Meditations in Mark
Questions, Maps, Pics
Questions #1 - #8
Basic Questions for all Meditations:
1. What does this passage show about Jesus?
2. What is this passage saying to me?
Other Questions:
#1 - Mark 1:1-6 - "Voice in the Wilderness"
How do you personally relate to John? Do you think you would have gone out to the wilderness to listen to him? Would you have been baptized by him?
What ways does this passage suggest that will help us to prepare a way for the Lord in our lives?
#2 - Mark 1:8-11 - "Heavens torn"
What does "The Heavens torn apart" suggest to you - positively and negatively?
There is and event in this passage unique to history. Can you think what it is?
#3 Mark 1:12-13 - Wild Beasts and Angels
Have you ever experienced a time of testing immediately after a time of blessing?
What does it tell you that it was the Spirit who sent Jesus into the wilderness?
How do you discern what is an "angel" and what is a "wild beast" in your life?
#4 Mark 1:14-20 - At Once
John's imprisonment is so unfair. What does it tell you about life?
Is there anything that you feel you need to repent of?
What do you think about James and John's instant obedience? How do you think Zebedee felt?
#5 Mark 1:21-26 - Of Truth and Demons - The Synagogue in Capernaum
This passage contains the first two of eight evidences of the divinity of Jesus. What are they?
Do you think people these days are concerned about truth? Why/why not?
#6 Mark 2:1-12 - About Healing and Forgiveness
Can you spot the third and fourth evidences of the divinity of Jesus? Can we all be healed if we have enough faith? Why was Jesus’ claim to forgive sins so shocking?
#7 Mark 2:23-28; 4:35-41- Sabbaths and Storms
Can you spot the fifth and sixth evidences of the divinity of Jesus? Are we still supposed to keep the Sabbath? If Jesus has power over the wind and the waves, why doesn’t he stop all natural disasters?
#8 Mark 5:35-43 - Death and Son of Man
Can you spot the 7th and 8th evidences of the divinity of Jesus? Which of the eight do you think is the most convincing? How does Jesus show his affinity with Children here?
The eight evidences of the divinity of Jesus:
1. Authority over truth. 2. Authority over the spirit world. 3. Authority over sickness. 4. Authority over sin. 5. Authority over Sabbath. 6. Authority over Nature. 7. Authority over Death. 8. Authority as the Son of Man (see Dan 7:13-14)
Summary
Questions #9 - #16
Basic Questions for all Meditations:
1. What does this passage show about Jesus?
2. What is this passage saying to me?
Other Questions:
#9 Mark 3:20-35 - Opposition
How do you look for guidance from God? How do you discern what is going on around you spiritually? How did the experts in the law get spiritual discernment so wrong?
#10 Mark 6:14-29 Tragedy
Was there any redeeming feature in John’s death? What emotions do you imagine Jesus would have felt when he was brought the news?
#11 Mark 6:30-34 - Grief interrupted
Contrast the emotions of Jesus (having just heard of John's death) and his disciples (just returned from their mission trip) in this story. What is his secret of handling grief? How does it work out?
#12 Mark 6:35-43 - I saw him
At what point do you think the loaves and fishes multiplied – only in Jesus’ hands? What do you think of the disciples’ attitudes in this story?
#13 Mark 6:45-53 - Straining at the Oars
Where was Jesus and what was he doing when the wind was against the disciples? How does that alter the story? Why did Jesus make as if to walk on by? How can our perceptions deceive us, as the disciples' did?
#14 Mark 7v1-2,14-23 - The end of Rules
Why are people so attracted to rules? Which commandments in the Old Testament are we expected to keep, and which are we not?
#15 Mark 7:24-30 - Of Dogs and Faith
Is Jesus being racist when he calls the Phoenician woman a dog? What would the disciples’ reactions have been at each point in the story?
#16 Spit, Sigh, Speak - Mk7:31-37
Why does Jesus use saliva only for healing this deaf man and the blind man in Mark 8? Why does he sigh deeply? Why does he speak Aramaic?
Questions #17 - #24
Basic Questions for all Meditations:
1. What does this passage show about Jesus?
2. What is this passage saying to me?
Other Questions:
#17 The Problem with Yeast - Mark 8:11-21
Why does Jesus get so harsh with the disciples when they forget to buy bread for the journey on the lake?
#18 The Second touch - Mk8:22-26
What do you think of the method Jesus used to heal this man? Why do you think Jesus had to touch this man twice? Put yourself in this man’s position, and try to imagine his feelings at each point in the story. What does it suggest to you that Jesus never used the same method twice in healing blind people?
#19 The Unwanted Truth - Mk8:27-30
Why does Jesus finally find peace at Caesarea Phillipi? Why are the disciples happy with one truth about Jesus and not another? Why, considering telling the world about him will be their job, does Jesus forbid them to tell at this time?
#20 - The Way of the Cross - Mk8:34-38
Why are there so many selfish Christians around? What practical steps can we take to help us “take up our cross”? Can you suggest a simple, secret, fool-proof formula for a successful marriage?
#21 - Transfiguration - Mk 9:2-8
How does the bad chapter division between Mark 9&10 damage the message being given? What was the significance of Moses and Elijah meeting with Jesus? What is the message of the Transfiguration for us?
#22 - Pain and Faith - Mk 9:14-29
Why is Jesus so harsh on the disciples for their weak faith, and yet not on the father for his? How much of the world’s pain is caused by Satan? Compare the relationship between Father and Son in 9:7, and the father and son in 9:17-22.
#23 - The Greatest - Mk 9:30-37
Why is it ironical that the disciples argue about who is the greatest just after Jesus has predicted his death? Why are we so obsessed with power, position and prestige? What does it tell us about Jesus when a child allowed him to put it on his lap?
#24 - One of Us - Mk 9:38-41
Contrast the attitude of the disciples with the attitude of Jesus to the man casting out demons. What do you find encouraging in this passage?
Questions #25 - #31
Basic Questions for all Meditations:
1. What does this passage show about Jesus?
2. What is this passage saying to me?
Other Questions:
#25 - Jesus and the Children Part 1 - Mk 9:36-50
Who influenced you for good or bad in your childhood? How? Can you think of any “weight” in your life that perhaps is a hindrance to you or to others? (Heb 12:1)
#26 - Jesus and the Children Part 2 - Mk 10:13-16
Have you ever know a person with a remarkable gift with children? What were the distinguishing features of their gift? What characteristics of children led Jesus to say “Of such is the Kingdom of heaven.”
#27 - “He loved him” - Mk10:17- 27
How do you feel about the idea of someone looking at you and seeing exactly what is inside you? Do you agree with Andy that this young man eventually did inherit eternal life? Jesus said, “With God all things are possible.” How should this affect our attitude to everyday life?
#28 - Jesus led the way - Mk10:32-34.
At this point, when Jesus heads towards Jerusalem, the whole tone of Mark changes. Can you detect any changes in this passage? How is it significant that Mark’s last reported healing takes place before he goes up to Jerusalem? What effect would it have on you to know when where and how you would die?
#29 - The Greatest Challenge - Mk10:35-45
What person have you met that comes closest to being a Christ-like servant? What do you admire/learn from them? Why do you think it’s so difficult for us to give up striving for position and for place on the pecking-order? What is the difference between not striving to be top of the pecking order, and being a doormat?
#30 - Jesus as Prophet - Part 1 - Mk13:1-2, 30-31; Lk21:20
How many specific prophecies can you count in this chapter? How many do you think have already been fulfilled? Do you think there is any significance that Herod’s magnificent temple was finished virtually the year Jesus began his ministry?
#31 - Jesus as Prophet - Part 2 - Mark13:14-18,24-37
Jesus specifically warned his disciples that when they saw armies surrounding Jerusalem, they should flee for their lives, not even stopping to collect their belongings. Because they took him literally when Titus came in 70AD, very few Christians lost their lives. Can you think of any prophecies which we should take literally? In practical terms, how could we “Watch…be alert…be on guard…not be found sleeping” with regard to the Second Coming?
Questions #32 - #40
Basic Questions for all Meditations:
1. What does this passage show about Jesus?
2. What is this passage saying to me?
#32 - Last 9 days - The first Saturday
Who do you identify with at this supper - Martha? Mary? Lazarus? One of the disciples? Judas? Jesus? Why? Jesus found the home of Mary and Martha a place where he could re-charge his batteries. Where do you go to re-charge your spiritual batteries?