Key Thought: Jesus often quoted from the Old Testament. But to the Jewish leaders, tradition was more important than Biblical instruction. Let’s look at Jesus’ interaction with the Pharisees in Mark chapters 7 and 8.
August 10, 2024
1. Have a volunteer read Mark 7:14-19.
- Ask class members to share a short thought on what the most important point is in this passage.
- What truths are presented here? What did Jesus mean by the riddle in Mark 7:15?
- Personal Application: What do you do with the gifts you have been given regarding hearing and speaking? How can you use them? Share your thoughts.
- Case Study: One of your relatives states, “Do we have traditions that may conflict with the principles of God’s law?.” How would you respond to your relative?
2. Have a volunteer read Mark 7:24-30.
- Ask class members to share their thoughts on the most important point in this text.
- What important lessons are found in this story?
- Personal Application: Why is prejudice against other races contrary to the teaching of Jesus? Share your thoughts.
- Case Study: One of your friends states, “Why did Jesus speak so harshly to the woman at first, calling her people dogs? The Jews themselves were slaves in Rome at this time. Was He referring to the fact that she was not in His religious group and was an idol worshipper? Or was He using this instance to show the disciples how wrong they were to disregard others because they were not part of the Jewish community?” How would you respond to your friend?
3. Have a volunteer read Mark 7:31-37.
- Ask class members to share a short thought on what the most important point in this text is.
- Who was brought to Jesus and what did Jesus do for him??
- Personal Application: What can you do to share the gospel in simple ways to your neighbor? Share your thoughts.
- Case Study: One of your neighbors asks: “Why did Jesus put His fingers in the man’s ears, spit, and touch his tongue and sigh? Couldn’t He have just commanded the man to hear and speak? And why did He sigh?” How would you respond to your neighbor?
4. Have a volunteer read Mark 8:11-21.
- Ask class members to share a thought on what the most important point in this text is.
- What approach by the Pharisees deeply disappointed Jesus?
- Personal Application: Why does it seem so easy to doubt God’s love for us? Share your thoughts.
- Case Study: Think of one person who needs to hear a message from this week’s lesson. Tell the class what you plan to do this week to share with them.
(Truth that is not lived, that is not imparted, loses its life-giving power, its healing virtue. Its blessings can be retained only as it is shared.”Ministry of Healing, p. 148).
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