The Gospel of Mark #9 – Study Questions
More ministry around Galilee.
Mark 6:30-56 (CGS#9)
INTRODUCTION: I grew up playing sports and going to schools where academics were highly competitive. Now, there are a lot of positive lessons I learned along the way. Things like endurance and persistence in the face of challenges. Or teamwork towards a common goal. I also picked up a few things that I needed to unlearn, especially when it comes to my relationship with God. One of those things that needed to be unlearned is that I am only as good as the last result that I produced. Yes, my personality definitely plays into that, and I do understand why it was what it was in the context of athletics and academics. But, when it comes to our relationship with God, we actually experience the very opposite. We are valuable not because of what we do or produce but because of what he says about us. That is, our doing is to always follow our being. It is such an upside-down concept for us that even when we’ve been following Jesus for a number of years and we are well-versed in the language of grace, we still default to doing first. At the conclusion of Mark 6, we see the disciples come off of a momentous ministry tour, and Jesus takes them away to rest. Rest for Jesus wasn’t merely a means to an end. That is, he didn’t just rest because his earthly body needed a recharge to go and do more ministry. He rested because his ministry flowed from his being. Jesus is preparing the disciples for life after the cross, and it should stand out to us that Jesus didn’t tell them to go and do more ministry; instead, he took them away to rest. We also shouldn’t miss that even when their rest is interrupted, and the crowds press in, they miss the whole point of the feeding of the 5,000. When they were off in groups of two, they were to learn to trust God not only for their provision but the results of their ministry. Now, back with Jesus, they seem confounded by the lack of physical resources and that they have the very Messiah with them. A few loaves and fish are plenty for Jesus to feed the crowd. This shouldn’t have surprised them. But they are. And we are a lot like them, aren’t we? We get our doing and being mixed up. We think rest is a duty or an obligation and not the gift that it actually is. We are faithful one moment, and we aren’t the next. Jesus wanted them to learn that they could never follow him wholeheartedly through their own strength. Instead, they would need to always lean in and trust the Lord. And that rest is a crucial part of that process. In fact, the disciples press on when Jesus is still praying (resting). He then meets them on the water. Their priorities are all mixed up. And what does Mark tell us about them? Their hearts grew hard. That’s what happens when we mix up our doing and being. So, let us be warned and cautioned doing and being are not the same thing.
GETTING STARTED – As a group, take time to answer this question. What was an experience in your life that has helped you understand the difference between doing and being?
IN THE WORD – Let’s dig back into the passage(s). It is important to strengthen our muscles in reading God’s Word. On Sunday, we walked through the passage in the sermon. Hopefully, that helped you to see the landmarks of the passage with fresh eyes. Now, with your group, go back through it and see what God is saying to you specifically.
First, before you read the passage, take a moment to ask God’s Spirit to quiet your mind and heart and to illuminate the text to you. Second, read the passage aloud to the group. Then, follow the simple method below. (O.P.A)
Observe: Make 8-10 observations from the passage. Pay close attention to observe and note repeated words and phrases, names, places, and themes.
Principles: From your list of observations, what patterns or big ideas do you see emerging? Can you distill it down into 2-4 big idea truths?
Apply: Moving from your list of principles, it is time to apply God’s Word. Remember, we believe that God’s Word is living and active and that it can change the way we live Monday- Friday. What is one tangible way to apply a truth from your list above?
Note: Another way to approach your time together is to talk through the following questions. [1]
- What is your relationship with rest? Is it a means to an end? Something to be avoided? A gift to be enjoyed? And, what has influenced your perspective on rest?
- When you consider your patterns of rest and work, what stands out to you when you look at Jesus’ pattern of rest and work?
- The disciples have walked with Jesus for over two years at this point. Yet, they still misunderstand and risk having hard hearts. How do you see yourself in their example?
- In the feeding of the 5,000, one act of faithfulness regarding resources was honored and used by God to do an amazing thing. What is my attitude towards my resources? Think about your time, talents, and treasure.
- What are some things in your life that can cause your heart to grow hard or even indifferent to the things of the Lord?
- How do people miss the point about Jesus today? What could you say to help them understand him better?
[1] Question 6 is from: Jason Meyer, Mark for You, ed. Carl Laferton, God’s Word for You (The Good Book Company, 2022).