Mark 8: Bible Study

 

 

 

 

Our studies at the moment are exploring the Gospel of Mark – most probably dictated to Mark by the apostle Peter. Each week a chapter will be chosen as we systematically work our way through the gospel. The minister will take a section of that chapter to preach on but over 5 of the 7 days in that week you will have the opportunity to read that chapter for yourselves as we explore together the life of Jesus. If you have any questions as you study please do not hesitate to either email the minister or contact him by phone – he will be delighted to help.

 

Mark 8

 

Day 1 Read Mark chapter 8

This passage is packed with incident and thought-provoking teaching and words from Jesus – as we move towards the climax of the Gospel things are getting meatier. Jesus miraculously feeds 4,000 this time but the Pharisees ask for a miraculous sign! Jesus then warns His disciples not to be influenced by the Pharisees. The sign then comes with the healing of the blind man and that is followed by Peter’s wonderful confession. Finally Jesus speaks about His death and in so doing lays down a challenge to the disciples – it is decision time for them and us. Explore your feelings as you read this passage and in particular the challenge Jesus gives in verses 34 – 38.

 

Day 2 Read Mark 8:1-21

Everything here is connected. We first of all see the wonderful miracle of provision by God – another feeding miracle. This underlines the power and compassion of Jesus. This is then followed by the continuing opposition of the Pharisees – people who should have known better. There is therefore no guarantee that even if we do experience the power of Jesus working in our lives that this will result in all people coming to faith and being impressed by what they experience. Finally Jesus warns His disciples of the danger of their faith degenerating into the legalism of the Pharisees, and in warning them He is warning us too.

 

Day 3 Read Mark 8:22-26

Here is another story of people bringing someone to Jesus – and surely with the expectation that He would heal their friend. We see therefore the faith of the blind man’s friend. Do we possess a similar faith when we bring people we know and love to Jesus in prayer – do we possess real expectation? Notice that Jesus healed the blind man but in this case it was not instant. There are times when we have to work in prayer and not give up at the first hurdle.

 

• What is your greatest desire for Jesus to answer?

• Have you brought this desire to Jesus and will you continue to bring it to Him?

 

 

Day 4 Read Mark 8:27-30

Notice how important to Jesus it is that the disciples grasp and understand who He is. There was a lot of speculation about Jesus and His true significance – as there is today – and it is important that we hear what Jesus says about Himself. He is genuinely interested in the speculation of the disciples and of course Peter, in one of his magnificent moments, finally grasps who Jesus is.

 

• The question for us is the same – has it yet dawned on us who Jesus is and has that impacted on our faith in a meaningful and life-changing way?

 

 

Day 5 Read Mark 8: 31-38

Jesus explains His destiny to the disciples but they, and Peter in particular, reject His way. Jesus realises that His death is fundamental to His ministry, and for us to please God we too must follow Him – we must:

 

1. Deny self (not the same as self-denial) by putting God and His will at the heart of our lives, and not our own.

 

1. Take up the Cross and fully and unashamedly identify with Jesus.

 

1. Follow Him by spending the rest of our lives in the adventure of discipleship.