The Gospel Of Mark Bible Study Lesson 42

The Gospel Of Mark Bible Study Lesson 42:

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 14:25-26 NIV
"All this I have spoken while still with you.  But the Counselor, 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.

Matthew 17:20 NIV 
He replied, "Because you have so little faith. I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you."

Matthew 21:21 NIV
Jesus replied, "I tell you the truth, if you have faith and do not doubt, not only can you do what was done to the fig tree, but also you can say to this mountain, 'Go, throw yourself into the sea,' and it will be done

Mark 1:22 NIV
The people were amazed at his teaching, because he taught them as one who had authority, not as the teachers of the law.

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

Mark 9:14-29

Read the passage below:

Mark 9:14-29 New International Version Jesus Heals a Boy Possessed by an Impure Spirit 14 When they came to the other disciples, they saw a large crowd around them and the teachers of the law arguing with them. 15 As soon as all the people saw Jesus, they were overwhelmed with wonder and ran to greet him. 16 “What are you arguing with them about?” he asked. 17 A man in the crowd answered, “Teacher, I brought you my son, who is possessed by a spirit that has robbed him of speech. 18 Whenever it seizes him, it throws him to the ground. He foams at the mouth, gnashes his teeth and becomes rigid. I asked your disciples to drive out the spirit, but they could not.” 19 “You unbelieving generation,” Jesus replied, “how long shall I stay with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring the boy to me.” 20 So they brought him. When the spirit saw Jesus, it immediately threw the boy into a convulsion. He fell to the ground and rolled around, foaming at the mouth. 21 Jesus asked the boy’s father, “How long has he been like this?” “From childhood,” he answered. 22 “It has often thrown him into fire or water to kill him. But if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us.” 23 “‘If you can’?” said Jesus. “Everything is possible for one who believes.” 24 Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!” 25 When Jesus saw that a crowd was running to the scene, he rebuked the impure spirit. “You deaf and mute spirit,” he said, “I command you, come out of him and never enter him again.” 26 The spirit shrieked, convulsed him violently and came out. The boy looked so much like a corpse that many said, “He’s dead.” 27 But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him to his feet, and he stood up. 28 After Jesus had gone indoors, his disciples asked him privately, “Why couldn’t we drive it out?” 29 He replied, “This kind can come out only by prayer.”

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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 9:14-29

1.    Content: What is this passage about?

Jesus heals a boy with an evil spirit in response to the father’s faith after the disciples unsuccessful attempt. 

Who are the people if any?

·        Jesus, the disciples, the teachers of the law, large crowd of people, a man whose son was possessed by an evil spirit, the boy who was possessed.

         

    What are they doing?

·        Jesus along with Peter, James & John witness the other disciples arguing with the teachers of the law.

      

Where does this take place?

·         Unsure.

When does this take place?

·         After Jesus, Peter, James and John came down from the mountain where the Transfiguration took place.

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

Sometimes God heals only through prayer and faith.

Scripture links: see Matthew 17:14-23 and Luke 9:37-45

                          (Jesus heals the demon-possessed boy)

 Is there a warning, command or promise?

·        Everything is possible for him who believes.

·        Jesus commands the evil spirit to come out of the boy.

·        Faith and prayer are powerful tools in healing. (Read passage below)

James 5:13-16 NIV
 Is any one of you in trouble? He should pray. Is anyone happy? Let him sing songs of praise.  Is any one of you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord.  And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise him up. If he has sinned, he will be forgiven.  Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.

Is there an example to follow or not to follow?  

·        When people saw Jesus they were overwhelmed with wonder and ran to greet Him. We should have the desire to welcome Jesus into to our hearts every day because of the sacrifice He made for us.

·        Jesus is perturbed at the teachers of the law and others because of their unbelief and inability to understand the revelation of God’s Word. We need to ask God to help us understand the scripture we are reading.  The Holy Spirit will help us understand God’s Word and strengthen our faith.

·        Jesus showed His mercy and compassion by healing the boy. We too need to have this same kind of compassion for others.

   What are the main points in this passage?

·         After Jesus arrives onto the scene where His disciples were arguing with the teachers of the law.

·        The people who saw Jesus were overwhelmed with wonder.

·        Jesus finds out the disciples were unable to drive out an evil spirit in a boy who was possessed.

·        Jesus rebukes the teachers of the law and others and points to them as the unbelieving generation.  Those who opposed Jesus were having a detrimental effect on the disciples to the point where they were unable to help the boy.

·        Jesus then takes control of the situation by asking for the boy to be brought to Him.

·        The father asks Jesus to take pity on them and to help them.

·        Jesus said “everything is possible for him who believes”.

·        The boy’s father says he believes but also asks Jesus to help him with his unbelief.

·        Jesus rebukes the evil spirit and commands it to come out of the boy.

·        Jesus heals the boy.

·        The disciples ask Jesus why they could not heal the boy.

·        Jesus tells the disciples that in this circumstance only this kind of evil spirit can come out by prayer. Jesus also said in the Matthew passage that the disciples did not have the faith required to heal the boy.

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

·        Jesus has the power and authority to heal.

·        Jesus has power over evil spirits.

·        Jesus has compassion on those who have faith and ask for help.

·        The disciple’s faith needed to be stronger in order to accomplish God’s work.

·        Those who oppose Jesus can harm those followers who are not grounded in the truth and show a lack of faith.

·        Our faith needs to grow and mature. This can be accomplished through prayer, Bible Study and obedience to God.

·        The object of our faith needs to be Jesus.

 Why did God put this passage in the Bible?

·        To remind us that Jesus was both fully God and fully man.

·        To be a follower of Jesus requires faith in Him.

·        To show us the importance of prayer.  

·        To remind us that the Bible is our main source of truth.

·        To remind us of the importance of being grounded in the truth so we can be effective servants of God and His Kingdom.

  

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

A.   His attributes: 

·         Compassionate. Teacher.

  

B. His ways of relating/communicating to people:     

·        Through the evidence of his power to heal.

·        Rebuking those who reject God’s Word and truth.

C. His emotions:    

·        Jesus seems to be aggravated at the lack of faith demonstrated by the teachers of the law and others. Jesus refers to them as the unbelieving generation.

D. His views:

·        Sometimes faith and prayer are required in the process of healing.

     E. Reasons for us to love Him more:  

·        Jesus heals us from our sin and bondage. We are no longer a slave to sin.  

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3.    Life Application (Personal):

·        Do I bring impossibilities of my life to Jesus, believing He has the power over them?

·        Is my witness or usefulness to God hindered by a pitiful prayer time?

·        What time each day will I set aside for prayer?

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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