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:
- 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?
- (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?
- (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?
- (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
