In the Gospel of Mark (6:4) Jesus says that only in his hometown is a prophet without honor. Well, I can tell you I do not appear to be deserving of very much honor. My last posting here inidcated that it was about Mark Chapter 6 and al of the questions dealt with Mark, Chapter 5. there is certainly no honor in confusing people! Sorry for those of you who figured this out the hard way!
Anyway, now we really and truly do come to Mark Chapter 6 (the first half). So here goes:
Mark – Chapter 6:1-29
1. Why is a prophet without honor in his home town? (6:1-4)
2. What does that mean for us as we seek to minister to others?
3. Why couldn’t Jesus do any miracles in Nazareth?
4. When Jesus sent out the twelve, why did He send them two by two? (6:7)
5. Why were the twelve instructed not to take anything with them? (6:8)
6. Why would the disciples be intructed to stay in the same house until they would leave a particular town? (6:10)
7. What does it mean for them to shake the dust off of their feet? (6:11)
8. Why was there debate over Jesus’ identity? (6:14-16)
9. What would it mean if Jesus was John the Baptist resurrected?
10.Why would King Herod be distressed regarding the debate about Jesus’ identity?
11.What is Jesus’ purpose in telling the disciples to give the crowd something to eat? (6:37)
12.Why would Jesus just pass the twelve apostles by when he walked on the water? (6:47-50)
13. What does it mean that the disciples did not understand about the loaves and the fishes? (6:51-52)
By the way, this Wednesday our Bible study will begin a new study in the book of First Corinthians. Everyone is welcome to attend. Please read try to read the chapter ahead of time.
Have a blessed week!
Pastor Dmitri
Saturday, April 26, 2008
Saturday, April 12, 2008
Dealing With Demons
We don't talk much about dealing with demons. Hopefully you don't have this as part of your daily routine. Anyway, this week's lesson in Mark takes us to the famous passage about the demon possessed man whom Jesus liberates from his bondage.
We all have demons of a sort. I pray that yours are figurative and not literal.
Mark – Chapter Six
1. In Mark 5 we see Jesus dealing with a demon possessed man. Have you ever encountered anyone that you thought might be demon possessed? How do you think you would know for sure?
2. What do you make out of the fact that the demon possessed man would cut himself with stones? (5:5)
3. How is it that the demon possessed man knew who Jesus was?
4. If Jesus was able to drive the demons from the demon possessed man, then why did the people want to have Jesus leave their area?
5. Why does Jairus have reason to believe that Jesus can heal his daughter?
6. What does Jesus’ healing of the woman with the issue of blood tell us about faith? What does it tell us about Jesus’ power?
7. Would incidental contact with Jesus have healing power?
8. Why would the men tell Jairus (the synagogue leader) not to bother Jesus any more?
9. What is unique about the miracle of raising of Jairus’ daughter from the dead?
Please feel free to send me an e-mail with your insights into this chapter or any burning questions that it has raised for you.
Peace.
Pastor Dmitri
We all have demons of a sort. I pray that yours are figurative and not literal.
Mark – Chapter Six
1. In Mark 5 we see Jesus dealing with a demon possessed man. Have you ever encountered anyone that you thought might be demon possessed? How do you think you would know for sure?
2. What do you make out of the fact that the demon possessed man would cut himself with stones? (5:5)
3. How is it that the demon possessed man knew who Jesus was?
4. If Jesus was able to drive the demons from the demon possessed man, then why did the people want to have Jesus leave their area?
5. Why does Jairus have reason to believe that Jesus can heal his daughter?
6. What does Jesus’ healing of the woman with the issue of blood tell us about faith? What does it tell us about Jesus’ power?
7. Would incidental contact with Jesus have healing power?
8. Why would the men tell Jairus (the synagogue leader) not to bother Jesus any more?
9. What is unique about the miracle of raising of Jairus’ daughter from the dead?
Please feel free to send me an e-mail with your insights into this chapter or any burning questions that it has raised for you.
Peace.
Pastor Dmitri
Saturday, April 5, 2008
Your Weekly Serving
It's time for another heaping helping of Mark's gospel. I hope you have been keeping up. There is an awful lot of good stuff in this chapter. The questions just begin to scratch the surface. I can think of fifteen or twenty sermon possibilities off the top of my head. I suggest that you spend some time with this and I encourage you to ask me any questions you might have.
Come join our lively discussions on Mark at our Sunday School Class at 9:00 AM.
MARK - CHAPTER FOUR
1. What do you like about Jesus using parables to teach? In what ways are the parables difficult for us?
2. In the parable of the soil, do we have the ability to choose which type of soil we will be? If so how can we do that effectively? (4:3-8)
3. If you heard Jesus say: “He who has ears to hear, let him hear,” what would your reaction be? (4:9)
4. Why does Jesus explain parables to the disciples, but not to other people?
5. What determines the size of the crop that will be produced by the hearer of the Word of God?
6. What does the parable of the mustard seed have to do with the Kingdom of God? (4:30-32) What does the mustard seed represent?
7. Who does Mark proclaim Jesus to be by his writings? Does this fit based upon earlier chapters?
8. Notice how frequently Jesus uses the asking of questions in His teaching. Why would Jesus teach this way, instead of just proclaiming to the hearers what is the truth?
Remember to be at Prayer, Praise on Pie next Sunday at 6:30 PM. I'll plan to see you all there!
Blessings
Pastor Dmitri
Come join our lively discussions on Mark at our Sunday School Class at 9:00 AM.
MARK - CHAPTER FOUR
1. What do you like about Jesus using parables to teach? In what ways are the parables difficult for us?
2. In the parable of the soil, do we have the ability to choose which type of soil we will be? If so how can we do that effectively? (4:3-8)
3. If you heard Jesus say: “He who has ears to hear, let him hear,” what would your reaction be? (4:9)
4. Why does Jesus explain parables to the disciples, but not to other people?
5. What determines the size of the crop that will be produced by the hearer of the Word of God?
6. What does the parable of the mustard seed have to do with the Kingdom of God? (4:30-32) What does the mustard seed represent?
7. Who does Mark proclaim Jesus to be by his writings? Does this fit based upon earlier chapters?
8. Notice how frequently Jesus uses the asking of questions in His teaching. Why would Jesus teach this way, instead of just proclaiming to the hearers what is the truth?
Remember to be at Prayer, Praise on Pie next Sunday at 6:30 PM. I'll plan to see you all there!
Blessings
Pastor Dmitri
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
More on Mark
I am very pleased with the enthusiastic response you have shown to our study in the Book of Mark. We have had lively discussions at our Sunday classes, not to mention those who have accessed the information avialable here. I would love to hear from you if you are among those who use these posts. I am always interested in feedback.
Mark - Chapter Three
1. Why would Jesus repeatedly heal on the Sabbath knowing that this would be offensive to the Jewish leaders? (3:1-3)
2. Jewish law said that aid to the sick could only be given on the sabbath if a person's life were in danger. Why would Jesus choose to breach this "sacred" rule? (3:1-4)
3. What is the meaning of the wording of Jesus' question in verse 3:4?
4. Why would Jesus be angry at their lack of response?
5. What is it that causes Jesus and the disciples to withdraw from the crowds? Is this a strategic move? (3:7)
6. Why would the evil spirits proclaim who Jesus was? Why would He give them orders not to speak, since they were proclaiming who he was? (3:11-12)
7. What do the Pharisees have to gain by accusing Jesus of being possessed by Beelzebub? (3:22)
8. Why would it be that blasphemy against the Holy Spirit cannot be forgiven - according to Jesus? (3:29)
9. How can Jesus say that all of man's sins will be forgiven? What exactly is blasphemy?
10. What is the point when Jesus asks: "Who are my mother and my brothers?"
I pray that you will be blessed by your study of this book of the Bible. I have always found that He speaks to me in my current life circumstances, wherever I am in my walk of faith.
Blessings
Pastor Dmitri
Mark - Chapter Three
1. Why would Jesus repeatedly heal on the Sabbath knowing that this would be offensive to the Jewish leaders? (3:1-3)
2. Jewish law said that aid to the sick could only be given on the sabbath if a person's life were in danger. Why would Jesus choose to breach this "sacred" rule? (3:1-4)
3. What is the meaning of the wording of Jesus' question in verse 3:4?
4. Why would Jesus be angry at their lack of response?
5. What is it that causes Jesus and the disciples to withdraw from the crowds? Is this a strategic move? (3:7)
6. Why would the evil spirits proclaim who Jesus was? Why would He give them orders not to speak, since they were proclaiming who he was? (3:11-12)
7. What do the Pharisees have to gain by accusing Jesus of being possessed by Beelzebub? (3:22)
8. Why would it be that blasphemy against the Holy Spirit cannot be forgiven - according to Jesus? (3:29)
9. How can Jesus say that all of man's sins will be forgiven? What exactly is blasphemy?
10. What is the point when Jesus asks: "Who are my mother and my brothers?"
I pray that you will be blessed by your study of this book of the Bible. I have always found that He speaks to me in my current life circumstances, wherever I am in my walk of faith.
Blessings
Pastor Dmitri
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