Wednesday, October 28, 2015

The Gospel Of Mark Bible Study Lesson 61



 
The Gospel Of Mark Bible Study Lesson 61:
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:

Leviticus 19:18 NIV 
" 'Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against one of your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the LORD.

Deuteronomy 6:5 NIV
Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.

……………………………………………………………………………………..

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

Mark 12:28-34

Read the passage below:  

Mark 12:28-34 NIV
The Greatest Commandment

    28One of the teachers of the law came and heard them debating. Noticing that Jesus had given them a good answer, he asked him, "Of all the commandments, which is the most important?"
    29"The most important one," answered Jesus, "is this: 'Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. 30Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.' 31The second is this: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no commandment greater than these."
    32"Well said, teacher," the man replied. "You are right in saying that God is one and there is no other but him. 33To love him with all your heart, with all your understanding and with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself is more important than all burnt offerings and sacrifices."
    34When Jesus saw that he had answered wisely, he said to him, "You are not far from the kingdom of God." And from then on no one dared ask him any more questions.
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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?  

………………………………………………………………………………………

Here is my layout for: Mark 12:28-34


1.    Content: What is this passage about?

·        Jesus answers the sincere teacher of the law who questions Him about the greatest commandment.

Who are the people if any?
·        Jesus and a teacher of the law.

    What are they doing?
·        A teacher of the law asks Jesus which of the commandments was most important.  
      
Where does this take place?
·         In the Temple courts of the city of Jerusalem.

When does this take place?
·        After Jesus teaches the Sadducees about the marriage and the Resurrection.

.....................................................................................................................................


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

·        To love God first and completely and to love one’s neighbor as oneself is more important than any other commandment or religious practice.  


Is there a warning, command or promise?
·        Jesus says the most important commandment is to love God. He quotes from:

Deuteronomy 6:4-5:
  Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.

·        Jesus also says that the second greatest commandment is to “love your neighbor as yourself.” Jesus quotes:

 Leviticus 19:18
" 'Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against anyone among your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the LORD.”

·        Jesus says when we take to heart these two commandments we have wisdom are not far from the kingdom of God.

Is there an example to follow or not to follow?
·        Jesus always knows how to answer His critics. We too must be able to communicate God’s Word to others.

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,

·        Jesus answers the teacher of the law using scripture to back up what He says. We in turn should also use scripture to reinforce the validity of what we tell others.

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.

·        Once again a teacher of the law tries to test Jesus.
·        Teachers of the law claim to know God’s Word but missed God’s overall plan for the salvation of His people.
·        If we believe in God then we need to know and understand His Word. The prophets said this about the Messiah:

Isaiah 7:14 NIV
Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.

Isaiah 9:6-7 NIV
 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David's throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this.

·        Jesus fits perfectly the description of the Messiah. Plus in scripture God the Father says this about Jesus:

Matthew 3:17 NIV 
And a voice from heaven said, "This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased."


What are the main points in this passage?
·        A teacher of the law tests Jesus.
  • This is what we learn from Jesus’ answer: We should love God and we should love our neighbor as much as we love ourselves.
·        The teacher of the law agrees with Jesus’ answer and reiterates: These two commandments are more important than all burnt offerings and sacrifices.
·        Jesus compliments the teacher of the law declaring his wisdom and understanding about the kingdom of God.
·        No one dared to ask Jesus any more questions.


Is there a lesson or principle that is a universal truth?
·        We are to love God more than anything else.
·        We are to love our neighbor as much as we love ourselves
·        The Lord is one. Jesus quotes Deuteronomy 6:4.

Deuteronomy 6:4 NIV
Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one.  
·        Trinitarians believe that this verse means that God is one being composed of three distinct but inseparable persons, the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Jesus is part of the Godhead (Father, Son, Holy Spirit). This term used interchangeably with the concept of Trinity.

·        This proverb suggests the plurality of God:

Proverbs 30:4 NIV
       Who has gone up to heaven and come down?
       Who has gathered up the wind in the hollow of his hands?
       Who has wrapped up the waters in his cloak?
       Who has established all the ends of the earth?
       What is his name, and the name of his son?
       Tell me if you know!

  Why did God put this passage in the Bible?
·        To show Jesus had authority to elevate the importance of these two commands from the Torah and declare them the two greatest commandments.
·        To show that Jesus understood God’s Word and referred to scripture regularly to communicate God’s truth.
·        To show that understanding and believing God’s Word is wisdom.

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

A.   His attributes: 
·        Teacher.  Son of God.  
  
B. His ways of relating/communicating to people:     
·        Through Scripture and authority from God.

     C. His emotions:
·         

D. His views:
·        The Word of God is wisdom to those who believe it.
·        Loving God is the greatest commandment.
·        Loving others as yourself is the second greatest commandment.

      E. Reasons for us to love Him more:  
·         Jesus continues to guide our lives with the truth of God’s Word.



3.  Application:  How can I apply what I have learned to my life?
·        In what way will I show my love to God today?
·        What evidence is there in my life that I am putting God first?
·        Where am I giving mental or verbal assent to this truth of loving others without really showing that love to those I see daily?
……………………………………………………………………………….......


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