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.

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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.”

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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 4:26-29New 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.”

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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)

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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?

  

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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