Sermon Bible Study Guides

Mark 9:2-13 - August 31st 2018

The Transfiguration

Review:

1. What have we learned about Jesus identity from chapters 1-8?
2. How has that been shown?
3. How have people responded differently to Jesus?

Read Mark 9:2-13  (Also consider the immediate context - 8:27-9:1)

1. Where did Jesus go and with whom?
2. Is there anything significant about the setting?
3. What happened at first? (v.2-5)
4. Who else was there and what is significant about them?
5. What did Peter say and why? What does it signify? 
6. What happened next? (v. 7-8) (Consider the details Mark includes, is there anything significant about them?)

1. As they come down from the mountain what does Jesus say? Do the disciples understand? Why?
2. Who is Elijah? What was the expectation about him? How was it fulfilled? What happened to him? Who might this be referring to?

Application:

1. What do we learn about Jesus' identity from this passage?
2. What do we learn about Jesus' mission from this passage?
3. In light of that how ought we to respond to Jesus?

Genesis 9:18-11:9 - August 17th 2018

The Birth of the Nations

Read Genesis 9:18-10:32

1. What does this section begin by stating? How is that statement explained by the end of this section (chapter 10)?
2. What happens in between these two descriptions of descendants?
3. What do Noah’s actions reflect/imitate? (Compare with Genesis 3).
4. How do Noah’s sons respond to his failure? What is the consequence of their reactions?
5. Why is this story inserted in the middle of the discussion of their descendants? What does it have to do with those facts?

Application:

1. What warning do learn from Noah’s actions?
2. Jepheth and Shem are careful to care for their father in his sin, while still honoring him. How could we learn from their example? What would it look like for you to honor someone rightly who has fallen into sin?
3. Why is the genealogy in chapter 10 important?

Read Genesis 11:1-9

1. What is the situation in the beginning of this section? What decision does it lead to people making?
2. Why are their efforts bad?
3. How does God respond? What does he create?
4. What is the effect of God’s response?
5. How does this passage relate to the first section?

Application:

1. The Lord’s judgment on the nations protects them from further sins. What other examples can you think of where God’s judgment keeps us from further danger?
2. In what ways are you tempted to seek to make a name for yourself? Is that always wrong?
3. Read Acts 2. What does this teach us about the promises that are for God’s new covenant people?