WORD OF LIFE BIBLE STUDY GUIDE  

  The Bible in Your life and Your Life in the Bible  




  THE GOSPEL OF MARK  



"if it is by the finger of God that I cast out the demons, then the kingdom of God has come to you." (Luke 11:20)





  MARK 1:21-28 TEXT  


21 They went to Capernaum; and when the sabbath came, he entered the synagogue and taught. 22 They were astounded at his teaching, for he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes. 23 Just then there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit, 24 and he cried out, “What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are, the Holy One of God.” 25 But Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be silent, and come out of him!” 26 And the unclean spirit, convulsing him and crying with a loud voice, came out of him. 27 They were all amazed, and they kept on asking one another, “What is this? A new teaching—with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey him.” 28 At once his fame began to spread throughout the surrounding region of Galilee.








  MARK 1:21-28 QUESTIONS  




Please note.
By reading the meditation associated with this text you will find many answers to the questions. However, the most important thing to do is to remain on the text, meditate on it until you can formulate your own answers. When interacting with the text we are interacting with the ultimate author of the text, the Holy Spirit.

If you wish to discuss these questions and interact with others then please join our online Bible group. If you wish to discuss these on a one-to-one basis then please contact us.




  Mark 1:21-28 Announcing the Good News of the Kingdom  







 Mark 1:21-28 The Kingdom of God is Here 


    verse 21

  1. Where are Jesus and his disciples?

  2. What had they been doing before now?

  3. What day is it and what is special about this day?

  4. What is the synagogue? What takes place there? Why were Jesus and his disciples there?

  5. Does this teach us anything? Do we regularly gather together with other Christians? Why do you think it is important to worship together and to have fellowship with each other? (See Hebrews 10:25)



    6. verse 22

  6. What took the people by surprise?

  7. Can you think of any other occasion when the teachings of Jesus evoked a similar reaction in his listeners? (See Luke 2:46, 47)

  8. It is not mentioned but on the basis of verses previous to this passage what do you think the content of Jesus’ teaching was?

  9. What other word is used (v. 27) to describe the reaction of the listeners to Jesus’ teaching? Do these words express mild surprise or something more?

  10. As we continue in our reflections on Mark’s Gospel let us take note of the reaction of the people in the various events related. We shall essentially see two different and opposing reactions: enthusiasm, amazement, acceptance on the one hand and hatred and hostility on the other. How do you interpret these two reactions? Under what influence or rule are they?

  11. Why were the people astounded at the teaching?

  12. What authority lay behind the teaching of Jesus? To answer this question take a look at John 6:63; John 7:16; John 14:10, 24. See also John 1:1, Jesus was the very Word of God.

  13. Do we have that same authority when talking about the Father and Jesus? See John 14:12, 23 and 1 Corinthians 6:19. Are people really surprised at the authority that lies behind our words? If not what do you think is lacking?

  14. Who are the scribes?

  15. Why do you think the Scribes did not have that same authority that Jesus had and that we, too, can have? Does this also teach us a lesson? Is it possible to be a Christian, go to church and even teach others and yet not have any influence, not communicate life and leave people indifferent or even bored?



    16. verse 23

  16. Who else was present in the synagogue? Who are the two main characters in this episode? Why are they in opposition?

  17. Do you think the man with the unclean spirit might have attended the synagogue regularly? Is it possible for some to go to church and go through the motions and yet not be right with God? Do you think this condition influences only the person himself or also the spiritual wellbeing of the whole community?



    18. verse 24

  18. How did this man make himself heard among the worshippers present? Did he speak in a low voice? Can you imagine the effect of someone crying out in the middle of the teaching? What effect would it have had on the people present? What, in Jesus’ teaching, do you think provoked that reaction? Was it only the message or was it the person of Jesus?

  19. What do the words “What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth” mean? Could you express the same thought in your own words?

  20. What do you think “us” refers to?

  21. How does he address Jesus? He identifies Jesus on two levels. What are these?

  22. Who do you think was speaking in and through the man?

  23. Who do you think was speaking in and through Jesus? (See John 7:16-17, John 14:10)

  24. What happens to us as temples of the Holy Spirit and when we surrender to him in our daily lives?

  25. Did the man understand the reason why Jesus came? How can this be related to Mark 1:14, 15?

  26. Do you think Jesus came to destroy the man with the unclean spirit or do you think he came to destroy the unclean spirit in the man?

  27. What does the “Holy One of God” mean? Who is ‘holy’?



    28. verse 25

  28. “Jesus rebuked him” who does Mark say that Jesus is speaking to?

  29. What effect does the Word of God always have? (See Isaiah 55:10, 11). Do you see that something similar happens when inspired teaching such as the Word of God speaks to us? Do we allow It to reach down to the core of our being, to our spirit and and let it influence us, guide us or rebuke us? Do we see the need for silence and meditation, for dwelling on the Word and bringing it down to the level of our spirit? Are we fully aware that meditation allows us to do that, discussion rarely does?

  30. What two commands did Jesus give? Did the unclean spirit obey?



    31. verse 26

  31. What did the unclean spirit do to the man when he heard the command of Jesus?

  32. Do you think that this demon possessed man was free? How do you think he relinquished his freedom? Do you think it happened suddenly or gradually? What kind of things usually lead up to this condition? What does this teach us?

  33. What does this miracle of deliverance show? Do you think it confirms what the spirit said that Jesus was the Holy one of God?

  34. Can evil spirits dwell in the presence of what is holy? Do you think the unclean spirit was also provoked by the very presence of Jesus?

  35. What then is the best preventive measure to demon possession? Do you think that the practice of the presence of God is the best form of protection against temptation and sin?

  36. Why do we need protection? What is actually going on in this world behind the scenes? (Read Ephesians 6:12-18). Do you think this explains all the horror the media talks of today and man’s inhumanity to man? List the means of protection listed in Ephesians and that we need in our spiritual warfare.

  37. Has this man with the unclean spirit become a victim of the spiritual warfare that is going on?

  38. Have we lost our freedom to some sort of addiction? How do you suggest we can be set free?

  39. What important and basic choice do we all have in life whether we are aware of it or not? (Deuteronomy 30:19). Who is the source of life? (John 5:26; John 6:63)



    40. verse 27

  40. Why were the people now amazed?

  41. What did they keep on asking? What does this reveal about these people?

  42. What question do you think they should have asked?

  43. Do you think they were more focused on what Jesus said and did rather than on who he was? Did the unclean spirit have greater insight into the true identity of Jesus? Although they could discern that the teaching was new and that he spoke with authority why do you think they could not see beyond that?



    44. verse 28

  44. Why did Jesus Christ become a celebrity overnight?

  45. Have we had a living encounter with the risen Lord? Do we keep silent or do we speak of our experience to others?

  46. How do we put into practice the last command of Jesus to his disciples expressed in Mark 16:15, 16?


 General discussion questions 
  • Have you experienced a loss of freedom because of some addiction?

  • How do you react to what may seem an irresistable attraction to evil?

  • Do you resort to awareness of the presence of God or do you rely entirely on your own strength to overcome temptation?

  • Do you think meeting together with other Christians helps you to become stronger in your faith and more informed and equipped for the spiritual battle that is being waged for your soul?


 Application 
  • Contribute to the spreading of the Gospel message by speaking of your faith with people in your sphere of influence, family, friends, neighbours, colleagues etc.

  • Meditate on that same message that amazed the people by dedicating at least half an hour every day to reading and meditating on the Bible.





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Mark 1:29-39 Text and Questions

Mark 1:21-28 Meditation





© R W
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