Monday, April 06, 2020

Mark 15:1-24 Small Group Questions


Our church is currently studying the book of Mark. For twenty-eight weeks we're walking through the book and talking about the action-packed story of Jesus. Mark was more concerned with what Jesus did than what Jesus said. For this series I volunteered to write the small group questions that go along with each sermon. It seemed like a waste to leave them in a file on my computer and not share them with everyone. If you missed the sermon you can find it at the end of this post.

Small Group Questions ::: Three Responses to Jesus ::: Mark 15:1-24

In Mark 15 we read about our Savior willingly going to the cross. As we read/study this chapter we must keep in mind that Jesus had been up all night. Jesus had been taken to an unfair, unjust, midnight courtroom. He was unfairly beat, unjustly tried, and now will be handed over to the Romans officials. The Jewish people had no legal ability to kill a person and therefore must involved the very government they find themselves subjected to. Mark does a great job at keeping our thoughts in a theological channel as we watch Jesus go to the cross for us. We must read these verses through the eyes of love; it was love that sent Jesus to the cross.

1) Neal started the sermon talking about how our world feels like we are waiting to experience a tsunami. Did this illustration resonate with you? How does the global pandemic feel to you right now?

2) The religious leaders took Jesus to Pilate (read Mark 15:1-5). Pilate sent Jesus to Herod to examine him (read Luke 23:6-12). Herod then send Jesus back to Pilate (Luke 23:13-18). How come no governing official was able to find any reason for Jesus to be put to death and yet Jesus was still crucified?

3) Read Mark 15:6-15. If Pilate was able to find no basis for a charge against Jesus, why did the religious leaders hand Jesus over to him? (read Isaiah 53:7-9 and John 18:33-40, and 1 Peter 2:21-24).

4) The Gospels tell us what happened to Jesus but not in graphic detail (read Matthew 27:27-31 & Mark 15:16-20). Discuss with your group about what Jesus went through to earn our salvation.

5) There is a theological term called: atonement- the work Christ did in His life and death to earn our salvation. (Read Romans 3:23, John 3:16, 2 Corinthians 5:2, and 1 Timothy 2:5-6). Discuss how important atonement is to our salvation.

6) Mark tells us that Simon from Cyrene carried the cross for Jesus (read Mark 15:21). What would it have felt like to carry the 100 pound cross beam for the exhausted, beaten, dehydrated, hungry Lord?

7) The Bible invites us to a life of serving others (read Matthew 6:1-4, Mark 10:43-45, Acts 3:7, Acts 16:9, & 1 Thessalonians 5:14). How can you help others this week?

Close your time in prayer. Pray specifically for your Plus One at Easter

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