Mark 4:9-25
Corinthians 9:6-15
Mark 4:13-20
Water is Thicker than Blood – Mark 3:20-35
Read Mark 3:20-35. Can anyone point out the "sandwich" or A-B-A pattern? Hans Bayer writes in A Theology of Mark, "Mark will interrupt a narrative by inserting another pericope [episode] and then return to the previous subject (see Mark 3:20-21, 22-30, 31-35; 4:1-9, 10-13, 14-20; and especially 14:1-2, 3-9, 10-11; 14:17-21, 22-26, 27-31; 14:53-54, 55-65, 66-72). James Edwards contends that the isolated pericope [episode] holds the key (especially by way of illustration or contrast) to the interpretive purpose of the entire A-B-A unit: 'the insertion interprets the flanking halves.'"
Jesus is about restoring God’s people to full functionality (withered restored hand). How is supreme loyalty to Christ and his people actually better for our families and nations? Where have you seen supreme loyalty to biological family go wrong? What about ultimate allegiance to nation?How is this teaching relevant if your whole biological family is a part of the church? Can problems still crop up? How so? If you have encountered problems like this how did you handle it?
In Mark 3:35 Jesus says that those who do the will of God are his true family. What does this have to do with salvation? (see John 3:36 and view of salvation, believing and obedience) What would change if more people saw the worldwide church as part of salvation?How has God used members of the church like family in your life?
How might Thanksgiving be a way for you to apply the “water is thicker than blood” teaching of Jesus?Is it easier or harder to grow as Jesus’ disciple in your family than in the church or in a parachurch organization? Explain. (taken from Wilkins, Following the Master)
Eyewitness Testimony Translated – Mark 3:7-21
• According to Mark 3:14 and Acts 1:21-22 what is unique to the calling of the twelve apostles which sets them apart from other early followers of Christ? What else is unique to the Twelve in Mark 6:7 and 12? What are some of the transferable principles that apply to all disciples that underlie these unique aspects?
“Jesus called the Twelve to be with him so that he could give them specialized training for the role of assisting him in his earthly ministry as well as training that would equip them for their future role as apostles after his ascension. They were separated from their occupations, their families, and their regular activities so that for a period of time, somewhere around three years, they could be trained by Jesus.” from Following the Master by Wilkins• Would you say that the Twelve were in a “Christian Bubble”? Why and if so how? How does Acts 6:2-4 help us see Jesus’ long-term goal for them?
• What did Tim mean when he said that the Gospel according to Mark is “Eyewitness Testimony Translated” How does that relate to the Bible being both reliable and relevant? Where and when in your life do you have opportunity to speak for the reliability and/or the relevance of Scripture?
• The Twelve’s testimony guides us into the real Jesus so that by his impact upon us we can be a fully functioning hand wherever we are. (A guide into union with Christ for the sake of the world). Why then would understanding the gospel as information transfer be an insufficient appreciation of the Gospel? Since the Gospel is not just information that fell out of the sky does that help you to sense a smile at the other end of the communication?• Jesus chose Twelve to be with him more than the other disciples and three of the Twelve to be with him even more. Why is this a loving action on Jesus’ part?
Withered to Restored – Mark 3:1-6
Read Mark 3:1-6.
How might we, like the scribes, turn the instructions/commandments of God into a rival god? How is that really putting trust in your self rather than in the Lord?
Have you grasped that Jesus on the cross was taking upon himself that which you are most ashamed of about your body, your history and/or your heart? If you were to make a peice of art to depict what that looks like what colors, materials, etc. would you use?
Do you have a sense for how your day to day life is a way of making God known in the world (being a "fully functioning hand")? Does that help you understand what it means to be an image-bearer? Explain.
Read Ezekiel 37:1-14. Is the theme of dry/withered (same word) being used in a similar way as Mark 3:1-6? Is the answer to that problem being addressed in the same way? For further background study see Isaiah 56.
Sustenance Despite Sin – Mark 2:23-28
What do you most remember from the sermon?
How does Jesus use the story of David and the bread of the Presence (1 Samuel 21:1-6) to argue for the kingdom of God being established despite human disregard for God’s holiness?
Why is that such an important thing to keep in mind?
How can things go wrong if we think that the kingdom of God is sustained by our Christian practices rather than Christ’s person?
How can things go right for a local church when they realize that sustenance for the kingdom is provided despite sin?
Tim said that for the Pharisees the Sabbath had become Lord, rather than Jesus. Have practices and habits of the Christian life become Lord of any churches you have gone to or individuals that you’ve known?
What is beautiful about a person who relates to Jesus Christ as Lord rather than to prayer, Bible Study, attendance to Sunday worship, etc. as Lord?
Mark 2:18-22
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Crossroads Presbyterian Church
15557 Cardinal Drive, Woodbridge, VA 22193
(703) 794-9431
Join us for worship, Sundays at 9:30a.m.