WORD OF LIFE BIBLE STUDY GUIDE  

  The Bible in Your life and Your Life in the Bible  




  THE GOSPEL OF MARK  





"I am not worthy" (Mark 1:7)











  MARK 1:9-13 TEXT  




9 In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. 10 And just as he was coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens torn apart and the Spirit descending like a dove on him. 11 And a voice came from heaven, “You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.” 12 And the Spirit immediately drove him out into the wilderness. 13 He was in the wilderness forty days, tempted by Satan; and he was with the wild beasts; and the angels waited on him.









  MARK 1:9-13 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 1:9-11 The Baptism of Jesus  




verse 9

  1. “In those days”, what does this refer to? When did Jesus come? Do you remember what kind of preparation was made for his coming?

  2. John’s baptism was for repentance. Why did Jesus accept to be baptised by John?

  3. Whose sins was he bearing on the cross? Does this help us to understand why Jesus wanted to be baptised by John? See Isaiah 53:5.

  4. Despite his greatness, Jesus came to John for baptism. What does this tell us about Jesus? Self-denial (Philippians 2; 2 Corinthians 5:21)

  5. What virtue is being publicly manifested in Jesus' act of submission to John?

  6. What did John’s baptism consist of? Was it sprinkling of water or something more symbolic?

  7. What was the symbolic meaning of this baptism?

  8. What was the symbolic meaning of descending into the water?

  9. What was the symbolic meaning of the water itself?

  10. What was the symbolic meaning of rising from the water?



    11. verse 10


  11. Why do you think the divine manifestation came precisely at the moment of rising out of the water?

  12. What do you think the words “the heavens torn apart” mean? How do you relate this to Hebrews 10:19, 20?

  13. What was the meaning of the Spirit descending on him. Why was this necessary?




    14. verse 11


  14. We heard the ‘voice’ of John, now we hear another voice? Whose voice was it?

  15. How do the various elements in this verse relate to 1:1?

  16. In John’s voice and in the Father’s what recognition did Jesus have?

  17. Do you think Jesus needed this recognition?

  18. What do we know now of the nature of God from vv. 10 and 11?






    19.   Mark 1:12-13 The Temptation of Jesus in the Wilderness  




    verse 12


  19. When was he led into the wilderness? Note the word ‘immediately’ and similar words and expressions in this Gospel.

  20. What characterises the wilderness? Is it positive or negative? How would you describe inner wilderness? Is this sometimes necessary to experience the wilderness within?

  21. Does Mark go into great detail in relating this episode? Is this characteristic of Mark’s Gospel?

  22. Did Jesus himself decide to go into the wilderness? Does this have any relevance for our lives as Christians?

  23. What is one of the important roles of the Holy Spirit here and in our lives as Christians? See Romans 8:14.

  24. Have we experienced the leading of the Holy Spirit? How do we discern the will of God in a specific situation?

  25. Have we ever experienced divine approval for what we do?

  26. Have we ever had an intense spiritual experience and then led into the wilderness?

  27. Do you think there is a relation between the wilderness experience and Christian action and mission?

  28. Compare this account of Jesus’ experience in the wilderness with that related by Luke (Luke 4:1-14)



    29. verse 13


  29. Was Jesus alone during the temptations? Is there any indication of the protection of God in this verse?

  30. Why do you think he was tempted by the forces of evil? Has Satan tried to thwart God’s Jesus’ mission before now?

  31. When we are amidst temptations or in a period of inner wilderness do we feel alone and abandoned or are we aware that God is present?

  32. Note driven by the Holy Spirit and came out in the power of the Spirit (Luke 4:14) and after being empowered began his ministry. Does this teach us something?

  33. Why do you think he was there 40 days? Are there any other episodes in Scripture in which the number 40 is important?

  34. What is purpose of trials and temptations?

  35. Why is it necessary to overcome temptation and trials?

  36. What is your experience during temptations and trials? Where have you found the strength to overcome them? How do you overcome them?



 General discussion questions 

  • What do these verses teach us about the virtue of humility?

  • Do you think the value of humility is important for life?

  • Is humility valued in the secular world?

  • Do you think you should conform to the secular model of self-assertion or the Christian virtue of self-denial?

  • Is it possible to be a disciple of Christ without self-denial?

  • If you are full of self can you be full of the Holy Spirit?

  • How do you exercise the virtue of humility in your life, your family life, life at work, life in the parish?

  • Can you be guided by the Holy Spirit if you are guided by your emotions?

  • Do you think the practice of the presence of God helps you in times of trial? How?


 Application 
  • Try to be aware of the presence of God as many times as possible during the day and try to increase this gradually. Try to be aware of his presence while doing your daily chores. Try to do this in situations of stress.

  • Think of these words during the day: "You are my son / daughter, with you I am well pleased". Think of God the Father saying this to you as he did to Jesus.

  • Listen to the following song: Be still in the presence of the Lord and reflect on the words.

  • If you do this habitually you shall make great progress and your life will gradually change as you read the Word of God.





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Mark 1:14-20 Text and Questions

Mark 1:9-13 Meditation





© R W
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