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 ::: The Authority of Jesus ::: Mark 11:12-33
Jesus has arrived in Jerusalem. Jesus knew that no prophet would be killed outside of Jerusalem (Luke 13:33). In this section of Scripture we see a unique thing take place. The Son of God clears out the Temple of God. Jesus was the only one with the power to do so… and the people allowed it to happen. They must have known what they were doing was inappropriate. Jesus was teaching Israel they had become fruitless and corrupt. It was also a time for Jesus teach about having faith in God and healed relationships. Jesus shows us that He is the true King.
1) Put yourself in the story of Jesus clearing out the Temple. What do you think the tone of the space was like? How do you think people responded? Why do you think people listened to Jesus and didn’t simply brush Him off?
2) Read Mark 11:12-14. In what way was the Israel of Jesus day fruitless? God gave instruction of Abraham about his role (Genesis 12:1-3). Israel was to be a blessing to all. Jeremiah spoke against the fruitlessness of Israel (read Jeremiah 8:13).
3) Read John 15:1-17. What kind of fruit is Jesus referring to in John 15:5? Where is God using your life to produce fruit for the Kingdom of God? How can you avoid a similar fate as fruitless Israel? How can you help others produce fruit?
4) Jesus was outraged that the temple had become a place of commerce rather than prayer and worship (read Mark 11:15-18 and Isaiah 56:7). How can we focus more on prayer and worship in our personal lives?
5) Jesus encouraged Peter to have faith in God. We need to believe in God for what we ask in prayer. We also need to learn to pray for God’s will. Read Matthew 7:7-8, John 15:7, & 1 John 5:14-15). What can we learn about praying God’s will?
6) Read Mark 11:25. Jesus was serious about not holding anything against a person when we are praying. Throughout Scripture this was a consistent message of being in right relationship (read Matthew 5:23-24, 18:21-22, & Romans 12:18). Do you need to make a relationship right to bring unity to the body (Colossians 2:2-3)?
7) Our passage ends with an interaction between Jesus and the religious leaders Mark 11:27-33). Why didn’t Jesus answer their question and tell them that He is the Son of God who came to take away the sins of the world?
Close your time in prayer.
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