The Gospel of Mark
Mark 16:9-20
June 10, 2018 • Pastor Jon Needham
Discipleship Questions. 1. Of the evidence provided to support the resurrection account (empty tomb, personal encounters, appearing to large crowds) which do you find most compelling? Why? What questions do you have regarding the resurrection of Jesus? 2. Mark tells us that the disciples were very reluctant to believe the Jesus had risen. How can this fact encourage you in your own discipleship? 3. Mark stressed the importance of belief and baptism. Why is baptism so important? What does it mean? 4. Jesus promised that he would help his church. How did he fulfill that promise in the book of Acts? How have you seen Jesus help his church in your own life?
Mark 16:1-8
June 3, 2018 • Pastor Jon Needham
Discipleship Questions 1. Have you ever lost a close friend or dearly loved family member? How did you feel? How might your own experience provide insight to how Jesus’ friends felt after his crucifixion? 2. Read 1 Corinthians 15:14 & 17. Why do you loose the gospel when you loose the resurrection? 3. Jesus plainly told his disciples multiple times that he would be crucified and would rise on the third day. Why do you think they were so slow to believe? What does this teach us about the nature of our own hearts? 4. Why do you think the two Mary’s responded to the resurrection with trembling, fear, and astonishment?
Mark 15:16-47
May 27, 2018 • Pastor Jon Needham
Discipleship Questions 1. The crucifixion is the world’s verdict against God. What does the verdict reveal about the world and the way it sees God? 2. Why do you think the manner of Jesus’ death lead to the centurions confession? 3. Multiple times, Jesus was offered a drink that would have eased his suffering. Each time, he refused. Why do you think he chose not to receive what was offered? 4. What is the significance of the curtain tearing? Read Hebrews 9 for helpful insights.
Mark 15:1-15
May 20, 2018 • Pastor Jon Needham
Discipleship Questions. 1. How would you describe the actions and words of the crowd in this text? In what ways can you relate with them? 2. How would you describe the words and actions of Pilate? In what ways can you relate with him? 3. Read Psalm 115:3-8. What does this text teach us happens as a result of rejecting God? How have you experienced this principle in your own life? 4. The release of Barabbas and the condemnation of Jesus provides a powerful picture of the gospel. Take a few moments to consider how this event reflects the truth of the gospel.
Mark 14:53-72
May 13, 2018 • Pastor Brandon Johnston
Discipleship Questions 1) How do you respond when attacked unjustly? What does Jesus response teach us in these moments? 2) What ways does it cost a disciple to follow Jesus closely? 3) In what ways are you tempted to follow him from a distance? 4) How does God use your brokenness and shortcomings in life to display his glory?
Mark 14:32-52
May 6, 2018 • Pastor Brandon Johnston
Discipleship Questions 1. Read Isaiah 53. In what ways do you see Jesus as the fulfillment of this passage? 2. How does Jesus’ previous teaching on prayer in Matthew 6:9-13 relate to the disciples’ command to pray and be watchful? 3. How does believing the gospel help you be alert and watchful over your soul? 4. Are there certain areas in your life or your desires that you need to be alert and watchful towards that you might not be tempted? Who knows about these areas that they might encourage you and help keep watch?
Mark 14:26-31
April 29, 2018 • Pastor Derrek Busha
Discipleship Questions 1. What is your initial reaction to hearing the interaction between Jesus and the disciples? 2. Do you find yourself resonating with the disciples? Do you find yourself agreeing with Peter’s devotion, or Peter’s denial? 3. How does denial and faith work in this text? 4. How does Jesus keep us ‘faithful’? 5. What has shaped you in how you believe in the Gospel today?
Mark 14:12-25
March 25, 2018 • Pastor Brandon Johnston
Discipleship Questions 1. Jesus shared many meals with people. What makes for a memorable meal? 2. In what different ways does the passover meal and communion meal tell us about Jesus? 3. Read Jeremiah 31:31-34. In what ways does Jesus fulfill the new covenant Jeremiah speaks of? 4. How does feasting with Jesus in heaven give you hope for today?
Mark 14:1-11
March 18, 2018 • Pastor Jon Needham
Discipleship Questions 1. Take a moment to read Exodus 12. In what ways does the story point forward to Jesus? What does the story teach us about the nature of salvation? 2. In Jesus’ day, lepers and women were often regarded as “outsiders”. Who are the outsides of our day? What would it look like to follow Jesus’ example from this text? 3. The unnamed woman in this story gave her most valuable gift to Jesus. She serves as an example of discipleship. In what sense has discipleship been costly for you? Are there “things” in your life that you are currently struggling to surrender to Jesus? 4. In the text, Jesus says some very curious things about money and the poor. What do you think he means?
Mark 13:32-37
March 11, 2018 • Pastor Jon Needham
Discipleship Questions 1. What have you heard from other people or sources regarding the return of Jesus? How does it compare with what Jesus says in Mark 13:32-37? 2. Why do you think God has kept hidden the details pertaining to the time of Jesus’ return? 3. What do you think Jesus means by telling us to “stay awake”? What does this mean for you and your life? 4. In what ways do you tend to get “sleepy” in regards to being prepared for Jesus’ return?
Mark 13:1-31
March 4, 2018 • Pastor Jon Needham
Discipleship Questions 1. What do you find most confusing about this text? Why? 2. The text seems to indicate the Jesus is warning his disciple of tragic events that would take place in their immediate future. What does this teach us about the character of Jesus? 3. How can Jesus’ intimate knowledge of future events help us in times of anxiety, worry, confusion, or suffering? 4. Jesus leaned heavily upon Old Testament stories and imagery in teaching his disciples. What does this teach us about the way Jesus viewed the Old Testament? How does his approach to the Old Testament differ from your own?
Mark 12:38-44
February 25, 2018 • Pastor Jon Needham
Discipleship Questions 1. Jesus offers a stern critique of hypocritical religion. How could his words be an in-road to talking with people who are critical of religion? 2. Jesus provided a few examples of skin-deep superficial religion and worship. What are some more current examples of these same issues? Which do you struggle with most? 3. In what sense did the widow give more than the large sums given by the wealthy? What does this you about what Jesus values? 4. What connections can you identify between faith in the gospel and generosity towards those in need?
Mark 12:35-37
February 18, 2018 • Pastor Jon Needham
Discipleship Questions. 1. In the 1st century, to say that Jesus was Lord was to also say that Caesar was not. Take a moment to identify what rival “lords” exist in your own life. 2. How does the divine inspiration of the Scriptures affect the way you relate to passages in the Bible that you don’t understand or don’t like? 3. Mark tells us that many in the temple heard Jesus gladly. What are some reasons that the lordship of Jesus is good news? 4. In what sense is the announcement of Jesus’ Lordship a threat?
Mark 12:28-34
February 11, 2018 • Pastor Jon Needham
Discipleship Questions. 1. If you could ask Jesus any question, what would it be and why? 2. Take a moment to read the the first four commandments. (Exodus 20:1-11). How is each commandment and expression of love towards God? 3. Read the last 6 commandments. (Exodus 20:12-17). How is each commandment an expression of love towards our neighbors? 4. Jesus tells the Scribe in this story that he “not far from the kingdom of God”. What does this exchange between Jesus and the scribe teach us about the Kingdom of God?