Following Jesus: The Gospel According to Mark - Sparta Evangelical Free Church

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?

Till Death Do Us Part (Mark 10:1-12)

May 21, 2023 • Pastor Doug Thuen • Mark 10:1–12

Following Jesus: The Gospel of Mark / “Til Death Do Us Part” May 21, 2023 Mark 10:1-12 Study Questions 1. Read Mark 10:1-5. How did the Pharisees attempt to test Jesus in this account? Why was this considered a test and not a sincere question? If God doesn’t approve of divorce why did He allow it? 2. Read Mark 10:6-9. According to Jesus’ response, what is God’s view of divorce? Is it different from our culture’s view? Why or why not? Read the following verses: Malachi 2:14-16; Romans 7:2-3; 1 Corinthians 7; Genesis 2:24; Matthew 5:31-32; Hebrews 13:4. 3. If you or someone you know has gone through a divorce, identify some of the painful results. 4. What is the biblical model for marriage according to Ephesians 5:24-27? How does divorce affect the representation of marriage between husband of wife as an allegory of Christ and the church? 5. Read Mark 10:10-12. How does this impact your view of sex outside of the marital covenant between a husband and wife (before, during, or after the covenant takes place)? 6. Can God offer forgiveness, grace and blessing if someone has been unfaithful, divorced, and/or remarried? See also: Psalm 86:5; Proverbs 28:13; 1 Corinthians 6:9-11; Isaiah 1:18; Colossians 1:21-23; 1 Timothy 1:15. Have you experienced the Lord’s forgiveness and healing? Why/why not? What options do you have for biblical support and love? 7. What are some practical things that husband and wife can do to build up their marriage? What are some practical things which singles can do to prepare for a strong marriage, should they enter into that covenant? 8. What is the most important application you can take away from this passage and apply to your life this week?

It's all About the Heart (Mark 7:1-23)

May 7, 2023 • Pastor Chuck Wampler • Mark 7:1–23

Mark 7:1 - 23 “It is About the Heart!” Life Group Questions 1) What traditions did/do you have as a child/today? 2) How do your traditions impact your Spiritual walk? Honestly? 3) What is the significance to you of Mark 6: 6, 7? 4) What is the point of the example Jesus gives in Mark 7:9 – 12? Do we see this mind set today? 5) Discuss the point Jesus makes in Mark 7:7b & 8. (tradition is viewed as greater than God’s Word) and also v13b (many such things you do). How are these attitudes seen today? 6) What impact does the information recorded in Matthew 15:12 have on your thoughts about Mark 7:17? What are the disciple’s concerns? 7) How does Mark 7:23 summarize the message of this account?

Let the Children Come (Mark 10:13-16)

April 30, 2023 • Pastor Doug Thuen • Mark 10:13–16

Following Jesus / “Let The Children Come” April 30,2023 Mark 10:13-16 Study Questions 1. Read Mark 10:13-16. Why were people bringing their little children to Jesus? 2. Why do you think the disciples rebuked the people for bringing their little children to Jesus? Why did Jesus react the way He did when He saw what His disciples were doing? 3. If you were one of those parents bringing your child to Jesus, why would that be? What would you be asking of Him? 4. Jesus gives the instructions, “Allow the little children to come to me; and do not hinder them.” What are some ways we might hinder our children from coming to Christ? What are things you battle that get in the way of discipling your child/children better? 5. What do you think Jesus’ blessing meant to these mothers later in life, when their children had to confront life’s many difficulties? 6. What are some ways you could make changes in your life in order to better equip and train your child/children to have a stronger biblical world-view? See also: Deuteronomy 6:1-9. 7. What does Jesus mean when He says, “Anyone who does not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it?” Do you have child-like faith? Why/why not?

Feasting from the Master's Table (Mark 7:24-30)

April 23, 2023 • Pastor Doug Thuen • Mark 7:24–30

Following Jesus / Feasting from the Master’s Table April 23, 2023 Mark 7:24-30 Study Questions Read Mark 7:24-20. Why did Jesus and His disciples travel up to the region of Tyre? (Also read Isaiah 9:1-2.) Of what significance is the background and ethnicity of this pleading mother? How is this significant in light of what Jesus said to the Pharisees in Mark 7:14-23? What was this woman’s request? What do we learn about her faith from her initial actions? How did Jesus reply to her? What was His purpose in responding the way He did? Has God’s Word ever spoken to you in this way? If so, how? How does the woman reply to Jesus’ statement? What does this teach you about where she was at–her need, her persistence, her belief? What can you learn from this woman’s response? (See Luke 18:1-8.) Following Jesus’ example, how would you respond when confronted by a distressed person from a different background than you? Do you have a tendency to give up when you encounter obstacles? Describe a time in your life when you pleaded with the Lord and experienced His mercy, kindness, or forgiveness? What do we learn about Christ’s sovereignty in this passage? His attributes? His redemptive plan and purpose?

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

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

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?

Astonished by the Resurrection (Mark 16:1-8)

April 9, 2023 • Pastor Doug Thuen • Mark 16:1–8

Following Jesus / “Astonished by the Resurrection” April 9, 2023 Mark 16:1-8 Study Questions What about Easter do you anticipate the most? What sets the resurrection of Christ apart from all other religions? Read Mark 16:1-8. Why weren’t the women or Jesus’ disciples expecting Jesus to rise from the dead? (See John 2:18-22.) Read 1 Corinthians 15:12-19. What meaning would your life as a Christian have without the Resurrection? What are some of the evidences that persuaded you to believe in the resurrection of Jesus? What answers do you offer someone who finds it hard to believe that Jesus rose from the dead? Read Mark 16:7. Why do you think the angel of the Lord referred to “His disciples and Peter,” rather than simply “His disciples”? How has the Resurrection changed your life? How has it changed your future? How can we have an increasing confidence in the Resurrection of Christ?

Following the Humble King (Mark 11:1-11)

April 2, 2023 • Pastor Doug Thuen • Mark 11:1–11

Following Jesus / Following the Humble King April 2, 2023 Mark 11:1-11 Study Questions According to Mark 11:1-6, why did Jesus instruct His disciples to bring Him the colt? (See also Matthew 21:4-5.) What is significant about Jesus entering Jerusalem riding upon a colt, rather than riding upon a great war horse? (See Zechariah 9:9.) Read Mark 11:7-10. How do the people respond to Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem and why? What is the significance of the palm branches? What did the people exclaim, and why? (Look up these passages also: 2 Samuel 7:12-13; Isaiah 11:1-4; Psalm 118:19-29.) In what way is Jesus’ entrance into Jerusalem the beginning of the end of a long journey? What significance do you think there is in Jesus entering the Temple as He entered the city of Jerusalem? From what you know of other portions of Scripture, and from what else occurred during the week leading up to Jesus’ death, what kind of Messiah do you think the people wanted and expected? What kind of savior do people want today – what do they want relief from? How does Jesus exceed those expectations? We know from this account of Palm Sunday that many people missed the true significance of Jesus’ entrance into Jerusalem. In what ways might we miss the true significance of worshipping Jesus when we gather on Sundays? Read John 13:13-17. What applications can you draw from this event – and from Palm Sunday - specifically regarding Christ’s humility? What does that look like as you follow Jesus by faith this week?

Overshadowed By God's Glory (Mark 9:1-13)

March 26, 2023 • Pastor Doug Thuen • Mark 9:1–13

Following Jesus / “Overshadowed by God’s Glory” March 26, 2023 Mark 9:1-13 Study Questions 1. Describe how Jesus has transformed your life. What has changed? How has the course of your life been altered? 2. Read Mark 9:1-13. What was the primary purpose of the transformation of Jesus before Peter, James, and John? Contextually, why did Mark place this in-between the events of chapter 8 and the chapters that follow? 3. What strikes you about the physical effects of Christ’s glory on His garments? Was it a glory given, or a glory revealed? Why? 4. What was the significance of the presence of Moses and Elijah? See also: Matthew 5:17; Luke 9:31. Why do you think Peter responded in the way that he did? 5. Read Mark 9:7, Exodus 19:9 and 40:34. In these accounts we read that the presence of God came in a cloud. In Exodus, God used the cloud to guide, protect, and speak to Israel. What then do you think is the significance of God speaking from the cloud in this passage? 6. Read 2 Corinthians 3:18 and Romans 12:1-2. The Holy Spirit works in us through the Word of God to transform us – discuss what impact this has on believers. 7. Discuss the connection between Elijah and John the Baptist. See also: 1 Kings 19:1-5; Mark 6:21-25; Matthew 17:12-13. 8. What are some practical ways to a) remind yourself of the glory of Jesus and b) to listen more to Jesus each day this week? Further Study: 1. What do we learn about the glory of heaven from this account? What does that mean to you? 2. What ‘earthly glory’ competes in your heart for the glory of Christ? 3. What are some areas that you would like to see the Gospel transform your life? IE: relationships, goals, health, or spiritual transformation?

On Mission (Mark 6:7-13)

March 19, 2023 • Pastor Doug Thuen • Mark 6:7–13

Following Jesus | “On Mission” March 19, 2023 Study questions Mark 6:7-13 1. Read Mark 6:7-13, and Matthew 28:18-20. Why do you suppose Jesus sent his disciples out without Him, but in pairs? What bearing does this have on the Great Commission, given by Jesus following His resurrection? 2. Why did Jesus instruct His disciples to take so little with them? What application does this have for us today as Christ-followers? 3. What made this apostolic sending so unique from that of the New Testament church? Read 2 Corinthians 5:20. How is our calling as believers similar to that of the apostles? (See also 1 Peter 3:15; 2 Corinthians 2:15-16.) 4. What instruction did Jesus give the apostles regarding those who offered their welcome? To those who rejected them? 5. What responsibility do you have in proclaiming the gospel? (See also 1 Corinthians 3:5-15.) 6. What urgency in proclaiming the gospel do you sense from this passage? How does this impact your life this week as a Christ-follower?

Free at Last (Mark 5:1-20)

March 5, 2023 • Pastor Doug Thuen • Mark 5:1–20

Following Jesus: “Free At Last!” March 5, 2023 Mark 5:1-20 Study Questions Read Mark 5:1-5. What influences may have been present in this man’s life to find himself demon-possessed? Read the following passages and discuss how the influence and pursuit of evil enslaves us: Romans 1:20-32; Ephesians 2:1-2; 2 Corinthians 11:14-15; 1 Peter 5:8. Read Mark 5:6-13. Why do you think most Christians rarely talk about the “spirit realm”? What do you notice about how the demons responded to Jesus? What does this passage teach us about Jesus’ authority? How is this encouraging? Read Ephesians 1:3; 19-23; Romans 8:37-39; Colossians 1:13-14; John 8:34-36. What do these passages teach us about the security we have in Christ even above and beyond the most dangerous spiritual forces? How do they give us hope not only in the spiritual but physical realm? Read Mark 5:14-17. Comment on why the herdsmen and townspeople implored Jesus to leave after He healed the demoniac. Read Mark 5:18-20. Why didn't Jesus have the man accompany him? What mission did Jesus give this man instead? What application do you see in where the Lord has placed you currently? Discuss examples of how the Lord has given you opportunities to explain to others what He has done in your life.

Finding Peace in the Midst of the Storm (Mark 4:35-41)

February 26, 2023 • Pastor Doug Thuen

Following Jesus: “Finding Peace in the Midst of the Storm” February 26, 2023 Mark 4:35-41 Study Questions 1. What were some of the things that you were afraid of when you were younger? Are you still afraid of them? Why or why not? 2. Read Mark 4:35-41. Have you ever found yourself–in the midst of a difficult situation–responding the way the disciples did in verse 38? What was the situation? 3. Several of the disciples were fishermen–used to the seas and storms. Why do you suppose they were so afraid? What lesson do we learn about trust in this situation? 4. What did Jesus teach the disciples by sleeping on the boat in the storm? Describe a fearful time in your life when you felt that Jesus was sleeping. How was your faith evident, or lacking, during that time? 5. Pastor Doug identified 4 biblical principles that help overcome our fear. Discuss how each of them apply to what you fear today: a. Remember what God has done in the past b. Affirm your identity in Christ c. Rest in God’s promises now d. Choose courage 6. Why are the disciples "terrified" even after Jesus calms the storm? 7. Do you trust that Jesus is fully God and in control of your life storms? If not, why not? If so, how is that helpful to you and how do you exhibit that kind of faith in difficult times? 8. Refer to these comforting promises from the Psalms when you’re afraid: Ps. 56:3; Ps. 94:19; Ps. 27:1; Ps. 118:6-7; Ps. 34:4. Add other passages which bring you comfort and courage.

The Insiders & The Outsiders (Mark 3:13-35)

February 19, 2023 • Pastor Doug Thuen

Following Jesus / “The Insiders and The Outsiders” February 19, 2023 Mark 3:13-35 Study Questions Read Mark 3:13-21. What did Jesus appoint the twelve disciples to do? He chose them for what purposes? How were they qualified? (See also 1 Corinthians 1:26-29.) What is the significance of Jesus’ calling in the life of a disciple? Where does it begin? (See also John 15:16; John 6:44; Ephesians 1:7-12; 1 Peter 3:18.) Who were His “own people”? What were they trying to do? Why did they think he had ‘lost his senses’? Read Mark 3:22-27. Of what were the scribes accusing Jesus? How did Jesus respond to their accusations? Read Mark 3:28-30. How were the leaders blaspheming? What did Jesus say about this? What lesson can we learn from this? Read Mark 3:31-35. According to Jesus, who are His mother and brothers? What is the ‘will of the Father’? (See also John 6:40; 2 John 1:9.) What do we learn about the relationship we can have with the Lord Jesus Christ in these verses? Are you His brother/sister? Why/why not? How can you know for sure? (See also 1 John 5:12-13; John 5:24; Romans 8:16;38-39.) How can you put your heavenly Father’s will before your own? What does that look like in your home? With your family? With your brothers and sisters in church (especially those who may not treat you with love and respect)? With your unsaved friends? *Some study questions taken from: https://studyandobey.com/inductive-bible-study/mark-studies/mark3-13-35/https://studyandobey.com/inductive-bible-study/mark-studies/mark3-13-35/