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Community Group Discussion Guide
Mark - Healing at Gennesaret Icebreakers:
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.
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Community Group Discussion Guide
Mark 6:45-52 Icebreakers: 1. Have you ever witnessed an actual miracle that defied the laws of nature or science? 2. Out of all of the miracles of Jesus, what is your favorite? 3. Do you believe that signs and wonders should be "normal" in the church of today? Why or why not? Scripture: Immediately Jesus made His disciples get into the boat and go ahead of Him to the other side to Bethsaida, while He Himself was sending the crowd away. 46After bidding them farewell, He left for the mountain to pray. 47When it was evening, the boat was in the middle of the sea, and He was alone on the land. 48Seeing them straining at the oars, for the wind was against them, at about the fourth watch of the night He came to them, walking on the sea; and He intended to pass by them. 49But when they saw Him walking on the sea, they supposed that it was a ghost, and cried out; 50for they all saw Him and were terrified. But immediately He spoke with them and said to them, “Take courage; it is I, do not be afraid.” 51Then He got into the boat with them, and the wind stopped; and they were utterly astonished, 52for they had not gained any insight from the incident of the loaves, but their heart was hardened. Mark 6:45-52 NASB Read Verses 45-56: Immediately Jesus made His disciples get into the boat and go ahead of Him to the other side to Bethsaida, while He Himself was sending the crowd away. 46After bidding them farewell, He left for the mountain to pray. 1. Jesus demonstrated the extreme importance of living a lifestyle of prayer. Before big events and small events we can see Jesus slipping away to pray. What does this teach us as followers of Christ? 2. Do you believe Jesus knew that there was a fierce wind that would rise up against the disciples when He sent them away in the boat? For reference to the omniscience of Jesus, read John 16:30. Read Verses 47-48: 47When it was evening, the boat was in the middle of the sea, and He was alone on the land. 48Seeing them straining at the oars, for the wind was against them, at about the fourth watch of the night He came to them, walking on the sea; and He intended to pass by them. 1. Have you ever felt that Jesus has left you alone to struggle in the vast ocean of life? 2. Jesus was watching the disciples struggle against the wind in the boat. This shows us that Jesus sees the things we are going through and He will come after His sheep that need rescuing. How has Jesus rescued you from a struggle in your life? 3. Jesus comes to His disciples without using any human means at all. He is walking on the sea! How is this possible? Do you ever feel like you read stories like these in scripture and they become "common" because we have heard them so much? How can we fight against these feelings? 4. Why did you think Mark points out that Jesus "intended to pass them by"? Read Verses 49-50: 49But when they saw Him walking on the sea, they supposed that it was a ghost, and cried out; 50for they all saw Him and were terrified. But immediately He spoke with them and said to them, “Take courage; it is I, do not be afraid.” 1. The disciples are afraid because of the wind coming against them. Then they are afraid when they see Jesus walking on the water. Have you ever dealt with fear that seems to compound like this? How have you or how are you finding freedom from those feelings? 2. Jesus tells His disciples to "Take courage; it is I, do not be afraid. We are living in a time where the people of God need Spirit induced boldness. How can you and I take these words and walk them out in our every day lives? Read Verses 51-52: 51Then He got into the boat with them, and the wind stopped; and they were utterly astonished, 52for they had not gained any insight from the incident of the loaves, but their heart was hardened. 1. Why do you think the wind stopped when Jesus got into the boat and not before? What is the significance of that? 2. The disciples were afraid of the wind, they were afraid of Jesus walking on the water, and then they are astonished when the wind stopped once Jesus got into the boat. That's a lot of feelings all at once! How would you describe the fear of the Lord to someone? 3. Jesus ends this story with a rebuke of His disciples. He tells them that they had not gained any insight from the incident of the loaves, and that their hearts were hardened. These are the same disciples who had been "doing ministry" with Jesus already, and who had just got down seeing an amazing miracle. What does this show us about doing instead of understating? 4. What do you think of the quote: "There are many things in the mind of man that will never reach the heart. But there is nothing in the heart of man that did not begin with the mind."? Community Group Discussion Guide
Mark – The Feeding of the 5,000 Icebreakers:
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?
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.
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.
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. Community Group Discussion Guide
Mark – Sending Out the Twelve Icebreakers:
And He summoned the twelve and began to send them out in pairs, and gave them authority over the unclean spirits; [8] and He instructed them that they should take nothing for their journey, except a mere staff—no bread, no bag, no money in their belt— [9] but to wear sandals; and He added, “Do not put on two tunics.” [10] And He said to them, “Wherever you enter a house, stay there until you leave town. [11] Any place that does not receive you or listen to you, as you go out from there, shake the dust off the soles of your feet for a testimony against them.” [12] They went out and preached that men should repent. [13] And they were casting out many demons and were anointing with oil many sick people and healing them. Digging Deeper: In this passage of scripture we see a foreshadowing of the Great Commission. In Mark’s narrative, this is the first time Jesus sends his disciples out into the harvest to do the work of the ministry. Jesus was already preparing them for the time when the spreading of the Gospel would rest on their shoulders. Read verse 7: [7] And He summoned the twelve and began to send them out in pairs, and gave them authority over the unclean spirits.
Read verses 8,9: [8] and He instructed them that they should take nothing for their journey, except a mere staff—no bread, no bag, no money in their belt— [9] but to wear sandals; and He added, “Do not put on two tunics.”
Community Group Discussion Guide
Icebreakers:
Jesus went out from there and came into His hometown; and His disciples followed Him. 2When the Sabbath came, He began to teach in the synagogue; and the many listeners were astonished, saying, “Where did this man get these things, and what is this wisdom given to Him, and such miracles as these performed by His hands? 3“Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, and brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon? Are not His sisters here with us?” And they took offense at Him. 4Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his hometown and among his own relatives and in his own household.” 5 And He could do no miracle there except that He laid His hands on a few sick people and healed them. 6 And He wondered at their unbelief. And He was going around the villages teaching. Mark 6:1-6 NASB Read: Verses 1-2 Jesus went out from there and came into His hometown; and His disciples followed Him. 2When the Sabbath came, He began to teach in the synagogue; and the many listeners were astonished, saying, “Where did this man get these things, and what is this wisdom given to Him, and such miracles as these performed by His hands?
Read: and those members of the body which we deem less honorable, on these we bestow more abundant honor, and our less presentable members become much more presentable, 24whereas our more presentable members have no need of it. But God has so composed the body, giving more abundant honor to that member which lacked, 25so that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. 1 Corinthians 12:23-25 NASB
Community Group Discussion Guide
Icebreakers:
Scripture: Mark 5:25-34 NASB95 A woman who had had a hemorrhage for twelve years, [26] and had endured much at the hands of many physicians, and had spent all that she had and was not helped at all, but rather had grown worse— [27] after hearing about Jesus, she came up in the crowd behind Him and touched His cloak. [28] For she thought, “If I just touch His garments, I will get well.” [29] Immediately the flow of her blood was dried up; and she felt in her body that she was healed of her affliction. [30] Immediately Jesus, perceiving in Himself that the power proceeding from Him had gone forth, turned around in the crowd and said, “Who touched My garments?” [31] And His disciples said to Him, “You see the crowd pressing in on You, and You say, ‘Who touched Me?’” [32] And He looked around to see the woman who had done this. [33] But the woman fearing and trembling, aware of what had happened to her, came and fell down before Him and told Him the whole truth. [34] And He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace and be healed of your affliction.” Digging Deeper: One can read between the lines, but Mark’s narrative of this story does not detail how the woman with the hemorrhage came to know about Jesus; and even more importantly, come to have faith in Jesus. Obviously, Jesus had become popular and His fame was spreading across Israel. Read verses 25-28: [25] A woman who had had a hemorrhage for twelve years, [26] and had endured much at the hands of many physicians, and had spent all that she had and was not helped at all, but rather had grown worse— [27] after hearing about Jesus, she came up in the crowd behind Him and touched His cloak. [28] For she thought, “If I just touch His garments, I will get well.”
Read verses 29-32 [29] Immediately the flow of her blood was dried up; and she felt in her body that she was healed of her affliction. [30] Immediately Jesus, perceiving in Himself that the power proceeding from Him had gone forth, turned around in the crowd and said, “Who touched My garments?” [31] And His disciples said to Him, “You see the crowd pressing in on You, and You say, ‘Who touched Me?’” [32] And He looked around to see the woman who had done this.
Read verses 33,34 [33] But the woman fearing and trembling, aware of what had happened to her, came and fell down before Him and told Him the whole truth. [34] And He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace and be healed of your affliction.”
Wrap-up: The woman with the need got close enough to Jesus to touch Him. Good things happen to people when they get close to God. Do you love God? Are you called according to His purposes? Romans 8:28 And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. Community Group Discussion Guide
Mark – The Healing of Jairus’ Daughter Icebreakers:
[21] When Jesus had crossed over again in the boat to the other side, a large crowd gathered around Him; and so He stayed by the seashore. [22] One of the synagogue officials named Jairus came up, and on seeing Him, fell at His feet [23] and implored Him earnestly, saying, “My little daughter is at the point of death; please come and lay Your hands on her, so that she will get well and live.” [24] And He went off with him; and a large crowd was following Him and pressing in on Him. [35] While He was still speaking, they came from the house of the synagogue official, saying, “Your daughter has died; why trouble the Teacher anymore?” [36] But Jesus, overhearing what was being spoken, said to the synagogue official, “Do not be afraid any longer, only believe.” [37] And He allowed no one to accompany Him, except Peter and James and John the brother of James. [38] They came to the house of the synagogue official; and He saw a commotion, and people loudly weeping and wailing. [39] And entering in, He said to them, “Why make a commotion and weep? The child has not died, but is asleep.” [40] They began laughing at Him. But putting them all out, He took along the child’s father and mother and His own companions, and entered the room where the child was. [41] Taking the child by the hand, He said to her, “Talitha kum!” (which translated means, “Little girl, I say to you, get up!”). [42] Immediately the girl got up and began to walk, for she was twelve years old. And immediately they were completely astounded. [43] And He gave them strict orders that no one should know about this, and He said that something should be given her to eat. Digging Deeper: Obviously, Jairus was desperate when he reached out to Jesus. At this point in Jesus’ ministry, there were those within the ranks of the religious leaders that were already plotting against Jesus, so Jairus was taking a risk by asking Jesus to heal his daughter. Read verses 21-23 [21] When Jesus had crossed over again in the boat to the other side, a large crowd gathered around Him; and so He stayed by the seashore. [22] One of the synagogue officials named Jairus came up, and on seeing Him, fell at His feet [23] and implored Him earnestly, saying, “My little daughter is at the point of death; please come and lay Your hands on her, so that she will get well and live.”
Read verses 24, 35 [24] And He went off with him; and a large crowd was following Him and pressing in on Him. [35] While He was still speaking, they came from the house of the synagogue official, saying, “Your daughter has died; why trouble the Teacher anymore?”
Community Group Discussion Guide
The Demoniac, Mark 5:1-20 Ice Breakers: 1. Have you ever witnessed someone that seemed to be demon-possessed? What was that experience like? 2. Do you think that every believer can cast our demons? Do you think every believer should be casting out demons? Read: 1 They came to the other side of the sea, into the country of the Gerasenes. 2 When He got out of the boat, immediately a man from the tombs with an unclean spirit met Him, 3 and he had his dwelling among the tombs. And no one was able to bind him anymore, even with a chain; 4 because he had often been bound with shackles and chains, and the chains had been torn apart by him and the shackles broken in pieces, and no one was strong enough to subdue him. 5 Constantly, night and day, he was screaming among the tombs and in the mountains, and gashing himself with stones. Mark 5:1-5 1. The country of the Gerasenes was in the Decapolis which was a group of 10 Greek cities on the east side of the Sea of Galilee. Most Jewish people stayed out of this region because of the idol worship and false teaching that was happening amongst the Greek culture. What is the significance of Jesus entering this region early on in His ministry? 2. It seems like the people in this region had tried to help this man by chaining him up to prevent him from hurting himself and others. What are some areas where the world tries to control us instead of offering freedom? 3. What do you think and feel when you hear about this man? Fear, compassion, worry etc. Read: 6 Seeing Jesus from a distance, he ran up and bowed down before Him; 7 and shouting with a loud voice, he said, “What business do we have with each other, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I implore You by God, do not torment me!” 8 For He had been saying to him, “Come out of the man, you unclean spirit!” Mark 5:6-8 1. How did the human side of this man know who Jesus was? Has anyone told him about Jesus or presented Jesus to him? Read: John 6:44 for reference 2. The demons and the man both bow before Jesus. The demons are the ones speaking to Jesus through the lips of the man. They acknowledge who Jesus is by calling Him "Son of the Most High God". How significant is it that demons confess who Jesus is, even before the disciples? 3. What are the demons referencing when they ask Jesus to not torment them? Matthew 25:41, Revelation 20:10 for reference Read: 9 And He was asking him, “What is your name?” And he said to Him, “My name is Legion; for we are many.” 10 And he began to implore Him earnestly not to send them out of the country. 11 Now there was a large herd of swine feeding nearby on the mountain. 12 The demons implored Him, saying, “Send us into the swine so that we may enter them.” 13 Jesus gave them permission. And coming out, the unclean spirits entered the swine; and the herd rushed down the steep bank into the sea, about two thousand of them; and they were drowned in the sea. Mark 5:9-13 1. The demon answers Jesus' question of "what is your name" by saying "Legion; for we are many". How do you think demons gain entry into people's lives? 2. Why are they earnestly asking Jesus to not be sent out of the country? What was so important in that country? 3. The Sea of Galilee in Mark 4 was the place of an intense storm that Jesus rose up to calm with His very words. Jesus sends the demons into the pigs and they are drowned in the same sea. What is the significance here that the same sea that almost killed the disciples has been used to set free a man in bondage to demons? Has the Lord ever used a trial to bring freedom to an area of your life? Read: 14 Their herdsmen ran away and reported it in the city and in the country. And the people came to see what it was that had happened. 15 They came to Jesus and observed the man who had been demon-possessed sitting down, clothed and in his right mind, the very man who had had the “legion”; and they became frightened. 16 Those who had seen it described to them how it had happened to the demon-possessed man, and all about the swine. 17 And they began to implore Him to leave their region. Mark 5:14-17 1. Has the transformation of Christ in your life caused people to become "frightened" or at least take notice because of the change that has taken place? 2. Can you relate to the change that took place in this man's life? Share how you can relate with your group. 3. The townspeople ask Jesus to leave their region. What would have happened if they would have allowed Jesus to stay in their region? What does this show us about how some people of this world react to Jesus's work? Read: 18 As He was getting into the boat, the man who had been demon-possessed was imploring Him that he might accompany Him. 19 And He did not let him, but He said to him, “Go home to your people and report to them what great things the Lord has done for you, and how He had mercy on you.” 20 And he went away and began to proclaim in Decapolis what great things Jesus had done for him; and everyone was amazed. Mark 5:18-20 1. The demons begged Jesus to not torment them, the townspeople begged Jesus to leave, the newly freed man begged Jesus that he might go with Him. Does Jesus's deliverance in your life cause you to want to be with Him even more? What does that look like in your life? 2. Jesus tells this man to stay in that region and go proclaim what the Lord had done for him. A man who just a few short minutes ago was controlled by demons, has been freed and given a whole new purpose in life. Can you relate to this? How are you fulfilling the mission that God has given to you? 3. What happens because of this man's transformed life? Read Mark 7:31-36, Matthew 15:29-31- both of these scripture take place in the Decapolis where this man was sent to preach. Did this man's proclamation of Jesus cause the name of Jesus to become famous in that region to where when Jesus came back to that region crowds were excited? Community Group Discussion Guide
Faith Icebreakers:
And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him. Digging Deeper: If you are going to please God, faith is essential. Furthermore, a person of faith will believe two things: 1) They will believe that God exists. 2) They will believe that God is good. (“A rewarder of those who seek Him”) The 2nd Definition of “Faith” listed in Webster’s dictionary reads like this: “Faith is belief, trust in and loyalty to God.” How would you define faith in one sentence? (We are going to talk about Belief, Trust and Loyalty as they relate to the subject of faith) Belief in God. John 20:24-29 NASB95 But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came. [25] So the other disciples were saying to him, “We have seen the Lord!” But he said to them, “Unless I see in His hands the imprint of the nails and put my finger into the place of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe.” [26] After eight days His disciples were again inside, and Thomas with them. Jesus came, the doors having been shut, and stood in their midst and said, “Peace be with you.” [27] Then He said to Thomas, “Reach here with your finger, and see My hands; and reach here your hand and put it into My side; and do not be unbelieving but believing.” [28] Thomas answered and said to Him, “My Lord and my God!” [29] Jesus said to him, “Because you have seen Me, have you believed? Blessed are they who did not see, and yet believed.”
Trust in God. Jeremiah 29:11-13 For I know the plans that I have for you,’ declares the LORD, ‘plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope. [12] Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. [13] You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart. Romans 8:28 And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.
Loyalty to God. 2 Corinthians 5:17,18,20 NASB95 If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come. [18] Now all these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation. (Skip to verse 20) [20] Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. 1.How would you describe the idea of loyalty? 2.In what way do Believers act as ambassadors for Christ? 3.Do you see yourself as a loyal person? (Why or why not?) Wrap-up: True faith will ultimately cause a person to be faithful. The word faithful literally means “to be full of faith.” As the literal ambassadors for Christ it is essential for us to be people who are full of faith. Community Group Discussion Guide- Mark 4:26-34
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