The Receptivity of the Heart (Mark 4:1-20)

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The Receptivity of the Heart (Mark 4:1-20)

April 16, 2023 • Pastor Doug Thuen • Mark 4:1–20

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Following Jesus / “The Receptivity of the Heart”

April 16, 2023

Mark 4:1-20

Study Questions

Read Mark 4:1-20. What is the setting? Who was present? Why did Jesus speak in parables (verses 10-12; Isaiah 6:9-10)?

Re-read verse 3. How does Jesus get His listeners’ attention? Why was it so imperative to Jesus that they heard His message?

Jesus explains the parable to His disciples. What is the ‘seed’? Who is the sower and what responsibility does that person have? What do the types of soil represent?

Describe in your own words the difference between the four types of soil. Which one best describes your receptivity to the Word of God? Why?

Why do you think Jesus emphasized the fruit produced in the good soil? What does the fruit represent?

Who did the Lord use to ‘sow’ the seed of the Word of God in your life? According to this passage, what responsibility do you have as a Christ-follower? What are some hurdles that you struggle with in pouring into others with the gospel? What advice would you have for someone who struggles with those hurdles?

More from Following Jesus: The Gospel According to Mark

The End is just the Beginning (Mark 13:24-37)

June 11, 2023 • Mark 13:24–37

Following Jesus / The End Is Just the Beginning Mark 13:24-37 Study Questions June 11, 2023 1. Read Mark 13:24-37. Reflect on these things: a. How will the Lord Jesus come again (v.24-25)? Will this return be… • public or private? See also Isaiah 13:9-11. • imminent or gradual? Read Matthew 24:27 and 2 Peter 3:10. • global or local? Look at Philippians 2:8-11. b. When will the Lord Jesus come again (v.28-32)? c. What should we do in light of the Lord Jesus’ return (v.33-37)? 2. Why do you think Jesus referenced the new season of a fig tree when He spoke about His Second Coming in verses 28-29? 3. Read 2 Peter 3:10-13. What will be the fate of the present heavens and earth? What will replace them? How are believers in Jesus to live in light of this? 4. Explain how Jesus did not “know that day or that hour” when He Himself would return (v.32)? See also John 5:19-20; John 17:4-5. 5. What hope do followers of Jesus have through, and after, these things He spoke about? Read these verses as well: Titus 2:12-13; Romans 8:18; John 14:3. 6. According to Mark 13:32-37, what did Jesus warn His followers about? Why? 7. Identify practical applications in response to this passage by reading the following corresponding scriptures: a. John 9:4 b. 1 John 2:28 c. 2 Peter 3:11-13 d. Hebrews 10:24-25 8. How does this focus on the Second Coming of our Lord Jesus Christ affect the way you live this week? With your family, at school or work, in the community, and with your hobbies and personal interests?

The Beginning of the End (Mark 13:1-23)

June 4, 2023 • Pastor Doug Thuen • Mark 13:1–23

Following Jesus / The Beginning of the End June 3, 2023 Mark 13:1-23 Study Questions 1. Read Mark 13:1-8. What is so significant about this time Jesus left the temple? 2. How did Jesus’ disciples feel about the Temple? What was the Temple actually like? How did Jesus feel about this Temple? Why did He highlight its coming destruction? 3. Read Mark 13:9-13. What are the signs that will happen before Christ Jesus returns? Have they happened yet? Are they still happening? What does this mean to you? 4. Read Mark 13:14-23. What makes this ‘tribulation’ different than other difficult times in history? How many years will this event take place? See also: Daniel 9:24-27. What is the ‘Abomination of Desolation’ and what will the antichrist do? Why is it such an abomination to the Lord? See also: Daniel 9:27;11:31;12:11. 5. What hope will the ‘elect’ (those who were saved in the tribulation) have during this period? 6. In light of these prophecies, what does Jesus call His followers to do? See: Mark 13:5,9,11,13. What effect will this passage have on your faith walk with Jesus? Why? See also: Luke 21:28.

I Believe in the Resurrection (Mark 12:18-27)

May 28, 2023 • Pastor Doug Thuen • Mark 12:18–27

Following Jesus / “I Believe in the Resurrection” May 28,2023 Mark 12:18-27 Study Questions 1. Read Mark 12:18-27. Who were the Sadducees and what was their intent in approaching Jesus? 2. Why did they question Jesus about marriage in heaven? What was Jesus’ response? 3. Jesus’ teaching on the resurrection reveals to us that there will not be marriage in heaven. Is this new information to you? If you are married or single, have you made an idol of marriage? How does this truth challenge you? 4. Read 2 Corinthians 5:6-8, Philippians 1:23 and 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18. What are the implications of the spiritual resurrection of the saints and the bodily resurrection of the saints? In what order do they occur? 5. Which words that Jesus said in Mark 12:27 would be terrifying if they were spoken to you? How does this impact you? 6. What is Jesus’ point in quoting Exodus 3:6? Why should that have been persuasive enough for the Sadducees? Do you or anyone you know reject the Bible’s teaching of the resurrection of the saints? What arguments are given? How can you respond to them? 7. What will eternity be like for those who have trusted and followed Jesus as their personal Savior? See Philippians 3:20-21; Revelation 21:1-7. What will eternity be like for those who reject Christ? See Revelation 21:8. 8. How does this study impact the way you will face the challenges of this week? What hope can you hold to that will bring courage?