Signs

​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.”