The Gospel Of Mark Bible Study Lesson 67

 

The Gospel Of Mark Bible Study Lesson 67:

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 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. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also.

1 Corinthians 15:58 NIV  
Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.

1 Corinthians 16:13 NIV
Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong.

1 Peter 5:8-9 NIV

Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings.

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

Mark 13:9-13

Read the passage below:  

Mark 13:9-13 NIV     9"You must be on your guard. You will be handed over to the local councils and flogged in the synagogues. On account of me you will stand before governors and kings as witnesses to them. 10And the gospel must first be preached to all nations. 11Whenever you are arrested and brought to trial, do not worry beforehand about what to say. Just say whatever is given you at the time, for it is not you speaking, but the Holy Spirit.     12"Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child. Children will rebel against their parents and have them put to death. 13All men will hate you because of me, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved. Scripture Links:   Matthew 24:9-14  /  Luke 21:12-19

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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 13:9-13

1.    Content: What is this passage about?

·        Jesus warned his disciples about the persecution of His people in the end times and encouraged them with the promise of His enabling Holy Spirit.

Who are the people if any?

·        Jesus and some of His Disciples (Peter, James, John & Andrew)

    What are they doing?

·        Jesus is speaking to Peter, James, John & Andrew 

      

Where does this take place?

·        On the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem.

When does this take place?

·        Late in Jesus’ ministry after Jesus tells His disciples about the signs to look for before His second coming.

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

·        Opposition is inevitable, but God’s Holy Spirit will empower and sustain the believer to the end.

Is there a warning, command or promise?

·        Jesus warns His disciples about the time they will be persecuted.

·        Jesus tells His disciples that the Gospel must be preached to all nations.

·        Jesus tells His disciples not to worry; the Holy Spirit will give them the words to speak.

·        Jesus tells His disciples that they and others will be hated and killed because of Him.

·        Jesus tells His disciples that the ones who stand firm to the end will be saved.

Is there an example to follow or not to follow?

·        Jesus clearly tells His disciples about the circumstances they will be facing and how they should respond. We in turn have God’s Word that gives us the same information. We need to take to heart God’s Word and then apply it to our lives so we can be prepared to stand firm and face difficult circumstances.

·        We should not worry about sharing the Gospel because the Holy Spirit will speak through us.

·        Like the disciples, we need to obey Jesus command and share the good news of our faith. 

What are the main points in this passage?

·        Christians will be persecuted, hated and killed.

2 Timothy 3:12 NIV
In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted,

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.

Philippians 1:29 NIV
For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for him

·        The gospel must be preached to all nations

Matthew 28:18-20 NIV

 Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.  Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."

·        The Holy Spirit will speak through us so others will hear the Gospel as it is intended to be delivered.

1 Peter 3:13-16 NIV

Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good?  But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. "Do not fear what they fear; do not be frightened." 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,  keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.

Acts 1:7-8 NIV

 He said to them: "It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. 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."

·        Those who stand firm to the end will be saved.

Luke 21:19 NIV 
By standing firm you will gain life.

John 5:24 NIV  
"I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life.

Romans 10:9 NIV  
That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.

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

·        Christians will be persecuted. Some will suffer and even be killed for their belief in Jesus.

·        The Holy Spirit works through believers to spread the Gospel.

• Those who believe in Jesus will be saved.  

   Why did God put this passage in the Bible?

·        To clearly define the life of a follower of Jesus.

·        To help us understand that persecution and suffering are part of the life of being a follower of Jesus.

·        To help us understand that enduring suffering for Christ’s sake will not be in vain. The reward for being a follower of Jesus is eternal life.

·        To show us that even families will be broken apart due to the Gospel.

·        To remind us to share the Good News.

·        To reveal the Holy Spirit’s power.

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

A.   His attributes: 

·        Teacher. Son of God. The Messiah.

   

B. His ways of relating/communicating to people:     

·        Through His personal interaction with His disciples.   

·        Through His prophetic teaching.

     C. His emotions:

·         

D. His views:

·        His Followers will suffer.

·        His followers will receive eternal life.

·        The Holy Spirit will help His followers.

·        The Gospel must be preached.

     E. Reasons for us to love Him more:  

·       Jesus’ words are helpful in living the Christian life.

·       Jesus prepares us to face trials in this world.

• Jesus gives us the hope and strength to stand firm in our faith.

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

·        How has the Holy Spirit helped me in my trials, and how have I depended on Him to do so?

·        When I am being persecuted, do my words come from the Holy Spirit or do I defend myself in my own way?

·        What am I doing to spread the Gospel to all parts of the world?

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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