Mark  One….(verses 1-45)

1.       Verses  1-13              

a.   What was God’s purpose for John the Baptist, even before he was born?     (verses 2-3; Luke 1:16-17)

He would be filled with the Holy Spirit while he was still in the womb, and would be in the power of Elijah preaching to the people preparing the people for the coming of the Lord Jesus.

b.  Where did Isaiah say John would be when he started his ministry saying  the paths would be made straight?    (Isaiah 40:3)

In the wilderness.

c.   Where did John start his preaching?       (verse 4)

In the wilderness beyond the river Jordan.

d.   What message did he preach?           (verses  4b-5)

For the people to repent of their sins and be baptised to show it was a sincere repentance.

e.  What else did he announce?        (verses 7-8; John 1:14, 29-36)

He introduced Jesus  of Nazareth as the coming One, the Son of God who was also the Lamb of God; the One who would baptise with the Holy Spirit.                                                                  

f.    What important  thing did John do with Jesus?       (verse 9)

He baptised Him in the river Jordan.

g.   What sign did John see when this was done?     (verse 10)

The Holy Spirit came down upon Him in the manner of a dove.

h.    What did this tell John?    (John 1:32-34)

That God was now showing him that Jesus was the Son of God, the Coming One.

i.    What additional confirmation was there that this was so?    (verse 11)

God spoke from heaven in an audible voice saying that  this was His Beloved Son.          

j.   What happened to Jesus immediately after His baptism?         (verses 12-13)

He went into the wilderness and Satan attacked Him there.

k.  Do we see this happen today?           (1 Peter 5:8)

Yes, sometimes new believers fall by the wayside soon after their baptism and they don’t continue on. Satan seems to attack people especially after some high experience to test their commitment.

l.   How many times did Satan tempt Christ ?          (Matthew 4:1-11)

He attacked Him three times.

m.   How did our Lord gain strength to help him through this time of human physical weakness?       (verse 13)

The angels came and ministered to Him.

2.   Verses   14-28                                            

a.   What happened after John had introduced and baptised Jesus?     (verse 14)

While Jesus was in the desert being tempted by Satan.

b.     Why was John put into prison?           (chapter  6:17-19)

Because he told Herod off for marrying a divorced woman and his sister-in-law at that!

c.   What was Jesus preaching to the people ?      (verse 15)

That the kingdom of God was near and that they needed to repent and believe the Gospel.

d.   What IS the gospel of the kingdom?         (John 4:14)

To believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, and repent of one’s sins. To come to Him and take the water of life that He offers for giving everlasting life.

e.   We have already seen WHAT the Gospel is  ( believing in Jesus Christ to receive salvation.) So, WHERE is the Kingdom of God?             (Luke 17: 21)

The Kingdom of God is not an earthly kingdom, but is set up in the heart of each believer.

f.  HOW is God to be worshipped?          (John 4: 23-24)

In the spirit of man….it is not an outward ritual, and not merely words or singing. It must come from the sincere  heart of man

g.   Who were the first two men who were called to be disciples of Jesus? The second two?    (verses 16-20)

Peter and Andrew were called first, and then James and John.

h.   What miracle is first recorded in Mark?       (verses 21-26)

The miracle of casting out an evil spirit.

i.  What did this evil spirit recognise?     (verse 24)

That Jesus  of Nazareth was the Sent One from God.

j.  What else are we told that the demons recognise?    (Acts 16:16-17;  James 2:19)

They know and recognise the gospel of salvation; they know and believe about God and are afraid!

k.  What did the people notice about this new preacher?   (verse 27)

That He taught with authority, and they were amazed at His words and His power.

3.   Verses   29-45                                                           

a.   What homely picture do we see next?         (verses 29-31)

We see Jesus with his disciples in Peter’s home and his mother-in-law not well with a high fever. Jesus took her by the hand and she was healed immediately and got up to help get the meal ready.

b.  What is the next picture that we see?     (verses 32-34)

By the end of the day, the news had spread like wild fire and there were crowds of people around the door of the house all wanting to be healed (which He did).

c.   What did He NOT allow the demons to do this time?     (verse 34;  Luke 4:40-41)

He didn’t allow them to say Who He was.….they knew Him although the people didn’t.

d.   When did Jesus do His praying?       (verse 35)

He got up long before daylight and went outside where He could be alone with His Father

e.  What do we read in  other passages about His praying habits?         (Matthew 14:23; Luke 6:12)

Sometimes He spent all night in prayer….He liked to be on His own for this, up a mountain or out in a deserted place.

f.  What was one purpose of Christ’s coming?        (verses 38-39)

To preach, and He backed this up with His miracles of healing.

g.   What was the leper admitting when he asked to be healed?          (verse 40)

He was admitting that he had a need that he couldn’t do anything about himself.

h.  How did Jesus feel when He was presented with this need?             (verse 41)

He was full of compassion and answered the man’s request.

i.   What is the parallel of this miracle ?           (Luke 5:31-32; Romans 3:10, 23)

It is only Christ Who can cleanse our sin and make us clean. But we have to be willing to come to Him and ask.

j.   Did the man need to wait or to do anything before he was healed?      (verse 42)

No, the healing was immediate.

k.   What does this tell us about our condition after confession, before God?      (1 John 1:9)

That as soon as we confess our need to God, we are cleansed and our sins are taken away!

l.   After he was healed, what was he required to do?   (verse 44)

Then he had to obey the law that Moses had laid down for cleansed lepers.

m.   What law are we required to do after we have been cleansed from our sin?      (John 15:12, 17)

The law of Christ which is to love one another.

n.   What did the man do next?    (verse 45)

He told everyone what had happened!  People  could see for themselves that he was a new man.

o.   What is the parallel to this for us?    (2 Corinthians 5:17)

Our friends and acquaintances will see that we are different, and because our lives are changed, we can then tell others what has happened to us! If your life doesn’t back up the change, keep your mouth shut!

Mark  Two….(verses 1-28)

1.      Verses  1-12                              

a.   What was the name of the town that Jesus was in when this incident occurred?      (verse 1)

Capernaum.

b.  What was the scene at this time?          (verse 2)

A crowd was pressing around Him to hear Him preaching inside this person’s house.

c.   Who tried to get through the crowd to Him? Why?         (verses 3-4a)

Four men carrying a paralysed man wanted to see their friend healed, but there was no way they could get anywhere near to Jesus because of the crowd.

d.   How did they overcome their dilemma? (Remember that the houses then had flat roofs with staircases up the outside to the roof)                 (verse 4b)

They took him up to the roof and then pulled the tiles off and let him down into the crowd below right where Jesus was standing.

e.  What did Jesus call their persistence?        (verse 5a)

He called it faith.

f.  What did Jesus see that this man’s greatest need was?        (verse 5b)

To have his sins forgiven.

g.  What did the religious men think when they heard what Jesus said?           (verses 6-7)

They muttered and said “Who does He think He is? Only God can forgive sins!”

h.   How did Jesus know what they were muttering?     (verse 8a)

Because as God, He knows everything…..He is omniscient, and He knew their thoughts.

i.  Why did He answer as He did anyway?   (verses 8b-10)

So that the people would know that He COULD forgive sins!

j.   What did He say next to the sick man to prove His power?    (verse 11)

Get up, and take your bed back home!

k.   How did the people feel after this incident?       (verse 12)

Absolutely amazed!

l.  What does James link with physical illness?          (James 5:14-16)

Illness of the spirit and soul.

m.  What is the ciriteria to have sins forgiven?    (1 John 1:9)

To confess them in prayer.

n.   Have you ever heard of cases where prayer for physically sick people doesn’t work?

Yes!  They aren’t always healed when the verses in James are taken for physical illness only.

o.  Have you ever heard of a person praying for forgiveness of sins,  that doesn’t work?    (1 John 1:9)

No! The Lord honours His word where He says He will forgive upon confession of sin.

p.   There fore what is the absolute guarantee of healing that James is talking about ?   (James 5:15)

Confession of one’s own sins and the prayer of others in support,  is a guarantee of spiritual healing.

q.   How then should we pray for those who are physically sick?  (2 Corinthians  12:7-10)

To ask for God’s grace to be given them and their loved ones in their time of need and weakness.

2.   Verses  13-17                                                                                          

a.   What was the other name of  Levi, son of Alphaeus? What does that tell us about James in Mark 3:18?       (Matthew 9:9 )

Levi’s other name was Matthew, and he and this  James must have been brothers.

b.  What was Levi’s job? What was it commonly called?        (verses  14-16)

He was a tax collector and it was called being a publican.

c.   What were publicans popularly classed as?        (verse 16)

Being sinners and rogues, totally dishonest.

d.   What did Levi immediately do?          (verse 15a)

He got up and left his collecting station, and followed Jesus, then asked him to come for a meal with his friends and business colleagues..

e.  What did the religious people say about that?         (verse 16b)

“Fancy eating with THOSE sort of people!”

f.  What did Jesus say about those comments?           (verse 17)

Only those who are sick need a doctor! I didn’t come to call GOOD people, I came to call SINNERS!

g.  Who  else was another tax collector?    (Luke 19:1-2)

Zacchaeus was also a tax collector.

h.   What did Jesus say to him initially?       (Luke19:5-6)

Come down out of that tree! I’m coming to your house now.

i.  What sort of person was Zacchaeus?          (Luke 19: 2)

He was rich but dissatisfied with his life.

j.   What did the religious people say about Jesus going there?        (Luke 19:7)

They muttered about this occasion too, saying that Zacchaeus was a sinner.

k.   What did the people see about Zacchaeus after this time with Jesus?       (Luke 19:8-9)

That he was totally different, and promised to give back four fold what he taken dishonestly.

l.  What did Jesus say about Himself after being with these two men?         (verse 17b)

That He had come to seek and to save those who were lost in sin.

m.  How is this a comfort to us today?        (Matthew 18:11)

We can hold onto these promises….it doesn’t matter how sinful we are, if we turn to Jesus, He will forgive us…..He is looking for ME to save me!!

n.   What do we notice about  these two dishonest publicans that we have read about, and the “good” religious men?          (Romans 3:20- 23)

They were all lost in sin and needed saving, but the dishonest men knew it and the religious ones didn’t!

o.   What is the lesson in this for us?        (Romans 3:23)

We must realise that we too are sinners and need saving….the point is, are we going to do anything about it?

3.   Verses  18-28        

a.   What did the Pharisees want to know next?          (verse 18)

They wanted to know why the disciples of Jesus didn’t fast like John’s did.

b.  What was the reply?        (verse 19)

People aren’t sad at a wedding so why should they fast when the bridegroom is present?

c.   What does verse 20 tell us ?

Once the bridegroom leaves, then the people will fast.

d.   What do you think Jesus  meant here?   

Jesus was saying that once He left earth, then the disciples would have reason to fast.

e.  What did He go on to say next?  What were the bottles made of in those days?   (verse 21-22)

Nobody patches  worn out clothes or puts new wine into old dirty bottles   (the bottles in those days were made from skins, not glass or plastic)

f.  What do you think was the point in these comments?

It’s no use trying to pick up old things to use when they are finished; it’s better to start off with new things that will last.

g.  Can you put this into a spiritual context?    (2 Corinthians 5:17)

People have to be saved from their sinful ways through Jesus Christ and start off in a new life with God.                                                                                        

h.   What day did the disciples pick the corn, and why did they do it?      (verse 23)

It was the Sabbath day and they were hungry.

i.  What did Jesus say in reply?           (verses 25-26)

He reminded them how David’s men of war helped themselves to the holy bread in the place of worship when they were hungry.

j.   What was the Sabbath day made for ?      (verse 27; Deuteronomy 5:12-15)

The benefit of man and his servants as well as  the beasts of burden.

k.   What does verse 28 tell us?

That Jesus as the Lord of the Sabbath could do good on the Sabbath day.

Mark  Three…..(verses 1-35)

1.       Verses  1-19         

a.   Why were the Pharisees so mad at Jesus healing the man with the shrivelled up hand?   (verses 1-4)

Because the miracle was done on the Sabbath day.

b.     How did the Lord feel about their grumpiness?          (verse 5)

He was grieved and angry with hard hardness of mind, and how they could be so unfeeling and unsympathetic.

c.   Who did the Pharisees consult with about killing Him ?        (verse 6)

People call the Herodians.

d.   Where did the people come from to hear Jesus?     (verse 8)

From all over the country…from Jerusalem and south (Idumea), to the sea coast in the north of Tyre and Sidon, to the inland region across Jordan.

e.  On this occasion, where did He preach from?       (verses 7, 9)

He got into a dinghy and pushed out from the beach.

f.   Have you ever been on a beach on a still morning ? What have you noticed about things?

It is most noticeable how clearly sound carries over still water.

g.   Why did He have to do this?           (verses 9b-10)

Because the crowd was pressing forward, all wanting to touch Him.

h.  What did the demons say and do when they saw Him in front of them?      (verse 11)

They fell down before Him saying “You are the Son of God!”       

i   Who did Jesus choose for the twelve disciples?       (verses 14-19; chapter   2:14; John 14:22)

Peter, James and John             Andrew, Philip and  Bartholomew

Matthew (also known as Levi, son of Alphaeus), Thomas and James (son of Alphaeus)

Thaddeus, Simon Zelotes and Judas Iscariot. One of these also had the name Judas.

j.  What were they told to do?     (verses 14-15)

To go out and preach; they were given power to heal and to throw out demons.

k.   Were they the only ones sent out to do this?      (Luke 10:1)

No, later on another 70 were sent out to do the same.

2.    Verses  20-35     

a.   What did the crowds of people do?     (verse 20)

They came from everywhere and never left them in peace.

b.      What did the relatives of Jesus think of all this?     (verse 21)

They said it had gone to His head!

c.   What did the scribes say about the power He had over demons?        (verse 22)

They said that it was by the power of Satan that He was able to do this.

d.   What was Christ’s reply?         (verses 23-26)

How/Why can Satan throw himself out of people? A divided house cannot stand, so Satan is not likely to throw himself out!

e.  What is the unforgivable sin in verse 29?

Blasphemy of the Holy Spirit  can never be forgiven….that is to have no regard or respect, or taking notice of His promptings). Without listening to, and responding to His call, there is no repentance or forgiveness of sin.

f.   In this case, how were the Pharisees doing this?        (verse 30)

By not recognising the source of Christ’s power over the demons, and by attributing it to a demonic source.                                                            

g..   Who came to the house calling for Jesus?     (verses 31-32)

His family….. mother and brothers.

h.  Who did Jesus say were his family?        (verses 33-35)

Those who did the will of God were now his family.

i.   What does God the Father say of those who believe in Him?     (Romans 9:25-26; 2 Corinthians 6:18)

That He will be their Father and they will be His sons and daughters,,,,,children of the Living God.

j.   Do you think that the statement that Jesus made,  meant that He loved His family less? 

No! He meant that everyone who comes to Him are special to Him.

Mark  Four…..(verses 1-41)

1.      Verses  1-25             

a.   What was the parable that Jesus taught at the beginning of this chapter?       (verses 1-8)

About a farmer sowing his field and how different sorts of soil had different results.

b.    How many sorts of ground did the seed fall into? What were they like? (verses 4-8)

There were four different soils…the roadside, stony ground, weedy ground and good ground.

c.   What were the different percentages of crops yielded?    (verse 8)

30%,   60%,    and 100%

d.   What was being revealed to the disciples in these parables?       (verse 11a)

The mysteries of God’s plan.

e.  What did the seed, ground and crop represent?      (verses 13-20)

The seed is God’s Word; the ground is the listeners hearts, and the crop is what was done with what was heard.

f.   What sort of ground was the rich young ruler like in Matthew 19:16-22?

The stony ground….he thought he wanted to but wouldn’t when it came to the test.          

g.   Which sort of ground were the people of Nazareth like?  (Matthew 13:54-58)

The roadside…..they didn’t want to listen at all.

h.     What sort of ground was Tychicus like?    (Ephesians 6:21)

He was like the good ground that yielded fruit….he was a faithful worker.

i.   What did Alexander remind you of?       (1 Timothy 1:18-20)

He was like the weedy ground that didn’t produce fruit; he obviously got sidetracked by other things  in his life, and his spiritual life got choked and unproductive.

j.   What is the challenge in this parable for us to remember?

Which sort of ground are we? We have to take stock of how much fruit we are yielding for the Lord in our lives.

k.   Where would a light NOT be put?      (verse 21)

Under a cover or under a bed.

l.  What is meant by  this?       (Matthew 5:14-16)

We are not to hide our faith from others….even if we don’t say anything, we are to live it out.

m.     What is the spiritual application of verse 22?      ( Matthew 12:35-37)

Everything that we do and say will one day be brought to light for all to see, and will be judged.

n.   How would you explain these verses ?      (verses 24-25; Matthew 13:12)

It is basically what the old saying says….if you don’t use it, you will lose it! If we don’t use what we have in being able to read and understand God’s Word, we will eventually lose all desire to do so and will be much poorer for it, while those who get into it, will gain many more blessings!

2.   Verses  26-34                                                                                          

a.   Put this next parable into your own words….  (verse 1)

The kingdom of God is like a farmer sowing his seed and leaving it to grow on its own. When it is grown and ripe, he then harvests the crop.

b.   What do you think it means?         (verses 26-29; 1 Corinthians 3:6-7)

That our job is to sow the Word of God and then leave it to work in people’s hearts and minds….it is God Who gives the harvest, not us.                                                                             

c.   What else is the kingdom of God likened to here?         (verses 30-32)

A grain of mustard seed which grows into a large tree that gives shelter to many.

d.  What meaning can you get out of it?                (Romans  5:18-19)

The kingdom of God started with the obedience of one, the Lord Jesus Christ. By His obedience, many more have been able to shelter under His salvation, and come to God.

e.   Why do you think that Christ spoke in parables to the people?          (verse 33)

Because that was all they could understand….if they wanted to know more, they only had to ask!

f.     Who DID ask the meanings of them?          (verse 34)

The disciples asked Him and were told.

g.   How can we today understand these truths?   (John 14:26; 1 Corinthians 2:10-14)

By the Holy Spirit  Who teaches us all truth.

h.   Do you think that a quick skimming over a passage shows us much?

Not really, we have to go over and over it, and pray as we go.

i.   Go  to Matthew 13:14-16 and explain what is being said….

It’s not our natural eyes or ears that can’t comprehend, they can see OK; it’s the spiritual eyes and ears that can’t understand….it is because of man’s sin that these things can’t be seen or understood.

3.   Verses  35-41                                                                                        

a.   What miracle was performed in this passage?        (verses 35-41)

The calming of the storm and sea.

b.     What was Jesus doing during this trip?        (verse 38)

He was asleep in the back of the boat.

c.   What state was the boat in when they woke Him up?      (verse 37)

It was filling up with  water!

d.   What did He do when they told Him their need?     (verse 39)

He stood up in the boat and rebuked the wind which stopped immediately with the waves disappearing  to a flat calm!

e.     What was the disciples’ reaction to the great calm?            (verse 41)

They were afraid and in great awe at the power they saw displayed by  their Master.

f.   What lesson is there in this for us today?

When we find ourselves in the storms of life, we are to remember that the Lord is always in our boat with us…..He may seem to be doing nothing, but He wants us to call on Him for help.

g.   Why does God want us to call on Him when we are in trouble?        (Psalm 50:15; 118:5)

So He can deliver us and then we can give him thanks, praise and glory for it!

h.  Think about this story and then the Psalm verses…..what point can you see in all this now?

Sometimes trouble is the only way that God can get our attention and focus back onto Him. The point is that the Lord knew before they left what was going to happen…..He was able to stay asleep because His mind was at peace, and He knew what He was going to do to show His disciples His mighty power.

i.  What are we to remember when we find ourselves in deep trouble?      

That even though the Lord has not kept us from this trouble, He is with us in the midst of it.

j.   What is the main point of Psalm 50:15?      

The main point is that we give glory to God!

Mark  Five…..(verses 1-43)

1.    Verses  1-43                

a.   Read the whole of this chapter through at once…..what are the three great miracles in this chapter?

i. Healing the maniac man

ii. Bringing  Jairus’ daughter back to life

iii. Healing the sick woman

2.    Verses  1-20                                                                       

a.   What is the scenario in verses 1-7?   What did this man recognise?   (verse 7)

A demon possessed man who lived in a graveyard, who was totally uncontrollable. When Jesus came to the area he ran after Him, and recognised that He was the Son of God.

b.     This man was in total bondage, maybe right from birth…..what bondage are people born into today?         (Romans 3:9-10,   23)

The bondage of sin and fear of death.

c.   What did these demons make this man do?            (verses 4, 5, 7, 9, 12 )

i.     They caused him to harm himself….they had no mercy on him, and he would cut

himself  with stones.

ii.     He was very strong and unmanageable.

iii.     They recognised the Lord Jesus as the Son of God.

iv.    There were many of them, and called themselves Legion

v.    They didn’t want to remain in limbo, they wanted to be in a body of some sort.

d.   What did Jesus say to the demons? What was their reply?            (verses 8, 10)

He said, “come out of the man” and they said through the man, “Don’t torment us, or send us away into nothing, let us go into the pigs here.”

e.  What does this show us about Jesus’ power?         (verse 13)

That He has power over the demons, and they have to obey what He says.

f.   How many pigs were there, and how did they handle the demons?        (verse 13)

There was a herd of  about 2000, and they couldn’t handle the demons at all, but ran down the hillside into the sea and were drowned.

g.   What was the difference in the man now?       (verse 15)

He was quiet, and kept the clothes on that he was given, and was now obviously in his right mind.

h.  What did the locals say to Jesus when they saw what had happened?     (verse 17)

Go away, we don’t want you here.

i.       What did the healed man want to do?    (verse 18)

He wanted to stay with Jesus, and go with Him.

j.       What did Jesus tell him to do?        (verses 19-20)

To go home and tell everyone what had happened to him

k.       What spiritual picture can you see in this story for us today?       (Ephesians 2:1-5;  Hebrews 2:15)

We were in the bondage of sin and Satan and had no peace of mind, no righteousness (clothing before God) and were full of sadness and emptiness. When we recognised Who God was and what He wanted from us and responded to Him, we were set free and had everything we had been looking for spiritually. Now we are to tell others, and alas, most of them don’t want to hear.

l.       What similarity do you notice in verses 1 &21?    How does this tie in with us?     (Matthew 28:18-20; Philippians 2:7-9)

Just as Jesus made a special trip across the lake to the place where this man was living, so he made a special effort to leave His home in heaven and come to earth to bring salvation for us. He went over the sea in verse 1, and came back again in verse 21 leaving the healed man to tell others; He came to earth to accomplish salvation and then went back to heaven once more leaving men to preach His Word here.

3.   Verses  21-24;   35-43                                              

a.   What was the problem that Jairus went to Jesus with?         (verses 22-23)

 His twelve year old daughter was dying, and he asked Jesus to come and heal her.

b.   What interrupted the trip to his house?    (verses 24-28)

A sick woman hindered them.

c.      How do you think Jairus felt about this?

He would have been very put out and impatient to carry on.

d.   How should we feel when our prayers aren’t answered immediately?     (2 Corinthians 12: 8-10)

We are to realise that God’s grace is enough to keep us going, and if we conduct ourselves in the right way, it will bring glory to God.

e.   What can we  remember when things just seem to go from bad to worse?   (1 Corinthians 4:9)

That the way we react is being watched not only by other people, but by the angels, and that this trial can bring glory to God if we hang onto God’s promises.

f.  What happened to the girl as a result of the hold up?          (verse 35)

She died.

g.   What does the next part of the story show us about God’s power?        (verses 36-42)

That there is no situation that is beyond the power of God to fix. Christ is in control if we don’t panic and upset things, and He brought the girl back to life for her parents.

h.   What was the difference between Jesus’ instructions to the parents and the healed man in the first story?       (verses 19, 43)

Jesus told Jairus and his wife to not say anything about what had happened, whereas the healed man was told to go and tell everyone what had happened to him.

i.  Why do you think there was this difference?         (verse 17)

In the case of the man, the locals refused to have Jesus stay, so he was the only one who was able to tell about God’s ways. In the case of the girl, it was more of a sensation and besides, the people were more receptive to His teaching.

3.   Verses  25-43                 

a.   How long had this woman been sick for?      (verse 25)

She had been sick for twelve years, the same length of time that Jairus’ daughter was old.

b.   Was she able to help herself?        (verse 26)

No!

b.   What is the parallel between this miracle and the other two?   How were the people concerned the same ?

All three were totally unable to do anything about their situations.

c.   What was this woman’s attitude? What were her thoughts?       (verse 28)

If I can only get close enough to touch Him, I’ll get healed!

d.  What must our attitude be if we are to be healed from our sins?            (Micah 6:8c)

We must humble ourselves and cry out to the Lord for  spiritual healing, then believe that He has healed us and thank Him for it. Then get to know Him better, which is a life time’s work!

e.   How quickly was this woman healed?         (verse 29)

Instantly….as soon as she touched His the hem of His coat,  she could feel she was healed.

f.   What did Jesus say the criteria was for her healing?             (verse 34)

That she had honesty and faith…..she knew her need and did something about it.

g.      What is the criteria for our spiritual healing?    (Hebrews 11:1-3,  6;  James 2:17-24, 26)

We must have FAITH   and then action…. we have to believe that He is Who He says He is, and then DO something about it.

Mark  Six…..(verses 1-56)

1.   Verses  1-29

a.   We see that Jesus was teaching in the town of Nazareth where He grew up. What did the local people think of His preaching and teaching?     (verses 1-3)

Not much! The muttered, “Who does He think He is? He’s only the local carpenter! Where did He train and get His qualifications from? We’re not going to listen to Him!!!”

b.   What did Jesus say to this criticism?    (verse 4)

A prophet’s own friends and relations will never  listen to what he says!

c.   What was He able to do there for them?    (versse 5-6)

Very little….He only healed a few sick folk and He marvelled at their unbelief.

d..   What did Jesus tell His disciples to do?               (verse 7)

To go out in pairs and teach and heal

e.   What were they to take with them?    (verses  8-9

Nothing,  apart from what they were wearing and their stick.

f.      What was the cardinal rule for this trip?     (verse 8)

To travel as lightly as possible, and rely on the people they were teaching and healing to provide their board and lodgings.

g.   What were to do if the people didn’t want them?     (verses 10-11)

To move on and not linger or waste time on them.

h.   What can we get from these verses for ourselves?           (verses 12-13)

To be ready to tell others wherever we are, and whenever we can. To not waste time talking to people who want to argue, but just to be available to those who want to listen.

i.   How does it seem that Herod felt when he heard of Jesus’ work?       (verses 14-16)

He felt guilty for having beheaded John the Baptist when he knew that he was a good man.

j.   Why had he beheaded him?       (verses 17-19)

Because his wife hated him.

k.      Say briefly what happened…..    (verses 19-29)

Herod had married his divorced sister-in-law which John had publicly disapproved of, so Herod had him put in prison. Heorodias’ daughter pleased Herod by performing a dance at his feast, and Herod promised her anything she wanted. So she asked for John’s head in a bowl.. Herod bitterly regretted his foolish promise, but kept to it, and so John was beheaded. His followers buried his corpse.

l.   When the disciples returned from their preaching tour, what happened?     (verses 30-32)

They told Jesus all about their doings and teachings and He took them off to the desert across the lake for a break.

m.   What does this show us?   

That it is very necessary to take regular breaks to keep refreshed in body and mind.

n.      What did the people do when they saw them get into the boat to get away?        (verse 33)

They ran around the lake edge to catch up with them on the other side!

o.   Was Jesus impatient with them when they turned up on His time off? How did He feel about them?  (verse 34)

No, He wasn’t impatient with them, He just felt sorry for them and was full of compassion because they were like lost sheep without a shepherd.

2.   Each of the gospels records this story, some with some details and others with extras added…….so let’s go through it. Read the account in each of them.

Verses  30-46       Matthew 14:15-21                              Luke 9: 11-17                      John 6:5-13         

a.   What is the setting of this story?    (verse 33)

Jesus and His disciples had gone across the lake to get away from the crowds, but they saw them going and ran around the lake edge to meet Him on the other side.

b.   They had been listening to what Jesus had to say all day….what was the next problem to arise?   (verses 35-36)

It was getting late and the people were getting hungry. The disciples thought it was time they stopped and they told Jesus to send the people away to buy food for themselves.

c.      What did Jesus tell them to do? What was their reply?       (verse 37)

He told them that they should feed them, and they were horrified. What with? They didn’t have enough money to buy food for that huge crowd!

d.   What does John tell us that solved the immediate dilemma?        (John 6:7-9)

That a young lad came forward and offered his lunch to the Lord.

e.   What did Jesus do next?      (verses 38-41)

He told the disciples to make the people sit down in groups of fifties and hundreds, then He prayed over the food and started to hand it out to the disciples to pass around.

f.   How far did the food go?       (verse 42)

It just kept coming and coming until everyone was more than full!

g.   What do you notice about the left-overs? How much was there?    (verse 43)

Each of the twelve disciples got a basket and filled it to the brim with left overs.

h.      What lessons can you get out of this story?         

Nothing we have to give to the Lord is too little…..little is much in His hands!

The Lord always gives in abundance, as much as we need and more  some cases.

We are to do our best to keep things clean and tidy….they didn’t leave left-overs on the ground.

i.   What does Matthew tell us about the crowd that the others don’t mention? How big would that make the crowd ?    (Matthew 14:21)

That there were women and children there as well as the 5000 men!  It would be at least 15,000 mouths to feed!

j.   What do we see about the disciples leaving the scene?     (verses 45-46)

Jesus told them to take the boat back across the lake while He sent the people away and then went up to the top of the hill to pray.

3.   Verses  47-56                                                            

a.   The important thing to remember here is that Jesus knew in advance everything that was going to happen before daylight the next morning. The second thing to notice is that He told them to go. What does this tell us for ourselves when things are going wrong for us?   (Psalm 50:15)

That the Lord knows the position we are in, and it is not necessarily that we have sinned or made mistakes, it is primarily so that we can  see His power in delivering us and get to know His faithfulness then give Him the glory for it.

b.   What happened on the trip across the lake?       (verse 48)

A strong head wind got up and they were making hard work of rowing against it.

c.   What did they suddenly see?        (verse 49)

A ghostly figure walking on the water towards them.

d.      What did the disciples think it was?   (verse 49b)

They thought they were seeing a ghost!

e.   Jesus spoke to them, telling them not to be frightened. What does Matthew tell us was Peter’s immediate reaction and Jesus’ reply?     What did he do?        (Matthew 14:28-31)

“If it’s really you Lord, can I come to you? Jesus said “Come then!” He clambered out of the boat onto the rough water and found he could walk towards Jesus.

f.   How far did he get? What made him sink?    (Matthew 14: 30-31)

He was fine while he kept his eyes on Jesus, but once he started to look at the waves, he began to sink.

g.  What did Jesus do then?     (verses 31-32)

He  put out His hand and grabbed Peter’s and they both got into the boat.

h.   What is the lesson in all this for us?    

While we keep our eyes on the Lord  we will be able to keep walking,  but once we start looking around at the waves that seem as though they are going to engulf us, we will sink into panic and despair.

i.   What does God want us to do when that happens, and what will He do?     (Psalm 50: 51)

God wants us to call on Him in our times of trouble,  so He can deliver us and then we can glorify Him as a result.

j.   What happened when they both got back into the boat? What does John tell us that the others don’t?   (verse 51; Matthew 14:32; John 6: 21)

Matthew and Mark both say that the wind and waves stopped straight away, but John adds that the boat was immediately at the shore where they were heading.

k.  How did the disciples react to this miracle?    (verses 51 & 52)

They were absolutely amazed and speechless…..the miracle of the food feeding the crowd hadn’t made much impression on them, but now they were totally gasping!

h.   What lessons are there in all this for us?    What do we notice in verse 45?

That Jesus told them go across the lake without Him

i.   Did He know the storm was going to come?        

Yes

j.    Why is it necessary that storms come our way?      

So we will focus on Him again and depend on Him

k.    What happens when we get our eyes back on Him?

There is immediate peace and things begin to sort themselves out.

l.   What happened when they got to shore?      (verses 53-56)

The people recognised Him and everyone came running with their sick people, to be healed.

m.  What happened to those who managed to touch Him?       (verse 56c)

They were all healed.

n.     What does that tell us for today in our spiritual life?        (1 John 1:9)

That if we come to the Lord confessing our sins, we will be cleansed and forgiven and made whole spiritually.

Mark Seven….(verses 1-37)

1.    Verses  1-23                                              

a.   What were the Pharisees concerned about here?         (verses 1-2)

The disciples not washing their hands before eating.

b.  What was their policy and teaching about this sort of thing?      (verses 3-4)

They had a real thing about washing their hands and utensils frequently.

c.   What did they ask Jesus?           (verse 5)

Why are Your disciples refusing to keep our traditions?

d.   What was the gist of His answer?       (verses 6-8; Isaiah 29:13)

Isaiah wrote truly when he said that you honour God with your words,  but your hearts are far from Him. You’ve made up your  own traditions in the place of God’s commands, and you’ve amended the commandments.

e.      What does Ezekiel say that backs this up? What does it remind you of?     (Ezekiel 33:31-32)

Ezekiel said that the people sat before God listening to His word, but would go away and do their own thing. It reminds us of people who go to church every week on Sunday and then go out and carry on the same way they always have with no change evident in their life.

f.  What did He go on to say about this sort of thing?        (verses 9-13)

He went on to give examples of how they had changed the commandments to suit themselves….He said they had virtually thrown aside what God said in favour of their own traditions.

 g.   What makes a person dirty in God’s sight….what goes in or what comes out?      (verses 14-15)

It isn’t what a person eats, it’s what they say and do that makes them dirty in God’s sight.

h.  Did his disciples understand what He meant? Why not?        (verses 16-17)

No, they didn’t because they were thinking of the physical side of things, not the spiritual aspect.

i.   Are we ever like this? Why do we miss the core of things?            (verse 18; Acts 28:25-27)

Yes, we often do, because we are not paying attention.

j.   What does make a person dirty in God’s sight?           (verses 18b-23)

It is what comes out of a person’s heart and mind that makes him dirty…evil thoughts, pride, and selfishness which turn into evil deeds.

k.   We probably think we never did the things that are in  this list, but what about the list in Colossians? Can we say we have never been guilty of any of these things, not once?  (Colossians 3:8-9)

No, we have all been guilty of at least one of these things more than once.

l.   What does Romans 3:23 say?

That we have ALL sinned and come short of God’s standards.

2.   Verses  24-30                                             

a.   Read this story through. By today’s standards, we might think that Jesus’ way of talking was a bit harsh on this woman, but what do we have to remember about her?    (verse 26a)

That she was not a Jewish person, but was doubly a Gentile….Greek by birth and living in Syrophenecia . Jesus had not come to teach these people.

b.  Who  HAD Jesus come to reach and teach?        (verse 27a)

He had come to His own people, the Jews.

c.   What did this woman ask of Jesus?         (verses 25-26)

That He would heal her daughter of the evil spirit in her.

d.   How did she respond to what Jesus said to her?       (verse 28)

She took a humble attitude and answered in the same way that He had spoken  to her.

e.   What did she show by doing this?      (Psalm 51:17)

She showed a pleading spirit and a humble heart.

f.  What do you think that she realised?      

That she was a Gentile with no right to expect this Jewish teacher to do anything for her.

g.   What happened for her after this conversation?                 (Hebrews 11:6)

She had faith in Him and took Him at His word and went home to find her daughter was healed and recovering on her bed.

h.   Notice verse 26…..what does this whole incident show us now?        (Acts 28:28; Romans 9:30)

It is a picture of a humble Gentile person coming to the Lord for healing. He had compassion on her and because of her humble attitude, He granted her request.

i.   What do the John verses tell us?           (John 1:11-12)

That Jesus had come to the Jews and as a nation, they had refused Him and His teaching. So then the Gentiles had the opportunity of being blessed as they heard and accepted.

j.  What sort of person does God ALWAYS hear?  (Psalm 51:17)

A person with a broken spirit and contrite heart…..one who is humble enough to admit he needs help.

3.   Verses  31-37         

a.   What was wrong with this man who was brought to Jesus?         (verses 31-32)

He was very handicapped, both deaf and unable to speak clearly.

b.    In what ways were we deaf and dumb before our conversion?     (chapter 8:18; 1 Corinthians 2:10-14)

We couldn’t understand God’s Word because we didn’t have the Spirit of God within us, and nothing made sense to us. We couldn’t praise God! We WOULDN’T listen to be able to hear!

c.    What did the deaf  man experience at his healing?     (verse 35)

A personal touch alone with the Lord.

d.   What does this tell us for ourselves now?        (Romans 1:16)

That each person must have a personal dealing with the Lord to be healed and saved. There is no such thing as a mass conversion.

e.   What was the reaction of the people to this miracle?      (verses 36-37)

They were absolutely amazed and said, “He has done all things well!!”  They couldn’t help but tell everyone they knew about this great miracle!

f.       What must we do beside just “hearing the word?”         (James 1:21-22)

We must obey it…..we must DO what we hear!

g.     What is the contrast between the way Jesus healed this man, and how we see “healing” done today?        (verse 33)

Jesus took him away from the crowd on his own, and healed him in private….there was no public show such as we see today (especially on TV!)

Mark Eight….(verses 1-38)

1.    Verses  1-13         

a.   What comparisons do you notice between the miracle of feeding this crowd with the other one?    (verses 1-9;  chapter 6:33-48)

i.  This time the crowd had been three days listening  without extra food; the first time it seemed as though it was only one day.

ii. This time there were seven loaves and a few fish; last time there were five loaves and two fish.

iii. This time there were 4000 fed; last time there were 5000 fed (plus women and children in each case)

iv. This time there were seven baskets of left overs; last time there were twelve.

v. When they left , Jesus went with them in the boat this time and there were no problems; last time they were nearly swamped in the storm.

b.  How do you notice that Jesus felt when He  thought about this crowd?   (verse 2)

He had compassion on them, He felt sorry for them.

c.   What explanation can you give for verses 11-12?

The Pharisees did not have a sincere searching heart….they were looking for something sensational and the Lord is not in the business of sensations.

d.  What was added in the Matthew account that He said?        (Matthew 12:39-40)

He said that the only sign that would be given to them was the sign of Jonah, that as Jonah was three days in the belly of the whale, so He would be three days in the heart of the earth.

e.   What do we notice about the signs of the healings and other miracles that He did in front of them? (Luke 16:29-31)

Just as their ancestors refused to listen to Moses and the prophets, so they could see the miracles the same as everyone else, and if they didn’t believe them, they wouldn’t believe any other more sensational signs.

f.   What  else do  the Luke verses tell us? 

That if a person won’t believe God’s word in the Bible, they wouldn’t even believe even if someone went back from the dead to warn them.

g.   What sign do we have today that Jesus is Who He says He is?     (1 Corinthians  1:22-24; 15:6, 20)

The sign of the resurrection, and that He is still alive.

2.   Verses  14-26             

a.      What was bothering the disciples when they got out on their journey?        (verse 14)

The fact that they had forgotten to take enough bread with them.

b.  What did Jesus say to them about not having enough to eat, and how did they take it?        (verses 15-18)

He told them to be careful of the leaven of the Pharisees and Herod;  they immediately thought of physical bread and the fact that they were hungry!

c.   What does leaven do in dough, and what does it speak to us of?         (1 Corinthians 5:6-8)

Leaven spreads through the dough, stirring it to rise up and it always has a bad connotation, speaking of sin or wrong teaching.

d.   Why do you think that Jesus said that about the leaven?      (verse 15; Luke 12:1b-2)

He was warning them not to get either intimidated by, or involved with the Pharisees (state religious activities) or Herod (political events)

e.   What are the dangers in these sort of things for us?      (Galatians 5:7-9)

That too much of our time will be taken up with these things to the detriment of our church and spiritual life….. they don’t do anything for our soul.

f.   What did the disciples think He meant?          (verse 16)

That they hadn’t brought enough bread with them.

g.     How did He feel about their  lack of understanding?     (verses 17-21)

He asked them why they were so thick….didn’t they know that He was meaning that He could supply all their needs? Both spiritual and physical? The Pharisees and Herod could do nothing for their spiritual life, any more than religious and political things can build us up spiritually.

h.   When DID the disciples begin to understand these things?           (John 12:16; 14:26)

Not until after He had left them and the Holy Spirit reminded them of these things and gave them the understanding that they needed.                                            

i.   What is this next story about?          (verses 22-26)

A blind man being healed by Jesus.

j.  What did those who brought the blind man to Jesus beg Him to do?      (verse 22)

They asked Him to touch him so he would be healed.

k.   What were they presuming to do?  What do we have to be careful of not doing?    (verse 22)

They were telling Him how to heal this man. We have to be careful we don’t tell God how to work in others’ lives.

l.      How DID Jesus heal this man?         (verses 23-25)

He took him aside from the crowd and led him outside the town on their own. Then He spat on the man’s eyes and put His hands on him and asked what he could see. The man said nothing was clear, that men looked like trees, so Jesus put his hands on his eyes and then he could see clearly.

m.   What sort of encounter was this, and what does it tell us?     (James 4:6; 1 John 1:9)

It was a very personal one with Jesus touching him, and also a humbling experience with spittle being on his eyes. It is the same when we come to the Lord, it is a personal, one to one experience, and we must come humbly confessing our sins before God can save us.

n.   This is the only time that we read of Jesus healing a blind person in this way…what does this tell us and what  other lesson can we get from verses 24-25?

The fact that everyone is different and we need to remember that God treats everyone differently. What He will do for one person isn’t  necessarily what He will do for another person. The man couldn’t see clearly at first, and we often find that a newly saved person takes a while to fully understand what has happened in his life and the new responsibilities that he now has. We call this growing in the Lord, and the more we read His word, the clearer it all becomes.

2.   Verses  27-33                              

a.   What were the two questions that the Lord asked his disciples?          (verse 27, 29)

Who do people say that I am?  And  who do YOU think that I am?

b.  What was Peter’s answer to the second one?          (verse 29b)

You are the Christ

c.   What does Matthew add to that statement?      (Matthew 16:16)

You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God.

d.    Who had revealed this to Peter?       (Matthew 16:17)

God had opened Peter’s understanding.

e.   What did Jesus go on to tell them about?      (verse 31)

That He was going to have to suffer many things and be put to death and how He would rise again from the dead.

f.    What was Peter’s reaction to that?       (verse 32; Matthew 16:22)

Oh no, that can’t be right!

g.   What did the Lord say to him then?      (verse 33)

Get away from me Satan! You aren’t speaking God’s words.

h.   What does this whole incident show us?        (James 3:8-13)

That unless our tongues are controlled by the Holy Spirit,  Satan will use us to say his things.

i.    What does James have to say about our tongue?            (James 3:8)

That it is full of deadly poison and can NEVER be tamed!

3.   Verses  34-38   

a.   What is Jesus saying in verses 34-35?

That if anyone wants to follow Me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me….whoever loses his life for My sake will save it; whoever saves it, will end up losing it!

b.  This is called a paradox, where a statement is made that seems to contradict itself, yet contains great truth…. let’s analyse this one…. what is Jesus saying that the first thing to do when following Him is? (verse 34)

We have to deny ourselves; to put our personal feelings and preferences to one side.

c.      This is picking up one’s cross……what does Luke add to this statement?           (Luke 9:23)

That it must be done daily….every day, consciously

d.   How do we take up our cross in relation to ourselves?      (1 Timothy 4:12-16)

We must be self disciplined in every facet of our lives…. in our spiritual life of having our Bible time every day, in our eating habits, in looking after our physical shape. Maybe we aren’t a morning person and don’t like getting out of bed early for our Bible time, but this is all part of it.

e.    How do we take up our cross in relation to how we interact with other people?   (Colossians 3:12-14)

We have to fit in with others; to behave in a loving, patient, cheerful manner; to encourage others to use their gifts and talents instead of always pushing in ahead of them….we should do all these things graciously and cheerfully even if it goes against our grain!

f.    What does Philippians 2:2-3 tell us? 

We are to be of one mind, and let others do what they are able to

g.   Who is our great example?       (Philippians 2: 5-8)

Our Lord Jesus Who humbled himself leaving all that He was entitled to in heaven, and came as a servant to earth to be doubted at the best, and ridiculed then crucified at the worst

h.   Put verse 36 in your own words…..

What is the point of having everything in this world and nothing in the next?

i.  What conclusion did David come to in this matter?         (Psalm 73:3-7, 12, 17-19)

He was envious of the rich people until he went to God and understood their end! They were heading to destruction fast.

j.   How does Luke tell us that the rich man felt at the end  of it all?       (Luke 16:19-24)

He was tormented in hell.

k.    Is it possible to sit on the fence with a foot in each camp?       (James 3:11-13)

No! We are either one thing or the other.

l.   What happens if we just do nothing?       (verse 38; Matthew 7:23; Hebrews 9:27; 10: 26-31)

We will live and die without God, and will have to  face Him at the great judgment day.  If we ignore Christ now, He will ignore our pleas in the time to come and say that He never knew you.

m.    What does verse 38 suggest?

That the way we treat Christ in this life is how He will treat us when He comes in judgement.

Mark Nine….(verses 1-50)

1.   Verses  1-10                                                                             

a.   Verse 1  is a puzzling verse….what do you think it could be referring to?      (Acts 2:38, 41)

The beginning of the church on earth and the coming of the Holy Spirit.

b.  Where is the Kingdom of God?               (Luke 17:20-21)

It is within those who believe on Jesus Christ.

c.   Luke also describes this experience… what does he say Jesus was going up the mountain for?    (Luke 9:28)

He often went up to the mountain tops to pray at night, and this is what He was doing this time .

d.  What did the disciples do while He was praying?   (Luke 9:32a)

They fell asleep as they were so tired.

e.   What happened when they woke up? What did they see?       (verse 2c; Luke 9:32b)

They saw  a brightness such as they had never seen before….Jesus was clothed with a white glistening light, and His clothes were sparkling with brightness. Everything that He IS could be seen by the watching disciples. Not only that,   there were two other men with Him also clothed in glistening white, and they knew instinctively that they were Moses and Elijah.

f.      What was their conversation about?      ( Luke 9:31)

They were talking about His approaching suffering and death.

g.   The disciples heard this conversation, but didn’t understand what it was about….what did Peter blurt out?          (verses 4-6)

It’s good to be here Lord, let us make three tents for you all to stay in!

h.    What happened next?    (verse 7)

A cloud came over the mountain top and they heard God’s voice physically, saying, “This is My beloved Son, listen to Him!”

i.   Why was all this done? Was it a gimmick, or for sensationalism?   How did Peter describe it many years later?        (2 Peter 1:16-18)

No, God was speaking directly to them so there was no doubt in their minds as to Who Jesus really was.  Peter described it as witnessing His Majesty….he had seen it for himself and was totally convinced that Jesus was God’s  sent One.

j.   How did he feel at the time though?     (verses 6,  10)

Scared and  puzzled as to what the “rising from the dead” meant.

k   Why do you think didn’t they ask Jesus then what it was all about?  What lesson can we learn from this?         (verses 9-10; Acts 17:11)

Perhaps they were still afraid of the whole experience….they certainly didn’t talk about it to anyone else.  We should not be afraid to search the Scriptures for the answers, comparing Scripture with Scripture and asking the Lord for enlightenment. God’s Word is FACT, while man’s ideas are only OPINIONS. Always ask yourself if the answer you come up with is FACT or OPINION!

2.   Verses  11-37                              

a.      What DID  the disciples ask Him here?      (verse 11)

They asked Him why the scribes said that Elijah had to come again.

b.  What were the scribes basing this theory on?          (Malachi 4:5)

They were basing it on Malachi’s prophecy written in the Scriptures.

c.   What did Jesus say about Elijah coming again?        (verses 12-13; Matthew 17:10-13)

He said the John the Baptist had come in the power of Elijah, and they had got rid of him.

d.    What other reference was there to John the Baptist and Elijah?        (Luke 1:13-17)

The angel told Zacharias that their long awaited child would have the spirit and  power of Elijah in preaching to the people and preparing the way for the Lord.                                       

e.  What faced the disciples again in the Lord’s answer to them?        (verse 12b)

Jesus mentioned His death again, and once more they didn’t want to face it.

f.   What was the next problem facing them?      (verses 14-18)

The father with the demon possessed son, that the other disciples couldn’t do anything with..

g.  Why couldn’t the disciples cast it out?   What did Jesus say the problem was?    (verses 19, 29)

Because they were trying in their own strength; Jesus said that “this sort” could only be exorcised by much prayer and fasting on their part.

h.    What subject came up again that the disciples were afraid to face?        (verse  31)

That He was going to be killed and would come back to life after three days.

i.  What was their reaction?  Why didn’t they ask Him?         (verse 32)

They didn’t understand what He was talking about and were afraid to ask as they didn’t want to face an unpleasant truth.

k.     Are we ever afraid to find out the truth if we don’t want to face it? 

Sometimes….we might know vaguely of certain truths in the Bible that we don’t like the idea of, but we won’t look into it in case we then have to do it!

l.   What were the disciples more concerned about?       (verse 33-34)

Who was going to be the greatest among them in a day to come!

m.     What did Jesus use as an object lesson for His answer?      (verses 35-36)

He picked a small child up in His arms, and said that their attitude must be as that of a trusting child who was happy to be picked up ( i.e. in the will of God).

n.   What great truth is told us in verse 37? 

Whoever receives Jesus, receives also the One Who sent Him, God the Father.

3.   Verses  38-50

a.     What was upsetting the disciples at this point?  What did Jesus tell them about it?     (verses  38-40)    

They were upset with this person who was casting out demons in the name of the Lord and yet who  wasn’t one of them. Jesus told them to mind their own business, the man wouldn’t be able to do this if he were not a follower of the Lord.

b.   What lesson do we need to learn as we face the fact of so many different ways there are today of worshipping God?          (John 21:20-22)

That no-one is completely right…..what one group is lacking in, another group will supply, and taken together all give God the glory that is due to His name.   We are not to be concerned about other people, just to make sure that we are right with God.

c.    What do verses 41-42 teach us?

That there is a reward for all actions, whether small or great.

d.  What do the next verses teach us?       (verse  43)

That if there is anything in our life that causes us to sin, to get rid of it before it takes us to hell (or becomes a hindrance in our spiritual growth)

e.   What do these verses tell us about hell?       (verses 44, 46, 48)

That it is an unending place of torment.

f.    What do you think “their worm doesn’t die” means? 

They live forever with eternal regrets and remorse…they will continually remember every opportunity they had on earth to get right with God and didn’t. They will never be able to put it out of their minds, and will live for ever with this burden on them.

g.    Why do you think we are told this three times?  (verses 44, 46, 48)

To  make us realise that this is not a passing thing, it is REAL and ETERNAL.

h.  What does salt do for food?  

It flavours it; it creates a thirst and it preserves it.

i.   What good is salt if it has lost its saltiness?         (verse  50)

It is good for nothing….it isn’t salt any more!

j.    How can we apply this to ourselves?       (Proverbs  15:23; Ecclesiastes 12:11)

If we say we are a believer, we must live like one…..our speech must be worth listening to; it must cause others to think; it must build others up, not tear them down!

Mark Ten….(verses 1-52)

1.    Verses  1-12                                      

We come now to a controversial topic (which must have been just as relevant then as it is now!) Please remember that we are taking our answers  from the words of Scripture and not from popular opinion.

a.   What were the Pharisees asking here?     (verses 1-2)

What did Jesus think about divorce, was it permissible? Moses allowed it!

b.  What was their reason for asking this question?    (verse  2c)

To test Him and see what He would say!

c.   What is God’s intention for marriage?    (verses  7-9; Romans 7:2-3; Ephesians 5:31)

One man, one wife until death…. man and wife become one flesh in God’s sight.

d.     Was divorce in God’s plan for mankind?     (verse  9)

Not really…..what God joins, don’t let man divide.

e.   Why did Moses allow it then?       (verses 4-5)

Because of the stubbornness and disobedience of the people.

f.     What are we told plainly?        (verse  31)

It is not the separating that is the problem, it is the remarriage of either party that causes adultery.

g.   What is the one permissible reason for divorce?      (Matthew 5:32a)

Unfaithfulness.

h.    What happens when remarriage takes place?      (verses 11-12)

Adultery is committed.

i  What conclusion must one come to from these verses?       (1 Corinthians 7:10-15)

If someone runs off with another person, we can’t do much about it. But to remain right in God’s eyes, that one should remain single.

j.   Why is this matter so important in God’s  eyes? What is marriage a picture of?  (Ephesians 5:22-27)

It is a picture of the relationship between Christ and his church.

k.    What happens when divorce takes place? What does the Lord say about His people?    (Hebrews 13:5b)

That picture is broken because Christ will never divorce His own….He says He will never leave nor forsake His people.

2.   Verses  13-31                                

a.    What is the tender picture in these verses?       (verses 13-16)

Mothers bringing their little children to Jesus.

b.  What did they want Jesus to do to their children?    (verse 13a)

They wanted him to touch them.

c.   What did the disciples think?          (verse 13b)

That He was too busy and that children weren’t important.

d.    What did Jesus think of their attitude?          (verse 1; Matthew 18:2-4)

He told them to let the little ones come to Him….the kingdom of heaven is made up of people like little children.

e.    What did He mean by that?                     (verse 15)

That those who come to Him must put all  their trust in Him just as a little child trusts those who look after him.                                       

f.   Read all three accounts of this next event….what do Matthew and Luke tell us that Mark doesn’t?    (verses  17-23; Matthew 19:16-22;  Luke 18:18-25)

Matthew says he was young  and Luke says he was a ruler.

g.  What word did Jesus take him up on? What did He go on to say?    (verse 18)

He took him up on using the word “good”….there is only one “good” person and that is God.  A “good” person has kept ALL the law!

h.   Where did Jesus go to next in His questioning?   What did this question prove? (verse 21; Matthew19:19)

Right to his heart… He proved to him that he did NOT love others as himself.

i.     What was the young man not prepared to do? What did he love the most?       (verse 22)

He loved his possessions more than he loved other people, even more than he loved God.

j.   Did Jesus run after him and make the choice easier for him?       (verse 23)

No, he went sadly away, a miserable young man hugging his possessions to him! Jesus let him go.

k.     Why do you think it is so hard for  rich men to be saved?         (verses 24-27)

Because they have no need of anything! They think that their money will buy anything for them! They are not willing to acknowledge their need of God.

l.   Where did Peter’s thoughts run to next?       (verse 28)

What about us? WE’VE left everything!

m .   What did Jesus say to this?          (verses 29-31)

You will get much more than this now in this life, and eternal life in heaven in the next life.

n.   How should we look at things in the light of our possessions?   What example does Onesiphorus show us?       (2 Timothy 1: 16-18)

God has given us all we have, and we are to enjoy it all….we must be willing to share what we have (whether little or much) with others.  Onesiphorus helped Paul whenever and wherever he could….whether Paul  was in prison  (Rome) or out preaching (Ephesus)

3.   Verses  32-45                 

a.    Why were the disciples afraid as they travelled to Jerusalem ?          (verses 32-35)

The things that Jesus was telling them about how the prophets had foretold about His death, and how soon it would take place.

b.  Did it make sense to them?         (Luke 18:31-34)

No, they didn’t understand a word of it!

c.   When and how did they finally understand?    (John 14:26)

After it was all over and the Holy Spirit brought all these saying back to their minds and made it clearly seen.                                                                 

d.    What were James and John more concerned about on this trip?      (verses 35-37)

They wanted to be over the others and sit beside Him in heaven at His right hand!

e.    Was this the first time a discussion of this sort had taken place?     (chapter  9:34-35)

No, the other time they had started arguing among themselves about who would be the greatest!

f.    What do you notice about both times this discussion had taken place? What had immediately preceded it?          (verses 33-34; chapter 9:31-35)

Both times, Jesus had told them of His forthcoming suffering and death.

g.  Who does Matthew tell us was with these two men and did the asking?       (Matthew 20:20-21)

Their mother

h.   How did Jesus answer this request?      (verses 38-40)

Are you able to go through what I will have to? Even if you could,, it is not my place to give you this position.

i.    What did the other disciples think of this request?     (verse 41)

They were not at all impressed! It didn’t help their relationship.

j.    What did Jesus teach them out of this discussion?              (verses 42-45)

That if anyone wanted to be chief among them he had to be humble enough to serve everyone.

k.    What did He use as an example to them in verse 45?  How does Paul expand this thought?  (Philippians 2: 5-8)

He pointed out that He didn’t come to earth for people to wait on, but that He came to be servant of all; and not only that, but He was going to give His life a ransom for people’s sins…..He humbled Himself to die on a cross, a criminal’s death, an innocent victim.

4.   Verses  46-52                                                            

a.    What was the name of the blind man here?      (verse 46)

Bartimaeus.

b.    What extra information does Matthew tell us?           (Matthew 20:29-34)

That there were two blind men and they were both healed.

c.    What did they call Jesus?     (verses 47-48)

O Lord, You son of David.

d.  Where did they get this idea from?  What did the Pharisees refuse to recognise?  (Matthew 22:41-42)

The religious leaders all recognised that when the Messiah (or Christ) came, He would come as the Son of David. What they refused  to recognise, was that Jesus of Nazareth, was that person.

e.   The blind men realised that Jesus was more than an ordinary person….what lesson can we get out of this story?            (John 20:30-31)

That before we can receive healing for our spiritual blindness, we must recognise and acknowledge  Jesus as being more than a  mere man and a great teacher. We must believe and confess that He is the Son of God before we can be saved and have eternal life.

f.    What important ingredient contributed to their blindness being healed?      (verse 52a)

It was their faith.

g.    What did these healed men then do?            (verse 52b)

They followed Jesus as He went on His way….they didn’t let Him out of their sight!

h.    What does this tell us?            (John 21:22c;  Ephesians 2:8)

That we have to use the faith which God makes available to us (it is His gift to mankind) and BELIEVE what He says, then FOLLOW Him!

Mark Eleven….(verses 1-33)

1.   Verses  1-19                                

a.    Read Zechariah 9:9 first. What is it telling us?     

That one day Israel’s King would come to them riding on  an ass.

b.    What did Jesus tell His disciples to do here? Why did He tell them to go and find this particular animal?      (verse 2;  Matthew 21:4-5)

It was done as a fulfillment of the Zechariah  prophecy.

c.    What sort of animal did Jesus want brought to Him?         (verse 2b; Matthew 21:2)

It was a young colt , unbroken for riding and still with its mother.

d.  What did Jesus do when they brought the colt to Him?         (verse 7c)

They put their coats on its back and He got on it and rode it towards Jerusalem.

e.   What do you notice most unusual about this incident?          (verses 3-6)

Jesus gave them specific instructions where to find it. The people in charge of it let it go without a complaint. The animal had never been broken to be ridden and probably never been away from its mother.

f.    What did all the people around do when they saw Jesus riding on this ass towards the city?        (verses 8-10)

They formed a march and threw their clothes on the ground and cut down palm fronds and branches and threw them on the ground too, for the donkey to walk over. They were shouting out “Blessed is He who comes in the Name of the Lord….Hosanna in the highest!”

g.    It turned into a very large march….what impact did it have on Jerusalem as they went into it?        (Matthew  21:10-11)

Everyone asked what was happening and what the people were shouting about

h.    What was the reply?                  (Matthew 21: 11)

This is Jesus, the prophet of Nazareth.

i.    What does Luke tell us that the Pharisees were saying, that none of the others mention about the welcome that the people were giving to Jesus? What was his reply?           (Luke 19:39-40)

They told Him to make the people keep quiet. But He said that if the people hadn’t been praising Him, the very stones would have called out to do it!

j.    Where did the march end?         (verse 11)

It ended at the temple.

k.    Did the disciples realise the significance of the day’s events?             (John 12:14-16)

No, it wasn’t until much later that it dawned on them that it was the fulfillment of prophecy.

2.   Verses  11c- 19

a.    Where did Jesus stay that night?  Whose place did He most likely stay at?    (John 12: 1-2)

At Bethany, most likely with Lazarus and his sisters, Mary and Martha.

b.    What did Jesus want from the fig tree? Why?        (verses 12-13)

Figs! Because He was hungry.

c.    What did He say to it, and what happened?         (verse 14)

He said that no-one would ever fruit from it again, and the next morning it had withered and died.

d.  What does this remind us of? What spiritual lesson can we gain from it?   (John 15: 5-6)

It reminds us that a vine that doesn’t bear fruit gets cut off and burned up. If we don’t abide in Christ, we can’t bear fruit and will suffer eternal destruction.

e.    What did Jesus find when He entered the temple?      (verses 15-16)

People were there buying and selling things for the offerings and the money changers were there doing their trade.

f.    What sort of things were being sold? Imagine the scene…..

Animals were there for the sacrifices, along with doves…what a noise and smell there would have been!  People would have been bargaining, and driving animals around as well as the chink of cash being exchanged.

g.    Was this time the first occasion when Jesus had seen  this?            (John 2:13-16)

No! He had cleared them all out once before at the beginning of His ministry.

h.  What did He do this time?          (verses 15-16)

The same thing….He threw out the people selling, along with the animals,  and tipped over the money changers’  tables

i.   Once all that was gone, who came and took their place?         (Matthew 21:12-14)

Sick people came to be healed .

j.    What else does Matthew tell us in his account?         (Matthew 21:15)

That there were children there  who were singing out “Hosanna to the son of David”.

k.    Imagine the Scribes and Pharisees sitting around watching all that was going on. How did they feel about it all and what did they say?         (Matthew 21:15-16)

They were very put out and complained about the children singing

l.    What did Jesus say to their complaints?                   (Matthew 21:16)

Haven’t you heard the saying that out of the mouths of babies and toddlers comes praise to God?

m    What did the Pharisees do after hearing that?                 (verse 18)

They went off together and plotted how they could get rid of Him altogether.

n.    What sort of lessons can we get out of this whole incident?

When people leave God out of their lives, there is clamour, noise and greed….all they can think about is making  money. When Jesus Christ comes into a person’s life, these things go flying out the door and there is peace and healing and praise to God. What a contrast!

o.    What did the people think about all of this?   (verse 18; John 19: 48)

They were astonished at His teaching and listened very attentively to what He had to say.

2.   Verses  22-33                              

The subject of praying and receiving is a complex one which has had many books written about…….read all these verses first and then we’ll look briefly at it…….

a.    Taking all the following verses together, what must we have and do when we pray?    (John 15:7, 16b;  Philippians 4:6;  1 John 5:14-15)

Faith in God                              A forgiving heart                                   We must be abiding in Christ

Ask in his Name                                   Ask according to God’s will       Not be anxious or worried

Give thanks for the answer BEFORE we get it…..in other words rely on God’s judgement in the matter and take cheerfully what He gives.

1. b.     What are the hindrances to prayers being heard?

Verse 25……….           Lack of forgiveness

1Peter 3:7……..  Lack of harmony between husband and wife

Psalm 66:18…..  Any sort of known sin in one’s life

James 4:3……..  Asking for the wrong reasons and motives.

1John 5:16……   Asking  for a person who stubbornly refuses to listen.

c.   There comes a time when God’s patience with the stubbornness and wickedness of people, comes to an end. He knows they will never change their minds or ways, and come to Him. What does God tell His people to do in these cases?         (Genesis 6:3;  Jeremiah 7:16;  14:10-12; Luke 12:10)

He says that His Spirit will not always strive with people, that their wickedness is too great as they have blasphemed against the Holy Spirit in refusing to hear Him. He instructed Jeremiah to stop praying for them as He would not hear these prayers.   

d.    The Scribes and Pharisees were feeling threatened….what did they ask Christ  at this time?  (verses 27-28)

What’s your authority for doing and saying these things?

e.    How did He answer their question?        (verses 29-30)

He answered their query with another question….was John’s baptism from heaven or of men?

f.    Why wouldn’t they answer it?       (verses 31-33)

Because they reasoned that if they said from Heaven, then He would ask why they hadn’t believed John, and if they said from men, they would lose face before those listening because everyone recognised he was from God.

g.  Did Jesus answer their original question then?

No, He didn’t.

h.   Why do you think He wouldn’t answer it?      (Luke22:67)

Because He knew they wouldn’t believe what He said anyway.

i.    How does Peter tell us  to answer questions put to us by unbelievers?        (1Peter 3:15b)

It depends on their attitude….if they genuinely want to know, we are to answer quietly and humbly the best way we can, but if they are just looking for an argument we answer once graciously and leave it at that.

j.    What does Jesus  say to not do?             (Matthew 7:6)

He says to not waste your time trying to talk to those who are spoiling for a fight or straight out rude. We are to follow our Lord’s example and keep quiet. Arguing is NOT witnessing!

Mark Twelve….(verses 1-44)

1.   Verses  1-27                                                                                            

a.    What is this parable a picture of?          (verses 1-9)

It is a picture of God’s dealings with human beings….He created the world and put man into it to look after it and to give Him the fruit of praise and worship. He sent prophets to receive and stir up this fruit, but they were beaten and disbelieved, some even killed. Finally He sent His Son and He too wasn’t believed and killed. The end will result in the destruction of those who refuse to listen.

b.    What did Christ tie this parable up with in verses 10-11?       (Psalm 118:22-23)

A quotation from the Psalms which prophesied that the chief stone would be rejected by the builders.

c.    Why did the Pharisees want to arrest Him then?                 (verse  12)

Because they were smart enough to know the parable was about them!

d.    Which group of people tried to catch Jesus out in this passage?          (verse  13)

The Pharisees and Herodians

e.    Jesus knew they were hypocrites….how did their hypocrisy show through in their question?      (verse  14a, 15b)

They told him that He taught the way of God in truth, and yet deep down they didn’t believe Him!

f.    What was their trick question?      (verse  14c)

Is it OK to pay our taxes to the Romans?

g.  How did Christ answer them?         (verses 15-17)

“Show me a penny….whose head is this on it? Well, give Caesar his dues and give God His also!”

h.   How did they take his answer?     (verse  17c)

They were amazed by it….they knew they were beaten!            

i.    Which group came to him next to try to trip Him up?  What was their main belief?       (verse  18)

The Sadducees came next…..they believed the resurrection was a myth and that there was no such thing.

j.    What was their question about?        (verses  19-23)

A hypothetical woman who married seven times with each husband dying off….whose wife would she be in  heaven seeing she had had seven husbands?

k.    What did their question show up?         (verse  24)

They thought they were being clever, but it actually showed up their ignorance of spiritual things!

l.  What truths did Jesus teach in His answer to them?          (verses  25-27)

That there are no sexes in heaven….all are unisex like the angels, and that there IS life after death. God IS the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob….He is not the God of the dead but the God of the living. So your ideas are all wrong!!

2.   Verses  28-40

a.    What was the third man who questioned Christ’s teaching?        (verse  28)

He was one of the Scribes….the official readers and writers of the Scriptures.

b.    What was this man’s attitude?         (verse  28)

He observed that Jesus had answered His antagonists well, so He was testing Him out on this point, maybe with more sympathy.

c.    What was his question?           (verse  28c)

What is the greatest command of all?

d.  What answer did Jesus give him?        (verses 29-31)

To love God with all one’s strength….heart, soul and mind (to love is to obey!) …..this is the only thing we are to be fanatic, dogmatic and patriotic about!

e.    Why is the second similar?   What does love cover?     (1 Peter 4:8)

If we loved others as we loved ourselves, all the rest of the commands are covered….we wouldn’t sin against them in any way at all….there would be no lies, no murders, no coveting, no immorality, no dishonouring of parents, and no stealing. Love covers every sort of mistake and offence.

f.    How did this Scribe answer the Lord?         (verse  34)

Wisely and discreetly….he agreed with the answer and enlarged on it.

g.    How would you explain Christ being both the Son of David and the Son of God?  (Matthew 1:6, 16, 18;  Luke 3:22-23)

Both Mary and Joseph were descended from David’s line, but the baby Jesus was conceived by God’s Holy Spirit and was thus the Son of God.

h. What inspired David to write those words in Psalm 110:1?   (verses 35-37a; 2 Peter 1:20-21)

They were written by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit

i.    Who gladly listened to Jesus speaking?          (verse 37b)

The common (ordinary) people.

j.    What was the religious leaders’ downfall?         (verses  38-40)

They loved the top positions, popularity and looking important, but they were hard, unfeeling men taking advantage of poor people.

k.    What must be aware of? What must we do?        (James 1:22; 2:8-9)

We must be careful to not be like they were…we must be doers of the Word, not just hearers; we must be compassionate of those in poor circumstances and must love others as ourselves.

l.    The Scribes gave “Religion” a bad name, one which people often tack onto church goers today. What is true religion?      (James 1:26-27)

True religion is to watch what one says, to help others and to LIVE the Christian life….to BE what we ARE!

3.   Verses  41-44                                                                           

a.    What was Jesus watching the people do?          (verse  41)

Throwing their coins into the Temple treasury box.

b.    What did He observe this particular day?        (verse  42)

He saw how the rich men threw much money in and then this poor widow put in her two small coins.

c.    What did He say about it all?       (verse  43)

That the poor woman had put in more than all the rest than all the others.

d.  Why was this small amount so significant?    (verse  44)

Because it was all the money that she had, whereas the rich men had plenty more.

e.    How did the rich men give their donations?    (Matthew 6:2)

They would blow trumpets to draw attention to themselves and what they were doing, and then put their money in the box.

f.    How should money be given to the Lord?     ( Matthew 6:3-4; 2 Corinthians 8:2-4)

Willingly and cheerfully; quietly and humbly.

g.    What does the Lord want from us first of all?          (Romans 12:1-2;  2 Corinthians 8:5)

He wants us to give ourselves, and then the rest will fall into place.

h.    What if we haven’t got any money to give?    (2 Corinthians 8:12-14)

If we are truly honest, the Lord knows our situation, He accepts the little that we have (even prayers and praise); we cannot deceive Him.

i.  What was Annanias’ sin? Was it in keeping some of his money?          (Acts 5:1-5)

No, Annanias’ sin was in making out he was giving the WHOLE amount….he was at perfect liberty to keep what he wanted to, but his sin  was in lying about the deal.

j.    Going back to questions a & b, does the Lord observe (watch and know) what we give today?    (Psalm 139:1-4)

Yes, He not only sees what we do, but He knows our hearts….we CANNOT fool Him!

k.    If we can’t give money, what other things can we give?         (Romans 12:1,  13-15)

We can give our time, our help, an encouraging word, a phone call and a SMILE!

Mark Thirteen….(verses 1- 37 )

1.   Verses  1-22 

a.    What were the disciples admiring as they left the Temple?           (verse  1)

They were admiring the construction of it; the size of the stone blocks and the way it was built.

b. What did Jesus say in reply?         (verse  2)

That all the great stones would be pulled down and become just a heap; the building would be no more.

c.    What did the disciples ask Him later? How did He answer them?      (verses 3-8)

They asked when this would happen, and He said that there would be many wars and rumours flying around; nations would rise against each other, and there would be coup after coup; there would be natural disasters like earthquakes, floods  and famines…..this was all the beginning of the end.

d. Do we see these things happening today?

Yes! They are happening all around the world every day.

e.    What would happen to the believers in those times?          (verse 9)

They would preach the Gospel throughout the world and be arrested and thrown into gaol; they would be hated by everyone.

f.    What was the Lord’s advice to them when this happened?    (verse 11)

Not to worry what to say in their defence….words would be given to them when the time came.

g.    What else did He tell them in John 16:33?

That they WOULD have tribulation and hard times, but not to worry, He had overcome the world!

h.  Who does John 3:16 tell us will have everlasting life?        (James 2:14, 17-18)

All those who BELIEVE (present tense), not those who once believed but do not practice their faith any more.   Believing indicates action; faith with no works is not faith at all, it is just a head belief!

i.    Does this contradict verse 13?

Not really…..those who endure are still believing! Those who believe will still endure, while those who don’t endure, don’t really believe at all.                                                    

j.    What sort of time was going to come upon Jerusalem?      (verses  14-19; Daniel 12:11)

A time of great terror and desolation.

k.    What advice was given to the people?      (verses  4b-16)

To run to the hills and not to go back to the city.

l.    We know that a time like this has already occurred in history, what else do verses 21-22 tell us?

That men will rise up saying they are Christ and even try to do miracles of healing etc, and be so convincing that it will hare to stand against them.

2.   Verses  23-37

a.    What is predicted to happen after the sacking of  Jerusalem?       (verses 23-25)

There will be eclipses of the sun and moon, with falling stars and great explosions in the sky.

b.    Have we seen this happen yet?

Nothing out of the ordinary has come yet.

c.    What does this suggest about verses 23 and 24?

That there is a gap in time between the verses.

d.    What happens after the things happen in the sky?      (verses  26-27)

The Lord is seen in the clouds and His people are caught up from the earth.

e.    What is used as an example of these things happening?       (verses 28-29)

Just as a fig tree putting out new leaves shows that summer is near, so these things indicate that the Lord’s return isn’t far away.

f.    What can we have the utmost confidence in? Why?       (verse  31; 2 Peter 3:8-13)

God’s Word is absolutely sure and certain…..it will never pass away, not even when the earth has disappeared. All these things will happen when  God sees fit…..time means nothing to God.

g.    What did Jesus liken our time today as?           (verses 34-37)

This time is like when a man has taken a big trip away, and left things at home to be seen to by his servants. So we must be diligent in service for Him and be watching all the time for His return.

h.    What is the warning that Jesus gives in the last couple of verses?      (verses  36-37)

To be alert….watching and ready as no-one knows the exact time this is all going to happen except God the Father.

i.    What does John tell us in 1 John 2:28?

To keep abiding in Him so that when He comes we won’t feel ashamed at our slackness and laziness in the things of God.

Mark Fourteen….(verses 1-72 )

1.     Verses  1-9                  Matthew 26:6-13                                                                            

a.    What celebration was about to take place?      (verse  1a)

The Passover Feast.

b.    What did Jesus attend at this time?         (verses 2-3a)

One of the feasts that preceded the  Passover at Simon’s house..

c.    Who attended this?           (verses 3-4; John 12:1-9)

Mary, Martha and Lazarus were there, as well as the disciples and other guests.

d.    What can we assume about Simon the leper?

That he had been healed of his leprosy because he would not have been able to live with other people if still in his leprous state; that he was a friend of the family of Mary, Martha and Lazarus because they were all present and Martha was serving the food.

e.    What was Martha happiest doing?   (Luke 10:38-42)

Serving the food.

f.    What was Mary happiest doing?        (Luke  10:39)

Sitting on the floor beside Jesus, listening to Him talking.

g.    What did Mary do this time?   (verse 3; John 12:3)

She took her precious ointment and put some on His head and some on His feet .
h.    Was this the first time that something like this had been done to Jesus?   (Luke 7:37-38)

No, it had been done much earlier by another woman who was a well known sinner who did it in repentance for her sins.

i.    What was the difference in the reasons the two women did this?

The first woman did it to show her repentance for her sins; the second one did it out of deep love and appreciation for the sacrifice the Lord was about to make for her.

j.    Who did the most complaining about her action and why?       (verses 4-5;John 12:4-6 )

The disciples in general and Judas Iscariot in particular….he could only see it as a waste of money, which he would have liked to get his hands on!

k.    What did Jesus say about the whole affair?    (verses 6-9)

That the poor  would always be around to be helped, but He wouldn’t be….to leave her alone, she had done this for the right reasons and it would be recorded for posterity as a memorial to her.

2.     Verses  10-26                                                                         

a.    What did Judas do immediately the dinner was over?          (verse  10)

He went to the chief priests and arranged a price, a meeting place and a sign so they could arrest Jesus.

b.    We know that there were many prophecies concerning the One who was to come from God in the Old Testament ….what does Zechariah say this One?         (Zechariah 11:12)

That the sum of thirty pieces of silver was weighed for the price, and this is what Judas got for his pains.

c. How much money does Matthew tell us was given to Judas  for Jesus?  (verse  11; Matthew 26:14-16)

Thirty  pieces of silver.

d.    What happened to this money in the end that was given to Judas?      (Matthew 27:3-10)

He regretted what he had done and took it back to the priests before committing suicide, and they took it buy the potter’s field to bury strangers in.

e.    What did Jesus say about Him fulfilling prophecy?        (Matthew 5:17-18)

He said that He had come to fulfill not only the law, but also all  prophecies concerning Himself.

f.    How many days did the Passover last for?  What was the main feature of their diet during this time?  (verse 12; Numbers 28:16-18,  24-25)

It lasted for seven days culminating on the Sabbath day….they were not to eat leavened bread at all during that time, nor were they to do their usual work.

g.    What are all these  passages about?       (verses  12-26;  Matthew 26:17-30; Luke 22:7-23; John 13:2-30)

They all tell the story of how the last supper was prepared and what happened during it.

h.    How would the disciples would know that the man carrying the water pot was the right person?

Because men never carried water, as it was women’s work to do this.

i.    Which two disciples were sent out to do this?         (verse  13; Luke 22:7-8)

Peter and John.

j.    What do we see about the sequence of the evening?

There was the Passover meal, and then the Lord passed around the bread and wine a second time. John tells us the supper was ended when Jesus washed the disciples’  feet, and then  spoke of being betrayed. He then gave Judas the “sop” who  then went out into the night to do his dastardly deed of betrayal.

k.    There has been some discussion as to whether Judas Iscariot was still there when the bread and wine was passed around….what are we told in Luke 22:21?

Jesus was speaking and He said, “Behold the hand of him who is betraying Me is with Me on the table”, so it seems that he was still there for that, but went out immediately after it was done.

l.    What does Paul explain to us about the Lord’s supper?  Who gave him this explanation?   (1 Corinthians 11:23-26)

The Lord gave Paul this explanation that the bread was a reminder of Christ’s body being broken for people’s sins  while on the Cross, and that the wine was symbolic of His blood that was shed to take sin away.

m.    How often should this be done according to verse 25-26 in 1 Corinthians 11? Why?

No specific time is given, except that it was to be often. We forget so easily and need to be reminded what Jesus Christ has done for us, and what it cost Him.

n.    How did this part of the evening end?       (verse  26)

By singing a hymn and then leaving to go to the Garden of Gethsemane.

3.    Verses  27-38                                                        

a.    What did Jesus tell His disciples as they went up the Mount of Olives?       (verses  27-31)

He told them how they would all leave Him and run for their lives.

b.    What did Peter say?       (verses 29, 31)

Not me Lord! I won’t do that!!

c.    What did Jesus tell Peter he would do that very night?    (verse  30)

He told him that he would deny knowing Him three times before the rooster crowed.

d    Who did Jesus take with Him as He went into the Garden to pray?    (verses 32-33)

He took Peter, James and John and left the others back a bit.

e    How did Christ feel as He prayed to His Father? (Verses 33-35;  Luke 22:44….read these verses in a modern translation)

He was in such agony that the sweat just poured off Him in great globules looking like blood.

f.   What does Luke tell us about how He was strengthened and supported during this time (Luke 22:43)

Angels came to help and strengthen Him.

g.    How much support were Peter, James and John ? What did they do?    (verses 37-41)

None whatsoever, they were tired out and fell asleep.

h.    What was the gist of the Lord’s prayer here?      (verse  36; Matthew 26:42)

Isn’t there any other way Father? Take this job away from Me! But I will do what ever You say!

i.    What do the Hebrews verses tell us? Was His prayer answered with a “Yes”?    (Hebrews 5:7-9)

He prayed with tears and strong crying, yet with a submissive spirit. This means that there is no grief or pain of his people today that He cannot identify with. He proved His obedience by this. His prayer wasn’t answered with a “Yes”.

j.    What did Jesus become obedient to?    (Philippians 2:5-8)

He became obedient to death, even the death by crucifixion. Death had no claim or hold on Him because He was sinless.

k.    What did Jesus say about His death in John 10:17-18?

He said that He would lay it down voluntarily…..no-one was going to take it from Him. He didn’t have to die for His own sin because He had none, and so death had no claim on Him. He chose to lay down His life to pay for man’s sin.

l.    What would have happened if our Lord’s request had been granted?    (1 Peter 1:18-20)

God’s whole plan of salvation would have been aborted and there would have been no hope for mankind to ever get to heaven.

m.   What can we learn from this?        (2 Corinthians 12:8-10)

Sometimes our prayers are not answered with a “Yes” in spite of our grief and pain, but the Father always gives us grace and the strength to bear it. We always come out of the experience the richer for it if we accept the answer in total submission and obedience.

n.    What will keep us from temptation?    (verse 38)

Watchfulness and prayer…..our flesh is so weak we cannot do it on our own!

o.    How many times did the Lord pray this prayer?  How many times did Paul ask about his problem?  What does this show us?  (verse 41; 2 Corinthians 12:8)

Three times in both cases. This shows us to not go beyond this amount of times in wanting our requests answered in our way.

4. Verses 43-59                                                                Luke 22:47-51

a.    How had Judas gone about betraying Jesus to the Jewish leaders?     (verses 10-11, 43-46)

He had previously arranged with the priests to betray Jesus to them for money, and when he left the supper room, he went straight to them, who were ready with their soldiers, and led them to the Garden of Gethsemane where he guessed they would be. He marched up to Jesus and kissed Him, calling Him “Master”.

b.    How did the Psalmist describe the human feelings felt by the betrayed One?     (Psalm 41:9; 55:12-14)

“My own familiar friend has turned against me! We had had such good times together, I can’t understand it! If it had been an enemy, I could have borne it, but you?”

c.    What did Peter do? And what did Jesus do?            (verses 47-49; Luke 22:47-51; John 18:10)

Peter drew his sword and swiped at the men….one of the servants got caught and his ear was cut off. The Lord graciously picked it up and put it back….this was his last healing miracle!

d.    What else does John tell us that none of the others mention?     (John 18:4-8)

That Jesus went forward to meet those who were coming to take Him, and after asking what they wanted, He said “I AM He” and at those words they all fell backwards to the ground as though they had  received an electric shock.

e.    What was so powerful about what Jesus said that the priests should have known and been terrified of?        (Exodus 3:14-15)

It is the name of Jehovah God that was given to Moses to identify Him…..the priests should have known this and backed off.

f.     Why didn’t they ?  Why did Jesus allow himself to be taken by them?   (Matthew 26: 54-56)  

He knew this was His Father’s will for Him so that the Scriptures would be fulfilled and it was the only way that salvation would be possible for sinful mankind.

g.    What did the disciples do at this?        (verse  50)

They  melted into the darkness and disappeared, except for one who continued to follow until he was grabbed too….he wriggled out of his clothing and streaked away!

h.    Where was Jesus taken to?    (verse 54a)

He was taken to the high Priest’s palace.

i.    What time of the day was it? What was the weather like?      (verse 54b)

It was night time, and it was cold enough for a fire to be lit.

j.    What did the council proceed to do?         (verses  55-59)

They tried to get a unified accusation against Him but couldn’t.

5.   Verses  60-72                                             

a.    Which of the disciples DID follow  behind to the high Priest’s palace?   (verses 53-54; John 18:15)

Peter and an un-named one who is assumed to be John.

b.    Why did John go boldly into the palace?  What did he do for Peter?  (verses 66-67; John 18:15-16)

John knew the high priest personally, and went back outside to take Peter in by the fire where the servants were.

c.    What did the priests question Jesus about?   (Luke 22: 67, 70;  John 18:19 )

Are you able to build the temple in three days?

Are You the Christ, the Son of God?

What is Your teaching anyway?

d    What did they establish His crime to be from His answers?         (verses 61-64)

The crime of blasphemy, and that He was guilty of death.

e.    What did they do to Him then?    (verse 65)

They spat in His face, then blindfolded Him and punched him in the head and face, asking Him who had hit Him, besides saying many horrid things about Him.

f.    What was Peter doing all this time?   (verse 66-72; Luke 22:56)

He was by the fire warming himself, looking and listening to all that was going on. A girl; asked him if he hadn’t been with Jesus, and he denied it, then a couple of others asserted the same thing. This time he denied it with oaths and curses to prove his point.

h.    What brought him up with a round turn?      (Luke 22:61)

He heard the rooster crow a couple of times and then saw Jesus turn and look at him.  How remorseful he felt!

i.    What did Peter do then?          (verse  72c; Matthew 26:75)

He remembered his big words to the Lord, and knew that Jesus knew what he had just done, and he went out side and wept bitterly.

j.    What lesson can we learn from all this?     (1 Corinthians  10:12)

That we don’t really know our own weaknesses, that we should keep our mouths shut about what we will or will not do!

Mark Fifteen….(verses 1-47)

1.   Verses  1-14                                      

a.    Jesus had been tried by the priests in Caiaphas’ palace and found guilty in their eyes….what did they do with Him next?   Why did they do that?     (verse 1; John 18:31)

They took Him to Pilate, the Roman governor because they didn’t have the authority to put anyone to death, and they wanted Him dead!

b.    What did the Jews accuse him of to Pilate?       (Luke 23:2)

They said that He had been stirring up the people, forbidding people to pay their taxes and saying that He was a king.

c.    What was the reason behind them telling Pilate that He said He was a king?     (John  19:12)

So that Pilate would be forced to do something drastic about it, because anyone who made themselves a king was in treason against Caesar and if Pilate let Jesus go, then he would not be Caesar’s friend. The whole thing was a political game.

d.    What defence did Jesus make in the face of these accusations?    (verses 3-5 )

None whatsoever!

e.   What do the verses in Isaiah and Peter tell us about this?          (Isaiah 53:7; 1 Peter 2:23)

He was a like a sheep quiet before its killers and/or shearers; when He was reviled He said nothing in answer.

f.    What was the custom at any trial during that time of the year?   (verses 6-8)

That one prisoner be pardoned and let go free.

g.    Who did Pilate suggest freeing, and who did the priests call for?   (verses 9-10)

Pilate wanted to let Jesus go free, but the priests called for Barabbas to be pardoned.

h.    What was Barabbas scheduled to be executed for?      (verse 7)

Because he had committed murder during a recent uprising.                   

i.    What events does Mark miss out that Matthew records?     (Matthew 27: 3-10, 19-26)

Judas’ remorse and subsequent suicide; Mrs. Pilate’s dream and intervention; Pilate washing his hands and declaring his innocence.

j.    What does Luke record that the others don’t?      (Luke 23:7-12)

He is the only one who says that Pilate sent Jesus to King Herod to be tried.

k.    Did Jesus answer Herod at all?         (Luke 23:9)

No, He said absolutely nothing.

l.    What was Herod’s attitude to Jesus?     (Luke 23:8, 11)

One of idle curiosity, then one of mockery and disdain.

2.   Verses  15-19

a.    Who had actually put the fancy cloak on Jesus?   ( Luke 23:11)

Herod had,  before He was taken back to Pilate.

b.    Some people might point to the fact that Matthew calls it a scarlet robe, and Mark calls it a purple one whereas Luke says it was a gorgeous robe…..how could you sort that one out?     (verse 17; Matthew 27:28; Luke 23:11 )

It could have been multicoloured in reds and purples.

c.    What was the main reason behind the robe anyway?     (verses 17-20)

It was all done in mockery because they took up him being a king which they thought was ludicrous!

d.    What was Pilate forced to do by the people?    (verse 15 )

Let Barabbas go free and have Jesus flogged mercilessly, then sentenced Him to death.

e.      How did the next little while go?

Jesus was flogged (verse15); taken off to the Praetorium area where all the soldiers mocked Him, jabbed a thorny crown down on His head; and pretended to worship Him by getting down on their knees and calling Him “King of the Jews”

f.    Jesus actually endured three trials and three separate lots of mockings…..what were they?

Mark 14:55-65              Before the chief priests….         spitting in His face, punching, blindfolding and slapping on face;  His face knocked around terribly (Isaiah 52:14)

Luke 23: 8-11               Sent by Pilate to Herod…. Mocking and putting on kingly robes.

Mark 15:1-20                Pilate’s court…. More flogging, and spitting, whacking him around the head; jabbing the thorns down onto His head, mocking Him and pretending to bow to Him as king.

g.    Who actually did humble Jesus Christ?  (John 10:17-18; Philippians 2:8)

He humbled himself….He allowed men to do these things to Him and allowed himself to be crucified….He laid down His life willingly for the sake of mankind.

h.  What will these same men have to do in a coming day?      (Philippians 2:9-11)

They will bow the knee before Jesus Christ in all his glory and realise what they did to Him at the crucifixion. They will acknowledge Him as Lord and King and give Him the glory that they refused to give Him  when they were on earth.

i.    What did the soldiers do before leading Jesus out to crucify Him?  (verse 20)

They took off the fancy robe and put His own clothes back on Him.

j.  What happened on the way down the road?      (verse 21)

He was so weak with loss of blood and the beltings  He had received that He couldn’t carry the cross, so the soldiers compelled another man to carry it for Him.

3.   Verses  20-32               

a.    Luke and Matthew also mention the two thieves (presumably Barabbas was meant to be the third criminal to be executed)…..how does Luke expand on this episode about the thieves?   (Luke 23:32, 39-43)

He tells how they were both mocking Him and then one had a change of heart and mind, and told the other one to be quiet as they deserved what they were getting but the Man in the centre had done nothing wrong.

b.    What did he then say to Jesus, and what was the reply?       (Luke 23:42-43)

He simply said, “Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom!” Jesus replied, “Today you will be with Me in Paradise”

c.    What does this incident show and prove?      (Romans 10:10)

That it is never too late to turn to the Lord in sincerity and truth, and one is never too great a sinner to repent.

d.    Which two verses in Isaiah 53 were fulfilled in this incident of the thieves being crucified with Christ ?

Verses 9 and 12

e.      What time of the day did the crucifixion take place?       (verse 25)

It was the third hour (9 a.m.) by the time they got to the site and put the crosses into the ground with their human burdens on them.

f.    What name did Pilate order to go on  Jesus’ cross ?  (Verse 26)

The King of the Jews

g.    What did John add to this title?   (John 19:19-22)

Jesus of Nazareth the King of the Jews… it was written in the three common languages, and the chief priests objected to it. Pilate was fed up with them and said “It stays!”

h.    What was He offered when He was first put on the cross, and what was His reaction?   (verse 23)

He was offered a mixture of wine and myrrh which He refused.

i.    At what stage did He take the vinegar then?   (verse 36)

Just before He gave up His spirit to die.

j.    What does Mark say about Christ’s clothes?        (verse 24)

The soldiers split them up and threw lots for them.

k.    What does John add about the coat?    (John 19:23-24 )

The coat was seamless and all woven in one piece; they threw lots for this one too.

l.   Which verse in Psalm 22 prophesied that this would happen?

Verse 18 says that His clothes would be parted and cast lots for.

m.    What were the onlookers doing all this time?   (verses 29-32)

They were mocking him as they stood around.

n.    What does John insert at this point?  (John 19:25-27)

That there were three women standing by the cross with John…..His mother, His aunt and Mary Magdalene. Jesus said to His mother.. “Look, there’s your son”, then to John He said, “Look there’s your mother”. John took care of her from that time on.

4.   Verses  33-39                              

a.    What phenomena does verse 33 tell us about? How long did it last? What caused it?    (verse 33)

Darkness fell over the land for three hours….it was caused by God.

b.     What was our Lord Jesus going through during those hours of darkness?  (Isaiah 53:12b;   2 Corinthians 5:19a;   1Peter 2:24)

He was going through the agony of bearing the darkness of the sin of the world and feeling God’s judgment on sin pouring over Him……to be feeling separated from God which had never happened before this time.

c.    What does verse 34 tell us?   (Psalm 22:1)

Both these verses tell us that the presence of God was no longer with Him while He was bearing the sin of the world, and He had never known this forsaken feeling before. David wrote these words prophetically hundreds of years before it happened.

d.    We hear about seven sayings of Jesus while He was on the cross….what were they?

Luke 23:34                   Father forgive them

John 19:27                   Woman, see your son….behold your mother….

Luke 23:43                   Today you will be with Me in paradise

Mark 15:34                   Eloi, Eloi, Sabachthani?

John 19:28                   I thirst

John 19:30                   It is finished!

Luke 23:46                   Father, into Thy hands I commend My spirit.

e.    What happened when Jesus died? What do we notice about it?    (verse 38)

The inner curtain of the temple (veil) was torn; it was torn from the top to the bottom.

f.     This curtain was very high and very thick….what does tearing it from the top tell us?

That only God could have torn it, not a man.

g.    What did the curtain of the temple signify?   (Hebrews 9:8)

That no-one could go into the presence of God except the High Priest once a year, and He couldn’t go in without the blood of sacrifice in his hand.

h.    What did the tearing of the curtain signify?  (Hebrews 9:11-14; 10:19-20; John 14:6)

Jesus Christ has made a new way to God through the shedding of His own blood for sin, because of His death, burial and resurrection.

i.   What does John 14:6 emphasise?

Jesus said that He is the ONLY way to God.

j.    What happened at the moment that Jesus died?   (Matthew 27:50-54; )

There was a tremendous earthquake that opened the graves of many of the saints (people who believed in God) who had died, and they came back to life and showed themselves to many others.

k.    What did the Roman soldier on guard, say when he saw all this happen?  (verse 39)

Truly, this Man was the Son of God!

5.     Verses 40-47    

a.    What happened next that only John records?    (John 19: 32-34)

The soldiers broke the legs of the victims to finish them off sooner, but Jesus had already died, so they stabbed Him with a spear in the side instead.

b.  What was significant about the two facts in the following verses?   (Psalm 34:20; Zechariah 12:10)

They were both prophesied hundreds of years earlier…that none of his bones would be broken and that his side would be pierced.

c.    Who took the body of Jesus off the cross and what did they do with it?   (verses 43-45)

Joseph and Nicodemus took it down and wrapped it up with spices, myrrh etc, and then put it in the tomb.

d.    What does Matthew tell us about the tomb?  (Matthew 27:60)

It was a new one that Joseph had prepared for himself.

e.    What did Isaiah prophesy about His death that is significant to these facts? Who WAS this  Joseph?  (Isaiah 53:9b)

Isaiah prophesied that He would be buried with the rich…Joseph was from Arimathea,  an honourable councillor in the local synagogue, and a man of means.

f.   What does John tell us about it that none of the others do? (John 19:41)

There was a garden right near where the cross was, and this was where Joseph’s new tomb was.

g.    What did the priests have done to the tomb that only Matthew tells us about?   (Matthew 27:62-66)

They remembered that Jesus had said He would rise again after three days, so they went to Pilate and asked to have a guard put at the tomb in case the disciples stole him away and then say that He had risen.

h. It is popularly supposed that the crucifixion took place on Good Friday with the resurrection occurring on the Sunday (first day of the week) . Look carefully at these verses…..

Matthew 12:40……As Jonah was three days…..so the Son of Man will be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth…

Matthew 27: 62….The next day that followed the preparation day, the chief priests…..

Matthew 28:1….The end of the sabbath….

John 19:31….Because it was the preparation, that the bodies should not remain on the cross on the Sabbath day (for that Sabbath day was a high day)…….

   What is another conclusion that could be reached after looking at these verses carefully?

Whichever conclusion one comes to doesn’t really matter…..the thing that matters is that Jesus Christ rose the third day from the dead!

Mark Sixteen….(verses 1-20)

1.    Verses  1-14                

a.    Who appeared to get to the tomb first? Compare verse 2c with John 20:1…..

It seems that Mary Magdalene got there ahead of the other women while it was still dark and the other women got there as the sun was rising.

b.     What was the women’s  main concern as they walked along?   (verse 3)

They were worrying about how they would roll the stone away from the tomb.

c.    What does Matthew tell us  that the others miss out?     (Matthew 28:2-4, 11-15)

That there was a large earthquake….an angel came and rolled the stone away and then sat on it.

d.    What happened to the guards who were on duty there?  What did the priests tell them to say?  (Matthew 28:4)

They shook with fear and fell to the ground like dead men….the priests told them to report that they had fallen asleep on duty and the disciples had come and stolen the body.

e.   What did the women do when they got to the tomb and found the stone rolled away? (verse 5)

They looked inside and saw that there was no body and a young man sitting there wearing a long white robe.

f.    What did the angel tell them?   (verses 6-7)

You are looking for Jesus, but He isn’t here, He is risen!  Go and tell the disciples AND PETER to go back home to Galilee and they will see Him there.

g.    What had Mary Magdalene done while this was going on?  (John 20: 1-10)

She had run back and found Peter and John and told them what had happened, and then it seems that she followed them back

h.    What does John tell us happened when he and Peter got there?       (John 20:2-8)

John got there ahead of Peter and stood outside….Peter got there and went straight into the tomb and saw the grave clothes lying there empty, and John followed him in.

i.     Peter and John left and went back home….what did Mary Magdalene do when she got back to the tomb?  (John 20: 11-18)

She stood outside the tomb weeping, then looked inside and saw two angels sitting in there. They asked why she was crying, and she said  the Lord was missing and she didn’t know where He was.

j.    When she turned around Who did she see? What was said?    (John 20:15-18)

The Lord was standing behind her and asked why she was crying….she thought He was the gardener and asked what he had done with the body. Jesus said her name in such a way that she then knew Who He was!

k.    Meantime what were the other women doing?  ( verse 8; Matthew 28: 8-10)

They were going back to the disciples when Jesus met them on the road. They knew Him and worshipped Him.

l.   How do we know that Mary Magdalene saw Him first?       (Mark 16:9)

Because Mark says so!

m.    Who else saw Him that day?   (verses12-13; Luke 24:13-31)

The two who were travelling to Emmaus.

n.    When did the rest of the disciples see Him?  (verse 14a)

That evening.

o.    What did Jesus tell them at that time?        (verse 14b)

He chided them for not believing the women who had seen Him.

p.    Reading Mark’s account, one would think that He ascended almost immediately….how long did He actually remain with them before His ascension?  ( Acts 1:3)

He was with them off and on for forty days, and appeared to them many times after they went back to Galilee.

2.   Verses  15-17              

a.    What sort of things did Jesus talk to His disciples about in the last forty days He was with them?   (Luke 24:45-49)

He opened their understanding of the Old Testament prophecies concerning His death, burial and resurrection and why it was all necessary for salvation. He told them that they were to preach the Gospel far and near, starting at Jerusalem where they were to wait until the Holy Spirit would come to them.

b.     What does John tell us about, that none of the others mention?   (John 21)

He tells how they decided to go back fishing in Galilee and how they met Jesus on the beach; His meeting and conversation with Peter. Also about Thomas’  unbelief and how he reacted when He saw the Lord for himself.

c.    What were the disciples told to do, along with preaching the Gospel?  (Verse 16; Matthew 28:19)

They were told to baptise people upon their belief of the Gospel.

d.    What were they told they would be able to do as they preached?  (verses 17-18; Matthew 28:18)

That there would be signs with them….they would be able to speak new languages, throw out demons, heal people and even be bitten by snakes and not be harmed!

e.      What was the example we are told of this in Acts 28:3-6?

When Paul was gathering sticks for the fire and got bitten by a poisonous snake and came to no harm.

f.    Where were they at the end of the forty day period?   (Acts 1:4, 12)

They were back in Jerusalem .

g.    Where did the Lord take them to before He ascended?  (Luke 24:50-52; Acts 1:12)

To the Mount of Olives which Luke said was the same distance as to Bethany

h.    What was the manner of His going up to heaven? (Luke 24:51;   Acts1:9-12)

He didn’t zap out of sight, but just rose up from the ground until He disappeared out of their sight into the clouds after He had blessed them.

i.     What did the disciples see after He had disappeared?        (Acts 1:10-11)

While they were still gazing up at the last sight of Him, two men (angels) in shining white clothes  stood there and told them to stop gazing up to the sky, He would one day come back the same way.

j.    Where is Jesus Christ now?  How do we know for sure?   (verse 19; Acts 7:56; 1 Peter 3:22)

He is sitting at the right hand of His Father in heaven….Stephen saw Him there as he was dying and said so.

k.   What does that mean for us today?  ( Romans 8:34;  1 John 2:1)

It means that He is there interceding for us before His Father, and acts as our Advocate when we sin. We can come freely to the Father because of His sacrifice for us on the cross.

l.   What was the Lord’s last command to the disciples?  ( verses 15-16; Matthew 28:19-20)

To go into all the world and preach the Gospel, baptising those who believed.

m.   How do we see this has been, and is being, worked out in the world today?  ( Romans 10:8-11; 1 Timothy 3:16)

The Word has been preached ever since that day with people believing and being saved; today the Word is being spread further and quicker by means of modern communication methods, even into countries that are closed to foreigners going in to physically preach.