The Gospel Of Mark Bible Study Lesson 64

The Gospel Of Mark Bible Study Lesson 64:

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:

1 Samuel 16:7 NIV
The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart."

Proverbs 3:9-10 NIV

Honor the LORD with your wealth, with the first fruits of all your crops; then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine.

Malachi 3:10 NIV

Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this," says the LORD Almighty, "and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it.

Matthew 6:19-21 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.  For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

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

Mark 12:41-44

Read the passage below:  

Mark 12:41-44 NIV  (The Widow's Offering )     41Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. 42But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins,[a]worth only a fraction of a penny.[b]     43Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, "I tell you the truth, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. 44They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on." Scripture Link:   Luke 21:1-4

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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 12:41-44

1.    Content: What is this passage about?

·        Jesus sees a widow’s sacrificial giving and tells the disciples that her small gift is the greatest.

Who are the people if any?

·        Jesus, His disciples, a poor widow and a crowd of people including some rich people.

    What are they doing?

·        Jesus is watching the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury.  

      

Where does this take place?

·        In the temple courts in Jerusalem. Near the end of Jesus’ earthly ministry.

When does this take place?

     ·        After Jesus points out the Hypocrisy of the Jewish religious leadership.

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

·        God values sacrificial giving.

Is there a warning, command or promise?

·        Jesus calls His disciples to teach them a lesson about giving.

Is there an example to follow or not to follow?

·        The poor widow gives us the example of sacrificial giving.

·        The rich gave lots of money but there was no sacrifice. They gave out of their wealth, out of obligation. When we give to God we are showing Him the amount of gratitude we have in His provision and in accordance to all that He has done in our lives through Jesus Christ.

What are the main points in this passage?

·        Jesus watches the crowd putting their money in the temple treasury.

·        The rich people were putting in large amounts.

·        Jesus focused on a poor widow who gave two very small copper coins.

·        Jesus told His disciples that the widow gave more than anyone else.

·        Jesus points out that the others gave out of their wealth but she gave everything, all she had to live on.

     ·        Jesus teaches the disciples about sacrificial giving.

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

·        Jesus is concerned about the heart behind our giving.

·        Jesus recognizes the heart of a cheerful giver.

2 Corinthians 9:6-8 NIV

Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.  Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.   And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.

·        Giving is a heart condition based on gratitude and faith.

  Why did God put this passage in the Bible?

·        To show us that He is concerned about the heart condition of those who give.

·        To teach us about sacrificial giving.

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

A.   His attributes: 

·         Teacher.

  

B. His ways of relating/communicating to people:     

·          Through examples of others actions.

     C. His emotions:

·         

D. His views:

·        Our giving shows our level of faith in God promises.

Here is a great promise from Jesus about Provision:

Matthew 6:25-27 NIV

Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes?  Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?  Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life ?

     E. Reasons for us to love Him more:  

·        God cares about who we are on the inside.

·        Jesus teaches us about sacrifice and giving and leads by example.

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

·        Am I giving to God sacrificially or out of my leftovers?

·        What is my motivation for giving to God?

·        How does my giving reveal my trust in God?

·        When did I last give to the extent that I did not have something for myself?

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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