Worship
Sundays 
In Person &
FB Live:
11:00am

BIBLE STUDY

UNTIL WE’RE ABLE TO MEET AT CHURCH AGAIN, THE GOSPEL READING FOR THE COMING SUNDAY AND SOME QUESTIONS TO THINK ABOUT WILL BE POSTED EVERY WEDNESDAY.  WE WOULD LOVE TO HAVE YOU SHARE YOUR OWN ANSWERS TO THE QUESTIONS BY EMAILING THEM TO:

barbfletcher2@aol.com

ALL OF OUR RESPONSES WILL BE COMPILED (ANONYMOUSLY) AND ADDED TO THE POSTING ON SATURDAY.   WE HOPE THAT YOU WILL JOIN THE CONVERSATION ABOUT THE GOSPEL READING EACH WEEK AND CHECK OUT THE RESPONSES EACH SATURDAY!

BIBLE STUDY FOR SUNDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2021

PRAYER:      Holy Father, by the power of your Holy Spirit, prepare our hearts and minds to receive all that You want us to learn.  As we read your word, shine on us the light of your truth.  May we gain a deeper understanding of who You are and what your will is in each of our lives.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.

CONTEXT:    Although not included in the Lectionary reading for this week, the preceding two verses are inserted below because they add an important context to what comes next.  Jesus has just repeated, in agonizing detail this time, all of the things that are going to happen to Him in Jerusalem.  Coming at that very moment, James’ and John’s demand is seen in a sharper light.  Jesus then uses this as another opportunity to correct the disciples, teaching them yet again the vast difference between worldly power and true greatness in the kingdom of God.  An important realization for us as well.

READING:    Mark 10:35-45

Previous verses:  32 They were on the road, going up to Jerusalem, and Jesus was walking ahead of them; they were amazed, and those who followed were afraid. He took the twelve aside again and began to tell them what was to happen to him, 33 saying, “See, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be handed over to the chief priests and the scribes, and they will condemn him to death; then they will hand him over to the Gentiles; 34 they will mock him, and spit upon him, and flog him, and kill him; and after three days he will rise again.

35 James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came forward to him and said to him, “Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you.” 36 And he said to them, “What is it you want me to do for you?” 37 And they said to him, “Grant us to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your glory.” 38 But Jesus said to them, “You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, or be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?” 39 They replied, “We are able.” Then Jesus said to them, “The cup that I drink you will drink; and with the baptism with which I am baptized, you will be baptized; 40 but to sit at my right hand or at my left is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared.”

41 When the ten heard this, they began to be angry with James and John. 42 So Jesus called them and said to them, “You know that among the Gentiles those whom they recognize as their rulers lord it over them, and their great ones are tyrants over them. 43 But it is not so among you; but whoever wishes to become great among you must be your servant, 44 and whoever wishes to be first among you must be slave of all. 45 For the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many.”

QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION:

1. Do you find James’ and John’s words in verse 37 surprising?  What do they tell us about them?  Are they very different from us; don’t we also make such demands upon Jesus?  What should our prayers consist of, and in what order?

2. What is Jesus saying in verses 38-39?  How did Jesus’ predictions come to pass for James and John?  In what ways do they come to pass for all believers?

3.  What do you make of verse 40?  Why would Jesus be unable to grant that wish?  What might it indicate about the nature of the relationship between Jesus and God the Father?

4.  How would you put into your own words the world’s definition of “greatness”?    How might we fall victim to that type of thinking?  How would you put into your own words God’s definition of “greatness”?  What steps could you take to become “greater” in God’s kingdom?

6.  What are some criteria the world (and perhaps we) might wrongly use to evaluate whether a church or ministry is “great”?  What criteria would Jesus use?  Why is that distinction so important for us to keep in mind?

7. The word “ransom” in verse 45b is often used to represent Jesus’ suffering and death as a purely transactional payment for our sins, and many commentaries argue for a more comprehensive understanding.  How do you see it, and how does this week’s reading support your viewpoint?

8.  What impresses you most about Jesus’ willingness to serve others?  What are some key principles and applications from Jesus’ example of servanthood that you can utilize in your personal life and ministry? 

9.  Where are you on your path to servanthood?  Can you think of any opportunities to serve in places or ways in which you haven’t yet?