Posts from 2022 (Page 2)
Mark: Lesson 27
Lesson text: Mark 11:15-33 On the day after His triumphal entry into Jerusalem, Jesus enters the temple complex. He is appalled to see the Court of the Gentiles being used for the selling of animals and for currency exchange. He drives out the vendors because of their misuse of this area intended for worship. This event angers the scribes and chief priests, who now want Jesus dead. The next day, Peter notices that the fig tree cursed by Jesus is…
Mark: Lesson 26
Lesson text: Mark 11:1-14 Chapter 11 begins with Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem on what has become known as Palm Sunday. Jesus deliberately rides into the city on the colt of a donkey. This action fulfills the prophecy of Zechariah 9:9. Yet the disciples and most of the people watching Him miss the significance of Jesus’ actions. Once in the city, Jesus peruses the temple complex before heading out to Bethany. The next day He curses a fig tree when…
Mark: Lesson 25
Lesson text: Mark 10:35-52 James and John ask Jesus to allow them to sit at His right and left hand in glory. While this angers the other disciples, Jesus sees a teaching opportunity. He explains that greatness in God’s kingdom is based on service, not authority. Jesus Himself had come to earth to serve, not to be served by others. The pinnacle of His service would be His death on the cross. Soon after this, the group passes through Jericho…
Mark: Lesson 24
Lesson text: Mark 10:17-34 The man who has come to be known as the rich young ruler comes to Jesus. He wants to know what he must do to ensure himself eternal life. After a short conversation about keeping the law, Jesus tells him he needs to give away his wealth and follow Him. The young man leaves dejected. This leads to a conversation between Jesus and the disciples on who can make it into God’s heaven. The reality is…
Mark: Lesson 23
Lesson text: Mark 10:1-16 As Jesus and his disciples head for Jerusalem, He is challenged by the Pharisees. This time, they confront Him regarding His position on divorce. Jesus presents God’s ideal for marriage, which precludes divorce. Later the disciples ask Jesus to explain this further. He tells them that divorcing a spouse and remarrying is an act of adultery. At this point people begin to bring their children to Jesus for His blessing. The disciples attempt to turn the…
Mark: Lesson 22
Lesson text: Mark 9:30-50 Jesus predicts His impending death on the cross to the disciples for a second time. On this occasion, He adds that He will be betrayed, or given over, into the hands of men. In the aftermath of this prophecy, Jesus takes the disciples aside for an extending teaching time. This begins with His response to their debate over who is the greatest. He then explains that any who serve in His name are part of His…
Mark: Lesson 21
Lesson text: Mark 9:14-29 Jesus and his “inner circle” of Peter, James, and John come down from the mountain to a major uproar. The other disciples are in an argument with some Jewish scribes. The dispute seems to be centered around a demon-possessed boy. The nine who didn’t go up the mountain cannot exorcise the demon. The boy’s father is beside himself. In the midst of this turmoil stands Jesus. What he does and says next are lessons on the…
Mark: Lesson 20
Lesson text: Mark 9:1-13 Jesus’ Transfiguration is a turning point in Mark’s gospel. Peter, James, and John accompany Jesus to the top of a mountain. There they are joined by Moses and Elijah and Jesus is transformed. Peter would mention this in his second epistle. John may have been alluding to this at the beginning of his gospel. The event definitely made an impact on these men. And yet Jesus told them to keep what they saw to themselves until…
Mark: Lesson 19
Lesson text: Mark 8:22-36 The second half of the eighth chapter of Mark’s gospel is momentous. This is a pivot point in the narrative of Jesus’ earthly mission. For the first time, Jesus plainly explains to His disciples why He has come. While they are expecting that Jesus will set up his earthly reign, He explains that He is destined to die on a cross. Peter is not having any of it, and he lets Jesus know. Jesus in turn…
Mark: Lesson 18
Lesson text: Mark 8:1-21 Mark records Jesus feeding the 4000 in the area of the Decapolis to start chapter 8. On the heels of this miracle the Pharisees appear on the scene again. They request that Jesus give them a sign, which He promptly refuses to do. Getting into a boat with His disciples, the group heads out into the Sea of Galilee. Jesus warns them about the leaven of the Pharisees and of Herod, which they completely misunderstand. Lesson…
Mark: Lesson 17
Lesson text: Mark 7:24-37 Jesus and His disciples make their way to Phoenicia. There Jesus encounters a Gentile woman whose daughter is demon-possessed. What follows is a fun and instructive conversation between the Lord and this desperate mother. The group then travels to the Decapolis, where the crowd brings Jesus a deaf man who also has a speech impediment. Jesus’ encounter with this man is unique and personal. Lesson worksheet Header image by Elena Mozhvilo on Unsplash.
Mark: Lesson 16
Lesson text: Mark 7:1-23 The matter of ceremonial defilement is front and center as chapter 7 begins. Jesus is challenged by Pharisees from Jerusalem. They take issue with the fact that Jesus’ disciples do not follow the regulations for ritual hand washing before eating. Jesus first responds to these men, pointing out that they elevate man’s tradition over God’s law. He uses their legal loopholes in denying financial assistance to their parents as a glaring example. He then explains to…