The Gospel Of Mark Bible Study Lesson 51

The Gospel Of Mark Bible Study Lesson 51:

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 5:11-12 NIV
Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

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

Mark 10:35-40

Read the passage below:

Mark 10:35-40 New International Version   The Request of James and John 35 Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to him. “Teacher,” they said, “we want you to do for us whatever we ask.” 36 “What do you want me to do for you?” he asked. 37 They replied, “Let one of us sit at your right and the other at your left in your glory.” 38 “You don’t know what you are asking,” Jesus said. “Can you drink the cup I drink or be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with?” 39 “We can,” they answered. Jesus said to them, “You will drink the cup I drink and be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with, 40 but to sit at my right or left is not for me to grant. These places belong to those for whom they have been prepared.”

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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 10:35-40

1.    Content: What is this passage about?

James and John request favored positions in glory, but Jesus declares the cost and God’s sovereignty for those places.

Who are the people if any?

·        Jesus, James and John.

         

    What are they doing?

·         James and John request something from Jesus.

      

Where does this take place?

·        On the way to Jerusalem.

When does this take place?

·        After Jesus predicts His death and resurrection in the presence of His disciples.

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

Those who desire glory with Jesus must be appointed by God and willing to pay the price.

Is there a warning, command or promise?

·        A place has been prepared in heaven for those who are believers in Jesus.

John 14:2 NIV 
In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you.

·        Those who follow Jesus will also be faced with opposition and suffering. (The Cup)

·        Those who receive Jesus as their Lord and Savior will go through a transformation. They will experience death to their old self which is corrupted by deceitful desires. After this baptism of the heart they become a new creation in Christ. This is symbolic of Jesus’ baptism (death) on the cross and it is the blood from His baptism on the cross that has the power to save us and change us. Jesus Himself has gone from life to death then back to life.  We also live, die and live again. God gives us life, God calls us to Himself, and we die to the bondage of sin and live again free from the penalty of sin and God’s wrath.  We have become a New Creation in Christ.

2 Corinthians 5:17 NIV
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!

Luke 12:50 NIV
But I have a baptism to undergo, and how distressed I am until it is completed!

Is there an example to follow or not to follow?  

·        James and John are looking forward to their reward in Heaven. However, their energy should be focused on their mission and ministry here on earth.

2 Corinthians 5:14-15 NIV
For Christ's love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died.  And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.

·        What believers do here on earth will determine the reward they receive in heaven.

2 Corinthians 5:6-10 NIV
Therefore we are always confident and know that as long as we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord.  We live by faith, not by sight.  We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord.  So we make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it.  For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.

2 Corinthians 4:16-18 NIV

Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

Matthew 19:28-30 NIV
Jesus said to them, "I tell you the truth, at the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man sits on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.  And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or fields for my sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life.  But many who are first will be last, and many who are last will be first.

Matthew 6:19-20 NIV
Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.  But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.

·        We should ask Jesus to intercede on the behalf of others rather than look to gain glory for ourselves.  We should not use our access to God to attempt to gain power and riches that will be used to serve only ourselves.

   What are the main points in this passage?

·        On the road to Jerusalem James and John ask Jesus for positions of high honor in heaven.

·        Jesus asks them if they are willing to drink the cup and be baptized in the same manner He has.

·        In essence Jesus is saying, are you willing to suffer, be persecuted, and killed for your belief in the Gospel in the same way I will?  

·        James and John say they are willing but they did not understand fully what Jesus was trying to tell them because of the symbolism Jesus used.

·        Jesus said that He was not able grant them the positions they asked for. Their places in Heaven have already been prepared by God who decides where their place in Heaven will be. 

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

·        Believers already have a place prepared in heaven.

·        For believers, our work here on earth will determine the reward we receive in heaven. 

Matthew 16:27 NIV
For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father's glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what he has done.

·        Jesus suffered and died for our sins.

·        A follower of Jesus will have to deny himself and be willing to suffer for the sake of the Gospel.

Matthew 16:24 NIV  
Then Jesus said to his disciples, "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.

·        In essence the cup referred to is not of power or position, but of self-sacrifice and suffering. The cup is a cup of service and the one who drinks is the servant.

 Why did God put this passage in the Bible?

·        To remind us that in order to follow Jesus we have to take up our cross daily (drink from the cup/the danger and suffering involved in following Jesus and the Baptism, the denial of oneself, the death to oneself, symbolic of Jesus’ death on the cross). Jesus explained that if we follow Him we will be opposed, persecuted and hated. Jesus also said that he did not come to be served but to serve, and give his life as a ransom for many. The old life we give up for the sake of the Gospel is symbolic of the Baptism Jesus endured on the cross.

Here are some verses that reinforce what you just read:

Luke 9:23 NIV
Then he said to them all: "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.

John 15:20 NIV 
Remember the words I spoke to you: 'No servant is greater than his master.'  If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. 

Matthew 24:9 NIV 
"Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me.

Romans 6:3-4 NIV
 Or don't you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death?  We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.

·        To remind us that Jesus was going to suffer.

·         The cup is symbolic of that suffering.

Verses about the cup:

Matthew 26:39 NIV    
Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, "My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will."

Matthew 26:42 NIV  
He went away a second time and prayed, "My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be done."

 Luke 22:20 NIV  
In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.

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

A.   His attributes: 

·        Teacher, Son of God, Savior.

  

B. His ways of relating/communicating to people:     

·         Through symbolism.

B.   His emotions:

·         

D. His views:

·         God will decide our place in Heaven. Followers of Jesus will suffer. We must deny ourselves and take up our cross daily. Our Baptism is symbolic of the death of our old self. We are now a new creation in Christ.

     E.  Reasons for us to love Him more:  

·         Jesus was willing to suffer and die on the cross for our sins.

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

·        What deep desires of my heart should I bring to Christ for fulfillment instead of trying to work to work them out for myself?

·        How am I acknowledging the sovereignty of God in my life now and for eternity?

·        Will I today receive and accept my suffering as God’s process toward the goal he has for me?  

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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