The Gospel Of Mark Bible Study Lesson 48

 

The Gospel Of Mark Bible Study Lesson 48:

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:

Matthew 6:24 NIV
No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money.

Matthew 22:37-38 NIV
Jesus replied: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment.

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

Mark 10:23-27

Read the passage below:

Mark 10:23-27New International Version (NIV) 23 Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God!” 24 The disciples were amazed at his words. But Jesus said again, “Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God! 25 It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.” 26 The disciples were even more amazed, and said to each other, “Who then can be saved?” 27 Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God.”

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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 10:23-27

1.    Content: What is this passage about?

Jesus taught that it is difficult for the rich to enter God’s kingdom but encouraged His disciples that all things are possible with God.

Scripture links:   Matthew 19:23-26 & Luke 18:18-27

Who are the people if any?

·         Jesus and His disciples.

         

    What are they doing?

·         Jesus continues to teach His disciples about downside of material wealth.

      

Where does this take place?

·         Unsure of the exact location.

When does this take place?

·        According to the Gospel of Mark After the teaching of “Childlike” faith.

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

What is impossible with man is possible with God.

Is there a warning, command or promise?

·        Jesus said that it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven.

·        Man cannot save himself.

·        All things are possible with God.

Is there an example to follow or not to follow?  

·        The rich man refused to give up his material wealth in order to receive eternal life with God because he would rather embrace the luxury and comfort in the here and now, over the future richness, peace and reward in Heaven. Ultimately God gives people what they desire.  The rich man’s choice of the temporary riches of this world replaced Jesus’ offer for eternal life. This decision had dire consequences. When we reject God’s offer of eternal life, what is left is an eternity of separation from Him.

·        We must live life with an eternal perspective.

·        We must be good stewards with what God has given us.

   What are the main points in this passage?

·        Jesus states, “How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God!”

·        Jesus uses the picture of a camel trying to go through the eye of a needle to show the that we cannot serve to masters. You can see how difficult it is for one who is so in love with money to give it up for the kingdom of God. 

·        Jesus paints a picture of man’s limitations because of his desire for worldly things, things that will not last. 

Jesus tells us how we are to live in light of eternity:

Matthew 6:19 NIV 
Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.

·        Jesus also paints a picture of God’s power and sovereignty by saying that all things are possible with God.

·        The disciples were amazed at Jesus’ wisdom and understanding of mankind.

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

·        Those who love and are devoted to money cannot also be in love and devoted to God.

·        We cannot serve two masters.

·        It is hard for the rich to enter the kingdom of heaven.

 Why did God put this passage in the Bible?

·        To remind us that we need to get our priorities straight. We must put God first in our lives. 

Jesus tells us about the blessing we receive when we put God first:

Matthew 6:33 NIV 
But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

·        Loving God is the first and greatest commandment.

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

A.   His attributes: 

·        Teacher, Wise

 

B. His ways of relating/communicating to people:     

·         Through His teaching

B.   His emotions:

·         

D. His views:

·        We cannot serve two masters, God and money.

·        All things are possible with God.

     E.  Reasons for us to love Him more: 

·        Jesus helps us understand what we have to do to enter the kingdom of heaven.

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

·        Where am I trusting in the world’s riches instead of Christ Himself?

·        What are my riches? Where did I get them? What am I going to do with them?

·        What impossible situation am I asking God to make possible today?

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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