understanding. Now we can know the One who is true. And we belong to the One who is true. We also belong to his Son, Jesus Christ. He is the true God. He is eternal life.

……………………………………………………………………………………..

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

Read the passage below:

Mark 4:1-20New International Version (NIV)

The Parable of the Sower

Again Jesus began to teach by the lake. The crowd that gathered around him was so large that he got into a boat and sat in it out on the lake, while all the people were along the shore at the water’s edge. ² He taught them many things by parables, and in his teaching said: ³ “Listen! A farmer went out to sow his seed. ⁴ As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. ⁵ Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. ⁶ But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. ⁷ Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants, so that they did not bear grain. ⁸ Still other seed fell on good soil. It came up, grew and produced a crop, some multiplying thirty, some sixty, some a hundred times.”

⁹ Then Jesus said, “Whoever has ears to hear, let them hear.”

¹⁰ When he was alone, the Twelve and the others around him asked him about the parables. ¹¹ He told them, “The secret of the kingdom of God has been given to you. But to those on the outside everything is said in parables ¹² so that,

“‘they may be ever seeing but never perceiving, and ever hearing but never understanding; otherwise they might turn and be forgiven!’^[a]”

¹³ Then Jesus said to them, “Don’t you understand this parable? How then will you understand any parable? ¹⁴ The farmer sows the word. ¹⁵ Some people are like seed along the path, where the word is sown. As soon as they hear it, Satan comes and takes away the word that was sown in them. ¹⁶ Others, like seed sown on rocky places, hear the word and at once receive it with joy. ¹⁷ But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away. ¹⁸ Still others, like seed sown among thorns, hear the word; ¹⁹ but the worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth and the desires for other things come in and choke the word, making it unfruitful. ²⁰ Others, like seed sown on good soil, hear the word, accept it, and produce a crop—some thirty, some sixty, some a hundred times what was sown.”

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

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 4:1-20New International Version (NIV)

The Parable of the Sower

Again Jesus began to teach by the lake. The crowd that gathered around him was so large that he got into a boat and sat in it out on the lake, while all the people were along the shore at the water’s edge. ² He taught them many things by parables, and in his teaching said: ³ “Listen! A farmer went out to sow his seed. ⁴ As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. ⁵ Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. ⁶ But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. ⁷ Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants, so that they did not bear grain. ⁸ Still other seed fell on good soil. It came up, grew and produced a crop, some multiplying thirty, some sixty, some a hundred times.”

⁹ Then Jesus said, “Whoever has ears to hear, let them hear.”

¹⁰ When he was alone, the Twelve and the others around him asked him about the parables. ¹¹ He told them, “The secret of the kingdom of God has been given to you. But to those on the outside everything is said in parables ¹² so that,

“‘they may be ever seeing but never perceiving, and ever hearing but never understanding; otherwise they might turn and be forgiven!’^[a]”

¹³ Then Jesus said to them, “Don’t you understand this parable? How then will you understand any parable? ¹⁴ The farmer sows the word. ¹⁵ Some people are like seed along the path, where the word is sown. As soon as they hear it, Satan comes and takes away the word that was sown in them. ¹⁶ Others, like seed sown on rocky places, hear the word and at once receive it with joy. ¹⁷ But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away. ¹⁸ Still others, like seed sown among thorns, hear the word; ¹⁹ but the worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth and the desires for other things come in and choke the word, making it unfruitful. ²⁰ Others, like seed sown on good soil, hear the word, accept it, and produce a crop—some thirty, some sixty, some a hundred times what was sown.”

1.    Content: What is this passage about?

Jesus teaches the crowds and later explains the parable of the four soils to His Followers

Who are the people if any?

·         Jesus, the Apostles, a large crowd of people.

          

What are they doing?   

·        Jesus is teaching from a boat in order for the large crowd to be able to gather near Him by the water’s edge.

Where does this take place?

·         By a lake in Galilee.

When does this take place?

·        Still early in Jesus’ ministry soon after He appointed the 12 to be Apostles.

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

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

The quality of the soil determines the future of the seed

Note:

Jesus taught moral principles by using everyday illustrations that were familiar to His audience. Those who opposed Jesus and those who were not attuned to His message had a difficult time understanding the spiritual significance of His parables.  Jesus provided more detailed explanations to His disciples because they had the desire to pursue deeper spiritual truth. I encourage you all to pray for the desire to seek deeper Spiritual from God’s Word. Let God’s Word take deep roots in your life.

Is there a warning, command or promise?

·        The Secret of the Kingdom of God has been given, but to those who refuse to receive it will not understand it.

Is there an example to follow or not to follow?  

·        To better to understand Jesus’ teachings we should ask the Holy Spirit to teach us the deeper meaning of Jesus’ words.

What are the main points in this passage?

·        Jesus teaches the “Parable of the Sower”.

·        The Twelve Apostles and the others ask Jesus to explain the meaning of the parable.

·         Jesus explains it to them:

The “Parable of the Sower” teaches that there are situations that will interfere in a person’s decision to follow Jesus even after receiving the Gospel.

Here are the 3 main reasons:

1.     Satanic opposition: (Seed along the Path) As soon as people hear the Word of God Satan takes the Word away that was sown into them.

2.     Outside persecution: (Seed sown on Rocky Places) People hear the Word and receive it with joy, but because their faith has no deep roots, the Word does not last. They fall away when trouble and persecution comes.

3.     Peer pressure: (Seed sown among the thorns) People hear the Word but because of their desire for the things of this world, along with the worries of life, the Word is choked from them.

·        The “Parable of the Sower” also teaches that people who hear God’s Word, and the Word takes root in them, will produce a fruitful crop.

4.     Faith in God’s Word: (Seed sown on good Soil) There will be evidence of God working through those who trust and believe in His word regardless of the circumstances surrounding their lives. This seed sown on good soil produce a crop as much as a hundred times what was sown.

·        This verse reminds me of what God did for me as His Word began to take root in my life:

1 Corinthians 1:27-30 NIV  

Brothers, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth.  But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong.  He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him.  It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption.  Therefore, as it is written: "Let him who boasts boast in the Lord."

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

·        Receiving God’s word can produce a fruitful life.

·        In order to maintain a fruitful life we must live a life dedicated toward being in God’s will.

·        If we don’t have strong roots in our relationship with God we can easily be                 swayed to serve a different master.

Why did God put this passage in the Bible?

·        To teach us the truth about how to live a fruitful life.

·        To teach us about the road blocks that interfere with our relationship with God.

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

A.   His attributes:   

Teacher

B. His ways of relating/communicating to people:   

Jesus used parables to teach God’s truth.    

                                                                               

B.   His emotions:

Passionate about God’s Word. A deep desire for us to learn the truth.  

C.   His views: 

In order to have a truly fruitful life we must live for God.  

D.   Reasons for us to love Him more:   

Jesus came to teach us the Gospel. He opened our eyes to the fact we can live a fruitful life apart from the ways of a corrupt world.

3.    Life Application (Personal): 

·       What opportunities do I have to sow the seed of God’s Word today?

·        Do I pray for the condition of the “soil” or am I more concerned with my sowing technique?

·        What circumstances in my life does God want to use to cultivate my “soil” so that I can receive new truths?

…………………………………………………………………………………….....

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