The Gospel Of Mark Bible Study Lesson 35

 

The Gospel Of Mark Bible Study Lesson 35:

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:

Joshua 22:5 NIV 
But be very careful to keep the commandment and the law that Moses the servant of the LORD gave you: to love the LORD your God, to walk in all his ways, to obey his commands, to hold fast to him and to serve him with all your heart and all your soul."

 
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.

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

Mark 8:14-21

Read the passage below:

Mark 8:14-21 New International Version   The Yeast of the Pharisees and Herod 14 The disciples had forgotten to bring bread, except for one loaf they had with them in the boat. 15 “Be careful,” Jesus warned them. “Watch out for the yeast of the Pharisees and that of Herod.” 16 They discussed this with one another and said, “It is because we have no bread.” 17 Aware of their discussion, Jesus asked them: “Why are you talking about having no bread? Do you still not see or understand? Are your hearts hardened? 18 Do you have eyes but fail to see, and ears but fail to hear? And don’t you remember? 19 When I broke the five loaves for the five thousand, how many basketfuls of pieces did you pick up?” “Twelve,” they replied. 20 “And when I broke the seven loaves for the four thousand, how many basketfuls of pieces did you pick up?” They answered, “Seven.” 21 He said to them, “Do you still not understand?”

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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 8:14-21

1.    Content: What is this passage about?

Jesus warns the uncomprehending disciples to beware of the influence of the Pharisees and Herod and asks them to remember His ample provision for thousands.

Who are the people if any?

·         Jesus and His disciples.

         

    What are they doing?

·        Jesus is trying to teach His disciples.

           

Where does this take place?

·        Possibly back In the Region of Galilee.

When does this take place?

·        After Jesus was confronted by the Pharisees in the region of Dalmanutha. After feeding the 4 and 5 thousand.  

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

Preoccupation with physical needs hinders spiritual perception and growth. 

Is there a warning, command or promise?

·        “Watch out for the Yeast of the Pharisees and that of Herod.”

 
Matthew 23:25-28 NIV

"Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. Blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and dish, and then the outside also will be clean.

    "Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of dead men's bones and everything unclean. In the same way, on the outside you appear to people as righteous but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness.

Is there an example to follow or not to follow?  

·        As Christians we need to beware of those who claim to represent God but twist His teaching for their own glory and personal gain.

·        We need to be more concerned with the depth of our relationship with God as opposed to being “religious”.

·        God is more concerned about what is on the inside of a person’s heart as opposed to how much a person does to make themselves look good on the outside.

1 Samuel 16:7 NIV 
The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart."

 What are the main points in this passage?

·        Just as Yeast  works its way into the dough to cause it to rise,

the influences of the Pharisees and that of Herod could cause the disciples to stumble.

·        The Pharisees were very legalistic and sometimes corrupt. They had a tendency to accuse others of breaking God’s laws

          But in many ways they were guilty of doing the same.

·        Herod’s lifestyle was filled with abuse of power and lust.

·        Jesus warned His disciples not to fall into these traps. The disciples didn’t understand what Jesus was trying to explain to them.

·        Jesus was perturbed at His disciples because they still did not understand the depth of His teaching.

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

·        We should not conform to the corrupt ways of this world.

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.

 Why did God put this passage in the Bible?

·        To make us aware that following the corrupt ways of this world can profoundly affect our personal relationship from God.

·        We need to pay close attention to Jesus’ teaching and look for the deeper meaning that Jesus is trying to reveal to us.

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

A.   His attributes: 

·         Teacher

  

B. His ways of relating/communicating to people:     

·         Through His teaching.

                                                                                        

C. His emotions:    

·         Jesus seemed perturbed at His disciples.

D. His views:

·        Jesus’ teachings can help steer us clear from the pitfalls of buying into the culture or following those who have corrupted God’s Word.

E. Reasons for us to love Him more:     

·         Jesus teaches us the truth. God’s Word is powerful and effective.

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3.    Life Application (Personal):

·        Where am I focusing on my present needs or trials, forgetting God’s past faithfulness?

·        What steps will I take to learn and live out the deep teachings

          of Jesus?

·        Will I ask the Holy Spirit to reveal any possible evil influences in my life that may hurt me or 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 provide everything we need to live the abundant life, providing for us physically and spiritually:

Matthew 6:32-33  Living 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 10:10 English 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 4:19 New 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 14:26 (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 8:31-32  (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 asked yourself the above Template 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