Week 6: Mark 10

Does a particular question or verse stand out to you? Feel free to comment responses to any and all questions you think are particularly interesting or challenging! Also, if you have additional questions you think other’s would benefit from, feel free to add them in the comments.

Note: Chapters 1-8 were about Jesus’ travels around Galilee. The end of Chapter 8 through Chapter 10 is focused on Jesus on the way to Jerusalem. This is one big Markan Sandwich between two healings of blind men. It’s interesting because in this section, the disciples are still blind to what Jesus is saying when they should see. 

Day 1: Mark 10:1-9

1. To think about with this difficult section of scripture: If we know God said something, do we believe/obey it even if we don’t like it? Why or why not?
2. What are the Pharisees hearts like when they ask this question?
3. There are three categories of laws in the law of Moses: Ceremonial, Moral and Case Law (if this bad thing happens, do this)
   • Which category is Deuteronomy 24:1-4?
4. Why does Jesus say Moses wrote this?
5. Read Genesis 1:27 and 5:2
   • What was the original intention for marriage?
   • Who wrote Genesis?
6. What is marriage intended to be a picture of? (Read Ephesians 5:21-33, 2 Corinthians 11:2, Revelation 19:7-9, Hosea 1:2 and Hosea 3:1-5)
7. Is marriage forever? (Read Matthew 22:30)
8. Is the problem that the Pharisees do not understand the law about divorce or that they do not understand the purpose of marriage and what it images?
9. Notice the phrase “from the beginning” in verse 6. In light of this, do you think Jesus believes what God has said about marriage changes from culture to culture?
10. Who joins two people together?
    • Who can separate them?

Commentary Note: “The legal provision of Moses in Dt. 24 was not intended as a statement of God’s purpose for marriage, but as a regrettable but necessary means of limiting the damage when that purpose has already been abandoned. It is a provision to deal with human (hardness of heart), not a pointer to the way things ought to be. The marriage ethics of the kingdom of God must be based not on a concession to human failure, but on the pattern set out in God’s original creation of man and woman.“ (R.T. France, The Gospel of Mark)

Day 2: Mark 10:10-12

1. Read Matthew 5:31-32, Matthew 19:8-9 and Luke 16:18
   • How are these similar or different?
2. Read 1 Corinthians 7:10-11. Is there a difference between divorce and separation?
3. Read 1 Corinthians 7:12-16
   • What does this verse mean for a believer who is already divorced?
4. Why would marrying someone who has been divorced be considered adultery?
   • Are they divorced in the eyes of God or are they still married?
5. According to all these scriptures, when is a person allowed to divorce in the eyes of God?
   • When can they remarry?
   • Does this mean someone who has remarried should divorce or should they honor their new vows?
6. Why is reconciliation so important in the Christian life? (Romans 5:10, 2 Corinthians 5:18-19, Colossians 1:20-21, Romans 12:18, Matthew 5:23-24, Philippians 2:2, Romans 12:10, 1 Peter 1:22 Romans 15:5-7, John 13:34-35)
7. How do you feel about this passage of scripture?

Research Question: There are a lot of opinions about this topic within Christianity in varying degrees of strictness. Take some time to research the different arguments, their proposed exceptions, and the Scriptural defense of each position. Be particularly aware of if the person is putting forth an argument based on Scripture or on their own personal feelings and experience.

Day 3: Mark 10:13-16

1. Why were the children brought to Jesus?
2. Where are children on the social/power scale?
3. Why was Jesus angry with the disciples?
4. Are there other examples of people trying to keep people away from Jesus?
5. Is there anyone who is not welcome to come to Jesus?
6. What do you think it means that the Kingdom of God belongs to people who are like children?

Day 4: Mark 10:17-31

1. What is the purpose of the placement of this story immediately after the one before?
2. What is the man’s question?
3. Do you think he knew who Jesus really was?
4. Why does Jesus say only God is good?
   • Is Jesus good?
   • Is Jesus God?
   • What do you imagine Jesus’ tone might have been when he said this?
5. What are the commandments Jesus listed from?
6. Does this man believe he can earn/work his way to heaven?
7. How does Jesus feel toward the man?
8. Does the man feel happy?
   • What does this tell us about love?
9. Why did Jesus respond this way?
10. What is more important to the man: earthly possessions or Jesus?
11. Why does Jesus say it is hard for the rich to enter heaven?
12. How does Jesus see wealth?
13. Verse 27 is often misused by people to say that God will give them whatever they want in this life. Given the context of this verse, what is a better understanding of what Jesus was saying?
14. What have you given up or not pursued to follow Christ?
15. How do we lead people in the Kingdom of God?

Research Question: Do a survey of wealth in the Old and New Testaments. Is wealth inherently good or bad? Is it safe or dangerous? Is it promised as a reward for believers? As Christians, what should be our attitude toward wealth?

Day 5: Mark 10:32-34

1. Where are they walking?
2. Why were the disciples amazed?
   • What are they amazed at?
3. Why were the people following scared?
4. Are these the same feeling or different?
   • Why do they feel differently?
5. How many times has he predicted his death to the disciples?
   • What is different about this prediction?

Day 6: Mark 10:35-45

1. What had Jesus just talked to the disciples about?
2. What are James and John concerned with?
3. How do you think this might have made Jesus feel?
4. Whose cup will the disciples drink from and whose baptism will they be baptized into in verse 39?
5. Read Acts 12:1-2. Who is the first apostle to be martyred?
6. Why doesn’t Jesus have the right to say who sits where?
7. Do you notice the Markan Sandwich in this section and Day 3? What do you think this might be meant to highlight?
8. How is the power structure of the world different among those who follow Jesus?

Day 7:  Mark 10:46-52

1. What is implied by the fact that the blind man is named here?
   • Are other people who have been healed named?
2. What does Bartimaeus say?
3. Some commentators say this prayer in verses 47 and 48 of “Lord, have mercy” is the most common prayer in the Bible. What is mercy?
   • What is the difference between mercy and grace?
   • What do you need mercy for?
   • Have you prayed this prayer?
4. How does Bartimaeus react to being called by Jesus?
5. How does he react to being healed?
6. Do we react the same way to Jesus?

Research Question: What does Bartimaeus call Jesus? What significance does this title have for Jews at the time? Where else do we see this title in Scripture?