Thursday, February 28th

This Thursday, February 28th, we will be discussing Mark chapter 13. We meet from 7-9 pm at 700 Santa Cruz behind Ace Hardware in Menlo Park. Read ahead of time so you'll be ready for the discussion questions below. We look forward to seeing you!

Mark 13 – Jesus Tells about the Future, tells of His return, and tells us to remain watchful

Discussion #1 –

1. What is the point of Jesus communicating the future events to the disciples?

2. Jesus warns against identifying modern phenomenon with Biblical prophecy. Discuss how you have seen this happen historically, in the world today, or in your own life personally.

Discussion #2 –

3. What is the "abomination of desolation"? Review the cross references in Daniel and discuss.

4. When you and I are challenged about our faith, we are to speak boldly by the Spirit in our answer. Dioscuss the realities of when you feel you would be challenged to stand in the face of persecution for your faith. Have you known anyone who has fallen away from the faith? What are your own thoughts about losing faith?

5. The disciples are warned to be prepared. Discuss what obstacles you feel to this sort of preparedness (for the lord's return) you feel in your life. Do you experience restlessness, knowing that you are not precisely where God wantes you? Are you ready to give an account today?

--questions by Laura

Thursday, February 21

This Thursday, February 21st, we will be discussing Mark chapter 12. We meet from 7-9 pm at 700 Santa Cruz behind Ace Hardware in Menlo Park. Read ahead of time so you'll be ready for the discussion questions below. We look forward to seeing you!

Mark 12
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Discussion #1

Mark 12:1-34 For reference you may wish to compare Isaiah 5:1-7 which is the original story about the vineyard.

1.) Why is Jesus telling the story of the tenants?

2.) What does it mean to render to Caesar what is Caesar’s? What does it mean to render to God what is God’s?

3.) The original questions about the woman with seven husbands was supposed to be a trap question and the Sadducees did not expect a real answer. But Jesus does give a substantive answer. What does Jesus’ answer say about marriage? What does Jesus’ answer say about God?


Discussion #2

Mark 12:28-12:44

For reference you may wish to compare Deut 6:4,5 which is known in Jewish culture as the Shemah.

4.) What do you think it means to love God with all your heart?

5.) What do you think it means to love God with all your soul?

6.) What do you think it means to love God with all your mind?

7.) What do you think it means to love God with all your strength?

--questions by Grant

Thursday, February 14

This Thursday, February 14th, we will be discussing Mark chapter 11. We meet from 7-9 pm at 700 Santa Cruz behind Ace Hardware in Menlo Park. Read ahead of time so you'll be ready for the discussion questions below. We look forward to seeing you!

Mark 11 - Jesus Rides to Jerusalem on a Donkey; Jesus Clears the Temple; Jesus Teaches His Disciples about Faith, Prayer and Forgiveness; Religious Leaders Challenge Jesus' Authority
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Discussion Questions:

Discussion #1:
Verses 1-19* Day 1: Jesus rides colt into Jerusalem * Day 2: Jesus curses fig tree and cleanses temple

1. Where is the first place Jesus went upon entering Jerusalem and what did He do before returning to Bethany that first day? What do you think He accomplished?

2. How would you explain or justify Jesus' strong reaction to the fig tree? See also vv. 20-21.

3. Who were all the different groups that Jesus shut down in the temple and why do you think He shutdown each group?

Discussion #2

Verses 20-33* Day 3: Jesus teaches on prayer and responds to Jewish leaders in temple

4. How do you explain Jesus' prescription for receiving things through prayer?

5. Why do you think Jesus did not just tell the Jewish leaders plainly the source of His authority?

--questions by Paul

Thursday, February 7

This Thursday, February 7, we will be discussing Mark chapter 10. We meet from 7-9 pm at 700 Santa Cruz behind Ace Hardware in Menlo Park. Read ahead of time so you'll be ready for the discussion questions below. We look forward to seeing you!

Mark 10 - Marriage and Divorce; Jesus Blesses the Little Children; The Rich Young Ruler; Jesus Predicts His Death For the Third Time; Serving Others; Jesus Heals a Blind Begger

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Discussion Questions:

Discussion #1:

1. Matthew 10:1-12: In v. 5, Jesus says that Moses wrote the Old Testament law permitting a man to divorce his wife because the people’s hearts were hardened. What does it mean to have a hardened heart? Jesus says that divorce exposes hardness of heart. Today, about 50% of marriages end in divorce, including in the church. Where in your life have you experienced hardness of heart and what were the consequences? Thankfully, we have a loving God who desires for us to allow Him to search our hearts so that we can repent and be restored to Him. Have you ever repented (turned away from your sin and sought to change with God’s help) and felt God change your life in a meaningful way?
   
   
2. (Vv. 13-31) The rich young ruler was disappointed because Jesus asked him to give up the wealth (and power and status that goes with it) to follow Him. Has Jesus ever asked you to give up something that you thought you couldn’t? What happened? Have you ever felt “poor” or empty in an area of your life (opposite of the rich young ruler)? If so, how did this cause you to be childlike in your dependence upon God?
   

Discussion #2:

1. (vv. 32-45) After Jesus had just predicted His death for the 3rd time to the disciples, James and John again asked Him about sitting next to Him on the throne. What were they misunderstanding that Jesus was referring to in verse 18? What can we learn from Jesus definition of greatness in vv. 42-45?
   
   
2. (vv. 46-52) What actions of the blind begger model the child-like qualities that Jesus said were necessary for entering the kingdom of God (v. 15)? How can we learn from the example of the blind man in our own lives?

--questions by Angie

Thursday, January 31

This Thursday, January 31, we will be discussing Mark chapter 9. We meet from 7-9 pm at 700 Santa Cruz behind Ace Hardware in Menlo Park. Read ahead of time so you'll be ready for the discussion questions below. We look forward to seeing you!

Mark 9 – The Transfiguration; Healing of a Boy with an Evil Spirit; Who is the Greatest; Whoever is Not Against Us; Causing to Sin

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Discussion #1

Mark 9:1-32

1. Why do you think the transfiguration of Jesus occurred? How does knowing about the transfiguration of Jesus help you in your spiritual walk?
   
2. Looking at verses 14-30, why couldn’t the other nine disciples cast out the demon in the boy? If faith is a prerequisite for action by Jesus, why did he cast out the demon after hearing the father’s words in verse 24?

Discussion #2

Mark 9:33-50

1. Jesus said that to be the greatest one had to be the last and a servant to all. Why does he use a child to illustrate His point? How are some ways you could live out this principle in your everyday life?
   
2. What do you think Jesus is saying in verses 42-48? Can you think of any sin in your own life you need to confront to avoid any eternal “loss” to you?