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.

Community Group Discussion Guide
Mark - Healing at Gennesaret
Icebreakers:

1. Where do you get your information when buying a new product?  (When choosing a new restaurant to eat at, do you read the reviews?)
2. In terms of marketing, why is “word of mouth” so effective?  (Do you ever make recommendations based on your own experience?  Why?)
3. What is the best restaurant that you have ever eaten at?  (What made it great?)

Scripture: Mark 6:53-56 NASB95
When they had crossed over they came to land at Gennesaret, and moored to the shore. [54] When they got out of the boat, immediately the people recognized Him, [55] and ran about that whole country and began to carry here and there on their pallets those who were sick, to the place they heard He was. [56] Wherever He entered villages, or cities, or countryside, they were laying the sick in the market places, and imploring Him that they might just touch the fringe of His cloak; and as many as touched it were being cured.
Digging Deeper: Jesus was getting famous in the region around the Sea of Galilee.  This is where He spent most of His time early in His public ministry.  In a short period of time in Galilee, Jesus had performed a miracle by turning water into wine at a wedding.  Cast out a Legion of demons that caused the swine to run into the Sea of Galilee.  Fed 5,000 people with a few loaves of bread and two small fish.  Raised a young girl from the dead.  Taught the Sermon on the Mount.  Called twelve men to follow Him as disciples.  Calmed a storm.  The result?  You cannot do the kind of things that Jesus was doing without the word getting out.  Jesus was doing the kind of activities that gets one noticed!
Read Verses 53 and 54: [53] When they had crossed over they came to land at Gennesaret, and moored to the shore. [54] When they got out of the boat, immediately the people recognized Him.

1. Why do you think the people in the land of Gennesaret immediately recognized Jesus?  (Who is the most famous person that you have ever seen in person?  How did you react?)
2. In terms of marketing, it is said that the best advertising is “word of mouth.”  Why do you think that people were talking about Jesus?
3. Why do you think that “most” of the people in Jesus’ time did not recognize Him as the Messiah?

Read Verses 55 and 56: [55] and ran about that whole country and began to carry here and there on their pallets those who were sick, to the place they heard He was. [56] Wherever He entered villages, or cities, or countryside, they were laying the sick in the marketplaces, and imploring Him that they might just touch the fringe of His cloak; and as many as touched it were being cured.

1. When Jesus was recognized, the first thing that people did was to bring sick people to Jesus.  When you or a loved one is sick, what is the first thing that you do?
2. (Here is an obvious follow-up question) Should Believers consider praying before we rush off to get medical help?  What is the right balance between faith and presumption?
3. Notice that Jesus’ ministry continued wherever He was at.  What could “we” learn from Jesus’ example?  (Perhaps that we should be ready to minister regardless of the place or situation)

Wrap-up: So…people were flocking to Jesus.  Do people have a reason(s) to flock to our church?  Why or why not?  One of the questions we must ask ourselves is this: “Are we representing our Savior in a way that is pleasing to Him?”  (Are we allowing Jesus to be the Lord of our ministry efforts?)  When it comes to Believers Church, what is the “word of mouth” concerning us?

Community Group Discussion Guide
Mark – The Feeding of the 5,000
Icebreakers:

1. What is the most desolate place that you have ever visited?  (Describe it in a couple of sentences)
2. If you were out in the wilderness, what are the essential “things” that you would need to sustain life?
3. Where would you “find” food if there was no supply of food at your local grocery store?

Scripture: Mark 6:30-44 NASB95
The apostles gathered together with Jesus; and they reported to Him all that they had done and taught. [31] And He said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a secluded place and rest a while.” (For there were many people coming and going, and they did not even have time to eat.) [32] They went away in the boat to a secluded place by themselves. [33] The people saw them going, and many recognized them and ran there together on foot from all the cities, and got there ahead of them. [34] When Jesus went ashore, He saw a large crowd, and He felt compassion for them because they were like sheep without a shepherd; and He began to teach them many things. [35] When it was already quite late, His disciples came to Him and said, “This place is desolate and it is already quite late; [36] send them away so that they may go into the surrounding countryside and villages and buy themselves something to eat.” [37] But He answered them, “You give them something to eat!” And they said to Him, “Shall we go and spend two hundred denarii on bread and give them something to eat?” [38] And He said to them, “How many loaves do you have? Go look!” And when they found out, they said, “Five, and two fish.” [39] And He commanded them all to sit down by groups on the green grass. [40] They sat down in groups of hundreds and of fifties. [41] And He took the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up toward heaven, He blessed the food and broke the loaves and He kept giving them to the disciples to set before them; and He divided up the two fish among them all. [42] They all ate and were satisfied, [43] and they picked up twelve full baskets of the broken pieces, and also of the fish. [44] There were five thousand men who ate the loaves.
 
Digging Deeper: The feeding of the 5,000 is an epic miracle.  Think about it: 5 small barley loaves and two fish to feed 5,000 men.  What does this tell us about God’s ability to provide?  When Jesus commanded the disciples to feed the crowd they reacted with doubt; but Jesus, once again, demonstrated that He was indeed, “God in the flesh!” 
Read verses 30-32:  [30] The apostles gathered together with Jesus; and they reported to Him all that they had done and taught. [31] And He said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a secluded place and rest a while.” (For there were many people coming and going, and they did not even have time to eat.) [32] They went away in the boat to a secluded place by themselves. authority to cover the ministry of the disciples?

• Notice that Mark identifies the 12 disciples as the apostles.  (Since Mark is writing about past events, he identifies the disciples as they are going to be in the future as apostles leading the church)
• In terms of ministry, what is the benefit of resting away from the crowds?

 
Read verses 33 and 34: [33] The people saw them going, and many recognized them and ran there together on foot from all the cities, and got there ahead of them. [34] When Jesus went ashore, He saw a large crowd, and He felt compassion for them because they were like sheep without a shepherd; and He began to teach them many things.

• How would you define compassion?  (How did compassion motivate Jesus when it came to His public ministry?)

• How does Jesus’ view of the crowds, “sheep without a shepherd,” relate to the general culture of America today?
• What are some of the “signs” that our culture is directionless?

Read verses 35-37: [35] When it was already quite late, His disciples came to Him and said, “This place is desolate and it is already quite late; [36] send them away so that they may go into the surrounding countryside and villages and buy themselves something to eat.” [37] But He answered them, “You give them something to eat!” And they said to Him, “Shall we go and spend two hundred denarii on bread and give them something to eat?”

• What do you think was motivating the disciples when they suggested that Jesus should send the crowds away?
• Why would the disciples have considered Jesus command, “You give them something to eat,” beyond their ability to accomplish?  (Does God give us commands that are beyond our ability to accomplish in the flesh alone?)

 
Read verses 38-44: [38] And He said to them, “How many loaves do you have? Go look!” And when they found out, they said, “Five, and two fish.” [39] And He commanded them all to sit down by groups on the green grass. [40] They sat down in groups of hundreds and of fifties. [41] And He took the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up toward heaven, He blessed the food and broke the loaves and He kept giving them to the disciples to set before them; and He divided up the two fish among them all. [42] They all ate and were satisfied, [43] and they picked up twelve full baskets of the broken pieces, and also of the fish. [44] There were five thousand men who ate the loaves.

• Put yourself in the disciples’ shoes; how much confidence would you have had in fulfilling Jesus’ command when you realized that you only had 5 loaves and a few fish?
• How much food do you think a crowd of 5,000 men could consume?
• What do you think Jesus’ motivation was in doing this miracle?

 
Wrap-up: Often we look at the resources we have and find ourselves somewhat “short” of what we feel we need in order to fulfill God’s mission.  What Jesus proved in this miracle is that He can take a little and make it into much.