Mark lesson 8
Read Mark 4:21-34 – https://www.bible.com/bible/59/mrk.4.esv
Mark 4:21-25
Jesus compared the Word of God to a lamp. It would be useless to buy a
lamp, and then stick it under a bed. After all, a lamp's purpose is to
illuminate-‐-‐if you can't see it, it does no good at all. The Bible
is a light. But it is useless if it remains closed on the bookshelf. In
order to receive profit, we must open it up and read it. Although
studying the Scriptures is essential, many read the Bible in vain,
because they don't read it correctly. It is significant that in the
middle of a text stressing the importance of hearing the word, Jesus
emphasized the need to be careful how we hear (4:24). The fact that
people who read the Bible come to markedly different conclusions about
what it means demonstrates that many are not understanding it properly.
Some are careless and simply don't put much effort into their study.
Others twist the Scriptures intentionally, misinterpreting them to try
to confirm the beliefs and practices they have already determined to
follow.
1. What does the lamp in 4:21 represent? Answer: It represents the word of _____
2. When people do not study the Bible diligently enough, what will
result? a) sin, b) false teaching, c) ignorance, d) all the preceding.
Answer: _____
Mark 4:26-‐29.
Jesus said that the kingdom of God was like a farmer who planted a seed.
That night he went to bed. The next morning he got up and tended to
other responsibilities. Meanwhile, the seed germinated, began to grow
and finally bore fruit. Jesus was teaching several things by this story.
First, the one who plants the seed is not responsible for its growth;
that is, the one who teaches the gospel doesn't control the growth of
the word in the heart of the one who heard. Second, the growth of the
word in a person's life is gradual. One does not hear the Bible today
and become a mature Christian tomorrow. But if the hearer’s heart is
right he will allow the word to shape and mold his life step-‐by-‐step
so that he can become the kind of person God wants him to be.
3. What part did the farmer play in the growth of the seed? Answer: He just planted the _____
4. Who decides whether or not a person who hears the word will believe
and obey it? a) God decides for the person, b) the person who hears
decides for himself, c) Satan decides, d) no one decides. Answer: _____.
Mark 4:30-‐34.
Jesus said that the kingdom is like a mustard seed. The mustard seed is
tiny, but grows to be a great shrub. So also, God's kingdom began in a
small way during the ministry of an impoverished carpenter, Jesus, but
gradually became a dominant world force. Christians' efforts to work for
the Lord's kingdom may seem insignificant, but God is able to grow
large mustard trees from tiny seeds.
5. What is the lesson of the mustard seed parable? Answer: God's _____ began small but would grow and become powerful.