Bible Studies
Mark: Lesson 39
Lesson text: Mark 16:1-8 The chapter begins with the women going to Jesus’ tomb to anoint His body. But they’re met by an angel who tells them that Jesus has risen from the dead! He instructs the women to tell the disciples, including Peter, that Jesus will meet them in Galilee. They see that the tomb is empty, but they’re fearful to tell anyone what they’ve been told. A majority of modern scholars believe that this is where Mark’s gospel…
Mark: Lesson 38
Lesson text: Mark 15:33-47 After three hours of darkness in the middle of the day, Jesus dies on the cross. At the end He is still much stronger than the usual crucifixion victim. Watching all this transpire, the centurion in charge is moved by Jesus’ manner of death. Joseph of Arimathea asks for Jesus’ body so that He may be buried. Pilate is surprised by how quickly Jesus has died, but he approves the release. The women from Galilee who…
Mark: Lesson 37
Lesson text: Mark 15:16-32 Having yielded to the pressure of the crowd, Pilate turns Jesus over to his soldiers for crucifixion. The soldiers proceed to mock Jesus, placing a purple robe on Him and “honoring” Him with a crown of thorns. Jesus is then led out toward the place of execution, a hill called Golgotha. He falls beneath the weight of the crossbeam He is forced to carry, so the soldiers draft a man named Simon to carry it for…
Mark: Lesson 36
Lesson text: Mark 14:66-15:15 Jesus has been arrested and is now standing trial before the Sanhedrin. Outside, Peter is sticking close. But a servant girl recognizes him and says he was with Jesus. Peter denies this. In short order, he denies Jesus twice more. At this, he hears the cock crow, reminding him that Jesus said Peter would deny Him. As night turns to morning, the Sanhedrin bring Jesus to Pontius Pilate. They need Pilate to endorse their death sentence.…
Mark: Lesson 35
Lesson text: Mark 14:43-65 Judas agrees to betray Jesus to the Jewish leaders, choosing the garden of Gethsemane as the place of his betrayal. Once in custody, Jesus is brought before the Sanhedrin. They are looking for some charge that ill allow them to sentence Him to death. Ultimately they declare that Jesus is guilty of blasphemy. Lesson worksheet Header image by Stacey Franco on Unsplash.
Mark: Lesson 34
Lesson text: Mark 14:27-42 Jesus and His disciples have left the upper room and are headed to the Mount of Olives. Along the way, Jesus tells them that they will be scattered before very long. Peter protests, which leads Jesus to tell him he will actually deny his rabbi before the cock crows twice. They arrive at the Garden of Gethsemane, and Jesus invites Peter, James, and John to join Him in prayer. Jesus is greatly troubled, knowing what lies…
Mark: Lesson 33
Lesson text: Mark 14:1-26 As Jesus’ crucifixion draws nearer, the tension and intrigue build. In Bethany, Mary anoints Jesus with a flask of costly perfume. Judas complains about what he sees as a waste of resources, but Jesus challenges his perspective. Jesus then has two of His disciples go to Jerusalem to prepare a place for them to celebrate the Passover meal. While there, Jesus institutes the Lord’s supper. All the while, Judas is plotting how he can betray Jesus.…
Mark: Lesson 32
Lesson text: Mark 13:24-37 We complete our investigation of the “Olivet Discourse.” Jesus gives instructions regarding the fall of Jerusalem, telling his hearers to escape with haste. There will be false teachers who discourage their departure, but they must not listen to these men. Jesus then describes the day of the Lord, when He will come in the clouds with great power and glory. But because no one knows when that day is coming, He tells His followers that they…
Mark: Lesson 31
Lesson text: Mark 12:3-23 Leaving the temple complex, Jesus leads His disciples up to the Mount of Olives. There He presents what has come to be known as the Olivet Discourse. Jesus alternates between prophecies about the destruction of the temple and the Day of the Lord. Underlying this, He encourages their (and our) faithfulness and obedience. Lesson worksheet Header image by Cristofer Maximilian on Unsplash.
Mark: Lesson 30
Lesson text: Mark 12:35-44; Mark 13:1-2 As Jesus completes His public ministry, a few matters remain. Sitting in the temple, He asks how the Messiah can be David’s Son and his Lord? This is another challenge to the Jewish leaders’ understanding of Scripture. He then warns the people of the hypocrisy and self-serving nature of the scribes. Just before leaving the temple, Jesus notices a widow giving all she has as an offering. Her generosity is a stark contrast to…