The Transfiguration - Mark 9:2-13
Understand It
- What happened to Jesus on the mountain? (9:3)
- What did God say to the disciples? (9:7)
- What did God want the disciples to do? (9:7)
Apply It
- What can you do over the next week to become more sensitive to God’s voice (whether from His Word or His Spirit)?
The Healing of a Boy With an Evil Spirit - Mark 9:14-32
Understand It
- Why were the disciples unable to cast the demon out of the boy? (9:19)
- How did Jesus feel at this point? (9:19)
- How were prayer and faith related in this situation? (9:22-23)
Apply It
- About what in your life will you pray every day this week? When?
Who Is the Greatest? - Mark 9:33-37
Understand It
- How did Jesus get His disciples’ attention? (9:33-34)
- How did Jesus explain what it means to be great? (9:35)
- How did Jesus illustrate His point? (9:36)
Apply It
- What is one concrete way you can serve another person this week?
Whoever Is Not Against Us Is for Us - Mark 9:38-41
Understand It
- What issue concerned the disciples? (9:38)
- What attitudes did the disciples have in this situation? (9:38)
- How did Jesus respond to the disciples’ question? (9:40)
Apply It
- What can you do to support someone who does good and is "not against you"?
Causing to Sin - Mark 9:42-50
Understand It
- What was Jesus’ attitude toward sin? (9:43-47)
- Why did Jesus use extreme examples in this context? (9:43-48)
- When Jesus talked about "salt," to what exactly was He referring? (9:50)
Apply It
- What concrete action can you take this week to avoid a sin that you have struggled with in the recent past?
Divorce - Mark 10:1-12
Understand It
- Why did the Pharisees go to see Jesus? (10:2)
- How did Jesus explain Moses’ instructions? (10:5)
- What was God’s original plan for marriage before sin entered the picture? (10:6-9)
Apply It
- For what couple can you pray every day this week?
The Little Children and Jesus - Mark 10:13-16
Understand It
- How was Jesus different from the disciples? (10:13-16)
- What did Jesus want His disciples to do? (10:14)
- How did Jesus treat the children He met? (10:16)
Apply It
- In what concrete way can you depend on God in your day-to-day affairs?
The Rich Young Man - Mark 10:17-31
Understand It
- What did the man want Jesus to explain to him? (10:17)
- How did Jesus explain the way to inherit eternal life? (10:19-21)
- Why could the man not obey Christ’s instructions? (10:22)
Apply It
- What can you sell or give away in the near future to reflect a concern for God’s kingdom over things?
Jesus Again Predicts His Death - Mark 10:32-34
Understand It
- Why was there such a range of strong emotions on this trip? (10:32)
- What important news did Jesus tell the Twelve once again about what would happen to Him? (10:32-33)
- How did Jesus say He would die? (10:33-34)
Apply It
- What is one difficult situation that you need Jesus to lead you through this upcoming week?
The Request of James and John - Mark 10:35-45
Understand It
- What did James and John want from Jesus? (10:37)
- How did Jesus explain to James and John the impossibility of granting what they had requested? (10:39-40)
- How did the other disciples react to James and John’s request? (10:41)
Apply It
- What specific act of service could you do this week for someone else?
Blind Bartimaeus Receives His Sight - Mark 10:46-52
Understand It
- Why did the people rebuke the blind man? (10:48)
- How did the blind man respond to the criticism from the crowd? (10:48)
- How did the crowds of people treat Bartimaeus after they found out Jesus had called for him? (10:49)
Apply It
- What is one request that you will commit yourself to pray for regularly this week?
The Triumphal Entry - Mark 11:1-11
Understand It
- What did Jesus ask the disciples to do? (11:2-3)
- How did the disciples’ experience match with what Jesus said? (11:4-7)
- Why did the people spread cloaks and branches on the road for Jesus? (11:8-10)
Apply It
- How should you react the next time a situation arises that you don’t understand?
Jesus Clears the Temple - Mark 11:12-19
Understand It
- Why did the fig tree have no fruit? (11:13)
- What did Jesus do to the fig tree? Why? (11:13-14)
- What do both the cursing of the fig tree and the cleansing of the temple tell us about Jesus’ attitude toward the people of Israel? (11:13-17)
Apply It
- What specific steps can you take this week to concentrate on a weak area of your spiritual life, aiming to bear fruit for the Lord?
The Withered Fig Tree - Mark 11:20-26
Understand It
- How did Jesus use a seemingly insignificant event as an opportunity to teach the disciples? (11:22)
- On what do answers to prayer depend? (11:22-25)
- How can holding a grudge affect the way God answers prayer? (11:25)
Apply It
- What can you do today to let go of a grudge or feeling of offense?
The Authority of Jesus Questioned - Mark 11:27-33
Understand It
- Who confronted Jesus? Why? (11:27-28)
- How did Jesus answer the challenge put to Him? (11:29-33)
- How did Jesus silence His critics? (11:33)
Apply It
- What specific steps can you take this week to obey God’s authority in one area of your life?
