Key Thought: The religious leaders came to confront, confound, and defeat Jesus, but they never succeeded. We need to consider what Christians can do to break through prejudice and speak to those resisting God’s call.
August 31, 2024
1. Have a volunteer read Mark 11:12-26
- Ask class members to share a short thought on what the most important point is in this passage.
- What importance of the events is depicted here?
- Personal Application: Why is humility so important for Christians?
Share your thoughts. - Case Study: One of your relatives states, “How are we supposed to be proud of being Christian without being accused of being judgmental, superior, or self-righteous? How would you respond to your relative?
2. Have a volunteer read Mark 11:27-33
- Ask class members to share a thought on what the most important point in this text is.
- What is the importance of the events depicted here
- Personal Application: What things in your life do you need Jesus to purify? How does this happen? Share your thoughts.
- Case Study: One of your friends states, “How did Jesus follow up His refusal to answer, and what effect did it have? Why did Jesus speak in parables here?” How would you respond to your friend?
3. Have a volunteer read Mark 12:13-27
- Ask class members to share a short thought on what the most important point in this text is.
- What challenge did the religious leaders bring to Jesus and how did He respond?
- Personal Application: If someone asked you, “Do you know the power of God?” How would you answer? Share your thoughts.
- Case Study: One of your neighbors states: “The Bible is just people’s own ideas about God, who He is, and how He operates. You can make the Bible say anything you want it to.” How would you respond to your neighbor?
4. Have a volunteer read Mark 12:28-34
- Ask class members to share a thought on what the most important point in this text is.
- What question did the scribe ask and what double response did Jesus give?
- Personal Application: How do we learn to love God and our neighbors as ourselves? How is the cross the key to following these commands? 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).
(1)Source: https://ssnet.org/blog/9-jerusalem-controversies-teaching-plan/
