Lesson # 22 | MARK 9:2-13 | RELIGIOUS EXPERIENCES

I.   Greetings: 

 

II.  Introduction:  We're going to read about an unusual spiritual experience today.  It is one of the classic ones described in the Gospels.  We often hear about religious experiences, but... 

            Q  What are religious experiences? 

            Q  Do you know others who have sought after them?

            Q  Do some seek them to authenticate or validate their spirituality? 

            Lets see how one such experience is viewed in Mark.

 

III.  The Transfiguration:      Mark 9:2-8

   A.  The Event as a whole.

            Q  What are religious experiences for?

>>>> Have someone read Mark 9:2-8.

            Note:  This must have been an amazing experience.

            Q  Who goes up?  All or just a few?

            Q  Do all good Christians have religious experiences of this stunning magnitude?

               An = We hear of such events but here not everybody experiences what the three disciples experienced.

            B.  The Event Itself.  

>>>> Have someone re-read Mark 9:2-4.

            Q  What actually happened?

               An = 1) Jesus changes.  The greek word used here is "metamorphoses".  Something outwardly visible happened.  It was a theophany.  Literally a visible (phany) appearance caused by God (theos).           

                         2) Two ancient people appear:  Moses (the giver of the Law) and Elijah (the great prophet who never died).

            C.  The Aftermath of the Event. 

>>>> Have someone re-read Mark 9:5-8.

            Q  What was Peter's response?  Do you like it?

               An = His answer is a Title of Address (Rabbi or teacher) that basically lets us know that when in a panic he sees Jesus just as a teacher, not the divine messiah.  He then makes two assertions about how good it was to be there and something about building monuments to all three. 

            Q  Why does Peter want to build these tabernacles or monuments?

            I think mankind would rather build monuments to great happenings or experiences than actually learn something from them. The religious world is full of monuments, but has few people who understand what the Lord would really have them know.

            Q  What does the voice of 9:7 say to Peter?

               An = "This is my Son, whom I love.  Listen to him!"  In other words, this is the One most close to Me, you will never hear a more important speaker.  Listen to Him.  Do not do anything religious, just listen.  Remember, also, the word "listen" in Hebrew is the same word for "obey".

            Q  Why are the disciples terrified?

               An = When we really see God is it a tremendous experience, and we sense the majesty and Lordship of God.  It is terrifying.  Perhaps, Peter is running off at the mouth about monuments or shrines because he is a verbal person and is just talking in an attempt to keep control of his fear.

            Q  Why do Elijah and Moses appear?

               An = 1) It could be that this was to help Peter understand that he was right not to confuse them with Jesus six days ago when he confessed that Jesus was not Elijah but the Messiah (8:28-29).    2)  These two men honor Jesus and are in league with Him.  Jesus is not at odds with the Law or the Prophets (in other words:  the entire Old Testament), and this is proved by their appearing.   Jesus is at one with the Old Testament witness. 

            Note:  Be careful of those who throw out the authority of the Old Testament.  To do so, is to be at odds with our Lord.

 

IV.  The Discussion On the Way Down the Mountain.   Mark 9:9-13.

>>>> Have someone read Mark 9:9-13.

   A.  The Trigger of Discussion.

            Q  Who is it that the voice from the cloud wanted them to listen to?

               An = God does not want you to build a monument, but to listen to His Son. 

            Q What does His Son say on the way down from the mountain, that startled them?

               An = That Jesus mentions rising from the dead.  To rise from the dead means you first have to be dead and die.

            Q  Why do they ask a question about Elijah?

               An = Popular opinion believed Elijah would announce the Messiah.  They expected the coming to be glorious, so rising from the dead did not fit their understanding of the future, especially Jesus' future.  If Elijah was to come first, then why this rising from the dead?  This could imply Jesus would need to rise from the dead.  They did not like that.  Since to rise, meant one had to first die, it must of disturbed them to think Jesus was going to die.

            Note:  In chapter 8:31-38 Jesus spoke about the necessity of His death and of our dying to ourselves.  When I have mentioned this I have often met with strong opposition.  Usually from other religious persons who want nothing to do with such "negative" language.  Those who have found a "comfortable religion" they can control want nothing to do with a faith that demands God is in control.

   B.  The Place and Role of Elijah.

            Q  How many times is Elijah mentioned in 9:2-13?

               An = Five times:  4,5,6,12, and 13.  Have everyone turn to Malachi 3:1,2 and 4:5,6.  >>>> Have someone read Malachi 3:1,2.

>>>> Have someone read Malachi 4:5,6.

            Q  Who does Jesus understand the coming Elijah to be?

               An = John the Baptist.  Not that Jesus believed John was a reincarnation of Elijah, but that John fulfilled the mission of Elijah:  especially Malachi 4:5,6 and John's great preaching of repentance.  Until there is repentance and change, religious experiences, even seeing the Messiah, are of no value.

            Note:  Repentance is not just for drug addicts and prostitutes but good upstanding, strong Christians as well.  If our group wishes to see the Lord and derive any good from it they must repent.

            Note:  John says that children and parents must have their hearts turned towards one another.  Parents need to deeply love and forgive their children and children must forgive their parents and begin to love them.  If spiritual perception, not just experiences, is to take place then dealing with our parents or children is key.  We must obey (or listen) to the Son.

>>>> Have someone read 9:13.

            Q What did they do to John the Baptist?

>>>> You read Mark 6:27,28

               An = Those in power killed John and those who did not repent did not see the Glory of the Son of God when He was right there in their midst.  We will not see God here in this group no matter what good and positive things are done if we do not repent.

            Note:  The disciples still do not want Jesus to die. They want glory, but Jesus reminds them that as the authorities did to John, they would do to Jesus.  Mark 9:9-12 is the second announcement (of five) by Jesus that He must die.

 

V.  Conclusion:

            Q  So what is the purpose of true religious experiences?

               An = They are to help us listen!  This experience reveals that glory only comes after humiliation.  Jesus spoke of His humiliation.  John the Baptist says our humiliation of repentance must be there if we are to truly see and understand Jesus Christ. 

            Peter soon forgot what God had showed him.  God graciously tried to show him the proper perspective on the way down the mountain.  God continues to try to tell us also, if we will listen.

            Note:  Let me share with you two quotes in closing.  One from Oswald Chambers, My Utmost For His Highest,  July 29, says,

            "In the Bible clouds are always associated with God.  Clouds are the sorrows, sufferings, or providential circumstances, within or without our personal lives which actually seem to contradict the sovereignty of God.  Yet it is through these very clouds that the Spirit of God is teaching us how to walk by faith.  If there were never any clouds in our lives, we would have no faith....  They are a sign that God is there.  What a revelation it is to know that sorrow, bereavement, and suffering are actually the clouds that come along with God!  God cannot come near us without clouds...."

            Note:  He cannot always come near us with clear shining brightness, for we would never see what He wants us to see, and what we so desperately need to see.  If we have clouds today, we can try to get away from them, but if we are disciples like Peter of old, Jesus will repeatedly bring us back to the necessity of the cross.

 

            The second comes from the movie "Princess Bride".  There is a great quote in it towards the end:  "If someone tells you there is no pain, they are either lying or trying to sell you something." 

            Jesus Christ does not want our money.  He wants to give us the key to eternal life, and so He tells us the truth about pain.  Maybe the pain we need to face is the pain of repentance, finally admitting that we could be wrong, no matter how bad we may look in the community.

Lesson # 21 | MARK 8:34-9:1 | THE CALL TO GLORY

I.   Greetings: 

 

II.  Introduction:

            Note:  Last week we spoke of the key aspect of Jesus' life.  Let me refresh your memory. >>>> Read to the audience Mark 8:31.

            Q  Did Peter like it?  Why not?

            Q  How many of you know people who do not like certain things about the Christian faith and so stay away?  Raise your hands if you know such people.

            Q  Are there things about Christianity you do not like?  Can one or two of you share, like Peter did, some things you either do not like now or did not like before?

               An =  In Peter's case, he was against the cross and the rejection Jesus spoke of.  Peter really loved Jesus.  He might have had other selfish reasons, but he also did not want to lose the Person he loved most in this world.  What our lesson for today will show us is what Jesus' suffering, rejection, death and rising again would mean for his disciples.

 

III.  The Call:  Mark 8:34.

>>>> Have someone read Mark 8:34.

            Q  What does this mean?  What does it mean to you?

               An =  Maybe even have someone take notes or write on a board their answers. 

            Note:  Let me add or repeat a few of your ideas in different words. 

            1)  Notice the word "if".  Jesus does not compel, but asks.  A person must freely choose.             

            2)  Notice Jesus is honest - He challenges us with the fact that following Him will entail death, He does not deceive us, but speaks the truth of the terrible cost of being a Christian.

            3)  Notice verbal confession is not enough.  Remember Peter was willing to say Jesus is the Messiah (see Mark 8:29), but Jesus says there is much more involved. 

            4)  Notice, we are to come after Him, He asks nothing He Himself is not going to do. 

            Note:  William Barclay reminds in this regard that there was a famous Roman general, Quintus Fabius Cunctator, who was discussing with his staff how to take a difficult position.  Someone suggested a certain course of action to capture it, "It will only cost the lives of a few men," this counsellor said.  Fabius looked at him, "Are you," he said, "willing to be one of the few?"  Jesus was not the kind of leader who sat safely in a remote position from the heat of the battle and played with the lives of men like expendable pawns (Barclay, p. 207).

            Q  All of us would agree that Jesus is fair, but why does He make it so hard?

               An =  1) God could have hindered His men from suffering any trials.  They could have always been sheltered from difficulty and pain, but He lets us have the "glory of participation".  2)  The cost involved forces us to shift the center of gravity from self to reckless abandonment to God.  3)  Our faith becomes real only when what Jesus is talking about in 8:34 is acted out in our actual lives.  It cannot remain in our minds. 

            Q  What does it mean to live in the mystery of hiddenness?

               An =  We are to become the great ones of heaven but such greatness will be hidden from most people now on earth.  Jesus was Almighty God, yet He was asked to suffer pain, death and rejection.  Few people figured out Who Jesus was! 

            Note:  I think if we are honest we would agree that it seems hard to pay such great costs to follow God without a lot of praise and acclaim from others.

            Q  Who does Jesus allow to hear such strong demands?  Who was allowed to know the real truth?

               An = Notice Jesus calls the crowd to himself along with the disciples.  Everybody was allowed to hear what He had to say.  Jesus lets all hear such a call and all such a call entails.  He is not like a cult leader who hides part of their agenda from the public.  All can hear, Jesus hides nothing.

            Q  What are the three conditions?

               An =

            1)  One must deny oneself. 

                        What would happen if every mother refused to take the risk of bearing a child?  What would happen if men spent all they had upon themselves?  The very essence of life is in risking and spending it, not in storing and hoarding it.  True, it is the way of weariness, of exhaustion, of giving to the uttermost---but it is better to burn out than to rust out, for denying oneself is the way to happiness and the way to God.

                        Unless we deny a part of our lives, we cannot follow Him.

            Q  Here is a difficult question:  will we be happy if we do?

               An = I have struggled long with this question.  However, the second condition clearly states (2) one must take up one's cross.  One must be prepared to sacrifice and that sacrifice will be painful at times.  Following Jesus always entails more than words on our part.

            3)  One must follow Him. 

            Q  Is self-denial the goal?

               An = No, the goal to is to follow Him, not just deny oneself.  It is not just trials, but trials for Him, not just dying, but obeying His commands.  The goal is not to suffer, but to add His virtues, to follow Him, to be like Him.  Some in religious pride will suffer, but it takes love and humility to follow as well.

 

IV.  The Reasons for the Call:  Mark 8:35-37.

>>>> Have someone read Mark 8:35-37.

            Q  What do most people fear?  Is it Death, or losing something we value?

               An = Let them give their answers without comment.  Then add, Jesus says you must fear the correct things.  Notice the reasons He gives for denying, taking up our cross, and following Him.  He gives a Threat (35 a), a Promise (35 b);  and then He follows with two rhetorical questions (36,37).

            Q  What is the threat in the first half of 8:35?

               An = If you try and save your life you will lose anyway.           

            Q  What is the promise in the last half of 8:35?

               An = Jesus promises that if we will risk our lives for His and the Gospel's sake we will save our lives.  The whole promise centers on loyalty to Jesus Himself.  Jesus says:  "Be loyal to me and you will win!"

            Note:  Jesus then asks two very searching questions.  He asks them because He wants us to think out why we do things.

            RQ  Can we afford to gain the world's approval and still be loyal to Jesus? 

            Note:  It looks so very risky to follow Christ, but it is the very best investment in the world.  I have noticed that those who really give all to Christ are those who really live and not just in the life to come but in this life.

 

V.  Choosing What to Fear:  Mark 8:38-9:1.

>>>> Have someone read Mark 8:38-9:1

            Q  What is the threat in 8:38?

               An = If we deny Jesus, then He will deny us.  You cannot live a hidden Christian life in this world and expect Jesus to publicly acknowledge you in the life to come.  That will not happen.

            Q  What is the promise in 9:1?

               An = The "now" sets the future.  Our now must contain loyalty, loyalty to His future glory.  Death in this life is not to scare us.  To see His glory is to loose the fear of death on this side of the grave.  To live in His glory and His absolute freedom from death.

            Note:  There are many interpretations on what Jesus means concerning some will not taste death until they see His glory.   Let me give just one this week.  If we are willing to follow Jesus, and die to ourselves, then we will see, on this side of the grave, the glory of His Kingdom, the glory of His Person.

            Q  Why did Jesus say "some" who are standing here will see the Kingdom of God come with power?

               An = Not all were going to see it.  Maybe our experience of the Christian life is anything but one of power.  The reason is we have yet to really follow Jesus.

            Q  Who have we not forgiven? 

               Note:  Maybe there are people in our lives that it would kill us to forgive.  Go ahead, die.  If we die in that way, we will live. 

                        It is the beginning of seeing the kingdom of God come with power.

            Q  Are there people we are always judging?

               Note:  Maybe there are people we put down, despise and gossip about.  If we do, we are not following Jesus (see Matthew 7:1-5).  Maybe it would kill us not to gossip or despise that person? 

                        But you say:   "I have to gossip!  Someone has to spread the news!!!!!   All  justice in the world will collapse if I do not gossip and put that person down." 

            What will really collapse is our own soul if we continue.

            Until we stop, we will be dead.

            Note:  Jesus' words seem so hard tonight, but the Apostle Paul understood them and believed the same truths.  Lets close with some of his words....

>>>> Have someone read Romans 12:1,2

Lesson # 20 | MARK 8:27-33 | THE TURNING POINT: THE SECRET TO THE SECRET REVEALED

I.              Greetings: 

 

II.  Introduction: 

   A.  We come to what most scholars think is the halfway point, as well as the turning point in Mark's Gospel.  The turning point is the secret of why Jesus seems to want to keep His disciples and those He often heals from speaking about His work.  We have noted Jesus was deliberately trying to conceal His power and never was open about what He believed His mission was, or Who He was. 

   B.  The Mystery of Who He Is Has Deepened.

            Note:  William Lane (p. 288) points out that in Mark 1:1 Jesus is called the Messiah, but this is not mentioned again until our verse here in 8:29.  The word Messiah has not been used by Jesus Himself though He has certainly provoked questions. 

            1) His power has aroused the questioning of His authority:  1:27; 2:7; 6:2. 

Re-read:  Mark 6:2

            2) His association with sinners provokes charges that He is demonic:  2:15-20; 3:22-30.  

            3) His disciples themselves are hard pressed to find categories to describe Him:  4:41; 6:51-52. 

Re-read:  Mark 4:41

            4)  Mark creates a tension that is only solved in what we are going to read next.  When this passages arrives, a whole new tone comes over the book of Mark.

            Note:  Watch what Jesus is going to do with the issue of what others think.  Watch how He handles the need to look good.  He is going to show us Who He is, and who we are to be.

 

III.  The View of Men:  What They Thought of Jesus, Mark 8:27-30.

   A.  Jesus Listens to How Men Define Him.

>>>> Have someone read Mark 8:27-30.

            Q  What did people say about Jesus? 

               An = Re-read Mark 8:28.  All of these answers speak about very prominent people.  John the Baptist was a contemporary religious success,  Elijah or one of the prophets was to be equated with greatness from the past.

            Q  What did their answer mean?

               An = Of course, it meant they were impressed with Jesus' abilities.  However, when they answered John, Elijah, or one of the past prophets they failed to see Jesus' distinctiveness.  He is like the great men of the past but yet so much more.

            Q  When Peter calls Him Messiah, what does the term Messiah (or the Christ) mean?

               An = Actually, it is a title, not a name.  It means one who is anointed by God:  royalty, priest, or prophet.  He is the "anointed one", and people were anointed for a purpose.

            Q  Is Jesus happy with Peter's insights in 8:29?

               An = Notice His next action in 8:30.  He tells them to tell no man about Him.

            Q  Why?  What is the secret to the secret of hiding Jesus' powers, or now His proper title? 

               An = For the first time Mark tells us why.  So it should be the key to all other times He said, " Tell no man".  Peter's words are correct in themselves but so were the confessions of demons (1:25; 3:12).  Jesus silenced those other voices, and He silences His disciples now.

            Note:  Jesus has a reason for keeping things quiet, He wants them to truly understand.

   B. Helping Us to Properly Define Ourselves.

            Note:  We have been watching what He was doing.  Now He will tell us what the Mission is and articulate Who He is.  Jesus starts this process by first asking the disciples to state what men think of Him.

            Q  Jesus is going to define His purpose and goal in life, but why does He want to know what men think of Him?

               An = There could be two other options here.  1) Humans put a great deal of stock in what people think of them.  Jesus was human, and I know it is so easy to pursue a good name, or to desire to impress people with my accomplishments or hoped for accomplishments.  Often our self esteem is dependent on what others think of us.  Part of the answer could be Jesus is showing His humanity.

            2) It could also be He wanted them to think, and He draws out their thinking by His question.  Perhaps, the Gospel is only understood when we participate in this way.

 

IV.  The View of God:  How God Sees Jesus' Mission and Purpose.   Mark 8:31-33

>>>> Have someone read Mark 8:31-33.

   A.  The Rejection of the Answer.

            Q  How does Peter respond?

               An = Peter, one of Jesus' most trusted friends and followers does not like the answer.  In fact, Peter had the audacity to rebuke Jesus for His statements in verse 31.

            Q  How does Jesus respond to Peter's reaction?

               An = Peter is called the tool of Satan.  William Barclay says (Mark, p. 205) "It is a strange thing, and sometimes a terrible thing, that the tempter speaks to us in the voice of a well-meaning friend."

            Note: = The greek term used here for "get behind" best means "return to your rank", not "get away" (see Mark 1:17,20).  Jesus is saying Peter is now in the ranks of Satan and not in the ranks of God's army or cause.

            Jesus is calling Peter to get behind the right leader and into the right ranks.  So often we Christians are serving in the wrong army and need to be corrected.

   B.  The Secret Revealed.

            Q  What then is the secret of the secret? 

               An = See 8:31 again, because here the veil is taken off.  The Secret is that Jesus must suffer, be rejected, and killed.  Confession of Jesus as the Christ (8:29) must include the cross.

   C.  What we learn of Ourselves and Our Mission From the Secret.

            RQ  This is Mark's secret, is it ours?  Is it mine?

               An = Do I want to be a success in the eyes of men or do I want to be like Jesus "the Christ".  Am I willing to be uncomfortable, to suffer, to follow God so that key people in my life will reject me and cause me harm?

            Q  Do most Christians you know want to be a success or to follow God?

               An = Whatever most others do, it helps me to remember that to accomplish all that God really wants to do in me will cost me my life, and cause rejection by key leaders in my community.  It helps me to also remember, it is Jesus who is now shown reverence, and not those leaders.  Jesus took the way of the Cross and unto Him:  "every knee shall bow and every tongue shall confess that Jesus Christ is Lord".

            Note:  If we only think about spiritual truths, but do not act on them, we will remain dead and captive to what men think.  We will remain a slave to our surroundings, not the man or woman God wants us to be.  We have to act.

            Q  What comfort zone would the Holy Spirit want you to step out of?  What humiliation will you risk so Jesus Christ and others will benefit?

               An = Write in your notes or Bible's margins the comfort zone you fear most to lose.

            Note:  But how do you get the courage to do these things? 

   D.  What We Learn of Jesus from the Secret.

            Note:  Ask everyone to turn to Isaiah 53:1-9.

>>>> Have someone read Isaiah 53:1-9. 

            Q  Can you understand Jesus Christ apart from suffering?

               An = Suffering must be there to understand Jesus, any other way is wrong. 

>>>> Have someone read Isaiah 53:10-13.

            Q  To what is Jesus' greatness tied to?

            Q  To what will our greatness be tied to if we are like our Lord?

               An = Our greatness, like Jesus', is tied to how we help others.  Not how successful we are, how many financial goals we accomplish, or how many titles and awards we gather.  Our greatness is tied to how much we help others.  Helping others can be a costly thing.  If we are like Jesus we must bear the cross.  However it will result in blessing the world, our community, families and friends.

            Note:  W. Lane, p. 296 quotes Minette de Tillesse,

            "If Jesus had allowed his glory as Son of God to shine everywhere, if he had permitted to the crowds their delirious enthusiasm, it he had allowed the demons to howl their servile confession, if he had permitted the apostles to divulge everywhere their sensational discovery, the passion would have been rendered impossible and the destiny of Jesus would have issued in triumph, but a triumph which would have been wholly human (8:33) and which would not have accomplished the divine plan of salvation."

            If Jesus would have allowed his glory as Son of God to shine to the crowds, the demons, the religious authorities, or the apostles in the way they wanted, we would not be here tonight.

            There would have been no cross, salvation, freedom from sin, fellowship of the Spirit, and hope of eternal life in heaven.

            The sufferings, rejection, death and then resurrection of Jesus are absolutely necessary.  The secret to the secret is "Jesus suffered, died and rose again for our sins".  He slowed down any other confession or understanding of Him that did not center on that fact.

Lesson # 19 | MARK 8:11-26 | SPIRITUAL BLINDNESS AND A LOAF OF BREAD

I.  Greetings.

 

II. Introduction:

            Q  Have you recently watched a teacher, parent, or supervisor at work suffer with being misunderstood?  If so, raise your hands?

            Q  How many of you have been misunderstood recently?  If so, raise your hands?

            Q  How did you feel, would anyone like to share?

            Q  Have you ever been deliberately misunderstood by your enemies?

                        Note:  Today's lesson centers around the issue of being misunderstood.  We believe Jesus was fully God, we also believe He was fully human.  He was tempted in all ways like we are says the Book of Hebrews.  He is our "high priest".  He prays for us with great empathy because He understands what we face. 

            We face being misunderstood, Jesus faced the same thing.  Lets see what He experienced, and how He handled it.

 

III.  Spiritually Blind Religious Enemies:  Mark 8:11-13.

            Note:   Life is hard when we are misunderstood, but it is even more frustrating to be misunderstood by those who refuse to see the truth.

>>>> Have someone read Mark 8:11-13.

      Note:  The seeking of a sign culminates what seems to have been the end of the Pharisees questioning of Him.  They wanted proof Jesus was right in what He was telling them.  What they talked about we are not told, only that they now wanted proof in the form of a sign from Heaven (i.e. from God).

            Q  How does Jesus answer them?

            Q  What does this mean for us today?

            Q  Why does Jesus refuse?  What do you think is the reason for His refusal?

               An = 1)  He would be subjected to their system of determining truth.  A system of religion He has rejected in chapter 7:1-23.

                         2)  They already had seen many miracles and wonders in His healing.  Previously, we learned in chapter 3:22 that they called such miraculous powers satanic.

                         3)  They would not believe him even if He did play their game.  Look up Psalm 95

>>>> Have someone read Psalm 95:8-11.

            Q  Did the Israelites see miracles and signs?  Did it help them believe.

               An = No, it did not.  The Israelites saw the great miracles recorded in the book of Exodus and still chose not to believe.

            Q  Does religious education always help us see the truth?

               An = Religious education is no guarantee of spiritual perception.  The Pharisees knew their theology, much of it was even first class thinking.

            Q  Are some of us seeking a sign today? 

            Q  Are we waiting for some kind of confirmation when we already know what is true and what we need to do? 

               An = If we are, we may begin to encounter the silence of God (>>> You read Mark 8:12-13).  He might refuse to give us a sign, because we already know better.

 

 

III.  Spiritually Blind Disciples:  Mark 8:14-21

            Note:  Jesus has been misunderstood by his enemies, those His teachings and presence has threatened.  We see how He handled that, but now things get even more frustrating.

            Q  Have you ever been misunderstood by your friends?

>>>> Have someone read Mark 8:14-15.

            Q  What had the disciples forgot?

            Q  Why did the Disciples misunderstand 8:15?

               An = Selective hearing:  we often did this to our parents as kids.  We can also do this to God.  An example of this should be supplied by you.  Instead of hearing what really was said, you merely focused on a key word because of guilt.

            Q What is leaven? 

               An = (yeast) 

            Q So, what is yeast?

               An = Actually it is the rotting of something, but to make bread or yogurt you need to add a catalyst from a starter.  Yeast or leaven is that starter for bread. 

            Note:  Because yeast is the starting of something rotting or breaking down, leaven in the ancient world often stood for corruption.

            Q What does 8:15 mean?

               An = Beware of the corruptive influence of religious leaders and politicians.

>>>> Have someone read Mark 8:16

            Q  Do the disciples understand the warning?

>>>> Have someone read Mark 8:17-21

            Q  Why does Jesus say to beware of the teaching of the Pharisees and Herod by using a bread metaphor?

               An = He could be tieing back to their disbelief concerning the miracles of the two feedings (7:30-44 and 8:1-10).  They had yet to understand (8:17-20).  Perhaps He poses the question in terms of bread because it was concerning the episodes of bread they were still most in the dark about.  Besides, Jesus did not need many loaves to feed a mere twelve men (See, 8:17-20).  He was rather good with bread!

            Q  Finally, what disturbs Jesus?  What causes Him to "sigh" in 8:12?                         

               An = >>> Re-read Mark 7:34.   Perhaps, He sees in the deaf man the deafness of His people, even His own disciples.  It is our physical needs (7:34) and our spiritual blindness (8:12) that cause God to be disturbed, because He cares for both of these areas of our lives.

           

IV.  Physically Blind Member of the Crowd:  Mark 8:22-26

>>>> Have someone read Mark 8:22-26.

            Q  Why take the man out of town?

               An = 1)  He does not seek notoriety for Himself.  This fits the pattern of 1:44, 5:43,                                     7:36, 8:26.

                         2)  It could be concern for the man himself.

            Q  Why does He spit?  

               An = Again, perhaps to deeply identify with the man and his needs.

            Q  Why was the healing gradual?   Before you answer that, note this is the only gradual physical healing in all of the Gospel accounts.

            Q  Why does Mark record a healing of sight right after two episodes of spiritually blind groups:  religious leaders and His disciples?  What is Mark saying?

               An = Spiritual insight often comes gradually.  Do not be discouraged.  Jesus did not get new disciples, despite their great capacity to be blockheads.  He will keep you if you truly want to see.  It may take stages, but Psalm 146:8 will come true of you. 

>>>> Have someone read Psalm 146:8 to the group.  (Psalm 146:6-10)