New Testament in a Year – Mark 4

The Parable of the Sower - Mark 4:1-20

Understand It

• Where does this story take place? (4:1)
• How did Jesus start to teach the crowds? (4:2)
• When did Jesus use parables instead of saying directly what He meant? (4:2)
• What are the four scenes described in this parable? (4:3-10)
• How did those closest to Jesus respond to the parable He told? (4:10)
• In what way did Jesus limit His explanation of the parable? (4:11-12)
• What problem did this exchange bring up? (4:13)
• To what was Jesus referring when He said, "The farmer sows the word"? (4:14)
• What did Jesus want us to understand about God from this parable? (4:14-20)
• What are some obstacles that prevent people from accepting the gospel or hanging on to their faith? (4:15-19)
• What happens to those who hear the truth about Christ and accept it? (4:20)

Apply It

• What is one step you can take to guard against the desires of the world that threaten your devotion to Christ?
• In what area of your life do you need to start listening to God?
• What is one biblical truth that you want to cultivate in your life each day this week?

A Lamp on a Stand - Mark 4:21-25

Understand It

• With what observation did Jesus open His illustration? (4:21)
• What did Jesus say would be ridiculous? Why? (4:21)
• Whom or what does the lamp in this parable represent? (4:21)
• What did Jesus mean by saying, "whatever is hidden is meant to be disclosed"? (4:22)
• What will happen to what is secret and hidden? (4:22)
• Who did Jesus want this message to reach? (4:23)
• Why did Jesus warn us to "consider carefully" what we hear? (4:24)
• How did Jesus end His parable? (4:24-25)
• Who will be given more? Why? (4:24-25)
• Who will have things taken from them? Why? (4:24-25)
• What will happen to those who use or put into practice what God has measured out to them? (4:24-25)
• What will happen to those who neglect or misuse the truth God has already revealed to them? (4:24-25)

Apply It

• What is one specific word of Jesus (a promise, truth, or command) that you can consciously remind yourself of throughout this next week?
• What is involved in fulfilling the areas of responsibility you have?

The Parable of the Growing Seed - Mark 4:26-29

Understand It

• What did Jesus want the people to understand about the kingdom of God? (4:26)
• What role did the man in the parable play? (4:26-27)
• What do the man and the seed in the parable represent? (4:26-29)
• What does this parable reveal about Jesus’ concerns? (4:26-29)
• How did the seed in the parable sprout and grow? (4:27)
• What was the growth process like for the seed? (4:28)
• How did the seed grow? (4:28)
• How did the man get the seed to grow? (4:28)
• At what point did the man get involved in the plant’s growth after he planted it? (4:29)
• To what does the phrase "the harvest is come" refer? (4:29)

Apply It

• What specific steps can you take to rely on the power of the Holy Spirit to change others when you tell them about Christ?
• What is one way you can spread God’s Word this week to help God’s kingdom grow?

The Parable of the Mustard Seed - Mark 4:30-34

Understand It

• What did Jesus use to explain the kingdom of God? (4:30)
• In what ways is this parable different from the previous one Jesus told? (4:30-31)
• How is the kingdom of God like a mustard seed? (4:32)
• What is the kingdom of God like? (4:31)
• What does the mustard seed represent in this parable? (4:31)
• What do you think this parable meant to Jesus’ original audience? (4:31)
• How could the beginning of the kingdom of God be compared to such a small, insignificant seed? (4:31)
• What promise is given in this parable? (4:31-32)
• Why did Jesus use the smallest seed known to the Galilean farmers in His audience as the example in this parable? (4:31-32)
• How did Jesus teach the crowds? (4:33-34)
• How did Jesus teach His disciples? (4:33-34)
• How did Jesus’ approach to teaching the crowds differ from the way He taught His disciples? (4:33-34)
• What did Jesus do for His disciples to ensure that they learned from His parables? (4:34)
• How did Jesus make sure His disciples understood His teaching? (4:34)

Apply It

• How can you get involved this week in spreading the Good News and participating in the growth of the kingdom of God?
• What word or message from the Bible can you share with someone else? How?
• Who is one person with whom you could share the promise of the kingdom of God?

Jesus Calms the Storm - Mark 4:35-41

Understand It

• When did the events of this story take place? (4:35)
• Where did Jesus and His disciples go? How? (4:35-36)
• Why did the disciples take Jesus along "just as He was"? (4:36)
• What emergency situation arose? (4:37)
• Why were the disciples surprised with Jesus? (4:37-38)
• What was Jesus doing during a violent storm? (4:38)
• How was Jesus coping with the storm that threatened Him and His men? (4:38)
• What is significant about the disciples’ questioning Jesus by asking, "Don’t you care if we drown?" (4:38)
• How would you compare Jesus’ behavior during this crisis with that of His disciples? (4:38)
• How did Jesus solve the dilemma He and His disciples were facing? (4:39)
• Why did Jesus rebuke His disciples? (4:40)
• What was the answer to the rhetorical question that the disciples asked? (4:41)
• What did the disciples learn about Jesus from this event? (4:39-41)

Apply It

• How can you trust God this upcoming week with situations that get out of control or seem hopeless?
• What do you want to remember the next time your life seems out of control?
• When could you pray regularly this week for the needs in your life?