As we continue to look at the book of Mark, today, we come to chapter 14. If you had a year’s wages to blow on anything, what would you purchase or what would you do?
Well, in this next section of Mark, we find a woman pouring out a year’s wages on Jesus. And then we see Jesus share in the Lord’s Supper with His disciples. Whoever has the next key, go ahead and read that for us. (READ 14:1-26)
How do this woman’s actions strike you?
Do you think that the perfume could have been better used?
How are her actions justified by Jesus?
How did this woman who anointed Jesus know to prepare Him for His burial when His own disciples did not? Or did she?
What would you like to do for Jesus that might cause Him to say to you what He said in verse 9?
As we talk about the Lord’s Supper, how would you have felt if you had been there?
How much of this event do you think the disciples understood?
Why is it important for Christians to observe Communion today?
Before you take Communion the next time, what can you do to make it more spiritually meaningful?
Does anyone have anything that they would like to add before we move on?
Well, if there is nothing else, we will move on and take a look at verses 27-42. Just after the Last Supper and before His arrest, Jesus goes to a garden outside of Jerusalem to pray. Whoever has the next key, go ahead and read that please. (READ 14:27-42)
Do you think Peter was sincere when he said that he would not fall away?
Why do you think that Jesus went to Gethsemane to pray in the first place?
Why did Jesus take Peter, James, and John with Him to pray?
When Jesus came to Gethsemane, why was He so sad?
What do you think was the hardest part of this passage for Jesus?
Jesus told Peter to “…watch and pray, because the spirit is willing but the body is weak.” How do these words apply to you today?
Does anyone have anything else that they would like to add?
Well, if there is nothing else, we will take a look at Jesus being arrested, and then look at Him as He stands before the Sanhedrin. Whoever has the next key, go ahead and read that for us at this time please. (READ 14:43-65)
Why is the crowd that comes to take Jesus armed?
What does this tell you about Judas’ misunderstanding of Jesus’ mission?
In times of crisis, how do you usually respond?
Why do you think that Jesus, for the most part remains silent?
If the high priests, chief priests, elders, and teachers of the law were waiting for the Messiah, why would they consider it blasphemy when the actual Messiah identifies Himself?
What would your reaction have been to seeing Jesus spit on, blindfolded, struck, and mocked?
Does anyone have anything else to add before we move on?
Well, if that is all, we will take a look at the last section to Mark chapter 14. Before we do that though, when in your life were you most disappointed with yourself?
Well, in this next section, we find Peter disappointed in himself. I will go ahead and read this section for us. (READ 14:66-72)
Peter is brave enough to follow Jesus to the high priest’s house. Why do you think he now denies Christ?
How do you think Peter felt when he heard the rooster crow?
At this time, allow me to read for you what the commentary had to say about Mark chapter 14. It said, (READ COMMENTARY)
Now, before we move on, does anyone have anything that they would like to add?
Well, if that is all, we will go ahead and move on to chapter 15 at this time. When someone accuses you of something that you didn’t do, how do you respond?
Well, Jesus’ trial and suffering for our salvation continues. The night before this, Jesus had been arrested and brought before the Sanhedrin, which is the Jewish high court. He was found guilty of blasphemy, a crime that is punishable by death. However, the Sanhedrin’s power was limited by Roman rule, so now they bring Jesus to Pilate, the Roman governor, with a request for His execution. Whoever has the next key, go ahead and read that please. (READ 15:1-20)
What do you find most amazing about this story?
Why was Jesus so silent before Pilate?
Who would you hold most responsible for Jesus’ sentence?
Why do the people turn from praises to murderous requests?
How does the story of Barabbas illustrate what Jesus did for you and for me?
Why did Jesus go through this when He had to power to free Himself and avoid it?
Does anyone have anything that they would like to add before we move on?
Well, if there is nothing else, we will finish this chapter up by looking at the events that surrounded Jesus’ death. Whoever has the next key, go ahead and read that for us please. (READ 15:21-47)
What kind of people were usually crucified?
What does that tell you about people’s view of who Jesus was?
What aspect of the crucifixion do you think was the worst for Jesus: physical pain, or feeling forsaken by God?
What is significant about the centurion’s confirmation of Jesus’ death?
How do you feel when you think about what Jesus did for you?
At this time, allow me to go ahead and read for you what the commentary had to say about chapter 15 as a whole. It said, (READ COMMENTARY)
Now, before we move on, does anyone have anything that they would like to add?
Well, if that is all, we will go ahead and take a look at our last chapter to Mark. And whoever has that last key, go ahead and read that for us please. (READ 16:1-20)
How do the women respond to the man in the white robe?
Do you think the women believed that man?
How do their actions support you answer?
Why do you think the angel asked them specifically to speak to Peter?
What do you see as your role in spreading the “good news to all creation”?
At this time, allow me to read for you what the commentary had to say about chapter 16 of Mark. It says, (READ COMMENTARY)
Now, before we close this evening, does anyone have anything that they would like to add?
Well, if there is nothing else, what has been the biggest thing that you have learned or taken from our study of the book of Mark?
Well, if that is all, for next time…
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