The Gospel Of Mark Bible Study Lesson 68

 

 

The Gospel Of Mark Bible Study Lesson 68:

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 24:3-7 NIV

As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately. "Tell us," they said, "when will this happen, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?"

Jesus answered: "Watch out that no one deceives you. For many will come in my name, claiming, 'I am the Christ, and will deceive many. You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of birth pains.

Matthew 7:15-16 NIV

Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves.  By their fruit you will recognize them. 

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 13:14-23

Read the passage below:  

Mark 13:14-23 NIV     14"When you see 'the abomination that causes desolation'[a]standing where it[b] does not belong—let the reader understand—then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. 15Let no one on the roof of his house go down or enter the house to take anything out. 16Let no one in the field go back to get his cloak. 17How dreadful it will be in those days for pregnant women and nursing mothers! 18Pray that this will not take place in winter, 19because those will be days of distress unequaled from the beginning, when God created the world, until now—and never to be equaled again. 20If the Lord had not cut short those days, no one would survive. But for the sake of the elect, whom he has chosen, he has shortened them. 21At that time if anyone says to you, 'Look, here is the Christ[c]!' or, 'Look, there he is!' do not believe it. 22For false Christ’s and false prophets will appear and perform signs and miracles to deceive the elect—if that were possible. 23So be on your guard; I have told you everything ahead of time. Scripture Links:   Matthew 24:12-28   /  Luke 21:20-24

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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 13:14-23

1.    Content: What is this passage about?

·        Jesus warned His disciples about the Great Tribulation to come and told them the signs to look for and what to do during those days.

Who are the people if any?

·        Jesus and some of His Disciples (Peter, James, John & Andrew) (Matthew refers to His disciples) (Luke refers to some of His disciples)

    What are they doing?

·        Jesus is speaking to Peter, James, John & Andrew (His disciples)

      

Where does this take place?

·        On the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem.

When does this take place?

·        Late in Jesus’ ministry after 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.  

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

·        Jesus has told me all I need to know about the future in order to prepare myself, warn others, and trust Him.

Is there a warning, command or promise?

·        Jesus warns that the days preceding His return, called the tribulation period, will be full of distress.

‘The Tribulation’ is commonly used to describe a future seven-year period of time during which God will pour out His wrath on the earth by completing his discipline of Israel and final judgment upon the unbelieving citizens of the world. The Tribulation is also a time of colossal trial and testing for the saints. It is during this time when the prophecies about the Antichrist, the mark of the beast etc. will be fulfilled. The Old and New Testaments use several terms to describe this period of great distress...  "time of Jacob's trouble" (Jeremiah 30:7), the "Tribulation" (Deuteronomy 4:30), the "day of vengeance" (Isaiah 34:8), the "time of distress" (Daniel 12:1), the "day of the Lord" (1 Thessalonians 5:2), the "day of the Lord's wrath" (Zephaniah 1:18), the "day of God's wrath" (Romans 2:5), or simply the "day of wrath" (Zephaniah 1:5).

·        For the sake of the elect God has shortened the time of the tribulation period.

·        False Christ’s and false prophets will appear and perform signs and miracles to deceive the elect.

·        Jesus warns His disciples and us to be on our guard.

Is there an example to follow or not to follow?

·        The Bible tells us what is going to happen in the future. We should take God’s Word to heart and pay close attention to what Jesus is telling us to do.

Question: So what are some things we should do?

Pray:

Pray for others and for God’s wisdom and direction

Stay connected to God. Listen to what the Holy Spirit

is prompting you to do

Prepare:

Prepare our minds and Hearts, keep an eternal perspective.

Read and study the Bible and ask the Holy Spirit to reveal

the meaning of the scripture you are meditating on.

Pronounce:

Articulate to others the Gospel and the hope you have.

Take time to counsel others in spiritual matters.

Most of all keep the 2 greatest commandments:

Love God, love your neighbor

What are the main points in this passage?

·        There will be a time of great distress and suffering before the return of Christ.

·        During this time people will claim they are Christ and claim to know things that only God knows.

·        We should be on guard for the things Jesus has told us about.

·        Jesus has told us things ahead of time. 

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

·        There will be a tribulation period full of distress.

·        People will claim they are Jesus.  

·        There will be false prophets who will try to deceive the elect.

·        Jesus has told us things ahead of time because He loves us and wants us to believe Him.

John 14:29 NIV 
I have told you now before it happens, so that when it does happen you will believe.

John 15:11 NIV 
I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.

John 16:1 NIV 
All this I have told you so that you will not go astray.

John 16:4 NIV 
I have told you this, so that when the time comes you will remember that I warned you. I did not tell you this at first because I was with you.

   Why did God put this passage in the Bible?

·        To warn us about the future and about false Christ’s and prophets.

·        To shows us that God has a plan for the future.

·        To remind us that Jesus cares about us.

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

A.   His attributes: 

·        Teacher, Son Of God, Caring, Omniscient.

   

B. His ways of relating/communicating to people:     

·        Through His prophetic teaching.

     C. His emotions:

·         

D. His views:

·        Jesus knows that there will be a tribulation period before He returns.

·        Jesus wants us to watch out for those who will try to deceive us.

·        Jesus wants us to prepare ourselves and others for His return.

      E. Reasons for us to love Him more:  

·       Jesus tells us things to help us prepare for life now and for His return in the future.

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

·        How often do I thank God that I am one of His own and for the warnings He gives me?

·        Whom will I warn so that they will escape also?

·        Do I know His Word well enough to be able to distinguish Him from the false Christ’s?  

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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