Mark lesson 22
Read Mark 9:37-10:12 – https://www.bible.com/bible/59/mrk.9.esv
Mark 9:38-50
John related how he had seen someone expelling demons in Jesus' name and
had forbidden him to do so. Evidently John thought that no one should
have been doing any work for the Lord who was not following in their
immediate company. But Jesus had commissioned many to go out, preach,
and expel demons (see Luke 10). He was pleased with those who were
faithfully serving Him in other places.
Jesus went on to warn of the danger of causing someone to fall. He said
that it would even be better to tie a huge stone around a man's neck and
cast him into the sea than for him to cause another to stumble. He also
warned of the danger of allowing anything to cause us to stumble. The
Lord encouraged radical, decisive action: cutting off a hand or a foot
or plucking out an eye in order to avoid abandoning Him. He was not
speaking literally--but He was forcefully declaring that we should
sacrifice anything that is tempting us to sin. He described Hell as a
horrendous place of maggots and perpetual fire that must be avoided at
all cost.
1. What had John tried to stop someone else from doing? Answer: Someone was casting out _____.
2. A person would be better drowned in the sea rather than to do what?
Answer: It would be better to be thrown into the sea with a millstone
around the neck rather than to cause someone to _____.
3. What lesson is taught by Jesus' statements about cutting off a hand,
foot, or eye? a) if we pray, He will miraculously restore the missing
member, b) He doesn't care if we suffer; c) we should be willing to make
great sacrifices to avoid the consequences of sin, d) we won't miss the
body part anyway. Answer: _____.
Mark 10:1-12
Jesus' opponents decided to test Him with a hard question. They asked
Him whether it was right to divorce. In their society as in ours, there
was much disagreement, even among religious people, as to whether or not
it was right to divorce and, if so, under what circumstances. Jesus
answered their question by reminding them that in the beginning God
created only one man and one woman. He intended for marriage to be a
permanent union. Because God joins people together when they marry, it
is wrong for man to separate them. Later He explained to the disciples
that it is not only wrong to divorce, but that a divorced person who
remarries is committing adultery.
Note -‐-‐ The need for commitment in marriage: Many people today enter marriage with the notion that they will divorce if it doesn't work out. This is wrong. Throw-‐away marriages are opposed to God's created order. God forbids divorce. The only exception is when one divorces his mate because of sexual immorality (Matthew 19:9). In any other case, divorce is sinful and remarriage is adultery. The fact that people frequently disobey God does not change what He said.
4. What principle did Jesus use to forbid divorce (v9)? Answer: What God has joined together, man should not _____.
5. In what circumstance did Jesus allow divorce and remarriage (Matt.
19:9)? a) when one of the partners no longer loves the other, b) when
there is abuse, c) when one divorces a spouse because he/she committed
adultery, d) when irreconcilable differences exist. Answer: _____.
6. If a man or woman divorces his/her spouse (not because of adultery)
and remarries, what did Jesus say about the remarriage (v11,12)? Answer:
It is _____.