Mark: Week 2
Questions
If you are a follower of Jesus, you need to be in God’s word. It’s critical that we hear from God through Scripture. Do you have a rhythm of reading the Bible? What has kept you from this in the past?
Read Mark 11:11-26. Using your own words, as well as Adam’s notes, what is happening in this story? What stands out to you?
Put yourself in the disciples’ shoes. What do you think they were feeling in this story?
We tend to think of Jesus as quiet, meek, and a pushover. But Jesus is not safe. Safe Jesus does not flip over tables, drive people away, or curse a fig tree. Does this thought change how you see Jesus? Why or why not?
Jesus is not soft. Some of the most powerful men in Israel feared Jesus. When Jesus cursed the fig tree as a way to explain that the Jewish leadership could no longer be fruitful because they had rejected Jesus. Jesus expects us to be fruitful. What do you think it means to be fruitful?
Spiritual Practice
Reflection: Brian shared this quote from author & pastor Mark Batterson: “Jesus didn’t die to keep us safe. He died to make us dangerous. Faithfulness is not holding the fort. It’s storming the gates of hell. The will of God is not an insurance plan. It’s a daring plan. The complete surrender of your life to the cause of Christ isn’t radical. It’s normal. It’s time to quit living as if the purpose of life is to arrive safely at death. It’s time to go all in and all out for the All in All.” Take a moment to reflect on this passage. What stands out to you?
