Mark 9:14-29 14 When they came back to the disciples, they saw a large crowd around them, and some scribes arguing with them. 15 Immediately, when the entire crowd saw Him, they were amazed and began running up to greet Him. 16 And He asked them, “What are you discussing with them?” 17 And one of the crowd answered Him, “Teacher, I brought You my son, possessed with a spirit which makes him mute; 18 and whenever it seizes him, it slams him to the ground and he foams at the mouth, and grinds his teeth and stiffens out. I told Your disciples to cast it out, and they could not do it.” 19 And He *answered them and *said, “O unbelieving generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring him to Me!” 20 They brought [n]the boy to Him. When he saw Him, immediately the spirit threw him into a convulsion, and falling to the ground, he began rolling around and foaming at the mouth. 21 And He asked his father, “How long has this been happening to him?” And he said, “From childhood. 22 It has often thrown him both into the fire and into the water to destroy him. But if You can do anything, take pity on us and help us!” 23 And Jesus said to him, “‘If You can?’ All things are possible to him who believes.” 24 Immediately the boy’s father cried out and said, “I do believe; help my unbelief.” 25 When Jesus saw that a crowd was rapidly gathering, He rebuked the unclean spirit, saying to it, “You deaf and mute spirit, I command you, come out of him and do not enter him again.” 26 After crying out and throwing him into terrible convulsions, it came out; and the boy became so much like a corpse that most of them said, “He is dead!” 27 But Jesus took him by the hand and raised him; and he got up. 28 When He came into the house, His disciples began questioning Him privately, “Why could we not drive it out?” 29 And He said to them, “This kind cannot come out by anything but prayer.”

Both the scribes and the father of the possessed son are looking for Jesus but instead find only the disciples.  The crowd transfers this expectation to the disciples, who are learning to represent Jesus but who obviously have not mastered this yet.  When they come across this evil “spirit” (9:17) that seeks to “destroy” the boy (vv. 20, 22), and he cries out (v. 26). Due to their lack of prayer, the disciples are not able to heal him.
 
What does this say about the role prayer has in a follower of Jesus’ life?
 
Are there times when we lack faith in the effectiveness of our prayer?
 
Scriptures to discuss:  Philippians 4:6; John 15:7; 1 Thessalonians 5:17
 
Jesus makes reference to lack of belief as the core issue for this generation.  What characteristics lead Jesus to make such a bold statement?   Do we still have some of these characteristics in today’s generation? 
 
Scriptures to discuss:  Deuteronomy 32:5; Jeremiah 5:21-22
 
The father merely seeks help through Jesus’ miraculous powers: if you can do anything. Jesus corrects the father’s statement by calling him to put his trust in God. I believe; help my unbelief! The father immediately confesses that he has some faith but also acknowledges his spiritual weakness and appeals to Jesus to create in him a heart that believes more firmly.
 
Are their times we to struggle with unbelief in specific areas of our lives?
 
How can we as Christians today help our own unbelief?
​

Discussion Guide for Community Groups
Gospel of Mark Project – Transfiguration
Icebreakers:

1. If you could change anything about yourself, what would it be?
2. Why do you think that, we, as humans, tend to be self-centered?
3. What does “Christian Transformation” mean to you personally?

Bible Text: Mark 9:1-13 NASB95
And Jesus was saying to them, “Truly I say to you, there are some of those who are standing here who will not taste death until they see the kingdom of God after it has come with power.” [2] Six days later, Jesus took with Him Peter and James and John, and brought them up on a high mountain by themselves. And He was transfigured before them; [3] and His garments became radiant and exceedingly white, as no launderer on earth can whiten them. [4] Elijah appeared to them along with Moses; and they were talking with Jesus. [5] Peter said to Jesus, “Rabbi, it is good for us to be here; let us make three tabernacles, one for You, and one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” [6] For he did not know what to answer; for they became terrified. [7] Then a cloud formed, overshadowing them, and a voice came out of the cloud, “This is My beloved Son, listen to Him!” [8] All at once they looked around and saw no one with them anymore, except Jesus alone. [9] As they were coming down from the mountain, He gave them orders not to relate to anyone what they had seen, until the Son of Man rose from the dead. [10] They seized upon that statement, discussing with one another what rising from the dead meant. [11] They asked Him, saying, “Why is it that the scribes say that Elijah must come first?” [12] And He said to them, “Elijah does first come and restore all things. And yet how is it written of the Son of Man that He will suffer many things and be treated with contempt? [13] But I say to you that Elijah has indeed come, and they did to him whatever they wished, just as it is written of him.”
 
Digging Deeper:

•  The word “transfigured” comes from the Greek word from which we get the idea of metamorphosis.  Which simply means to go through a change. 
• During the “transfiguration” Jesus clothing and continence reflected the glory of God.

Read Verse 1: And Jesus was saying to them, “Truly I say to you, there are some of those who are standing here who will not taste death until they see the kingdom of God after it has come with power.”

1. .In what way did those who followed after Jesus is the kingdom of God come with power?
2. What is the relationship between the kingdom of God coming in power and the following events? 
   • The resurrection of Christ
   • The coming of the Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost
   • The establishment of the church

Read Verses 2,3: [2] Six days later, Jesus took with Him Peter and James and John, and brought them up on a high mountain by themselves. And He was transfigured before them; [3] and His garments became radiant and exceedingly white, as no launderer on earth can whiten them. [4] Elijah appeared to them along with Moses; and they were talking with Jesus.

1. How you describe or define the transfiguration of Christ?
2. What similarities do you see between the transfiguration of Christ, and Moses meeting with God on the mountain?
3. What significance to you attach to Jesus meeting with Elijah and Moses?

Read Verses 5,6: [5] Peter said to Jesus, “Rabbi, it is good for us to be here; let us make three tabernacles, one for You, and one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” [6] For he did not know what to answer; for they became terrified.

1. If you could have a “sit-down” conversation with anyone from the Old Testament—who would that be?
2. What do you think of Peter’s suggestion of building tabernacles?
3. Peter, James and John were terrified.  Why?

Read Verses 7-9: [7] Then a cloud formed, overshadowing them, and a voice came out of the cloud, “This is My beloved Son, listen to Him!” [8] All at once they looked around and saw no one with them anymore, except Jesus alone. [9] As they were coming down from the mountain, He gave them orders not to relate to anyone what they had seen, until the Son of Man rose from the dead.

1. Why is listening to Jesus still a good idea?
2. Why do you think that the disciples were “stuck” on the idea that Jesus was going to set up His Kingdom on earth?

 0000Wrap-up Read Verses 10-13: [10] They seized upon that statement, discussing with one another what rising from the dead meant. [11] They asked Him, saying, “Why is it that the scribes say that Elijah must come first?” [12] And He said to them, “Elijah does first come and restore all things. And yet how is it written of the Son of Man that He will suffer many things and be treated with contempt? [13] But I say to you that Elijah has indeed come, and they did to him whatever they wished, just as it is written of him.”

1. How did John the Baptist fulfil the “Elijah” calling of preparing the way for Jesus?

Community Group Discussion Guide
The Cost of Discipleship 

Icebreakers:
1. What are some of the greatest temptations you are facing today in your life from this world? 
2. What do your daily devotional times with the Lord look like? Do they help you face the day and to resist temptations of this world? 

Scripture: 34 And He summoned the crowd with His disciples, and said to them, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me. 35 For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel’s will save it. 36 For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world, and forfeit his soul? 37 For what will a man give in exchange for his soul? 38 For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will also be ashamed of him when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels.” Mark 8:34-38 NASB

Red Verses 34 & 35: 34 And He summoned the crowd with His disciples, and said to them, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me. 35 For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel’s will save it.

1. Why doesn't Jesus teach a different message to His disciples since they were already following Jesus? Does this message apply to followers and non-followers of Jesus? (Reference Luke 9:23)
2. This initial message is for those who wish to follow Jesus because not everyone does. What are some of the ways that we can help people obtain a desire to follow Jesus? What was it in your life that gave you the desire to follow Him? 
3. What does it look like to deny ourselves? What does it look like to "take up our cross"?
4. The word for "life" in verse 35 is the same Greek word that we get the word soul from. What is the soul of man? Is it good? Is it bad? What does it consist of? 
​5. Jesus is describing followers of His that have crucified their fleshly desires and their desires for this world.  Single-minded followers of His. Do you struggle with staying single-minded on the things of God? Why or why not? 

Read Verses 36 & 37: 36 For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world, and forfeit his soul? 37 For what will a man give in exchange for his soul? 

1. Jesus switches His audience to those who might be thinking that it is worth it to just reject Christ and live for this world. What are some ways that we forfeit our life or intimacy with Christ for things of this world? 

2. In a world of materialism, how can we as followers of Christ combat the temptations of the devil and this world? 

Read Verse 38: 38 For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will also be ashamed of him when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels.”

1. What does it look like in your life to be ashamed of Jesus and His words? Do you struggle with sharing your faith openly? 

2. What are some ways that we can stand unashamed for Christ today? 

Read: A.W. Tozer, The Radical Cross: Living the Passion of ChristThe man who is crucified is facing only one direction… He [cannot] look back. The crucified man on the cross is looking only one direction and that is the direction of God, and Christ and the Holy Ghost… The man on the cross… has no further plans of his own… Somebody else made his plans for him, and when they nailed him up there all his plans disappeared… When you go out to die on the cross you bid good-bye–you are not going back! “If we would preach more of this and stop trying to make the Christian life so easy it’s contemptible–we would have more converts that would last. Get a man converted who knows that if he joins Jesus Christ he’s finished, and that while he’s going to come up and live anew, as far as this world is concerned he is not going back–then you have a real Christian indeed.”

1. How can we receive encouragement from this AW Tozer quote to live dead to this world and alive to Christ?

2. Do you believe Tozer is accurate in his critique of people not proclaiming the message of the cross to their hearers? 

3. Read Romans 6:1-7 . Remind each other of what happened when we started following Christ and went through water baptism. We died and are now alive in Christ; let's live like it! 

Discussion Guide for Community Groups
Gospel of Mark Project – Jesus is the Christ
Icebreakers:

1. How easy or natural is it for you to share your faith?
2. How has Jesus made Himself “known” or “real” to you?
3. If push came to shove, are you prepared to die for your faith?

Scripture Text: Mark 8:27-33 NASB95
[27] Jesus went out, along with His disciples, to the villages of Caesarea Philippi; and on the way He questioned His disciples, saying to them, “Who do people say that I am?” [28] They told Him, saying, “John the Baptist; and others say Elijah; but others, one of the prophets.” [29] And He continued by questioning them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter answered and said to Him, “You are the Christ.” [30] And He warned them to tell no one about Him. [31] And He began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and the chief priests and the scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again. [32] And He was stating the matter plainly. And Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him. [33] But turning around and seeing His disciples, He rebuked Peter and said, “Get behind Me, Satan; for you are not setting your mind on God’s interests, but man’s.”
 
Digging Deeper:

• Jesus asks His disciples about how “other” people view Him.  This is a straightforward and easy question to answer.
• The second question was much more personal and therefore, more difficult: Who do you say that I am?

Read Verses 27, 28: [27] Jesus went out, along with His disciples, to the villages of Caesarea Philippi; and on the way He questioned His disciples, saying to them, “Who do people say that I am?” [28] They told Him, saying, “John the Baptist; and others say Elijah; but others, one of the prophets.”
.

1. Why do you think Jesus asked His disciples about what other people (people outside the circle of the disciples) were saying about Him?
2. Out of all the answers, which character did Jesus most closely resemble in terms of both His message and ministry? 

Read Verses 29, 30: [29] And He continued by questioning them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter answered and said to Him, “You are the Christ.” [30] And He warned them to tell no one about Him.

1. At what point in Jesus’ ministry do you think the disciples started to believe that He was the Messiah?
2. Why would Jesus’ identity as the “Christ” confused the disciples?  (Because Israel viewed the Messiah as the one that would deliver the nation from foreign occupancy)

Read Verse 31: [31] And He began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and the chief priests and the scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again.

1. Why would this prophecy by Jesus be so troubling to the disciples?
2. Read Isaiah 53.
3. Why do we consider Jesus’ triumph over death to be a greater work than restoring Israel to their glory days during the reign of King David?

Wrap-Up: [32] And He was stating the matter plainly. And Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him. [33] But turning around and seeing His disciples, He rebuked Peter and said, “Get behind Me, Satan; for you are not setting your mind on God’s interests, but man’s.”

1. Why do you think that Jesus associated Peter’s rebuke as a work of Satan?
2. Do you think that Satan wanted Jesus to be crucified?  (Why or why not?)
3. What was the outcome of Jesus atoning work?

 

Community Group Discussion Guide
Mark 8:22-26
Icebreakers:
1. Do you (or anyone you know) ever really enjoy waiting on God to move? Why or why not? 
2. Since our story slightly contains the subject of trees, what is the best place you have ever been that had the best trees to observe? 
 
Scripture: And they came to Bethsaida. And they brought a blind man to Jesus and implored Him to touch him. 23Taking the blind man by the hand, He brought him out of the village; and after spitting on his eyes and laying His hands on him, He asked him, “Do you see anything?” 24And he looked up and said, “I see men, for I see them like trees, walking around.” 25Then again He laid His hands on his eyes; and he looked intently and was restored, and began to see everything clearly. 26 And He sent him to his home, saying, “Do not even enter the village.” Mark 8:22-26 NASB

Read Verse 22: And they came to Bethsaida. And they brought a blind man to Jesus and implored Him to touch him.

1. Bethsaida is mentioned in the New Testament more than any other city aside from Jerusalem and Capernaum. The miracles and teachings that Jesus did in the city of Bethsaida provided them with no excuse to not follow Jesus as the Messiah.  Read Luke 10:13-15: “Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the miracles had been performed in Tyre and Sidon which occurred in you, they would have repented long ago, sitting in sackcloth and ashes. 14 But it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon in the judgment than for you. 15 And you, Capernaum, will not be exalted to heaven, will you? You will be brought down to Hades! Luke 10:13-15 What does this teach us about the saying " to whom much is given much will be required"?

Read Verses 22,23: And they came to Bethsaida. And they brought a blind man to Jesus and implored Him to touch him. 23Taking the blind man by the hand, He brought him out of the village; and after spitting on his eyes and laying His hands on him, He asked him, “Do you see anything?” 
1. The people ask for Jesus to touch the blind man to bring about healing. Yet Jesus is going to use a completely different means to bring about healing. Have you ever wanted God to move in your life but you put parameters in place as to what His "touch" should look like? 
2. Jesus takes the blind man by the hand. Jesus did not expect the blind man to overcome his own weakness but instead met him right where he was. How can we do the same in our lives with those that God brings into our lives? How has Christ grabbed us by the hand to lead us? 
3. Jesus removes the man from the village. Jesus removed the man from what he found to be a common place in his life. Why do you think Jesus removed this man from what he found normal before administering healing? Read Isaiah 6:1-7 where Isaiah's contemporary, King Uzziah, died before Isaiah saw the vision of heaven. 
4. Jesus is going to spit on this man's eyes. How have the words of Christ that flowed from His mouth brought healing to our lives? 
5. Why did Jesus ask the man, "Do you see anything?"? Should we expect answers to prayers in our lives? 

Read verse 24: 24And he looked up and said, “I see men, for I see them like trees, walking around.”

2. Why do you think that Jesus brought about partial healing before the full healing? 

1. This man had an encounter with Christ that was truly remarkable. He said "I see" for the first time in years. Seeing partially was still a massive improvement! But he was still not brought to the point of complete freedom. How easy is it in our lives to settle with "seeing dimly" instead of "seeing clearly"? 

Read Verses 25-26: 25Then again He laid His hands on his eyes; and he looked intently and was restored, and began to see everything clearly. 26 And He sent him to his home, saying, “Do not even enter the village.”

1. Read 2 Corinthians 3:18: But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit. 2 Corinthians 3:18 This verse tells us that in Christ we have had the blinding veil removed from our eyes so that we see clearly. What can we learn from this verse about "what we are beholding is what we are becoming"? How can we "behold" Christ in our lives to be transformed into HIs likeness? 

2. Read 1 Corinthians 13:12: For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face; now I know in part, but then I will know fully just as I also have been fully known. We will never fully see perfectly clear in this life. That is reserved for the day when we see Christ face to face. What are some of the things that you will ask Christ when you see Him face to face for the first time? 

3. Why didn't Jesus want this man to go back into the village? 

​Community Group Discussion Guide
Mark - Signs
Icebreakers:

1. How would you define love?  (What are some of the qualities that compose Agape love?)
2. What are some of the common expectations that should be found in a loving relationship?
3. How would you describe the concept of “love if?” 

Scripture: Mark 8:11-13 The Pharisees came out and began to argue with Him, seeking from Him a sign from heaven, to test Him. [12] Sighing deeply in His spirit, He said, “Why does this generation seek for a sign? Truly I say to you, no sign will be given to this generation.” [13] Leaving them, He again embarked and went away to the other side.

Digging Deeper: At this point in Mark’s narrative Jesus has cast out demons, healed lepers, healed a paralytic (something that modern medicine cannot do), restored a withered arm (another thing that modern medicine cannot do), calmed a storm with a word, raised a small girl from the dead, healed a woman who simply touched his garment, fed five thousand people with 5 loaves and 2 fish, and fed another four thousand people with 7 loaves and a few fish.  Jesus was a worker of miracles.  How many miracles did Jesus perform?  The Gospel of John describes it this way:  John 21:25 And there are also many other things which Jesus did, which if they were written in detail, I suppose that even the world itself would not contain the books that would be written.   
 
Read Verse 11: The Pharisees came out and began to argue with Him, seeking from Him a sign from heaven, to test Him.

1. Why is it fairly futile to argue with God?
2. In what way were the Pharisees testing Jesus?  (What are some of the parallels between the temptation of Christ in the wilderness and what the Pharisees were doing in our text?)
3. What additional purpose did the Pharisees have in mind for asking Jesus to perform another “sign” for them?

​Read Verse 12: Sighing deeply in His spirit, He said, “Why does this generation seek for a sign? Truly I say to you, no sign will be given to this generation.”

1. What is the significance of a deep sigh?  (Do you find yourself sighing often?)
2. “Why does this generation seek for a sign?”  This is “kind” of a rhetorical question from Jesus.  What is the obvious answer to Jesus’ query?
3. Why do you think that Jesus chose to not cooperate with the Pharisees request for a sign?

Read Verse 13: Leaving them, He again embarked and went away to the other side.

1. This is a tragic verse.  Jesus creates space between Himself and the Pharisees.
2. Can our actions drive a wedge between God and ourselves?

​Wrap-up: Having a gulf between us and God is not a “good thing.”  The Book of James offers this helpful solution:  James 4:8 “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.”  

Community Group Discussion Guide

Mark 8:1-10- The Feeding of the 4,000

Icebreakers:

1. What is the hungriest moment you have had in you in your entire life? After hiking, working etc. What was the first meal that you ate after that experience, and is it one of your favorite meals to this day? 

2. What importance does God put on feeding the poor and needy? 

Scripture:
In those days, when there was again a large crowd and they had nothing to eat, Jesus called His disciples and said to them, 2“I feel compassion for the people because they have remained with Me now three days and have nothing to eat. 3“If I send them away hungry to their homes, they will faint on the way; and some of them have come from a great distance.” 4And His disciples answered Him, “Where will anyone be able to find enough bread here in this desolate place to satisfy these people?” 5And He was asking them, “How many loaves do you have?” And they said, “Seven.” 6And He directed the people to sit down on the ground; and taking the seven loaves, He gave thanks and broke them, and started giving them to His disciples to serve to them, and they served them to the people. 7They also had a few small fish; and after He had blessed them, He ordered these to be served as well. 8And they ate and were satisfied; and they picked up seven large baskets full of what was left over of the broken pieces. 9About four thousand were there; and He sent them away. 10And immediately He entered the boat with His disciples and came to the district of Dalmanutha. Mark 8:1-10 NASB

Read Verses 1-2: In those days, when there was again a large crowd and they had nothing to eat, Jesus called His disciples and said to them, 2“I feel compassion for the people because they have remained with Me now three days and have nothing to eat. 

1. Why had these people stayed with Jesus for 3 days? Read Matthew 15:29-31 for reference. Why would the people stay with Jesus after receiving healing? 
2. Jesus uses the words "remained with me" in verse 2. These three words are actually one word in Greek. The word means to “remain in place, with a person, persevere in, abide, be with, cleave unto, and remain faithful to.” They are fulfilling the words of Jesus from John 15 where Jesus tells us to "abide in Him". What can we learn from these people in regards to experiencing Christ and abiding with Christ? 

Read Verses 3-4: 3“If I send them away hungry to their homes, they will faint on the way; and some of them have come from a great distance.” 4And His disciples answered Him, “Where will anyone be able to find enough bread here in this desolate place to satisfy these people?”

1. Jesus tells His disciples what He is feeling in this passage. One of the unique times where Jesus Himself actually reveals His emotions. Why do you think He does this? 
2. Jesus tells His disciples that the people will faint on their way home if they do not get something to eat. They have experienced healing and transformation for these 3 days with Jesus, but that is not good enough to keep them from fainting on their way home. Christ is more concerned with how they finish not how they start. What can we learn from this in our own lives (Read Galatians 6:9 for reference). 

Read Verses 4-5: 4And His disciples answered Him, “Where will anyone be able to find enough bread here in this desolate place to satisfy these people?” 5And He was asking them, “How many loaves do you have?” And they said, “Seven.”

1. The disciples are looking at where they are and coming up with a conclusion based upon that information. They are looking at the place they are at, instead of to the One with them in that desolate place. How often do we look at the place we are in instead of the One with us? 
2. The disciples see what they lack, Christ sees what they have. They had 7 loaves which they saw as being not enough for 4,000 people. Yet, Christ saw differently. Do you see what you lack as a blessing or a curse? 

Read Verses 6-7: 6And He directed the people to sit down on the ground; and taking the seven loaves, He gave thanks and broke them, and started giving them to His disciples to serve to them, and they served them to the people. 7They also had a few small fish; and after He had blessed them, He ordered these to be served as well.

1. Jesus gave the bread and fish to the disciples to serve the people. Why didn’t Jesus serve the people Himself? Why have the disciples serve the people when Jesus, being God could have easily done it Himself? What is He trying to teach the disciples, and us today? 
2. Why did Jesus have to break the bread before serving it to the people? 
3. Think on the saying: "Anything that God uses must first be broken". Do you agree or disagree with that statement?  What does brokenness look like in our lives today? 

Read Verses 8-10: 8And they ate and were satisfied; and they picked up seven large baskets full of what was left over of the broken pieces. 9About four thousand were there; and He sent them away. 10And immediately He entered the boat with His disciples and came to the district of Dalmanutha

1. What do you think the significance of the 12 full baskets from the feeding of the 5,000 (Mark 6:33-44) and the 7 full baskets from this story? 
2. This particular feeding is taking place in a predominantly Gentile region, while the feeding of the 5,000 took place amongst predominantly Jewish people. Read Deuteronomy 7:1 and Acts 13:19 to see the significance of the "seven" Gentile nations that occupied the Promised Land before God gave it to His people. What is Jesus trying to show us in regards to who He came to save in the feeding of the 4,000. 
3. Read Ephesians 2:11-13 and Isaiah 49:6. Talk amongst your group about your thankfulness that you have that you have been brought close to God through Christ. 

Community Group Discussion Guide 

Mark 7:31-37- The Healing of the Deaf and Mute Man 

Icebreakers:
1. Have you ever had a close friend or friends that were deaf or unable to speak? How did you find a way to communicate with them? 
2. What is one of the weirdest miracles or supernatural events that you have personally witnessed? 

Scripture:
Again He went out from the region of Tyre, and came through Sidon to the Sea of Galilee, within the region of Decapolis. 32They brought to Him one who was deaf and spoke with difficulty, and they implored Him to lay His hand on him. 33Jesus took him aside from the crowd, by himself, and put His fingers into his ears, and after spitting, He touched his tongue with the saliva; 34and looking up to heaven with a deep sigh, He said to him, “Ephphatha!” that is, “Be opened!” 35And his ears were opened, and the impediment of his tongue was removed, and he began speaking plainly. 36And He gave them orders not to tell anyone; but the more He ordered them, the more widely they continued to proclaim it. 37They were utterly astonished, saying, “He has done all things well; He makes even the deaf to hear and the mute to speak.” Mark 7:31-37 NASB 

Read Verses 31-32: Again He went out from the region of Tyre, and came through Sidon to the Sea of Galilee, within the region of Decapolis. 32They brought to Him one who was deaf and spoke with difficulty, and they implored Him to lay His hand on him. 

1. Jesus finds Himself in the Decapolis where He had previously delivered the demon-possessed man in Mark 5. The people asked Jesus to leave the first time but now they are bringing to Him those who are in need of healing. What role do you believe the demon-possessed man from Mark 5:20 played in what is about to take place? 
2. How important is it that we fulfill our individual callings or ministry? What is God calling you to do, or walk in right now? 
3. They asked Jesus to lay hands on this man, But Jesus is going to do something else. Do you ever feel like we put God into a box of what we think it should look like when He moves?  

Read Verses 33-34: 33Jesus took him aside from the crowd, by himself, and put His fingers into his ears, and after spitting, He touched his tongue with the saliva; 34and looking up to heaven with a deep sigh, He said to him, “Ephphatha!” that is, “Be opened!”

1. Why do you think Jesus pulled this man aside from the rest of the crowd? 
2. Jesus is touching this man's ears and this man's mouth. Both are where this man's primary issue lies. Talk about specific areas that God has touched in your life to bring about healing. 
3. What are some reasons why Jesus healed this man in such a unique way? 

Read Verse 35: 35And his ears were opened, and the impediment of his tongue was removed, and he began speaking plainly.
1. This is an instantaneous healing done by the hands of Jesus. If the man would have been able to speak after this, that would have been amazing in and of itself. But it says he could speak plainly. In John 10:10 Jesus says that He came to give life abundantly, not just life itself. What does it look like to live the abundant life of Christ in our lives? 

Read Verses 36-37: 36And He gave them orders not to tell anyone; but the more He ordered them, the more widely they continued to proclaim it. 37They were utterly astonished, saying, “He has done all things well; He makes even the deaf to hear and the mute to speak.”
1. The news of Jesus could not be contained inside of these people. Have you ever experienced a time where you just HAD to speak what the Lord was showing or speaking to you? Read Jeremiah 20:1-9 for reference of hat is happening internally when that takes place. 
2. The people declared "He has done all things well". What are some things that you are thankful for that Jesus has "done well" in your life? 
3. How can you and I encourage others that do not fully believe that Jesus does "all things well". 

Read Isaiah 35:4-8: Say to those with anxious heart, “Take courage, fear not. Behold, your God will come with vengeance; The recompense of God will come, But He will save you.” 5Then the eyes of the blind will be opened And the ears of the deaf will be unstopped. 6Then the lame will leap like a deer, And the tongue of the mute will shout for joy. For waters will break forth in the wilderness And streams in the Arabah. 7The scorched land will become a pool And the thirsty ground springs of water; In the haunt of jackals, its resting place, Grass becomes reeds and rushes. 8A highway will be there, a roadway, And it will be called the Highway of Holiness. Isaiah 35:4-8 NASB
1. This prophecy was written hundreds of years before the life of Jesus to foretell the Messianic age that was coming. How can we take comfort from this prophecy while living during a time of gloom and destruction? 

Community Group Discussion Guide
Mark 7:14-23- The Heart of Man

Icebreakers:

1. How hard is it for you to focus on someone's heart and not their outward actions?
   
2. How important is it to take care of our physical bodies by what we eat and don't eat? Do you think God is concerned with what we eat and don't eat?

Scripture:
After He called the crowd to Him again, He began saying to them, “Listen to Me, all of you, and understand: 15 there is nothing outside the man which can defile him if it goes into him; but the things which proceed out of the man are what defile the man. 16[“If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear.”] 17 When he had left the crowd and entered the house, His disciples questioned Him about the parable. 18 And He said to them, “Are you so lacking in understanding also? Do you not understand that whatever goes into the man from outside cannot defile him, 19because it does not go into his heart, but into his stomach, and is eliminated?” (Thus He declared all foods clean.) 20And He was saying, “That which proceeds out of the man, that is what defiles the man. 21“For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed the evil thoughts, fornications, thefts, murders, adulteries, 22deeds of coveting and wickedness, as well as deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride and foolishness. 23“All these evil things proceed from within and defile the man.” Mark 7:14-23 NASB

Read Verses 14-16: After He called the crowd to Him again, He began saying to them, “Listen to Me, all of you, and understand: 15 there is nothing outside the man which can defile him if it goes into him; but the things which proceed out of the man are what defile the man. 16[“If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear.”] 

1. Jesus is confronting a popular religious and cultural concept by these statements He is making about how what we put into our physical bodies does not defile us. How important is it that the church address issues that are confronting the culture of today? 

2. In verse 16, Jesus uses a phrase the He used often "If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear". What do you think this means and why does Jesus use it so often? 

Read Verses 17-19: 17 When he had left the crowd and entered the house, His disciples questioned Him about the parable. 18 And He said to them, “Are you so lacking in understanding also? Do you not understand that whatever goes into the man from outside cannot defile him, 19because it does not go into his heart, but into his stomach, and is eliminated?” (Thus He declared all foods clean.)

1. Jesus provided the whole crowd with the principle that what comes from the heart is more important than what goes into the body. But now He is alone with His disciples and is providing the revelation of what those words fully meant. Why is it important for us as disciples to know the principles and teachings of Christ, but also have the revelation behind the principles? 

2. How important is it that we just not "know" things but "experientially know" things? Use 2 Timothy 3:6-7 as an example/reference: For among them are those who enter into households and captivate weak women weighed down with sins, led on by various impulses, 7always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.

3. Mark adds that Jesus was declaring all foods clean by these statements. Why is this a big deal for a Jewish community that Jesus is speaking to? Read Acts 10:9-16 where God confirms the same thing to Peter in a vision. 

Read Verses 20-23: 20And He was saying, “That which proceeds out of the man, that is what defiles the man. 21“For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed the evil thoughts, fornications, thefts, murders, adulteries, 22deeds of coveting and wickedness, as well as deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride and foolishness. 23“All these evil things proceed from within and defile the man.” 

1. Jesus says that what comes out of the heart of man is the primary issue. What does Jesus mean by our "heart"? What makes up our heart? Our heart is the descriptor of our souls; who we are and the "seat of affection". Our heart is the connecting point of our soul and our spirit. Watch over your heart with all diligence, for from it flow the springs of life. Proverbs 4:23

2. Jesus starts by saying that the first thing that comes from the heart of man is evil thoughts. Why does Jesus go from evil thoughts to very extreme cases of outward sins like theft and murder? What is Jesus teaching us hear about the power of our thougthlife? 

Community Group Discussion Guide
Mark - Traditions of the Pharisees
Icebreakers:

1. How would you define legalism within the context of the church?  (Can you give us an example?)
2. How do you think "the world" views the American Church?  (Is our primary fruit love or rules?)
3. How does the letter of the law kill spiritual life?

Scripture: Mark 7:1-13 NASB95
The Pharisees and some of the scribes gathered around Him when they had come from Jerusalem, [2] and had seen that some of His disciples were eating their bread with impure hands, that is, unwashed. [3] (For the Pharisees and all the Jews do not eat unless they carefully wash their hands, thus observing the traditions of the elders; [4] and when they come from the market place, they do not eat unless they cleanse themselves; and there are many other things which they have received in order to observe, such as the washing of cups and pitchers and copper pots.) [5] The Pharisees and the scribes asked Him, “Why do Your disciples not walk according to the tradition of the elders, but eat their bread with impure hands?” [6] And He said to them, “Rightly did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written: ‘THIS PEOPLE HONORS ME WITH THEIR LIPS, BUT THEIR HEART IS FAR AWAY FROM ME. [7] ‘BUT IN VAIN DO THEY WORSHIP ME, TEACHING AS DOCTRINES THE PRECEPTS OF MEN.’ [8] Neglecting the commandment of God, you hold to the tradition of men.” [9] He was also saying to them, “You are experts at setting aside the commandment of God in order to keep your tradition. [10] For Moses said, ‘HONOR YOUR FATHER AND YOUR MOTHER’; and, ‘HE WHO SPEAKS EVIL OF FATHER OR MOTHER, IS TO BE PUT TO DEATH’; [11] but you say, ‘If a man says to his father or his mother, whatever I have that would help you is Corban (that is to say, given to God),’ [12] you no longer permit him to do anything for his father or his mother; [13] thus invalidating the word of God by your tradition which you have handed down; and you do many things such as that.”

Digging Deeper: Jesus was causing enough waves that He garnered the attention of the Pharisees in Jerusalem.  The Pharisees along with some Scribes traveled down to Galilee to "see" what Jesus was doing.  It did not take them long to draw the ire of Jesus.  It all started when they asked Jesus to give an account for why His followers were not following the traditions of the elders.

Read verses 1-5: [1] The Pharisees and some of the scribes gathered around Him when they had come from Jerusalem, [2] and had seen that some of His disciples were eating their bread with impure hands, that is, unwashed. [3] (For the Pharisees and all the Jews do not eat unless they carefully wash their hands, thus observing the traditions of the elders; [4] and when they come from the market place, they do not eat unless they cleanse themselves; and there are many other things which they have received in order to observe, such as the washing of cups and pitchers and copper pots.) [5] The Pharisees and the scribes asked Him, “Why do Your disciples not walk according to the tradition of the elders, but eat their bread with impure hands?”

1. Why do you think Jesus was unconcerned about His disciples ignoring the ritual washing of hands?
2. What do the questions of the Pharisees tell you about their general attitude towards Jesus?
3. Was the ceremonial washing before meals a part of the Law of Moses?  (Should this law have been applied to all Jewish people?)

Read verses 6,7: [6] And He said to them, “Rightly did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written: ‘THIS PEOPLE HONORS ME WITH THEIR LIPS, BUT THEIR HEART IS FAR AWAY FROM ME. [7] ‘BUT IN VAIN DO THEY WORSHIP ME, TEACHING AS DOCTRINES THE PRECEPTS OF MEN.’

1. Why is lip service dangerous?
2. Can you think of examples of where the precepts of men have been presented as doctrines from God?  (This is a common characteristic of cult groups)

Read verses 8-13: [8] Neglecting the commandment of God, you hold to the tradition of men.” [9] He was also saying to them, “You are experts at setting aside the commandment of God in order to keep your tradition. [10] For Moses said, ‘HONOR YOUR FATHER AND YOUR MOTHER’; and, ‘HE WHO SPEAKS EVIL OF FATHER OR MOTHER, IS TO BE PUT TO DEATH’; [11] but you say, ‘If a man says to his father or his mother, whatever I have that would help you is Corban (that is to say, given to God),’ [12] you no longer permit him to do anything for his father or his mother; [13] thus invalidating the word of God by your tradition which you have handed down; and you do many things such as that.”

1. How was the giving of an offering (Corban) used to circumvent the commandment to honor your parents?
2. What would have been the results of violating the commandment to honor your parents?
   

Wrap-up: Jesus wrapped up His time challenging the "works" of the Pharisees by telling them that they were doing many underhanded things.  There is no doubt that Jesus challenged the corruption that had become accepted parts of the Jewish religion.