Day 13: Mark 9-11

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?

Tomorrow: Mark 12-14