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.
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.
……………………………………………………………………………………..
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?
………………………………………………………………………………………
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.
.....................................................................................................................................
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.
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;
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.
"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.
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).
• 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.
"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.'
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.
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.
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.
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;
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."
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,
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,
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.
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?
……………………………………………………………………………….......
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
