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Mark 1:40-2:12 Intro: Mark is moving his story along brilliantly.

In the first chapter, Mark announces that Jesus is the Messiah and illustrates how Jesus has authority over the law, demons and sickness. We are about to see a climax in how far the authority of Jesus can actually go. In this next section, we see Jesus confronted by a leper and then a man who is paralyzed. The aim of Jesus is not just to heal these men, but to demonstrate that He actually has authority to do something even greater. Open: Have you ever wanted something so badly that you went to great lengths to get it? Perhaps you worked long and hard to earn enough money to buy something you just had to have. Perhaps you waited for hours in a line to get tickets for some event that you really wanted to see. How far were you willing to go to get what you wanted? Dig: Look at Mark 1:40. Make a list of all of the things the leper does - solely from this verse. How does the lepers request demonstrate his great faith in Jesus ability to heal? According to Mark, what motivates Jesus to respond? Read 2 Kings 5:7. Leprosy was considered incurable although Levitical law outlined specific requirements to ceremonially cleanse a leper. However, common thought at the time was that God certainly could heal leprosy. Had the man healed of leprosy obeyed Jesus and gone to the priests, what might have been revealed to the priests? Reread Mark 1:43-44. Why do you think Jesus would have wanted the man to keep this miracle between him and the priests? What were the consequences of this mans disobedience? What was Jesus doing in Capernaum, according to Mark, before the paralytic man was brought by his friends? Mark tells us that a paralytic man, carried by four friends, was brought to Jesus at a home where He was teaching the Word to the people. What might Jesus have recognized that prompted him to forgive the paralytic man of his sins? Why would Jesus start by forgiving the man of his sins? What did the Jewish people believe about physical illness? What does healing the man of his paralysis demonstrate regarding Jesus authority? What was the reaction of the crowd when the paralyzed man picked up his mat and walked? Discover

What does Jesus attitude and action toward the leper demonstrate for His followers today? The leper was understandably overjoyed by Jesus healing, but did not do what Jesus told him to. Where do we need to look beyond Jesus as simply our Savior and recognize His authority in our lives? Considering the characters of Mark 2:1-12, who do you most identify with? Are you like the friends of the paralytic, the man himself, the crowds, or the scribes? When Jesus touched someones life, they were noticeably changed forever. When Jesus healed someone, no one questioned whether it was a real miracle or not. When Jesus called someone, they left everything and followed Him. How has Jesus touched your life resulting in obvious transformation that others can see?

Mark 2:13-3:6 Intro: Jesus: friend of sinners, enemy of the establishment. In this section, we see Jesus and His Kingdom clashing with the religious rules of the day. Jesus is flipping everything upside down; associating with sinners and breaking customs of fasting and Sabbath observance. Jesus is not who many expected the Messiah would be. Often times, God does not fit so nicely in the box that we place Him in. When the Son of God came to Earth, there were a lot of boxes to be broken. Open: Think of a time when you broke the rules. What caused you to disobey? What were the consequences of your disobedience? Would you make the same decision if you had to do it over again? Dig: Read Mark 2:13-17. Who was Levi and why did the Pharisees object to Jesus association to him? What did Levi have to give up when answering Jesus call to Follow Me? How do the Pharisees attempt to undermine Jesus ministry in this passage? Read Mark 2:18-2:23. Who does the bridegroom represent? Who are the wedding guests? Consider Hosea 2:18-20 and Isaiah 62:4-5. What are the implications in Jesus alluding to Himself as the fulfillment of these prophecies? What are the similarities between the two parables about the wineskins and cloth? What is the message Jesus is teaching through these parables? Read Mark 2:24-28. Why did the Pharisees object to the disciples plucking wheat? How does Jesus respond? Read Daniel 7:13-14, why does Jesus refer to himself as the Son of Man? What authority does He thus claim? What does Exodus 20:8-11 tell us about the Sabbath? What do you think this means for us today? Read Mark 3:1-6. What were the religious leaders intentions in watching Jesus in the synagogue?

Seldom does the Bible refer to Jesus as angry. What does Mark say provoked Him to this point? What was the consequence of Jesus reaction? How do Jesus responses to the religious leaders in each of these passages of scripture tie together? What common theme do we see developing? Discover: In Mark 2:17, is Jesus implying the religious leaders dont need healing? Jesus made it clear He did not come to the world in order to save the righteous, but sinners. Many, however, believe we are all basically good people. Have you held this belief? How has Jesus presence in your life helped you to see your own sin and your need for a Savior? In the parables from Mark 2:21-22, what are the consequences, according to Jesus, of blending the new with the old? Why do you think Jesus brought this up in the context of fasting? Followers of Jesus are called to put away their own attempts at righteousness and at the same time only those who freely give up their own wills can truly follow Jesus. Is there an area of your life where youre ruled by legalism as opposed to grace? And alternatively, is there an area of your life where you sense Jesus calling you to come away and follow Me?

Mark 3:7-35 Intro: Mark has established that Jesus is not only the Messiah, but He has been given authority over everything. In this next passage, Jesus is challenged by the people you would least expect, His own family. Jesus begins to redefine who His family is and goes as far as to say that His real family members are the ones who do the will of His Father. This is mind blowing considering the strength and closeness of Jewish families. The implications for the church family are numerous. Open Can you remember a time when you had to travel even though you were ill? How long did it take to get to your destination? Look at a Bible map for the areas mentioned in Mark 3:7-8. How far did the crowds have to travel to get to Jesus? Many probably walked, rode a donkey or in some cases were carried. Have you ever been this desperate for healing for yourself or someone else? Would you drop everything and travel long distances just for a chance to be healed? Can you think of someone in modern times that traveled far in hopes of finding a cure? Dig Jesus attracted people to Himself from all over the region. The crowds recognized Him as a healer and would have crushed Him in their attempt to touch His body. But the unclean spirits recognized Jesus as the Son of God. Why do you think Jesus ordered them to be silent? Jesus appoints the 12 apostles up on a mountain away from the crowds. Why does He do this? Every Jew knew there were 12 Tribes of Israel. What is Jesus saying about Himself and His ministry by choosing 12 apostles to have authority with Him in His work? Why does Jesus family think He has lost His mind? Have you ever suffered criticism from your family because of your relationship with Jesus? Has anyone accused you of going overboard in your service to the Lord?

Scribes from Jerusalem accuse Jesus of possession by Beelzebul (or Beelzebub). Can you find other references to Beelzebub? Why would the scribes want Jesus to be discredited this way? How does Jesus answer them? And what does Jesus accuse them of? Read Genesis 3:15. What is the ultimate finale for Satan? Jesus uses parables to answer the scribes accusations. Why do you think He does this?

Discover The crowds thought they had to physically touch Jesus to be healed. Is this always true? When have you been healed physically, emotionally or spiritually by our Lord, Jesus? In his story, Mark seems to be asking us to ponder the question, Who is Jesus? Is He: Healer? Teacher? Miracle worker? The Son of God? Messiah? Who have you come to know Jesus to be? Jesus appoints the apostles so that He might send them out to preach and cast out demons. What has He appointed you to do? If you dont know, will you pray for guidance from the Holy Spirit and seek advice from one of the elders? Jesus says that His family is made up of people who do the will of God. How can believers discern Gods will? What allegiances do you hold dear (social, cultural, political, ethnic and economical)? How can these allegiances sometimes supersede our loyalty to Jesus and His family? How can we put our allegiances back into proper relationship to Jesus?

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