B I B L E S T U D Y
Outline helps and questions for personal and group study
Searching the Scriptures
By Chester J. Padgett,
M a rk
W e want to continue our studies of the gospels this month, working through the Gospel of Mark. The Gospel of Mark is the gospel of the Divine Servant (10:45). The key word is “ straightway,” vari ously translated in the gospel “ anon,” “ immediately,” etc., but all coming from the one Greek word indicating motion and rapidity of action. And truly the Lord Jesus is on the move in this gospel, actively serving those around Him and ministering to both body and soul. Some Bible students feel that the Gospel of Mark was written with the Romans in mind inasmuch as they were people of de cision and action and would be im pressed by these qualities in the blessed Saviour. T h e O u t l in e o f t h e G ospel of M a r k I. The Background of the Servant (1:1-13) II. The Servant Ministering (1:14-10:52) III. The Servant Giving His Life in Supreme Service (11:1 - 15:47) IV. The Servant Exalted and Still Serving Mankind (16:1-20) Study Questions on Chapter 1 1. It is not overly important to delve into the background and gene alogy of a servant, so very little in formation is given about God’s Ser vant in this gospel of service. The material given, however, is of utmost importance. Note how abruptly this gospel begins; compare this beginning with Matthew and Luke. 2. How does John the Baptist indi cate the exalted character and su preme ministry of the Lord Jesus Christ? (vv. 7, 8.) ■3. How does God the Father dis tinguish God the Son? (w . 9-11.) 4. Note how abruptly the writer passes over the temptation of Christ (vv. 12,13). Why is this so in this gospel? 5. What is the meaning of our Lord’s first message as given in verses 14,15? Jp. To what occupation did our Lord
evidence in verse 18? Does God expect His children to be joyless? (1 Thes. 5:16.) The reference in verse 20 to fasting has to do with the disciples and their deep sorrow when Christ was crucified; in those days they were without joy; but when the day of resurrection came their joy was re stored (Luke 24:52,53). 11. What is the central lesson of the parable of the cloth and the bot tles? (w . 21,22.) What is the char acter of the gospel and of the New Testament age according to these par ables? 12. What act did the disciples per form that brought the condemnation of the Pharisees upon them? (w . 23, 24.) 13. How did our Lord justify their act? (w . 25,26.) 14. What great lesson did our Lord teach from this incident? (w . 27,28.) Do you think there is a connection between this teaching and the teach ing of the newness of the New Testa ment dispensation in the preceding paragraph? Study Questions on Chapter 3 1. What act of Christ brought the anger of the Pharisees in verses 1-5? Why did they criticize this act? 2. Why did they not answer Christ when He questioned them? (v. 4.) Why did their silence anger the Sav iour? (v. 5.) 3. How did this act of Christ serve as a climax in His ministry? (v. 6.) 4. Why did not our Lord wish to be made known at this particular time? (v. 12.) 5. How did the friends of Christ feel about Him at this time in His ministry? (v. 21.) What encourage ment should this be to every believer today? 6. Sometime study the character of the 12 disciples (w . 13-19) in your Bible encyclopedia and note how the Saviour can use personalities of every type. 7. How does Christ show that the scribes’ charge against Him was ri diculous? (w . 22-26.) 8. How does the Saviour show that
call His first disciples? (vv. 16-20.) Does He intend that every believer should be engaged in such holy busi ness? (cf. Matt. 28:18-20; Prov. 11:30.) 7. What was it about our Lord’s teaching that impressed the people? (w . 21, 22.) 8. What was it about our Lord’s ministry that impressed the people? (v. 27.) What was the effect of His ministry in the area? (v. 28.) 9. What one fact stands out in the series of miracles recorded in verses 29-45? 10. What was the secret of our Lord’s marvellous power while He was in the flesh? (v. 35.) Would there be more power in our liyes if we practiced this more often?' Study Questions on Chapter 2 1. What word did our Lord preach to the people? (v. 2; cf. 1:14,15.) 2. What does the incident of the palsied man teach with regard to cooperation in b r in g in g men to Christ? (v. 3.) About originality? (v. 4.) About industry and determina tion? (v. 4.) 3. What was it that our Lord no ticed in these four men? (v. 5.) How does this truth apply to the Christian servant today? 4. What was the most important need of this palsied man? (v. 5.) 5. What is the meaning of our Lord’s statement to the scribes in verse 9? 6. What was Levi’s occupation? (v. 14.) Read up on this business in your Bible dictionary or Bible en cyclopedia. 7. What do you notice about the authority of our Lord in the call of Levi (Matthew)? (v. 14.) How is the grace of Christ evidenced in this call? How is the grace of Christ evidenced in your call? (2 Cor.8:9; Rom.5:6-10.) 8. What does the question of the Pharisees and scribes betray about their own spiritual condition? (v. 16.) 9. What is it that qualifies a per son for salvation? (v. 17.) Is this not a wonderful thing? 10. What mistaken idea about true spirituality did the enemies of Christ
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THE KING'S BUSINESS
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