Mark - Lesson 6...Continued from page 4

Thomas Klock

DAY SIX: Following Christ

1. Jesus’ parables spoke to the everyday life of His hearers, as they still do to us in many ways. The question though isn’t about Jesus telling us a story, but what fruit does it produce in our hearts, whether we’re truly hearing with perception what He is telling us in them. It all depends on whether the hearer sees in it a mere story for entertainment or spiritual truths reflecting the nature of God and the Kingdom Jesus came to proclaim.[xiii] You are encouraged to dig into the parables more in Matthew and Luke; Luke especially has some of the all-time favorites not recorded elsewhere, as the ones he selected focus on people, relating well to us.[xiv]

What were some of the important things you learned that tie in with your own life through Mark’s brief sample of Jesus’ parables? Record your thoughts here and don’t be shy to share them with your group members so all can benefit.

2. What ministered to you about your spiritual growth in Christ through the things we examined this week? How will it lead you to approach your walk and relationship with God toward bearing fruit for His Kingdom? Please share specific thoughts about that here and with your group as well.

3. The incident with the storm and the disciples’ fearful reaction no doubt speaks to all of us. Part of life in this sin-sick world means we will face difficulty, and this is magnified all the more for the child of God trying to swim upstream, against the flow. It is fascinating that the same storm that led these experienced fishermen to panic rocked Jesus peacefully to sleep! It isn’t surprising that they responded in shock and awe to Jesus’ ability to calm the sea, for to the Jews the one who ruled the winds and sea was God Himself![xv] Their reaction to this situation in fear and confusion though doesn’t surprise us as failing human beings either. They felt that God had ignored their need, or worse, didn’t care what happened to them (seen in Jesus’ sleeping through it all). Yet He did care, and would teach them to trust and grow in faith as a result. How did the things we examined this week about trials and growing through them speak to you about a situation you have faced, or perhaps are facing right now? What are some of the great truths you gleaned that can help you as you face life’s storms?

When the storm swept over Galilee’s dark lake all faces gathered blackness, and all hearts dreaded shipwreck. When all creature help was useless, the slumbering Saviour arose, and with a word, transformed the riot of the tempest into the deep quiet of a calm; then were the little vessels at rest as well as that which carried the Lord. Jesus is the star of the sea; and though there be sorrow upon the sea, when Jesus is on it there is joy too. May our hearts make Jesus their anchor, their rudder, their lighthouse, their life-boat, and their harbour. His Church is the Admiral’s flagship, let us attend her movements, and cheer her officers with our presence. He himself is the great attraction; let us follow ever in his wake, mark his signals, steer by his chart, and never fear while he is within hail. Not one ship in the convoy shall suffer wreck; the great Commodore will steer every barque in safety to the desired haven. By faith we will slip our cable for another day’s cruise, and sail forth with Jesus into a sea of tribulation. Winds and waves will not spare us, but they all obey him; and, therefore, whatever squalls may occur without, faith shall feel a blessed calm within. He is ever in the centre of the weather-beaten company: let us rejoice in him. His vessel has reached the haven, and so shall ours.[xvi]

Scripture Memory: Hopefully you now can write out this week’s passage completely by memory. Do so now, and keep on reviewing it do you will be ready to share it with others in your group time.

Mark 4:40:

[i] Unless otherwise indicated, all Greek word/phrase translations are based on the following: A.T. Robertson, Word Pictures in the New Testament (Sunday School Board of the Southern Baptist Convention. In Oak Harbor: Logos Research Systems, Inc., 1932, 1933, 1997); James Strong, The Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible: Showing Every Word of the Text of the Common English Version of the Canonical Books, and Every Occurrence of Each Word in Regular Order, Electronic Edition (Ontario: Woodside Bible Fellowship; in Bellingham: Logos Research Systems, Inc., 1996); M.R. Vincent, Word Studies in the New Testament (Bellingham: Logos Research Systems, Inc., 2002); Kenneth S. Wuest, Wuest’s Studies in the New Testament: For the English Reader (Grand Rapids: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing, Co; in Bellingham: Logos Research Systems, Inc., 1984, 1997); and Spiros Zodhiates, The Complete Word Study Dictionary: New Testament, Electronic Edition (Chattanooga: AMG Publishers, in Bellingham: Logos Research Systems, Inc., 1992, 1993, 2000).

[ii] John Phillips, Exploring the Gospel of Mark (Grand Rapids: Kregel Publications, 2004), p. 104.

[iii] John D. Grossmick, Mark. In John F. Walvoord and Roy B. Zuck eds., The Bible Knowledge Commentary, New Testament (Wheaton: Victor Books/SP Publications, 1983), p. 121.

[iv] Kenneth S. Wuest, Wuest’s Studies in the New Testament: For the English Reader (Grand Rapids: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing, Co; in Bellingham: Logos Research Systems, Inc., 1984, 1997).

[v] James A. Brooks, Mark. In David S. Dockery ed., The New American Commentary, Vol. 23 (Nashville: Broadman Press, 1991), p. 85, 86.

[vi] Walter W. Wessell, Mark. In Frank E. Gaebelein ed., The Expositor’s Bible Commentary, Vol. 8 (Grand Rapids: Regency Reference Library, 1984), p. 653.

[vii] Walter W. Wessell, Mark, p. 655.

[viii] John D. Grossmick, Mark, p. 122.

[ix] James A. Brooks, Mark, p. 88.

[x] Warren W. Wiersbe, The Bible Exposition Commentary, Vol. 1 (Wheaton: Victor Books/SP Publications, Inc., 1989), p. 124.

[xi] Much of this information is based on Warren W. Wiersbe, The Bible Exposition Commentary, Vol. 1, p. 124, 125.

[xii] R.C.H. Lenski, Commentary on the New Testament: The Interpretation of St. Mark’s Gospel (Peabody, MA: Hendrickson Publishers, Inc., 1946, 2001), p. 199.

[xiii] J.W. Drane, Introducing the New Testament (Oxford: Lion Publishing, 2000), p. 138.

[xiv] Donald Guthrie, New Testament Introduction, Rev. Ed. (Downer’s Grove: InterVarsity Press, 1961, 1962, 1965, 1970, 1990), p. 103.

[xv] Craig S. Keener, The IVP Bible Background Commentary, New Testament (Downer’s Grove: InterVarsity Press, 1993), p. 146.

[xvi] Charles H. Spurgeon, Morning and Evening, New Updated Version (Peabody: Hendrickson Publishers, 1991), p. 516.

My BST

My BST

Mark - Lesson 6...Continued from page 4