Day 15: Mark 15-16, Luke 1

Jesus Before Pilate - Mark 15:1-15

Understand It

• What prompted Pilate to goad Jesus about defending Himself? (15:3-4)
• How did Jesus react to the accusations raised against Him by the chief priests? (15:5)
• What finally happened to Jesus? Why? (15:15)

Apply It

• What reminder can you use this week to entrust your reputation to God each day?

The Soldiers Mock Jesus - Mark 15:16-20

Understand It

• What did the soldiers do to Jesus? (15:17-20)
• What did the soldiers say in mockery of Jesus? (15:18)
• Why did the soldiers fall on their knees before Jesus? (15:19)

Apply It

• What should be your response if you are criticized for your faith this week?

The Crucifixion - Mark 15:21-32

Understand It

• Why did Jesus not carry the cross Himself? (15:21)
• How did the people insult Jesus when He was on the cross? (15:29-30)
• What challenge did Jesus ignore? (15:31-32)

Apply It

• What is one way you can say thank you to Jesus for paying for your sins?

The Death of Jesus - Mark 15:33-41

Understand It

• What did Jesus say, "at the ninth hour"? (15:34)
• What did Jesus mean when He said that God had "forsaken" Him? (15:34)
• How did the bystanders misunderstand what Jesus was going through? (15:35)

Apply It

• When might you have to face loneliness as a part of following Christ this week?

The Burial of Jesus - Mark 15:42-47

Understand It

• Who was Joseph? (15:43)
• What risks did Joseph take in approaching Pilate? (15:43)
• What do Joseph’s actions tell us about his own understanding of Jesus? (15:43-46)

Apply It

• What step of courage can you take in serving God this week?

The Resurrection - Mark 16:1-20

Understand It

• What did the women see when they got to the tomb? (16:4)
• What did the angel tell the women to do? (16:6-7)
• Why did the women flee from the tomb and not tell anyone what they had witnessed? (16:8)

Apply It

• What can you do this week to obey Christ’s command to "preach the good news to all creation"?

Introduction - Luke 1:1-4

Understand It

• On what kind of people did Luke rely for his information? (1:2)
• What credentials did Luke use to back up the trustworthiness of what he wrote? (1:3)
• What did Luke hope would be the result of this Gospel in the life of Theophilus? (1:4)

Apply It

• What difference would you like there to be in your relationship with Christ as a result of reading Luke?

The Birth of John the Baptist Foretold - Luke 1:5-25

Understand It

• What experience gripped Zechariah with fear? (1:11-12)
• Why was Zechariah rendered unable to speak until the day of the prophecy’s fulfillment? (1:19-20)
• How did Elizabeth react to Zechariah’s news? (1:25)

Apply It

• What long-term frustration can you identify in your life that needs to be entrusted to God?

The Birth of Jesus Foretold - Luke 1:26-38

Understand It

• How did Gabriel describe the child that would be born to Mary? (1:31-33)
• How did Mary’s response to the angel differ from Zechariah’s? (1:34, 38)
• What did Mary’s final statement to Gabriel show about her relationship with God? (1:38)

Apply It

• What "impossibilities" in your life do you want to thank God for this week?

Mary Visits Elizabeth - Luke 1:39-45

Understand It

• What two remarkable things happened as soon as Mary called her greeting to Elizabeth? (1:41)
• Why did Elizabeth describe herself as "favored"? (1:43)
• Who was blessed? (1:45)

Apply It

• What older Christian could you contact or visit this week to express appreciation for the help he or she has been to you?

Mary's Song - Luke 1:46-56

Understand It

• What attributes of God are extolled in the first part of Mary’s song? (1:46-49)
• How did Mary describe herself in her song? (1:47-48)
• According to Mary’s song, what kinds of people are given special treatment by God? (1:50-55)

Apply It

• In what way can you glorify the Lord and rejoice in your Savior this week?

The Birth of John the Baptist - Luke 1:57-66

Understand It

• What was the relatives’ response when Elizabeth told them the child wouldn’t be called Zechariah? (1:61)
• Why was Zechariah’s voice restored? (1:63-64)
• How did Zechariah react when his voice was restored? (1:64)

Apply It

• With what person can you celebrate a happy or joyous event this week? How?

Zechariah's Song - Luke 1:67-80

Understand It

• For whom and from what was the salvation that Zechariah described? (1:69-71, 77)
• What title did Zechariah say would be given to his son? (1:76)
• For whom was John supposed to prepare a way? How? (1:76)

Apply It

• What idea from Zechariah’s song would you most like to communicate to your family this week?

Tomorrow: Luke 2-4