Mark lesson 23
Read Mark 10:13-31 – https://www.bible.com/bible/59/mrk.10.esv
Mark 10:13-16
The disciples never seemed to want Jesus to be bothered, so they were constantly trying to keep certain kinds of people away from Him (see 10:46-‐52). In this case, it was children. When Jesus saw that they were hindering the children from approaching Him, He was indignant and rebuked them. He said that the kingdom of God itself belongs to people who become like children. He took the young people into His arms and began to bless them. He always had time for children.
1. Whom did the disciples try to stop from coming to Jesus? a) Pharisees, b) children, c) sinners, d) tax collectors. Answer. _____
2. Why did Jesus say He wanted to receive children? a) He wanted to baptize them, b) He wanted to give them candy and ice cream, c) He hoped their parents would give Him money, d) the kingdom of God belongs to people who are like little children. Answer: _____.
Mark 10:17-‐31
A rich young man came up to Jesus, requesting information on how to receive eternal life. Jesus first told him to keep the commandments, which the man said he had done. Then Jesus ordered him to sell all that he owned, give the proceeds to the poor, and start following Him. The man wanted eternal life, but not at that price. He turned away, saddened. Many follow in this young man's steps. They desire eternal life. . . as long as they don't have to make too many sacrifices. Jesus referred to these people when He remarked about how difficult it is for those who are rich to enter heaven. He said that it is easier to thread a camel through a needle’s eye than for a rich man to be saved. The disciples were shocked. The Lord explained that with God all things are possible, but that it is hard for rich people to go to heaven, because of the tendency to trust in material possessions and not in God.
Note -‐-‐ The lack of one thing: As Jesus talked to the rich man, He observed that he lacked only one thing: He only needed to get rid of his possessions. It was obvious that Jesus had properly diagnosed the man's need, because the man was unwilling to do so. He indeed was valuing his possessions over the Lord. To follow Jesus, we must give up anything in our life that is more important to us than He is. It is interesting that this man lacked only one thing. Some people have the idea that one sin is not all that bad. They think that while they may be failing in one area, at least they serve the Lord faithfully in all the others. This story shows clearly that even one thing can keep a person from being accepted by God. Is there one thing in your life that is separating you from faithfulness in the Lord's service?
3. What did the rich man want Jesus to tell him? Answer: He wanted to know what he should do to inherit _____.
4. What was the rich man's reaction when Jesus told him that he needed to sell all and give the money to the poor? Answer: He went away _____.
5. How many things in our lives that we refuse to repent of does it take to keep us from pleasing God? (a) none, (b) one, (c) we must do more evil than we do good, (d) the Bible does not say. Answer: _____.