Mark - Lesson 3

Great discussion today! 9 women were there, plus 8 kids! If you weren't able to come, I hope you are able to come next week. And if you stayed home due to sickness, I hope you and your family are healthy again really soon! Please feel free to leave comments in the comments section on any of the posts on this blog!!

Reference
Mark 3:7 - 6:6 Later Galilean Ministry

Parables and Miracles in Jesus' ministry:

1) What is a parable?
* Mark 4:1-20 - Parable of the Sower
- what are the 4 ways people respond to the message of Jesus?

* Mark 4:21-25
- what is Jesus talking about when he mentions "light?"

* Mark 4:26-29 - Parable of the Growing Seed
- How is this parable like the parable of the sower? What do you think this parable means?

* Mark 4:30-32 - Parable of the Mustart Seed
- Who does the mustard seed represent? What about the birds?

- Why was it so hard for the disciples to see the truth behind Jesus' parables?

2) What is a miracle to you? When we hear that word used so lightly in today's world, we often don't think of it in its true form: a life changing act by God.

* Mark 4:35-41 - Jesus calms the sea
- The Sea of Galilee was also called Lake Tiberias, a freshwater lake that was eight miles across, known for its good fishing. It is still known, to this day, for its sudden, furious squalls caused by cool air from the Mediterranean Sea that is drawn down through the narroow mountain passes that surround it. This cool air clashes with hot, humid air lying over the lake, and stirs up large waves that are dangerous for the fishing boats.

* Mark 5:1-20 - Jesus heals a demon-possessed man.
- the demons knew exactly who Jesus was and called him "Jesus, son of the Most High God."

* Mark 5:21-34
- Jesus heals an afflicted woman
- what would it mean to this woman to be healed?

* Mark 5:21-24, 35-43 - Jesus restores a girl to life
- Jarius shows great faith.

3) Returning to his hometown, Jesus faced rejection:
* Mark 6:1-6 - Jesus rejected at Nazareth
- so many had a hard time accepting that Jesus had the authority of God.

Summary: Jesus continued to draw large crowds... so much so that he had to retreat to the water and private places to have a rest. Jesus appointed 12 apostles from those who followed him. In the section that we studied today, we see a contrast in the faith of different people. Think about who had great faith, and who had little faith. We have the same evidence today... will we believe?