WORD OF LIFE BIBLE STUDY GUIDE  

  The Bible in Your life and Your Life in the Bible  




  THE GOSPEL OF MARK  



"Moved with pity, Jesus stretched out his hand and touched him " (Mark 1:41)





  MARK 1:40-45 TEXT  



40 A leper came to him begging him, and kneeling he said to him, “If you choose, you can make me clean.” 41 Moved with pity, Jesus stretched out his hand and touched him, and said to him, “I do choose. Be made clean!” 42 Immediately the leprosy left him, and he was made clean. 43 After sternly warning him he sent him away at once, 44 saying to him, “See that you say nothing to anyone; but go, show yourself to the priest, and offer for your cleansing what Moses commanded, as a testimony to them.” 45 But he went out and began to proclaim it freely, and to spread the word, so that Jesus could no longer go into a town openly, but stayed out in the country; and people came to him from every quarter.







  MARK 1:40-45 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.

    verse 40

  1. Do you note any sort of progression in the miracles seen so far in this chapter?

  2. According to the Law did the leper have the right to approach Jesus? Read Leviticus 13:45, 46 to answer this question.

  3. What was the inner disposition of the leper in approaching Jesus?

  4. What does the word ‘begging’ tell us about the leper’s inner state of mind?

  5. What does kneeling reveal to us about the leper’s inner state?

  6. The body language of the leper reveals his inner disposition; what about his words?

  7. ‘If you choose’. In these words do you think the leper focuses on his own will or on Jesus’?

  8. What words, in this verse show us the faith of the leper?



    9. verse 41

  9. What was the inner reaction of Jesus?

  10. As a result of the man’s faith what did Jesus do?

  11. Can you think of another episode where Jesus stretches out his hand in this chapter?

  12. What risks was Jesus running when he touched the leper? What does this tell us about Jesus?

  13. Do you think that men would be afraid of an approaching leper? Why?

  14. Why was Jesus not afraid? Read 1 John 4:18.

  15. What do you think the act of stretching out his hand and touching the leper add to the episode? Would it have been different if he had simply healed by word only as in the episode with the man with the unclean spirit? Why?

  16. Did the leper pray according to the will of Jesus? How do you think the man knew Jesus would want to heal him?


    17. verse 42

  17. What was the immediate effect of Jesus' touch and of his words?

  18. The Word of God speaks the creative words of healing. Can you associate this with any other episodes in Scripture? Read also psalm 107. In particular which verses, in this psalm, reflect the words and miracle of Jesus in this episode?

  19. Do you think the leper could be seen as a symbol? A symbol of what?

  20. What would you associate the concept of cleanness with in Christian doctrine and life?


    21. verse 43, 44

  21. Why do you think Jesus warned the leper ‘sternly’?

  22. Why do you think he did not want the leper to speak of the miracle?

  23. Why do you think Jesus told the leper to fulfil the requirements of the Law by going to the priest and make an offering for his cleansing?

  24. What words in these verses contribute to the impression of swiftness characteristic of Mark?


    25. verse 45

  25. Why do you think the leper did not do as Jesus asked? Do you think this was a natural reaction?

  26. What does this teach us? When we receive healing and consolation do we let people know that it was in answer to prayer? Do we spread the word?

  27. What is the word that normally describes spreading the good news?

  28. Are we personally involved in evangelisation?

  29. Do you think there is a right moment and a wrong moment to spread the word? Are you actively attentive for the right moment or do we automatically justify ourselves by saying it is never the right moment and we say nothing?

  30. Why do you think many never share their experience of faith with their friends and acquaintances?

  31. What was the consequence of the ex-leper proclaiming the Good News here? Was it positive or negative?

  32. What could Jesus do before and what could he not do after the miracle? Was the mission of Jesus blocked? Was there a change in approach?



    General discussion questions

  • What lessons for our prayers can we draw from this episode? Do you think the leper provides us with a model of prayer and the inner disposition needed?

  • What do the words and actions of Jesus reveal about how we should relate to others?

  • Do we think we have something of the leper within? In ourselves? In our community?

  • Do we think that this episode teaches us to bear each others’ burdens? How do we do this?

  • “For if we have received the love which restores meaning to our lives, how can we fail to share that love with others?” Pope Francis, Evangelii Gaudium, The Joy of the Gospel #8. Discuss.



    Application


  • Think of a defining episode of your life when you have experienced the presence of Jesus (conversion experience).

  • Make a point of speaking to one person about this transforming experience and about the driving force in your life.

  • Invite that person to go to your church with you or invite him or her to your Bible group.





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Mark 2:1-12 Text and Questions

Mark 1:40-45 Meditation





© R W
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