The Gospel Of Mark Bible Study Lesson 45

The Gospel Of Mark Bible Study Lesson 45:

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:

Genesis 2:21-24 NIV
 So the LORD God caused the man to fall into a deep sleep; and while he was sleeping, he took one of the man's ribs and closed up the place with flesh.  Then the LORD God made a woman from the rib he had taken out of the man, and he brought her to the man.

         The man said,
       "This is now bone of my bones
       and flesh of my flesh;
       she shall be called 'woman,   '
       for she was taken out of man."

For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh.

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

Mark 10:1-12

Read the passage below:

Mark 10:1-12New International Version (NIV) Divorce 10 Jesus then left that place and went into the region of Judea and across the Jordan. Again crowds of people came to him, and as was his custom, he taught them. 2 Some Pharisees came and tested him by asking, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife?” 3 “What did Moses command you?” he replied. 4 They said, “Moses permitted a man to write a certificate of divorce and send her away.” 5 “It was because your hearts were hard that Moses wrote you this law,” Jesus replied. 6 “But at the beginning of creation God ‘made them male and female.’ 7 ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, 8 and the two will become one flesh.’ So they are no longer two, but one flesh. 9 Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.” 10 When they were in the house again, the disciples asked Jesus about this. 11 He answered, “Anyone who divorces his wife and marries another woman commits adultery against her. 12 And if she divorces her husband and marries another man, she commits adultery.”

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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 10:1-12

1.    Content: What is this passage about?

Jesus teaches the Pharisees and His disciples about marriage, divorce and remarriage.

Who are the people if any?

·         Jesus, the disciples, crowds of peoples, the Pharisees.

         

    What are they doing?

·        Jesus was teaching the crowds of people.

      

Where does this take place?

·        In the region of Judea, across the Jordan.

When does this take place?

·         After Jesus’ teaching about sin.

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

·        Divorce is contrary to the will of God.

·        Remarriage after divorce is adultery except for the reason of immorality. If the divorce was illegitimate the person who initiated the basis for the divorce, based on invalid reasons, will be judged as one who commits adultery if that person were to remarry.

Is there a warning, command or promise?

·        Jesus said: “Therefore what God has joined together let no man separate. (Referring to marriage)

Is there an example to follow or not to follow?  

·        It was Jesus’ custom to teach the crowds when they came to Him. We should also be ready to share the Gospel when God puts people in our path.

·        In order to achieve one flesh with our spouse we must have a Christ-centered marriage.

·        We must do everything possible not to end the marriage in divorce.  Yet there are instances where it is permissible.

·        Read 1 Corinthians 7:1-40 for further teaching on marriage and divorce.

   What are the main points in this passage?

·        While Jesus was teaching the crowds the Pharisees once again tested Him in order to discredit Him.

·        Jesus explains that marriage was between a man and a woman. They would be united together as one flesh. In other words, that beyond a physical bond and interdependence, there would be a deep spiritual bond holding the marriage together. A good Christian marriage is a Christ-centered marriage.

·        In Moses’ day divorce was permitted when a man suspected unfaithfulness in his wife. (Read Deuteronomy 24:1-4). The Pharisees tried to trap Jesus into saying something that contradicts God’s Word. Jesus however, clarified the reasons behind the law in saying that man’s hardened heart created the need for divorce stipulations. 

·        Ultimately God hates divorce: (Read verse below)

Malachi 2:16 NIV 
"I hate divorce," says the LORD God of Israel, "and I hate a man's covering himself [ or his wife ] with violence as well as with his garment," says the LORD Almighty. So guard yourself in your spirit, and do not break faith.

·        God’s original design for marriage was for it to last through the entire life of the husband and the wife.

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

·        Divorce in contrary to the will of God.

·        God designed for men and woman to be married, united as one flesh.

·        A Christian marriage must be Christ-centered.

 Why did God put this passage in the Bible?

·        To show us that a marriage requires a deep spiritual bond with Christ in order to survive.

·        To show how well Jesus was able to respond to those who sought to destroy His ministry.

·        To teach that we are to respond with God’s truth when our faith is tested by others.

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 and knowledge of scripture.

          By answering the Pharisees with the authority of God’s word.

C. His emotions:    

·        Thoughtful and centered on God’s Word in His response to the Pharisees and the Disciples.

D. His views:

·        A man and a woman are united in marriage through a spiritual bond called one flesh.  Divorce goes against God’s will.

     E. Reasons for us to love Him more:  

·        God gave us marriage.  Jesus’ teachings are God’s powerful truth which we can apply to our lives.

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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