Wednesday, September 16, 2015

The Gospel Of Mark Bible Study Lesson 55





The Gospel Of Mark Bible Study Lesson 55:
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 1:1-5 NIV
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.  In him was life, and that life was the light of men.  The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it.

Philippians 2:5-11 NIV
Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature  of a servant, being made in human likeness.  And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death— even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

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

Mark 11:12-19

Read the passage below:

Mark 11:12-19 New International Version
Jesus Curses a Fig Tree and Clears the Temple Courts
12 The next day as they were leaving Bethany, Jesus was hungry. 13 Seeing in the distance a fig tree in leaf, he went to find out if it had any fruit. When he reached it, he found nothing but leaves, because it was not the season for figs. 14 Then he said to the tree, “May no one ever eat fruit from you again.” And his disciples heard him say it.
15 On reaching Jerusalem, Jesus entered the temple courts and began driving out those who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves, 16 and would not allow anyone to carry merchandise through the temple courts. 17 And as he taught them, he said, “Is it not written: ‘My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations’? But you have made it ‘a den of robbers.’”
18 The chief priests and the teachers of the law heard this and began looking for a way to kill him, for they feared him, because the whole crowd was amazed at his teaching.
19 When evening came, Jesus and his disciples went out of the city.

Scripture Links:   
Matthew 21:18-22 NIV (fig tree), Matthew 21:12-16 NIV
Luke 19:45-47 NIV, John 2:13-16 NIV

(Check out the scripture links for some more details about this passage)

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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 11:12-19



1.    Content: What is this passage about?

·        Jesus condemned a fig tree that had leaves but no fruit, and the disciples heard Him.
·        Jesus cleanses the temple and teaches reverence for His house, so the Jewish leaders plot to kill Him.

Who are the people if any?
·        Jesus and His disciples, money changers and those who were buying and selling in the temple. The chief priests and the teachers of the law.
         
    What are they doing?
·        Jesus and His disciples travel from Bethany to Jerusalem.  The Passover celebration is near and the temple is filled with those who are buying and selling the things they need to prepare for it.
      
Where does this take place?
·        On the road to Jerusalem and in the temple in Jerusalem.

When does this take place?
·        After Jesus’ triumphal entry.

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

·        Christ’s condemnation comes upon those created things that do not fulfill their intended function.
·        God’s house is for communion with Him, not for sinful profit.
·        Holiness and purity of life will bring opposition.

Is there a warning, command or promise?
·        Jesus speaks to the fig tree and says “May no one ever eat from you again”.
·        Jesus tells those in the temple: "Is it not written, 'My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations’? But you have made it 'a den of robbers.' "


Is there an example to follow or not to follow?  
·        We should never do anything to defile God’s Church.
·        Our bodies are also God’s tabernacle here on earth. We should live a Holy and pleasing life to God.

1 Corinthians 6:19 NIV
Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own;

Romans 12:1 NIV
Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship.

1 Peter 1:15 NIV 
But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do;

·        There is such a thing as righteous anger. There are times in the Bible where God and Jesus have expressed their anger. However, in all circumstances theirs is a righteous anger.

·        There are two kinds of anger. The anger which is a manifestation of our old self (the flesh) is to be put off. The anger which is a manifestation of God’s righteousness is to be put on. There is the “anger of man” which “does not achieve the righteousness of God(James 1:20 - for man's anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires), and there is the anger which is an expression of God’s righteousness. We are commanded in our text to be angry in a way that is righteous, that is a reflection of God.

Ephesians 4:26-27 NIV
"In your anger do not sin": Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold.

 
   What are the main points in this passage?
·        Jesus is hungry.
·        Jesus sees a fig tree that is bearing no fruit and condemns it.
·        Jesus arrives at the Temple in Jerusalem and drives out those who were buying and selling.
·        Jesus taught by example. After clearing the Temple of those who were defiling it, Jesus taught that the Temple was a house of prayer and not a marketplace to sell things for profit.
·        The whole crowd was amazed at Jesus’ teaching.     
·        After hearing what Jesus did the chief priests and teachers of law plot to kill Him because of their fear of Him.
      

Is there a lesson or principle that is a universal truth?
·        Jesus is fully God and fully man at the same time.
·        "Jesus was not only fully God - He was also fully man, fully human. This is a vital aspect of the person of Christ. If He were not fully human, He could not have represented us on the cross. Also, He could not be the High Priest who comforts and strengthens us. As a man, He has gone through our human experience, and He is fully able to understand and sympathize with us.

Hebrews 2:16-18 NIV
For surely it is not angels he helps, but Abraham's descendants.  For this reason he had to be made like his brothers in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people.  Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.

Ways in which Jesus was fully man:
• Jesus got hungry and thirsty. (Mark 11:12; Matt 4:2; John 19:28).
• He got weary from traveling. (John 4:6).
• He needed sleep and refreshment. (Matt 8:24).
• He experienced and expressed love and compassion.  (Matt 9:36).
He was angry at those who defiled His Fathers house. (Matt 21:13).
• He denounced those who refused the truth of God. (Mark 3:5).
• He wept at the tomb of a dear friend. (John 11:35).
• He was troubled within as He faced the cross. (John 12:27).

·        The fig tree is symbolic of Nation of Israel. Jesus, understanding the times, knew many Jewish people would hate Him and reject Him as the Messiah.

John 15:18 NIV 
"If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first.

John 15:24-25 NIV
If I had not done among them what no one else did, they would not be guilty of sin. But now they have seen these miracles, and yet they have hated both me and my Father.  But this is to fulfill what is written in their Law: 'They hated me without reason.'

·        The consequences of rejecting Jesus as the Messiah are eternal.

John 12:48 TNIV 
There is a judge for those who reject me and do not accept my words; the very words I have spoken will condemn them at the last day.

Romans 2:8 TNIV 
But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger.

·        We are God’s tabernacle here on earth. The Holy Spirit indwelled in us.

1 Corinthians 3:16-17 NIV
Don't you know that you yourselves are God's temple and that God's Spirit lives in you?  If anyone destroys God's temple, God will destroy him; for God's temple is sacred, and you are that temple.

1 Corinthians 6:19 NIV
Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own;

Acts 1:8 NIV
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."

Ephesians 1:13 NIV
And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit,

Titus 3:5 NIV
he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit,

Romans 8:11 NIV  
And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit, who lives in you.


  Why did God put this passage in the Bible?
·        To remind us that Jesus being fully God and Fully man understood the human condition.
·        To remind us that we should bear fruit for God’s kingdom.
·        To remind us that God is Holy.    
·        To help us understand the importance of keeping the Church free from sinful behavior as not to undermine its mission.
·        Anger should never reach the point of sin.

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

A.   His attributes: 
·        Holy, Teacher, Messiah, Righteous, Fully God, Fully man.
  
B. His ways of relating/communicating to people:     
·        Through His actions and teaching.

     C. His emotions:
·         Angry but righteous.

D. His views:
·        The Temple/Church should be a house of prayer not a marketplace to make a profit to serve oneself.

      E.  Reasons for us to love Him more:  
·        Jesus did not pull any punches. He spoke the truth of God’s Word and purpose.  Even though many in the world hated Him and rejected Him, He gave his life so we could be forgiven for our sins and have eternal life.
·        Jesus being Fully God and Fully man understood our hunger and need. He fills us with the Holy Spirit, offering the water of eternal life--the life that flows from God.


3.  Application:  How can I apply what I have learned to my life?
·        Where is my life all “show” without fulfilling Christ’s intended purpose for my life?
·        What unfruitfulness will I bring to Jesus for His life giving touch?
·        What in my life does Jesus need to cleanse so that I can be in unhindered fellowship with Him?
·        How can my home and my life become a house of prayer for all nations?
·        How do I respond when God reveals sin in my life?
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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




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