THE GOSPEL OF MARK,Ch.11,v.1ff..

  v2…” a colt which no one has ever ridden…”  What is the significance of something  which has been reserved and not previously used ? See- Numbers,ch.19,v.2-3.

  v3, Was the agreement of its owner an indicator of God’s leading in this matter ?

     What is the significance of the choice of a colt, rather than a horse and chariot  ?- Zech. ch.9.v.9.. Did the colt obey its new master and his control ?  Are people today ready to accept Jesus’ rule ? –Isaiah,ch.1,v.3.

v.9…”HOSANNA.”….is a Hebrew word  meaning “Save now”. What were the people expecting from the Son of David ?

   “Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord.”- The people were fulfilling an old prophecy – Ps,118, v.26-29. Could the people be aware of its meaning ?

   “HE WHO  COMES” is a title reserved for whom ?-Luke,ch.7,v20; Rev.ch.22,v.7;20.

THE GOSPEL OF MARK,Ch.10,v.46ff.

v.46…Imagine that you are Bartimaeus. What are your thoughts as you read that he was blind,sitting,begging, by the road side , shouting out.( He may have had a companion who was also begging…see Matt.ch.20,v.30.)

v47… Was the one title …Son of David. sufficient to raise Jesus’ attention ?

   Is it important to know many truths about God or who Jesus is ?

48… Should someone in need persistently call on God ?- Luke,ch.11,v5ff; ch.18v.1-8.

v.49…”Jesus stopped..”  Does God have time to attend to anyone who calls on Him while in need or distress ?

v.50… Have we heard the voice of Jesus calling to us, say through a message heard in church, through an experience or by a word read in the Bible ? What  was the message we heard, and did we act on it ?

v.51…Why did Jesus ask this question, when the need was obvious to Him ?

v52… Have we experienced an answer to a call upon God  ? What did Bartimaeus do to show that his faith was real ?  Should anyone in real need call upon God first, rather than turn first to a friend, church contact or a counsellor ? Will God often use such a human contact to meet our  needs ?

THE GOSPEL OF MARK,Ch.10,v.35ff.

v .35-37.. What is the contrast between the disciples’ estimate of greatness and that which Jesus offers. ?-see.v.42- 44.

v.38….The “cup” has more than one meaning. What is the meaning in this verse ?- Luke, ch.2,v.42; John,ch.18,v.11; Isaiah, ch. 51, v.17;Psalm, 75,v.8.  Who gives the cup ?

   What will baptism mean for Jesus ?-Luke ch.12,v.50;  What could baptism mean for a believer ?- Ps.18,v4-6; Ps.42,v.7.

   Could a baptism mean an entry into a new state or position or a new role in life ?-Luke ch.3,v.3; Matt,.ch.3,v.11

v.40…How are eternal rewards allocated in eternity ?-Phil.ch.2,.v3-11.

v.45..By what means is a ransom normally paid ?-Ps.49,v.7-8 

  It implies that a price is paid to secure something or some person from bondage or captivity with an enemy,or to deliver from the power of an enemy.   What power has Jesus Christ delivered you from ? Romans,ch,7.v.24-25; I Timothy,ch.2,v6. Is.ch.35,v.10

To redeem means to pay back to the new owner a price for something or some person  who has been sold to him .-1 Peter,ch. 1,v.18;  Titus ch.2,.v14.

   IS JESUS CHRIST BOTH THE RANSOM AND THE REDEEMER OF A BELIEVER , OR IS THERE ANY OTHER MEANS ?- Acts,ch.2,v.12.; Romans,ch.6,.v.17-18.

THE GOSPEL OF MARK,Ch.10,v.24ff.

v24. Does it seem that the disciples saw riches as a sign of God’s favour and blessing ?

  What could exclude a rich person from entry into the Kingdom of God ?- Matt.ch.13,v22.

v.27… Is salvation a work or a position a man cab achieve ,or is it a work of God in the soul of a man, given out of His unconditional love towards all men ?-Romans,ch.10,v.9-10; Eph.ch.2,v.8-9.

   Is salvation created by a man’s righteous living,effort and prayer, or is ir a gift received ?

v/28…Is Peter’s reaction one we can identify with ?

v.29-30..For those who surrender themselves and all their possessions and all that they value in life to Jesus Christ , what encouragements does God offer ,- for this present time, and also for eternity ?-Phil. ch.3,v.7-14; Rev.ch.20,v.4-6; Psalm, 73,v.23-28.

  Does Jesus offer a reward to His faithful followers, or a challenge without any future guarantees ?

v.32-34.. Despite  this third repetition of His imminent betrayal, death and resurrection – what is commendable about the disciples ? See John, ch.6,v.66ff.