The Gospel Of Mark Bible Study Lesson 46

The Gospel Of Mark Bible Study Lesson 46:

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:

Luke 14:11 NIV  
For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted."

Ephesians 4:2 NIV  
Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.

James 4:6 NIV  
But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble."  

1 Peter 3:8 NIV  
Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble.

1 Peter 5:6 NIV  
Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.

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

Mark 10:13-16

Read the passage below:

Mark 10:13-16 New International Version The Little Children and Jesus 13 People were bringing little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them, but the disciples rebuked them. 14 When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. 15 Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” 16 And he took the children in his arms, placed his hands on them and blessed them.

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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 10:13-16

1.    Content: What is this passage about?

Jesus rebukes the disciples for hindering the children’s coming to Him, saying all who would enter the kingdom of God must receive it like a child.

Who are the people if any?

·         Jesus, His disciples, people bringing little children to Jesus.

         

    What are they doing?

·          People were bringing little children to Jesus.

      

Where does this take place?

·        Possibly in the region of Judea. The way this event took place in Matthew seems to suggest that it was in and around the same place Jesus taught about divorce.

When does this take place?

·        After Jesus’ teaching on divorce.

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

·        To enter the kingdom of God requires coming to God in childlike faith.  

Is there a warning, command or promise?

·        Anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a child

          will never enter it.

Is there an example to follow or not to follow?  

·        The disciples rebuked those who were bringing their children to Jesus. We in turn should not do anything that would cause others to stumble or prevent them from hearing the Gospel.

·        Jesus did not allow his busy schedule to keep Him from blessing the children. As parents we should make time for our children a priority. Matters of less importance can wait.

Something to think about:  Our children may be spending time listening to views that do not convey biblical principle, morality and respect for God. We should make sure a biblical worldview is the primary influence in their lives. We must also make sure that we ourselves are being accountable to God and His teachings.

   What are the main points in this passage?

·        The disciples rebuked those who were bringing little children to Jesus.

·        Jesus in turn rebuked the disciples from preventing the children from being with Him.

·        Jesus said that our attitude and faith must be like a child’s in order to enter the kingdom of heaven. Believers in Christ are referred to as children of God.

John 1:12 NIV
Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God

·        Jesus puts His hands on the children and blessed them.

Jesus was adamant about the importance of ministry to children:

Mark 9:36-37 NIRV
 Jesus took a little child and had the child stand among them. Then he took the child in his arms. He said to them, "Anyone who welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me. And anyone who welcomes me doesn't welcome only me but also the One who sent me."

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

·        Jesus said that our faith must be childlike in order to enter the kingdom of heaven.

Childlike: believing, genuine, trusting. Christ desires “childlike” followers who will openly receive His guidance and live lives of genuine faith and love.”  

Matthew 18:3-4 NIV
And he said: "I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.  Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.”

·        Humility seems to be an important thread that connects us to a Childlike faith In that we have a high view of God like a child has a high view of their parents.  

1 Peter 5:5 NIV  
Young men, in the same way be submissive to those who are older. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble."   

 Why did God put this passage in the Bible?

·        To show us another example of Jesus’ love.

·        To help us understand childlike faith.

·        To help us see that children should be a priority and that we can help shape their lives through our example and attitude toward God. 

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

A.   His attributes: 

·        Teacher, Loving, Caring.  

  

B. His ways of relating/communicating to people:     

·        Through His teaching. Through the compassion and love He had for others. Through His healing and blessing.

B.   His emotions:

·        Jesus became indignant (angered at something unjust or wrong, righteously angry) when His disciples rebuked those who were bringing the children to Him.   

D. His views:

·        Childlike faith is necessary to enter the Kingdom of heaven.

·        No one should prevent others from coming to Jesus either by restriction or example.   

     E. Reasons for us to love Him more:  

·        Jesus is our best example for living the holy life God requires of us. We have all we need through the Holy Spirit and God’s Word to life a life honoring and pleasing to God.   

3.  Application:  How can I apply what I have learned to my life?

·        How do I bring my child to Jesus for His blessing?

·        How is my attitude hindering someone coming to Christ?

·        Where can I today receive the “little people” of the kingdom with joy?

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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