Mark 2:13-22 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

Small Group Questions ||| Two Questions ||| Mark 2:13-22

The Nation of Israel is coming alive as the impact of Jesus slowly spreads throughout. In the middle part of Mark 2 we read about two questions that we’re asked to Jesus. Jesus has completely flipped the script. He is calling toll collectors to follow Him, eating with sinners, and not fasting when everyone else seems to be fasting. Jesus came not to just add some flavor to the food but to bring a whole new meal. Jesus tried to help the people see that they cannot simply add a little Jesus to their desires; He is doing a whole new thing. This was difficult for some people to grasp and understand.

1) Share about how you deal with change. Do you enjoy it when certain things change? Are you averse to change or is it something you welcome?

2) Read Mark 2:13-14. Jesus offers a new way of life to Levi as he sits at the tax booth. If you read Matthew 9:9-13 you will see that he also changed his name. Levi wrote the Gospel of Matthew. Talk about the new life Jesus offered to you.

3) What would you do if someone came to your workplace and told you to follow him and leave the job. Would you get up and walk away or think the person is crazy? Now imagine if it was following Jesus, what are you willing to give up to follow Him?

4) It seems the very night that Jesus called Levi to “follow me”, Levi threw a party for all his friends. Jesus chose to befriend the unloveable. How can we practice this in our personal relationships?

5) Read Mark 2:18-22. Jesus offered three ways that Kingdom of God was a new thing and not something that was supplemental to add to our current way of life. Have you tried to force Jesus fit your current lifestyle and rejected a complete transformation?

6) Read Colossians 3:9-10. Paul instructs us to put off the old self and be renewed in the image of Jesus. Talk about how Jesus has renewed your life during the time you’ve followed Him. Where is He currently renewing you?

7) What are some of the challenges of remembering that Jesus came to save sinners and not to please those who are already righteous?

Close your time in prayer. Take some time to intentionally pray for each other to grasp the new way of life Jesus offers.