Day 14: Mark 12-14

The Parable of the Tenants - Mark 12:1-12

Understand It

• Whom do the farmer, servants, and son in the parable represent? (12:1-6)
• Why did the owner of the vineyard send so many servants to the tenants looking after the vineyard? (12:2-5)
• How did the tenants treat the owner’s son? Why? (12:7-8)

Apply It

• What can you do every day this week out of respect for God’s Word?

Paying Taxes to Caesar - Mark 12:13-17

Understand It

• How did the religious leaders try to trick Jesus? (12:13-15)
• What did Jesus ask the religious leaders to bring Him? Why? (12:15-17)
• What did Jesus mean when He said, "Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God’s"? (12:17)

Apply It

• What is a prayer you can use to give to God what belongs to Him?

Marriage at the Resurrection - Mark 12:18-27

Understand It

• Who were the Sadducees, and what did they want from Jesus? (12:18)
• In what way were the Sadducees "in error"? (12:24-27)
• What was wrong with the Sadducees’ viewpoint? (12:24-27)

Apply It

• What concrete action would you be willing to take this week to get to know the Scriptures better?

The Greatest Commandment - Mark 12:28-34

Understand It

• What significant question did the teacher of the law pose to Jesus? (12:28)
• How did Jesus respond to the man’s question? (12:29-31)
• How did the man speaking with Jesus show that He understood God’s heart? (12:32-34)

Apply It

• Who is one neighbor to whom you can show your love in a practical way this week? How?

Whose Son Is the Christ? - Mark 12:35-40

Understand It

• Why did Jesus condemn the teachers of the law? (12:38-39)
• What did the teachers of the law betray about themselves through their actions? (12:38-39)
• What did Jesus say would happen to the teachers of the law? (12:40)

Apply It

• What step can you take this week to pray, go to church, and do other spiritual devotions only out of a desire to please God?

The Widow's Offering - Mark 12:41-44

Understand It

• What did the "poor widow" give to the treasury? (12:42)
• Why did Jesus call His disciples when He saw the widow put in her offering? (12:43)
• How did Jesus compare the actions of the wealthy people to the actions of the poor woman? (12:43-44)

Apply It

• How can you ensure that your attitude and motivation is right when you give to the Lord this week?

Signs of the End of the Age - Mark 13:1-31

Understand It

• What did Jesus’ disciples ask Him privately on the Mount of Olives? (13:3-4)
• How did Jesus respond to His disciples’ question? (13:5-8)
• What will be the greatest temptation during the "days of distress"? (13:21-23)

Apply It

• What can you read or do this week to strengthen your hold on the truth about Christ?

The Day and Hour Unknown - Mark 13:32-37

Understand It

• What will Jesus’ return be like? How? (13:34)
• What should the "servants" do to occupy their time while they wait for the owner’s return? (13:34)
• What did Jesus want us to do? (13:37)

Apply It

• How can you "keep watch" in your day-to-day activities at work?

Jesus Anointed at Bethany - Mark 14:1-11

Understand It

• What amazing thing did a woman do while Jesus was visiting Bethany? Where? (14:3)
• What reaction did the woman’s actions get? Why? (14:4-5)
• Whom did Jesus rebuke? Why? (14:6)

Apply It

• What is one way you can show your devotion to Christ above all other things, people, or ambitions in your life? When?

The Lord's Supper - Mark 14:12-26

Understand It

• The central emphasis of the Passover meal was traditionally the sacrificial lamb; where did Jesus place His emphasis? (14:22-24)
• What important announcement did Jesus make? (14:25)
• How did Jesus and the disciples conclude their Passover meal? (14:26)

Apply It

• What are two or three steps you can take to prepare for the next time you celebrate the Lord’s Supper?

Jesus Predicts Peter's Denial - Mark 14:27-31

Understand It

• What did Jesus reveal to His disciples? (14:27)
• How did Peter respond to Christ’s words? (14:29)
• What did Jesus say about Peter’s loyalty? (14:30)

Apply It

• What can you do over the next week to renew and strengthen your faith in Christ?

Gethsemane - Mark 14:32-42

Understand It

• What emotions was Jesus feeling? (14:33-34)
• What distressed Jesus when He returned to His disciples? (14:37)
• Why did the disciples have so much trouble praying with Jesus? (14:38)

Apply It

• How can you support a friend or relative facing a difficult task this week?

Jesus Arrested - Mark 14:43-52

Understand It

• How did Jesus respond to the sight of the armed men? (14:48-49)
• Who fled the scene? When? (14:50-52)
• What is significant about the fact that all of Jesus’ followers deserted Him? (14:50-52)

Apply It

• What can you do now to prepare for times when your dedication to Christ is tested at work, at home, or around neighbors?

Before the Sanhedrin - Mark 14:53-65

Understand It

• What did the men of the Sanhedrin want to do to Jesus? Why? (14:55)
• What testimony did some witnesses bring against Jesus? (14:57-58)
• What was Jesus’ response to all the accusations against Him? (14:61)

Apply It

• How do you want to react the next time you are falsely accused or tricked?

Peter Disowns Jesus - Mark 14:66-72

Understand It

• How did Peter’s denial of Christ happen? (14:66-72)
• Who in the courtyard was curious and insistent about finding out who Jesus’ followers were? (14:66-70)
• How did Peter react when he realized what he had done? (14:72)

Apply It

• In what situation or context will you consciously identify with Christ publicly this week? How?

Tomorrow: Mark 15-16, Luke 1