The Gospel Of Mark Bible Study Lesson 21

Bible study is a great way for us to grow in our faith and love for Jesus. Sometimes we learn things that really challenge us to make changes in our life.

Over the years I have focused on the obstacles in my life. I kept seeing each situation as large mountain to climb. I focused on the negative in everything, and because of this I rarely dealt with the issues in my life that caused me to stumble. Even after my relationship God became more of a priority in my daily life, I failed to glorify Him because I forgot that nothing is impossible for God.

Luke 18:27 NIV

Jesus replied, "What is impossible with men is possible with God."

I got to the point where I couldn’t make decisions because of fear and a lack of trust in God. But when I began to dig deeper into the Bible I found out that I could trust God. I could trust Him with every decision I needed to make, every trial I had to face, and most of all, my eternity.

When we are burdened, when we have to make tough decisions, when we a hurting, sick, tired, tempted, & scared, God is right there with us.  As followers of Jesus, He will never abandon nor forsake us. Because I took a step toward God, because I had to operate on faith and trust in Him to direct my life, I am in a much better place to deal with the obstacles that confront me.  In fact, now I have a different world view and direction in my life that helps me avoid the things that used to steer me away from God.  In my life, God’s Word has become more powerful and more alive and continues to resonate in my heart and mind daily.

These verses are great reminders for me:

Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV

Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;

in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.  

Hebrews 10:23 NIV

Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.

God is faithful and keeps his promises.  When we trust Him, He gives us the strength to make difficult changes in our life.  One of the hardest things to do is not to conform to the pattern of this world.  With God’s help we can live the abundant life He desires for each of us.

Romans 12:2 NIV  
Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

It is good to know God’s Word, especially for those times we are seeking wisdom, comfort, direction, discernment and supernatural strength. Our own words alone do not carry this same power.  When God’s Word is written on our hearts and minds we filter life through His eyes.  We no longer see the obstacles but the opportunities to make a difference and live a changed life……………..Dave

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The Gospel Of Mark Bible Study Lesson 21:

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:

2 Corinthians 5:17 NIV

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!

Galatians 3:29 NIV

If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise

Galatians 5:13-15 NIV

You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love. The entire law is summed up in a single command: "Love your neighbor as yourself." If you keep on biting and devouring each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other.

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This Week’s Bible passage from the Gospel of Mark: Mark 5:1-20

Read the passage below:

Mark 5:1-20 New International Version (NIV)

Jesus Restores a Demon-Possessed Man

5 They went across the lake to the region of the Gerasenes. ² When Jesus got out of the boat, a man with an impure spirit came from the tombs to meet him. ³ This man lived in the tombs, and no one could bind him anymore, not even with a chain. ⁴ For he had often been chained hand and foot, but he tore the chains apart and broke the irons on his feet. No one was strong enough to subdue him. ⁵ Night and day among the tombs and in the hills he would cry out and cut himself with stones.

⁶ When he saw Jesus from a distance, he ran and fell on his knees in front of him. ⁷ He shouted at the top of his voice, “What do you want with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? In God’s name don’t torture me!” ⁸ For Jesus had said to him, “Come out of this man, you impure spirit!”

⁹ Then Jesus asked him, “What is your name?”

“My name is Legion,” he replied, “for we are many.” ¹⁰ And he begged Jesus again and again not to send them out of the area.

¹¹ A large herd of pigs was feeding on the nearby hillside. ¹² The demons begged Jesus, “Send us among the pigs; allow us to go into them.” ¹³ He gave them permission, and the impure spirits came out and went into the pigs. The herd, about two thousand in number, rushed down the steep bank into the lake and were drowned.

¹⁴ Those tending the pigs ran off and reported this in the town and countryside, and the people went out to see what had happened. ¹⁵ When they came to Jesus, they saw the man who had been possessed by the legion of demons, sitting there, dressed and in his right mind; and they were afraid. ¹⁶ Those who had seen it told the people what had happened to the demon-possessed man—and told about the pigs as well. ¹⁷ Then the people began to plead with Jesus to leave their region.

¹⁸ As Jesus was getting into the boat, the man who had been demon-possessed begged to go with him. ¹⁹ Jesus did not let him, but said, “Go home to your own people and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you.” ²⁰ So the man went away and began to tell in the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him. And all the people were amazed.

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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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Here is my layout for Mark 5:1-20:

1.    Content: What is this passage about?

·        Jesus is asked to leave after delivering a Gerasene man from thousands of demons which enter pigs and drown.

Who are the people if any?

·        Jesus, a demon possessed man, people tending a herd of pigs, people from the surrounding countryside and those who were with Jesus on the boat.

          

What are they doing? 

·        Jesus and the others with Him arrive across the lake to the region of the Gerasenes.

·        Jesus gets off the boat and speaks with the demon possessed man.

·        Those who are tending a herd of pigs witness Jesus’ power to heal the man of demon possession and told others about what He did.

Where does this take place?

·        Galilee, in the region of the Gerasenes.

When does this take place?

·        Early in Jesus ministry.

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

Following Satan’s limited authority results in bondage and destruction but surrendering to Jesus’ absolute authority brings freedom, love and rewarding service.

Is there a warning, command or promise?

·        Jesus will have mercy on those who believe and trust him as Lord and Savior.

·        Only Jesus can save us from our sin.

·        Evil will be judged by God.

·        Those who oppose Jesus in a variety of ways will experience the consequences of their sin.

Is there an example to follow or not to follow? 

·        We need to acknowledge God’s presence in our lives and call out to Him.

·        We need to know the true God. Even the evil spirits knew who Jesus was. “Son of the Most High God”.

·        We need to tell others what Jesus has done in our lives.

·        When God commands us to do something we need to obey Him.

What are the main points in this passage?

·        Jesus was willing to help a demon possessed man.

·        Jesus had the power and authority to rid the evil spirits that possessed the man.

·        Even the evil spirits knew who Jesus was.

·        The Demons begged Jesus to allow them to stay in the area, asking Jesus to send them into a herd of pigs.

·        Jesus gave the evil spirits permission to enter the herd of pigs.

·        The evil spirits left the man and entered the herd of pigs.

·        The pigs then rushed down a hill into the lake and were drowned.

·        Those that had witnessed this miracle told others about what Jesus had done.

·        Some people pleaded with Jesus to leave the area because they were frightened by what happened.

·        Jesus told the man who was healed to tell others that the Lord had done for him and how God’s mercy was extended to him.

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

·        Jesus has the power to heal.

·        Jesus has authority over demons.

·        Even the demons know who Jesus is.

·        People were amazed at the things Jesus was able to do.

·        We are to go out and tell others the “Good News”.

·        There is a new kind of freedom when we surrender our lives over to Jesus.

·        Why did God put this passage in the Bible?

·        To remind us that there will be judgment for those who choose to live apart from God.

·        That in the end Satan will be judged and destroyed and that there is victory for those who are in Christ.

1 Corinthians 15:57 NIV
But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

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

A. His attributes:   Authoritative, Powerful, Caring, Healer.  

B. His ways of relating/communicating to people:  Personal communication and direction.    

C. His emotions: He cared about the spiritual condition of the demon possessed man     

D. His views:  As Christians we need to obey God. We need to tell others the Good News.  

E. Reasons for us to love Him more:  Jesus has saved us from a life filled with no hope and despair.  We can trust Jesus with our lives.  God has a plan for our lives.

3.    Life Application (Personal): 

·        What area of my life does Satan control and will I come to Jesus for deliverance today?

·        What great things has Jesus done for me that I should share with my family and others?

·        Where am I refusing to honor Jesus because I fear financial or material loss?

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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 provide everything we need to live the abundant life, providing for us physically and spiritually:

Matthew 6:32-33Living Bible (TLB)

 “So don’t worry at all about having enough food and clothing. Why be like the heathen? For they take pride in all these things and are deeply concerned about them. But your heavenly Father already knows perfectly well that you need them, and he will give them to you if you give him first place in your life and live as he wants you to.

John 10:10English Standard Version (ESV)

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy.  I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.

Philippians 4:19New Living Translation (NLT)

And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus.

John 14:26New International Version (NIV)

But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.

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 8:31-32New 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