Wednesday, December 17, 2014

The Gospel Of Mark Bible Study Lesson 17



The Gospel Of Mark Bible Study Lesson 17:
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:

James 1:22 The Message (MSG)
Don’t fool yourself into thinking that you are a listener when you are anything but, letting the Word go in one ear and out the other. Act on what you hear! Those who hear and don’t act are like those who glance in the mirror, walk away, and two minutes later have no idea who they are, what they look like.

Matthew 5:14-16New International Version (NIV)
 “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.


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

Read the passage below:

Mark 4:21-25 New International Version (NIV)
A Lamp on a Stand
21 He said to them, “Do you bring in a lamp to put it under a bowl or a bed? Instead, don’t you put it on its stand? 22 For whatever is hidden is meant to be disclosed, and whatever is concealed is meant to be brought out into the open. 23 If anyone has ears to hear, let them hear.”
24 “Consider carefully what you hear,” he continued. “With the measure you use, it will be measured to you—and even more. 25 Whoever has will be given more; whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them.”

Another translation you may find helpful:

Mark 4:21-25New Living Translation (NLT)
Parable of the Lamp
21 Then Jesus asked them, “Would anyone light a lamp and then put it under a basket or under a bed? Of course not! A lamp is placed on a stand, where its light will shine. 22 For everything that is hidden will eventually be brought into the open, and every secret will be brought to light. 23 Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand.”
24 Then he added, “Pay close attention to what you hear. The closer you listen, the more understanding you will be given[a]—and you will receive even more. 25 To those who listen to my teaching, more understanding will be given. But for those who are not listening, even what little understanding they have will be taken away from them.”


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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?  


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Mark 4:21-25New International Version (NIV)
A Lamp on a Stand
21 He said to them, “Do you bring in a lamp to put it under a bowl or a bed? Instead, don’t you put it on its stand? 22 For whatever is hidden is meant to be disclosed, and whatever is concealed is meant to be brought out into the open. 23 If anyone has ears to hear, let them hear.”
24 “Consider carefully what you hear,” he continued. “With the measure you use, it will be measured to you—and even more. 25 Whoever has will be given more; whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them.”

Another translation you may find helpful:

Mark 4:21-25New Living Translation (NLT)
Parable of the Lamp
21 Then Jesus asked them, “Would anyone light a lamp and then put it under a basket or under a bed? Of course not! A lamp is placed on a stand, where its light will shine. 22 For everything that is hidden will eventually be brought into the open, and every secret will be brought to light. 23 Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand.”
24 Then he added, “Pay close attention to what you hear. The closer you listen, the more understanding you will be given[a]—and you will receive even more. 25 To those who listen to my teaching, more understanding will be given. But for those who are not listening, even what little understanding they have will be taken away from them.”

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Here is my layout for Mark 4:21-25


1.    Content: What is this passage about?

Jesus taught that a lighted lamp is to disclose what is hidden and that a man’s
Responsibility is to use what he has received


Who are the people if any?
·          Jesus, The Apostles and others who gathered around Him.
          
What are they doing?   
·         Jesus is teaching while the others listen.

Where does this take place?
·        In Galilee nearby the lake where Jesus was teaching.  

When does this take place?
·        Early in Jesus’ ministry after the teaching of the “Parable of the Sower”.

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

Everyone is responsible to use what God has given them

Is there a warning, command or promise?
·        For whatever is hidden is meant to be disclosed.
·        Whatever is concealed is meant to be brought out in the open.
·         If we don’t use the things that God gives us for His kingdom they will be taken away from us.

Is there an example to follow or not to follow?  
·        We need to listen carefully to Jesus’ teachings.
·        We need to pay attention to the Holy Spirit.
·        We need to consider carefully what we hear concerning God’s Word.
·        We should not hold on to the truth for ourselves but tell others about the Good News.

What are the main points in this passage?
·        Jesus speaks to the 12 (His Apostles) and others who stayed to find deeper meaning in His parables.
·        Jesus teaches them that hearing God’s Word carries a greater responsibility to use those things that God reveals to them/us, and to use those spiritual gifts that God give to them/us, for the benefit of others.


Is there a lesson or principle that is a universal truth?
·        Adhering to God’s principles leads the way to abundant life and fulfilling His purpose
·        We will be judged on how we lived and what we did with what God had given us to use for His kingdom purpose

James 1:22 New International Version (NIV)
Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.

2 Corinthians 5:10 New International Version (NIV)
 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.

Matthew 12:36-37 New International Version (NIV)
But I tell you that everyone will have to give account on the day of judgment for every empty word they have spoken. For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.”


Why did God put this passage in the Bible?
·        To remind us of the importance of following His principles
·        Listening to God’s Word opens the door to in depth understanding and real truth
·        We are given the responsibility to bring the truth of the Gospel to others


What does the passage reveal about the character of God/Jesus?
A.   His attributes:  Teacher, Lord   

B.   His ways of relating/communicating to people:  Through Jesus’ words

C.   His emotions:  Caring about us and others especially those who are lost and need to be enlightened to His truth  

D.   His views:  Those who forsake the truth will experience consequences.  Those who reject the truth will have no understanding of God’s principles

E. Reasons for us to love Him more:   Jesus reveals truth that we can apply to our lives. Jesus warns us of the consequences of living a life apart from Him.


3.    Life Application (Personal): 
·       What in my life needs to be brought out in the open and dealt with?
·        How much time do I spend hiding God’s Word in my heart so that it may come to light when it is needed?
·        How am I specifically using the knowledge and understanding given me through this Bible study to show Christ to others?
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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

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