Mark 9:1-13

Mark 9:1-13Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
Boy 1
9 Then He said to them, “I assure you: There are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the kingdom of God come in power.”
The Transfiguration
2 After six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John and led them up on a high mountain by themselves to be alone. He was transformed[a] in front of them,3 and His clothes became dazzling—extremely white as no launderer on earth could whiten them. 4 Elijah appeared to them with Moses, and they were talking with Jesus.
5 Then Peter said to Jesus, “Rabbi, it’s good for us to be here! Let us make three tabernacles: one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah”— 6 because he did not know what he should say, since they were terrified.
7 A cloud appeared, overshadowing them, and a voice came from the cloud:
This is My beloved Son;
listen to Him!
8 Then suddenly, looking around, they no longer saw anyone with them except Jesus alone.
9 As they were coming down from the mountain, He ordered them to tell no one what they had seen until the Son of Man had risen from the dead. 10 They kept this word to themselves, discussing what “rising from the dead” meant.
11 Then they began to question Him, “Why do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?”
12 “Elijah does come first and restores everything,” He replied. “How then is it written about the Son of Man that He must suffer many things and be treated with contempt? 13 But I tell you that Elijah really has come, and they did whatever they pleased to him, just as it is written about him.”
Questions:
1. Who is Elijah and Moses?
A. Elijah is one of the most important prophets of the Old Testament.  He lived to serve God and performed many miracles for God.  He never died, but was lifted up into heaven by a chariot of fire and horses.  He was persecuted by Ahab and Jezebel, King and Queen of Israel.  They wanted to behead him (Just like John the Baptist).  Moses was a leader for God.  He led the Israelites out of Egypt and preformed many miracles for God.  He never entered the promise land, but led his people to the promise land.
2. Peter calls Jesus Rabbi, what does this mean?
A. It means teacher, a teacher of the Jewish traditions and customs.
3. Why does Peter say, “It’s good for us to be here!”?
A. He is terrified.  He doesn’t know what to do.  He calls out to start building a tabernacle.  Three tents, or shelters to honor them.  
4. What do you think the cloud looked like?
A. ???
5. What does God mean by saying, “This is my beloved Son; listen to Him!”?
A. Elijah and Moses are gone, and Jesus is the only one left.  God is showing Peter, James, and John who is the most important and who to listen to.  God is telling them to listen and believe.  

Mark 8:31-38Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

Girl 2
His Death and Resurrection Predicted
³¹ Then He began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, be killed, and rise after three days. ³² He was openly talking about this. So Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him.
³³ But turning around and looking at His disciples, He rebuked Peter and said,“Get behind Me, Satan, because you’re not thinking about God’s concerns,^[a]but man’s!”
Take Up Your Cross
³⁴ Summoning the crowd along with His disciples, He said to them, “If anyone wants to be My follower, he must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow Me. ³⁵ For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life because of Me and the gospel will save it. ³⁶ For what does it benefit a man to gain the whole world yet lose his life? ³⁷ What can a man give in exchange for his life? ³⁸ For whoever is ashamed of Me and of My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will also be ashamed of him when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels.”

Questions:
1.   Why do you think Peter didn’t like what Jesus was saying?
A.   Jesus is Peter’s friend, He loves Jesus, Peter left everything to follow Jesus, and now Jesus is saying He is going die.  Peter doesn’t like it.
2.   What does Jesus mean by whoever loses his life because of Me and the Gospel will save their life?
A.   It means that if we stand up for our faith in Christ, or die for Christ we will actually save our Life and have eternal life with Christ.  We need to live in this world, but not be of this world.  Live for Christ not for ourselves.
3.   What does it mean for you to take up your cross and follow Me?
A.   Jesus used this image of carrying a cross to show the ultimate submission that requires a follower to moment by moment live for Him.  To do His will even when it is difficult and the future looks bleak.  

Mark 8:22-30

Mark 8:22-30Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
Healing a Blind Man²² Then they came to Bethsaida. They brought a blind man to Him and begged Him to touch him. ²³ He took the blind man by the hand and brought him out of the village. Spitting on his eyes and laying His hands on him, He asked him,“Do you see anything?”
²⁴ He looked up and said, “I see people—they look to me like trees walking.”
²⁵ Again Jesus placed His hands on the man’s eyes, and he saw distinctly. He was cured and could see everything clearly. ²⁶ Then He sent him home, saying,“Don’t even go into the village.”^[a]Peter’s Confession of the Messiah²⁷ Jesus went out with His disciples to the villages of Caesarea Philippi. And on the road He asked His disciples, “Who do people say that I am?”
²⁸ They answered Him, “John the Baptist; others, Elijah; still others, one of the prophets.”
²⁹ “But you,” He asked them again, “who do you say that I am?”
Peter answered Him, “You are the Messiah!”³⁰ And He strictly warned them to tell no one about Him

Mark 8:11-21

Mark 8:11-21Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
The Yeast of the Pharisees and Herod
11 The Pharisees came out and began to argue with Him, demanding of Him a sign from heaven to test Him. 12 But sighing deeply in His spirit, He said, “Why does this generation demand a sign? I assure you: No sign will be given to this generation!” 13 Then He left them, got on board the boat again, and went to the other side.
14 They had forgotten to take bread and had only one loaf with them in the boat. 15 Then He commanded them: “Watch out! Beware of the yeast of the Pharisees and the yeast of Herod.”
16 They were discussing among themselves that they did not have any bread.17 Aware of this, He said to them, “Why are you discussing that you do not have any bread? Don’t you understand or comprehend? Is your heart hardened?18 Do you have eyes, and not see, and do you have ears, and not hear?[a] And do you not remember? 19 When I broke the five loaves for the 5,000, how many baskets full of pieces of bread did you collect?”
“Twelve,” they told Him.
20 “When I broke the seven loaves for the 4,000, how many large baskets full of pieces of bread did you collect?”
“Seven,” they said.
21 And He said to them, “Don’t you understand yet?
Questions:
1. Why do the Pharisees demand to see another miracle even though they have witnessed so many before?
A. They are in denial and nieve of who Jesus is and are afraid of what He can do.  They might also want to witness and miracle to catch Him in the act.
2. What was Jesus’s response to the Pharisees wanting to see a miracle?
A. He is infuriated because they still couldn’t see the power in Him through their ignorance.
3. What does Jesus mean by, “Beware of the Yeast?”
A. Yeast makes bread rise, so if the yeast is bad, the bread is bad.  In this metaphor, the bread is the word of God, and because the yeast of the Pharisees and Herod makes the bread, they are infecting the word.  Also, the yeast spreads the bread, and they don’t want to spread the wrong words of God.
4. How would you feel if you were one the 12 disciples and you still don’t understand that Jesus will provide you with ever need?
A. ????
The Purpose/Summary
In this passage certain people test God’s power and want to see miracles before they believe.  God is not a magic lamp, He is not your servant or puppet.  He is your master, not the other way around.  We also learn that even seeing miracle after miracle doesn’t mean you truly know Christ.  His disciples have been with Him for a long time and still don’t understand they can rely on Him for every need.  

Mark 8:1-10

Mark 8:1-10Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

Feeding 4,000

8 In those days there was again a large crowd, and they had nothing to eat. He summoned the disciples and said to them, ² “I have compassion on the crowd, because they’ve already stayed with Me three days and have nothing to eat. ³ If I send them home hungry,^[a] they will collapse on the way, and some of them have come a long distance.”

⁴ His disciples answered Him, “Where can anyone get enough bread here in this desolate place to fill these people?”

⁵ “How many loaves do you have?” He asked them.

“Seven,” they said. ⁶ Then He commanded the crowd to sit down on the ground. Taking the seven loaves, He gave thanks, broke the loaves, and kept on giving them to His disciples to set before the people. So they served the loaves to the crowd. ⁷ They also had a few small fish, and when He had blessed them, He said these were to be served as well. ⁸ They ate and were filled. Then they collected seven large baskets of leftover pieces. ⁹ About 4,000 men were there. He dismissed them ¹⁰ and immediately got into the boat with His disciples and went to the district of Dalmanutha.

Questions

1.       What does it mean to be a desolate place?

A.     It means empty, barren, not much around you.  These people have been listening to Jesus speak for several days and are away from their home.  It would take them several days to get home and Jesus predicts they won’t have the energy to get back. 

2.      What are some of the similarities and differences is feeding the 4,000 from the 5,000?

A.     In the feeding of the 5,000 his disciples were upset and didn’t want to use their money to buy food for everyone.  Here they have no were to go to buy food.  In the 5,000 Jesus looked up to heaven and blessed the food feeding them in large groups.  In the 4,000 He gave thanks and broke the bread, blessing it while feeding His people.  Both are very similar

3.      How come the disciples haven’t opened their eyes to the miracles of Christ? 

A.     I don’t know.  You would think they would believe He could do anything, but they are still in disbelief.  They say, “Where can anyone get enough bread here in this desolate place to fill these people. 

4.     If you were in the crowd of 4,000, what would be your reaction to seeing this event?

A.??????

Summary

Prayer

Mark 7:31-37

Mark 7:31-37Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
Jesus Does Everything Well
³¹ Again, leaving the region of Tyre, He went by way of Sidon to the Sea of Galilee, through^[a] the region of the Decapolis. ³² They brought to Him a deaf man who also had a speech difficulty, and begged Jesus to lay His hand on him. ³³ So He took him away from the crowd privately. After putting His fingers in the man’s ears and spitting, He touched his tongue. ³⁴ Then, looking up to heaven, He sighed deeply and said to him, “Ephphatha!”^[b] (that is, “Be opened!”). ³⁵ Immediately his ears were opened, his speech difficulty was removed, and he began to speak clearly. ³⁶ Then He ordered them to tell no one, but the more He would order them, the more they would proclaim it.
³⁷ They were extremely astonished and said, “He has done everything well! He even makes deaf people hear, and people unable to speak, talk!”
Questions:
1.   Why does his disciples or the crowd beg Jesus to heal this deaf man?
A.   Some wanted Jesus to simply heal their friend.  Others probably wanted to see if he would or could heal the deaf man.
2.   Why do you think Jesus took the deaf man away from the crowd privately?
A.   Jesus didn’t want to make a big scene that would draw attention to himself, and eventually lead to his crucifixion.  He did this to also show personal attention to the man.  He cares about all people and wants all people to be healed.  I’m sure the man now believes in Jesus.
3.   Why did Jesus use spit to heal the deaf man?
A.   Saliva was considered a valid treatment for healing during this time.  Jesus could have also rubbed his hands in the dirt before doing this act as well.  He used spit to communicate His intention to heal.
4.   Why did Jesus order them to tell no one about this healing?
A.   It wasn’t time for Him to be fully revealed.  He also didn’t want to be known for just healing.  He wanted people to hear and believe in Him.
5.   How were the people emotions in regard to Jesus healing this man?
A.   They were astonished and amazed.  

x

Mark 7:24-30

Mark 7:24-30Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)A Gentile Mother’s Faith²⁴ He got up and departed from there to the region of Tyre and Sidon.^[a] He entered a house and did not want anyone to know it, but He could not escape notice. ²⁵ Instead, immediately after hearing about Him, a woman whose little daughter had an unclean spirit came and fell at His feet. ²⁶ Now the woman was Greek, a Syrophoenician by birth, and she kept asking Him to drive the demonout of her daughter. ²⁷ He said to her, “Allow the children to be satisfied first, because it isn’t right to take the children’s bread and throw it to the dogs.”
²⁸ But she replied to Him, “Lord, even the dogs under the table eat the children’s crumbs.”
²⁹ Then He told her, “Because of this reply, you may go. The demon has gone out of your daughter.” ³⁰ When she went back to her home, she found her child lying on the bed, and the demon was gone.
 Question:1.       Why do you think Jesus was entering a home wanting to be unseen?
A.      He might have wanted to be alone, time to Himself, prayer, ????
2.       What does it mean to be Greek?
A.      Being Greek means she is a Gentile, just like us.
3.       What does it mean to feed the children first before the dogs?
A.      It means that Jesus came for the Jews first, then the Gentile.
4.       Why does Jesus come first for the Jews?
A.      They are his chosen people.  He came first for the Jewish people.
5.       Why does Jesus heal the mother’s daughter?
A.      Because of her faith and understanding that Jesus is here for the Jews first and she will take any blessing she can get.
6.       What’s the purpose of this passage
A.      The purpose of this passage is that God came for everyone.  He will always accept us, redeem us regardless of our race.  He chooses everyone, but was sent for the Jewish people first.  

x

Mark 6:14-29

Mark 6:14-29Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

John the Baptist Beheaded

14 King Herod heard of this, because Jesus’ name had become well known. Some[a] said, “John the Baptist has been raised from the dead, and that’s why supernatural powers are at work in him.” 15 But others said, “He’s Elijah.” Still others said, “He’s a prophet[b]—like one of the prophets.”

16 When Herod heard of it, he said, “John, the one I beheaded, has been raised!” 17 For Herod himself had given orders to arrest John and to chain him in prison on account of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife, whom he had married. 18 John had been telling Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife!” 19 So Herodias held a grudge against him and wanted to kill him. But she could not, 20 because Herod was in awe of[c] John and was protecting him, knowing he was a righteous and holy man. When Herod heard him he would be very disturbed,[d] yet would hear him gladly.

21 Now an opportune time came on his birthday, when Herod gave a banquet for his nobles, military commanders, and the leading men of Galilee. 22 When Herodias’s own daughter[e] came in and danced, she pleased Herod and his guests. The king said to the girl, “Ask me whatever you want, and I’ll give it to you.” 23 So he swore oaths to her: “Whatever you ask me I will give you, up to half my kingdom.”

24 Then she went out and said to her mother, “What should I ask for?”

“John the Baptist’s head!” she said.

25 Immediately she hurried to the king and said, “I want you to give me John the Baptist’s head on a platter—right now!”

26 Though the king was deeply distressed, because of his oaths and the guests[f] he did not want to refuse her. 27 The king immediately sent for an executioner and commanded him to bring John’s head. So he went and beheaded him in prison, 28 brought his head on a platter, and gave it to the girl. Then the girl gave it to her mother. 29 When his disciples[g]heard about it, they came and removed his corpse and placed it in a tomb.

Questions:

1. What might have Jesus done to become so well known that Herod would have heard of Him?

1. Jesus has performed many miracles within the last year, many people hear of Him.

2. Why did Herod’s wife not like John?

1. Because John told Herod he shouldn’t marry his brother’s wife.  

3. Before John’s death what type of person was Herod acting like?

1. Like a fool.  He was prideful and wanted to show off in front of his guests.

4. How did Herod feel after he told the executioner to behead John?

1. In deep distress, but he still went through with it.  Notice “Because of his oath and the guests he did not want to refuse her.  He could have refused her.  Sure his word would have been tarnished, but John would still be alive.  His pride in himself killed John.  

5. Why do you think Mark wrote this in his book.  He’s been writing all about Jesus and then switches to John’s death.  Why???

Mark 6:6-12

Mark 6:6-12
Commissioning the Twelve
Now He was going around the villages in a circuit, teaching. 7 He summoned the Twelve and began to send them out in pairs and gave them authority over unclean spirits. 8 He instructed them to take nothing for the road except a walking stick: no bread, no traveling bag, no money in their belts. 9 They were to wear sandals, but not put on an extra shirt. 10 Then He said to them,“ Whenever you enter a house, stay there until you leave that place. 11 If any place does not welcome you and people refuse to listen to you, when you leave there, shake the dust off your feet as a testimony against them.”[a]
12 So they went out and preached that people should repent.
Questions:
1. How would you deal with having the powers that Jesus has?
A. Nervous, because I wouldn’t want to mess up.  I wouldn’t want people to think I did it, but that it is the Spirit of Christ working through me.
2. What do you think the 12 thought about not being able to bring food or money on their trips?
A. Scared, nervous, uneasy, but you will have to rely on Christ for everything.  
3. What does it mean to enter a house and leave when you are finished?
A. It me to stay and preach to that household as well  as other houses near by until you move to a new city.  
4. How would you act if one of the apostles dusted off their feet at your doorstep?
A. ??????
5. Why did he send the disciples on pairs?
A. For safety and encouragement, and any other need.  

Christmas 2014

Here are some adopt a family pictures.  We had a great time delivering them their presents.  She was so overwhelmed and thankful.  She said she was going to give some of the gifts to another in need.  What a giver.

Mark 4:30-41

Mark 4:30-41Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

The Parable of the Mustard Seed

³⁰ And He said: “How can we illustrate the kingdom of God, or what parable can we use to describe it? ³¹ It’s like a mustard seed that, when sown in the soil, is smaller than all the seeds on the ground. ³² And when sown, it comes up and grows taller than all the vegetables, and produces large branches, so that the birds of the sky can nest in its shade.”

Using Parables

³³ He would speak the word to them with many parables like these, as they were able to understand. ³⁴ And He did not speak to them without a parable. Privately, however, He would explain everything to His own disciples.

Wind and Wave Obey the Master

³⁵ On that day, when evening had come, He told them, “Let’s cross over to the other side of the sea.” ³⁶ So they left the crowd and took Him along since He was already in the boat. And other boats were with Him. ³⁷ A fierce wind storm arose, and the waves were breaking over the boat, so that the boat was already being swamped. ³⁸ But He was in the stern, sleeping on the cushion. So they woke Him up and said to Him, “Teacher! Don’t You care that we’re going to die?”

³⁹ He got up, rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Silence! Be still!” The wind ceased, and there was a great calm. ⁴⁰ Then He said to them, “Why are you fearful? Do you still have no faith?”

⁴¹ And they were terrified and asked one another, “Who then is this? Even the wind and the sea obey Him!”

Questions:

1.       How big is a mustard seed?

A.     ???? Picture or bring in a seed

2.      The kingdom of Christ is like a mustard seed.  What does that mean?

A.     It starts off small, but can grow to be the largest of tree.  It brings food, shelter, and shade for those who need it.  God gives us, grace, mercy, and forgiveness of our sins.

3.      Why does Jesus not explain to the people, but he does explain to His disciples what each parable means?

A.     He wants the people to search for answers to grow in their faith, but he tells the disciples about the parables because He wants them to clearly know what each parable means, so they can teach when Jesus passes.

4.       What would you do during a massive storm on a boat?  How would you act?

A.?????

5. Do you think they are understand who Jesus is and what authority He has?

A.

6. Why do you think the disciples lose faith?

A. Because they didn’t want to die.  

Mark 4:21-30

Mark 4:21-29Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

Using Your Light

²¹ He also said to them, “Is a lamp brought in to be put under a basket or under a bed? Isn’t it to be put on a lampstand? ²² For nothing is concealed except to be revealed, and nothing hidden except to come to light. ²³ If anyone has ears to hear, he should listen!” ²⁴ Then He said to them, “Pay attention to what you hear. By the measure you use,^[a] it will be measured and added to you. ²⁵ For to the one who has, it will be given, and from the one who does not have, even what he has will be taken away.”

The Parable of the Growing Seed

²⁶ “The kingdom of God is like this,” He said. “A man scatters seed on the ground; ²⁷ he sleeps and rises—night and day, and the seed sprouts and grows—he doesn’t know how. ²⁸ The soil produces a crop by itself—first the blade, then the head, and then the ripe grain on the head. ²⁹ But as soon as the crop is ready, he sends for the sickle, because the harvest has come.”

Questions:

1.       When Jesus is talking about a lamp, what is He referring to?

A.     The Lamp is the Word of God, and the Light could be a Christian or the Word of God.

2.      How can God’s light shine through us?

A.     ????

3.      According to Jesus why should we pay attention to what we hear?

A.     Because if we do He will tell us more and reveal more of Himself.

4.     How is telling people about Jesus a lot like scattering seeds?

A.     A farmer scatters seeds and waits, we are to tell people about Jesus and wait for the Holy Spirit to take hold of that person and grow.

5.      How does the parable of the growing seed explain the process of our spiritual growth?

A.     Just like a seed grows slowly until it is ready to harvest, or spiritual growth if gradual as well.  

Mark 4:1-20

Mark 4:1-20Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

The Parable of the Sower

4 Again He began to teach by the sea, and a very large crowd gathered around Him. So He got into a boat on the sea and sat down, while the whole crowd was on the shore facing the sea. ² He taught them many things in parables, and in His teaching He said to them: ³ “Listen! Consider the sower who went out to sow. ⁴ As he sowed, this occurred: Some seed fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. ⁵ Other seed fell on rocky ground where it didn’t have much soil, and it sprang up right away, since it didn’t have deep soil. ⁶ When the sun came up, it was scorched, and since it didn’t have a root, it withered. ⁷ Other seed fell among thorns, and the thorns came up and choked it, and it didn’t produce a crop. ⁸ Still others fell on good ground and produced a crop that increased 30, 60, and 100 times what was sown.” ⁹ Then He said, “Anyone who has ears to hear should listen!”

Why Jesus Used Parables

¹⁰ When He was alone with the Twelve, those who were around Him asked Him about the parables. ¹¹ He answered them, “The secret of the kingdom of God has been given to you, but to those outside, everything comes in parables ¹² so that

they may look and look,
yet not perceive;
they may listen and listen,
yet not understand;
otherwise, they might turn back—
and be forgiven.”^[a][b]

The Parable of the Sower Explained

¹³ Then He said to them: “Don’t you understand this parable? How then will you understand any of the parables? ¹⁴ The sower sows the word. ¹⁵ These^[c] are the ones along the path where the word is sown: when they hear, immediately Satan comes and takes away the word sown in them.^[d] 16 And these are^[e] the ones sown on rocky ground: when they hear the word, immediately they receive it with joy. ¹⁷ But they have no root in themselves; they are short-lived. When pressure or persecution comes because of the word, they immediately stumble. ¹⁸ Others are sown among thorns; these are the ones who hear the word, ¹⁹ but the worries of this age, the seduction^[f] of wealth, and the desires for other things enter in and choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful. ²⁰ But the ones sown on good ground are those who hear the word, welcome it, and produce a crop:30, 60, and 100 times what was sown.”

Questions:

1.   Why do you think Jesus taught by the sea?

A.   Jesus wanted the attention on Him, He didn’t want any distractions, plus He didn’t want the crowd to mob Him.

2.   Why did Jesus say, “Anyone who has ears to hear should listen!”

A.   People can hear, but they might not be listening.  We need to listen to what Jesus has to say about His Kingdom.  Listen and apply these things to our life. 

3.   Why did Jesus teach in parables?

A.   He doesn’t just give commands on how to act.  He lets us listen to what He has to say about certain situations and we have to interpret what He is saying.  We must listen and learn.  The disciples get a first hand view of the Lord, while we must listen.

4.   How come the crops multiplied by 30, 60, 100?

A.   Because that is what happens when you are saved.  It is a miracle crop.

5.   What soil are you on?

A.   ????