Sermon Bible Study Guides

Mark 2:13-3:6

What was the purposes of the Law?

Read Mark 2:13-22

1. What do the scribes of the Pharisees question about Jesus? Why is that question concerning to them?
2. How does Jesus answer? What does his answer show about his ministry?
3. How does the Pharisees’ question about Jesus eating with tax collectors and sinners reflect possible concerns the reader could have about Jesus calling Levi to follow him?
4. What difference is there in the next story about Jesus’ disciples and those of John and the Pharisees? Why is their lack of fasting concerning?
5. How does Jesus explain why his disciples aren’t fasting? How do verses 21-22 relate to the first part of his explanation?
6. What do these two stories have in common?

Application:

1. How should Jesus’ teaching inform the way we think about ourselves as his disciples? How we treat those who want to follow him?
2. How should Jesus’ teaching inform the way we think about fasting?

Read Mark 2:23-3:6

1. What were Jesus disciples doing that the Pharisees objected to?
2. Jesus uses a story from the life of King David when he was fleeing Saul (1 Sam. 21). What is the point he makes from this story?
3. What did Jesus do in the synagogue that people objected to? Why did they object to it?
4. How does Jesus respond to this objection?
5. What do these two stories have in common?
6. What is Jesus teaching about the Sabbath?
7. Pulling all four stories together, what stands out about the Pharisees’ understanding of the Old Testament Law (the way it taught about sinfulness, fasting, and the Sabbath)? What stands out about Jesus’ view of it?
8. Why can Jesus speak in the way he does?

Application:

1. What principle from Jesus’ behavior in all these situations can we apply to our lives?
2. What does this passage teach about how we should view other people?

Mark 1:40-2:12 - October 20th 2017

Who can forgive sins but God alone?

Read Mark 1:40-2:12

1. What is leprosy and how would that impact someone; socially, culturally, religiously?
2. What does he ask Jesus to do, how does Jesus heal him, and why is it surprising?
3. How does the man respond to Jesus and what impact does that have on Jesus  and his ministry?
4. What was Jesus doing in Capernaum?
5. Who is brought to Jesus and how? What does this demonstrate?
6. What does Jesus see? What does he say?
7. How do the scribes feel about it and why?
8. What does Jesus want everyone to know?
9. Compare and contrast the two healings and the two responses.

Application:

1. What do Jesus miraculous healings reveal about his identity and his mission?
2. What can we learn from all the individuals about how to respond, and how not to respond to Jesus? (consider those healed, those with them, the crowds, the scribes, etc.)